CHICAGO, June 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII), the world's premier executive search and leadership consulting firm, today announced that Gerry Roche has retired from its Board of Directors, and that it has named Jane D. Hartley to its Board.
Roche joined Heidrick & Struggles as an executive recruiter in 1964 and has been a Director of Heidrick & Struggles since 1970. Roche became Senior Vice President and Eastern Manager in 1973, was named Executive Vice President in early 1977, and in 1978 became President and Chief Executive Officer. In 1981, he moved into the Chairman's role to permit greater time for the high-level search work for which he is internationally known. Roche has worked with hundreds of corporations and their boards in his career, placing top executives throughout the world in almost every function and industry. He remains an active search consultant for Heidrick & Struggles, and will be recognized as Chairman Emeritus of the Company.
"Gerry has served this company as a director for 39 years with honor, distinction, compassion, integrity and supreme professionalism. His length of service as a director is unmatched by any standard in modern American business, and one marked by the dedication and iconic presence of a man we are honored to serve alongside," said Kevin Kelly, President and CEO of Heidrick & Struggles.
Added Richard Beattie, Chairman of the Heidrick & Struggles Board, "It has been an honor to have served on this board alongside Gerry Roche for the last seven years. And while Gerry's leadership and service as a director will be profoundly missed, I am gratified that he will continue to set the standard for senior executive and board recruitment on behalf of Heidrick & Struggles."
Hartley is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Observatory Group LLC, an economic and political consultancy, focused on closely monitoring monetary, fiscal and legislative policy, as well as other political and economic events of macroeconomic relevance. Before co-founding Observatory Group, Hartley was Chief Executive Officer of the G7 Group. She previously served the public sector in the Office of Public Liaison for the Carter White House, and was Director of Congressional Relations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She also held a variety of senior management positions in the telecommunications industry, including Vice President of New Markets Development for Group W Cable, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Westinghouse Broadcasting, Vice President of Marketing for MCA Broadcasting and Vice President and station manager of WWOR-TV. Hartley sits on the Board of Trustees of Sesame Workshop, the Economic Club of New York and the New School in New York City. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the Board of Greater New York. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now part of Boston College).
Beattie said of Hartley, "Jane is a great addition to our Board. She is an outstanding and accomplished business leader who brings to Heidrick & Struggles a wealth of executive leadership experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Her background and perspective will be great assets in helping this company take advantage of the growth opportunities ahead."
With the addition of Hartley the Heidrick & Struggles Board comprises eight independent directors and one inside director.
About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world's premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership advisory services, including succession planning, executive assessment, talent retention management, executive development, transition consulting for newly appointed executives, and M&A human capital integration consulting. For more than 55 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.