Global Search Leader Named Witt/Kieffer CEO

OAK BROOK, Ill., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles (Chuck) W.B. Wardell III, formerly Chairman of Emerging Markets and Senior Advisor to Korn/Ferry International's Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed President and CEO of Witt/Kieffer, Board Chair Anna Wharton Phillips announced today.  Witt/Kieffer is the nation's eighth largest executive search firm and the only national firm in the top 10 that specializes in healthcare, higher education and not-for-profit organizations.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110714/CG35341)

"Chuck Wardell brings a lifetime of leadership, not only in executive search, but also financial services, international markets and government," said Phillips.  "More important, he was drawn to Witt/Kieffer's mission of bringing outstanding leadership solutions to organizations committed to improving quality of life."

Wardell's 15-year executive search career includes a decade at Korn/Ferry, the world's largest executive search firm.  His highly diversified search practice included recruiting CEOs and board members, as well as serving healthcare, insurance and financial services clients. BusinessWeek named Wardell one of the world's 50 most influential search executives in 2008.  He also received the prestigious Gardner W. Heidrick Award for contributions to the search industry.

"Witt/Kieffer has a great brand, and is the market leader for organizations that advance the common good," Wardell said. "This country's increasing appetite for healthcare – as well as worldwide attention on higher education – position the firm for significant expansion of services in both domestic and global markets."

Before he entered executive search, Wardell held senior executive positions at Travelers, MasterCard International and Citicorp.  Prior to that, he served in senior leadership roles at the American Express Company.

Wardell's early career was in the White House – as deputy special assistant to Presidents Nixon and Ford and as deputy assistant Secretary of State appointed by President Ford.  He is a decorated Vietnam War combat veteran and holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard College, Cambridge, MA.  Wardell is based in the firm's corporate offices in Oak Brook, IL. Read more about Chuck.

Witt/Kieffer has more than 60 executive search consulting staff in 16 locations nationwide and a best-in-class database of 330,000 industry leaders.  Clients include hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, physician groups, colleges, universities and community service and cultural organizations.  The firm conducts 400 search assignments each year including those for presidents, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs, physician executives, medical school deans, clinical chairs and other senior executives. 

Discover Thought Leadership at www.wittkieffer.com.

Contact:  Susan Sanders
630/575.6109
[email protected]

SOURCE Witt/Kieffer