Executive Search for Employee Owned Companies

ESOPs are Unique

The profile of the successful leader in an ESOP is different than in other companies. Not only must they bring strong skills and fit the unique core values of the business, but also have the style and temperament to succeed in an ESOP Culture.

KeyStone has many years of experience identifying and securing leaders for employee-owned companies. We have successfully worked with ESOPs all over the country to identify and hire the right executive level talent.

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The KeyStone ESOP Search Process

Our proven process is built specifically for ESOPs. It starts with in-depth understanding of your culture and the goals of your company and employee-owners. We then partner with you to build the ideal profile for your executive and to recruit candidates who are not only talented, but who also fit.

Culture Fit - Our Process: Discovery, Integration, Sourcing, Decision

See What Our Clients Are Saying

“Being a 100% ESOP company, cultural fit is really important, especially for leadership roles. KeyStone Search did an excellent job of understanding our culture and identifying candidates who fit. The COO we ultimately hired certainly has a great skillset, but also fits our culture extremely well.”

Jim Smiley
CEO and President, HM Cragg

“I worked directly with KeyStone Search through a CEO transition process (as an ESOP Board Director). Not only did KeyStone help us hire a strong CEO for the company’s future, but also did an outstanding job of guiding the Board and Employee Owners through the challenges of hiring an outside CEO for the first time in its 25-year history”

Steve Doerfler
President and CEO, Metalcraft

The Right Leadership for Your Company

CEO Transition or Succession

A top leader who fits

  • Retiring CEO
  • Replacement CEO
  • CEO Transition Preparation

Top Functional Leadership Search

Executives that fit your ESOP

  • CFO/VP of Finance
  • COO/VP of Operations
  • CHRO/VP of Human Resources
  • VP of Sales/Marketing
  • CIO

ESOP Board of Directors Search

Strategic advisors to advance your ESOP

  • ESOP Expertise
  • Industry Expertise
  • Functional Expertise
TALK TO OUR ESOP EXPERTS

ESOP Expertise

C-Suite and Ownership Expertise

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • President
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Human Resources Officer

VP and Executive Management Expertise

  • Vice President of Sales and Marketing
  • Vice President of Sales
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Vice President of Strategy and Marketing
  • Vice President of Human Resources

portrait of team member

Mike Frommelt

Visionary and Co-Founder

Mike co-founded KeyStone Search and has over 25 years of experience in the search industry. He has successfully conducted hundreds of senior level assignments for companies throughout the country.

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Bruce Cooey

Principal

Bruce is KeyStone Search’s ESOP Practice Director and head of its Sioux Falls office. He has completed a variety of assignments for ESOP companies across multiple industries.

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