Challenge: Recruiting an Entrepreneurial Executive for a
Senior State Government Role.
Situation
A new Governor was elected
to an Upper Midwest state. He wanted to control growth of state spending,
rationalize government agencies, and grow the states’ job base. The Governor’s
transition team approached us to help them source and hire a Commissioner of
Trade and Economic Development. They wanted a business executive, but by law
could only pay low six figures (approximately 1/3 of what appropriate candidates
would make in industry).
What
We Did
We worked with the Governor’s
transition team to define optimal skillet and background. We sourced a select
number of corporate executives with an entrepreneurial mindset, willing to serve
as Commissioner for 2-4 years, who were attracted by the opportunity to “make a
difference”, and could tolerate the cut in compensation.
Results
The Governor selected a candidate who was VP Marketing at a locally based
Fortune 1000 company. We assisted in vetting the candidate, who was sworn in.
