As a provider of both retained executive search and M&A advisory services, Cook Associates, Inc. is uniquely positioned to help private equity and venture capital firms capitalize on the best performing companies and brightest talent in the marketplace.
Talent Acquisition
Our executive search division has proven success in building leadership teams for portfolio companies of private equity and venture capital firms. Our search consultants offer industry specialization and a first-hand understanding of the talent acquisition needs in this sector.
We have led and completed strategic searches to identify and acquire CEOs, CFOs, and other senior functional executives for clients with assets under management ranging from $500 million to more than $100 billion.
The recruiting process for private equity and venture backed companies is characterized by frequent communication, rapid feedback and a sense of urgency.
We believe it is critical to work closely with the board members to have a deep understanding of the business model and the key skills and competencies required in the needed executive. In these situations, it is not unusual for us to facilitate critical discussions among the board members to seek alignment in what is needed in a successful candidate. Furthermore, we recognize the need to assess for the following competencies:
- Track record of creating shareholder value
- "Lean resource" mentality
- Results-orientation
- Ability to recognize opportunity and drive rapid growth
- Ability to radiate vision
- Ability to make rapid decisions with limited information
- "Test and learn" mentality
- Process-orientation
- Track record of building high performance teams
Executive Search Consultants
M&A Advisory
The firm's M&A Advisory division provides deal origination services to private equity and venture capital groups. We help define industry investment strategies and market opportunities, while identifying acquisition targets and facilitating successful closings. Since our establishment, we have completed more than 60 transactions ranging from $5 million to $800 million in enterprise value.
Through our exclusive CEOVisions® program, our clients gain introductions to pre-qualified "backable" CEOs who work closely with us to locate the best private equity sponsor for their business plan and specific acquisition starget.
Our network also offers access to industry veterans who are no longer entertaining full time CEO roles, but do have an interest in executive and non-executive Chairman roles where they can co-invest. It also includes executives who may serve as Executives In Residence, Fund Operating Partners or Advisors/Consultants within an industry niche.
M&A Advisory Professionals