November 20, 2023 – Executive search firm Focus on search partnersa Vaco company, expanded with the addition of Seth Blumenthal as a Managing Director to lead executive and board-level engagements for their enterprise technology practice. “Seth’s track record, diverse experience and knowledge in business finance, organizational design, regulatory frameworks and executive search make him an incredible market expert,” said Adam Charleson, managing partner of Focus Search Partners. “Our clients will benefit greatly from his insights, and our firm gains an outstanding resource for a solution to the needs of the venture capital community. We are excited to have him join our team.
“Seth understands the needs of high-growth businesses through the different stages of their life cycle,” said Paul Frankenberg, founder and managing partner of Focus Search Partners. “His holistic approach will create the brand experience for our stakeholders – both clients and candidates – that we invest in creating across our business. Enterprise technology and deep technology are and will continue to be a focal point for our practice, and we are excited to add talented individuals like Seth to our growing team.”
Mr. Blumenthal was a partner at True Search, specializing in CEO and board appointments. For more than four years, he has played a role in establishing and expanding both early stage and deep technology practices, collaborating with businesses and investors in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. He also served as general counsel and vice president of business development for a for-profit company focused on education Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs. In this capacity, he contributed significantly to the strategic growth of the organization. Earlier in his career, Mr. Blumenthal practiced law at two firms, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance consulting in the technology, financial services and healthcare sectors. Notably, he also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Serious Economic Crimes Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Connected: Waco appoints a president
Focus Search Partners was acquired by Vaco to become the executive search arm of the global talent solutions firm. With over 35 team members and 13 partners in nine states, Focus Search Partners specializes in building growth teams with a focus on board, executive and senior executive recruitment.
Focus Search Partners acquires Southerland Group
Focus Search Partners has acquired Dallas-based Southerland Group, adding to its existing expertise in the healthcare industry. Southerland Group is a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in complex integrated delivery systems, hospitals, academic medical centers, children’s hospitals and payer organizations. Under the agreement, Southerland Group founder Keith Southerland and his team will join Focus Search Partners’ management team. Mr. Southerland brings more than three decades of experience leading executive searches for healthcare provider organizations to the firm and has conducted more than 1,100 searches for not-for-profit multi-hospital health systems, professional associations, pediatric health systems, community hospitals , academic medical centers and managed care organizations.
Founded in 2002 by Jerry Bostelman, Jay Holloman and Brian Waller, Brentwood, TN-based Vaco provides boutique-level services with global reach in executive search, consulting, permanent placement and strategic staffing. Her areas of expertise include accounting, finance, technology, healthcare IT, operations, administration and managed services. The firm operates more than 35 offices, with over 780 employees and 4,300 consultants worldwide.
A recent addition
Focus Search Partners recently named Michael Caggiano as managing partner. In his role, he will seek to grow new revenue streams for Focus Search Partners both from within and outside the Vaco Holdings family of companies. “Michael has extensive experience in executive search, primarily in leading revenue growth and driving brand collaboration through scale,” said Mr. Frankenberg, founder and president of Focus Search Partners. “These are hallmarks of his career. As Focus Search Partners moves forward with our aggressive growth and expansion, Micael’s leadership and experience will be invaluable.”
With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Caggiano has conducted numerous successful searches for public and private companies throughout the country. His industry expertise spans professional services firms, manufacturers, government contractors, nonprofit organizations, technology development companies, sports and entertainment groups, banking and financial institutions, and private equity firms. Most recently, Mr. Caggiano served as Senior Vice President of US Search Operations for Robert Half Executive Search, where he increased profitability to record levels and created a comprehensive executive search training program.
Connected: Vaco was acquired by a private equity firm
With contributions by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsanski, Executive Editor; Lily Favre, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media