KR Expands Canadian Capabilities
Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Janet Wightman, our newest principal, will focus on growing the firm's Canadian business. Ms. Wightman was a senior executive in the financial services industry with a focus on the agribusiness sector prior to joining Kincannon & Reed. Most recently, she was President and CEO of Victoria Park Capital Inc., a venture capital and private equity fund manager, managing an asset portfolio valued at $700 million with a majority of exposure to the agricultural sector.
Prior to this position, she served as the first President & CEO of Investment Saskatchewan, a start-up provincial Crown corporation responsible for managing the province's private equity assets. For ten years before these posts, Ms. Wightman was with Farm Credit Canada most recently as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer where she was accountable for all operational divisions within FCC and for the start-up of the first venture capital division known as FCC Ventures. FCC is a national financial institution with a mandate to provide financing and other services to Canada’s primary producers, value added operators, agribusiness suppliers and processors.
Ms. Wightman holds the governance designation awarded by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) and has served on several boards including non-profit, private, and publicly-traded companies.
Please join us in welcoming Janet to Kincannon & Reed.
Florrie Wallace of Kincannon & Reed receives AESC Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research
The award was presented to Ms. Wallace at AESC's Researchers & Associates Summit in New York City by Peter Felix, President of AESC and Greg Duerksen, President of Kincannon & Reed. AESC is the worldwide professional association for retained executive search firms. Kincannon & Reed is a leading global executive search firm focused on the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors.
Ms. Wallace was chosen from among all AESC's member companies' research employees as the executive search professional demonstrating the highest standards of research, while representing herself and her firm in an ethical manner at all times. AESC's member firms employ more than 6,000 search professionals in 1,000 offices and in 70 countries.
"Since joining the firm in 2003, Ms. Wallace's leadership and example has transformed our research team to make it dramatically more efficient and effective," commented Mr. Duerksen. "She has both challenged and led us to use the newest technology tools available, while never forgetting that there is no substitute for insight and judgment when it comes to serving our clients' needs. Perhaps most importantly, she continually reinforces that in this day of powerful tools, we still need to simply pick up the phone, engage in conversations, and effectively tell the story of our clients' opportunities."
Ms. Wallace has worked in executive search since 1990. In her current role as Director of Research, she leads the global research team at Kincannon & Reed from her office in Tyler, Texas. Prior to joining the firm, she worked with Heidrick & Struggles. Ms. Wallace is considered a specialist in online research and has conducted research training for executive search associates across North America.
Kincannon & Reed (www.krsearch.com) is the only retained executive search firm focused exclusively on the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors. Founded in 1981, the company serves clients throughout the world from its offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific.
Media Contact: Ellen von Fange 540-941-8331 www.krsearch.com
Kincannon & Reed Promotes Jon Leafstedt to Managing Partner
Kincannon & Reed, a leading global executive search firm focused on the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors, today announced the promotion of Jon Leafstedt to Managing Partner.
In his new role, Leafstedt will focus on expanding the firm’s client base in North America and its global marketing strategies. He will continue to be responsible for senior-level executive searches in all areas of the business with particular emphasis in biotechnology, seed, crop protection products, animal health, and renewable fuels.
Prior to joining Kincannon & Reed in 2007 as a principal, Leafstedt served in wide-ranging executive roles in global agribusinesses and development-stage technology companies, including serving as president of Chromatin, Inc., a plant biotechnology firm.
"Jon's broad executive experiences in our target industry sectors and excellent track record as a principal at Kincannon & Reed are tremendous assets to our firm and the many clients we serve," said Greg Duerksen, President of Kincannon & Reed. "His leadership will be instrumental in the continued development and growth of our firm in North America."
Leafstedt has been a leader in national and state industry associations, including Animal Health Institute, CropLife America, American Feed Industry Association, and Iowa Biotechnology Association. He serves on the Board of the Iowa Corn Opportunities Fund, a venture capital fund managed by the Iowa Corn Growers Association. He earned his MBA from the University of Iowa and a BS degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University.
Kincannon & Reed (www.krsearch.com) is the only retained executive search firm focused exclusively on the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors. Founded in 1981, the company serves clients throughout the world from its offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific.
Media Contact: Ellen von Fange 540-941-8331 www.krsearch.com
News & Resources
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- CEO of animal genetics and technology firm