Q: I’ve been elected to my first board seat, a mid-cap regional health services firm.  I’m familiar with this sector and the company, have spoken with the management team, and know a couple of current board members, so I have the essentials pretty well.  But now, ten days before my first board meeting, I’ve just… Read More

Over eleven years ago, I flipped the retained search model on its head and launched Summit Executive Resources. The vision and mission for Summit at the time, and still is today –  to serve as an agent to executives to represent their interest in their next C-Suite role or independent directorship. Sports agents serve star… Read More

In prior posts, I have discussed various topics related to corporate boards, such board recruitment, timing and compensation.  But, what if you have found yourself serving on your first corporate board?  How will you know the steps for effective board meeting preparation? Not only will it help you, but preparation before and between board meetings… Read More

Many of my clients aspire to be hired by a private equity firm and primarily for an executive role or independent directorship in one of the firm’s portfolio companies.  More so than the deal side, there is increasing interest in the role of operating partner.  In some initial discussions, I realize that although aspiring, some… Read More

Board culture is tantamount to a board’s success. Board culture affects decision-making and the directors’ relationship with management, impacting their ability to advise executive management and provide the necessary oversight. Because of this, a board needs to understand its culture, which includes how they make decisions, handle disagreements and share information. Is it collaborative and… Read More

It is often said that Corporate Partners struggle to be viewed as strong candidates for General Counsel positions. On the behalf of my executive clients, whom I serve as their personal career agent, I have been told by top-tier executive recruiters that I would not be able to help my clients make the transition from… Read More

So, you have been tapped or want to serve on an audit committee of a corporate board? Other than the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Audit Committee is one of the more prominent committees present on a corporate.  There is a great amount of risk serving on an Audit Committee. Many say that the responsibilities… Read More

Clearly, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) is a hot topic, by why should corporate boards focus on ESG? Looking as far back to 1997, the Business Roundtable published a Statement on Corporate Governance. Here’s an excerpt: “In The Business Roundtable’s view, the paramount duty of management and of boards of directors is to the… Read More

In my opinion, there are two points in the calendar year where board succession is the most prevalent. The first point in the year is in the late Winter/early Spring with February and March being the most active. The second most active point in the calendar year is September and October. So, with now being… Read More

When recruiting board members, it’s natural to rely on tools that have been in your toolbox for many years. One of these techniques that has claimed center stage for decades is retained executive search. Lead Independent Directors, General Counsels/Secretaries to the Board, Nominating Committee Chairs and Chief Human Resources Officers all realize that retained search… Read More