Our Standout Qualities Help Create Value
Kincannon & Reed has three characteristics that make us unique among executive search firms and that add superior value to the services we provide:
Deep Industry knowledge. We offer clients an unrivalled understanding of their business drivers, industry trends, and key success factors because we are solely focused on food, agribusiness, and life sciences. This understanding streamlines the search process and enables us to present our clients' opportunities in a compelling way to promising candidates. We are also more effective at assessing the fit of potential candidates with both the position and the culture of the organization.
High-value counsel. Our recruiters are trusted advisors, playing an integral role in our clients' success. All of our firm's principals are former CEOs or senior executives of companies in the sectors we serve. We understand at a personal level, not just at an intellectual level, the dynamic environment in which our clients operate. We also know from our own experience the significant value to stakeholders of hiring the right person.
Established relationships. Kincannon & Reed's track record of success since 1981 gives us a high level of familiarity and access to the most talented and experienced executives in our chosen sectors. The background and seniority of our recruiters provide a clear advantage in getting potential candidates to take our calls and to be receptive to a new opportunity. Many search firms claim this level of access and influence; Kincannon & Reed delivers
Staying abreast of industry developments
Kincannon & Reed is actively involved in professional organizations that serve our clients' industries including:
Agricultural Industries Confederation (U.K.)
Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)
American Feed Industry Association (AFIA)
American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)
Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC)
Berufsverband Agrar Ernährung Umwelt (Association for Professionals in Agriculture, Nutrition, Environment) (VDL)
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
CropLife America
CropLife Australia
Deutsche Landwirtschaft Gesellschaft (German Agricultural Society) (DLG)
Deutsche Phytomedizinische Gesellschaft (German Society for Phytopathologie) (DPG )
Deutscher Bauernverband (German Farmers Association) (DBV )
European Seed Association (ESA )
Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)
Institute of Food Technologists
National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)
National Chicken Council (NCC)
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA)
National Milk Producers Federation
Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)
Royal Agricultural College 100 Club (United Kingdom)
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)
United Fresh Produce Association
Weed Science Society of America
Who We Are
"You consistently challenge us and broaden our thinking and horizons. You are able to show that sometimes what we think we want is very different than what we need."
- Human resources director for a major crop input company
"We ended up with the ideal candidate combination, and one we would not have envisioned ourselves. Your firm's knowledge of the sector was invaluable as it led to opportunities beyond the search."
- Managing director of a private equity firm
"In addition to finding us great candidates, you worked adeptly and sensitively with all our internal stakeholders. Widespread ownership in the selection process will help our team extend to new hires the support they need for success."
- CEO, privately owned artisan bread company
"We have worked with all the big global firms, and Kincannon & Reed has been easily the most thorough and professional."
- Head of human resources of large multinational company
"We appreciate that you are always reachable and that you never give up even when we all know the search is extremely difficult."
- Chairman of major distribution company
"Thank you for your excellent assistance in this process. The tight search timeline was respected and I believe that the candidate will bring much value to our company."
- CEO for crop input company
"When this search started you indicated one of your goals was to provide a slate that would be so good that we would have difficulty choosing just one candidate. You far exceeded that goal."
- Business unit president for global animal health company
"One of our Senior VPs commented early on that hiring a retained firm was not our best investment of time and money. On our last conference call, however, he indicated he's become a true believer in Kincannon & Reed, and wanted to go on the record as retracting his earlier comment."
- VP of HR for multi-billion dollar, family-owned grain company
"Kincannon & Reed is universally respected and relied upon for quality partnership and mentoring when it comes to senior-level executive searches."
- Former CEO of major agribusiness organization
"Kincannon & Reed has good instincts for people and works hard to know the organization they're serving. "They do a magnificent job matching qualified candidates to the organization."
- Director of Biotech Business Development, multinational agricultural biotechnology organization
"Even when we're not using them, the Kincannon & Reed team keeps in touch because they seem genuinely interested in what we're doing. So when people ask me who we should turn to, I invariably point them to Kincannon & Reed."
- CEO of animal genetics and technology firm