"Michele, James - our sincere thanks for the excellent work DHR International did in finding us, not only a Director of Development, but also a Director of Major & Capital Giving. We are excited about working with Shannon and Aron - they will complete our External Affairs Directors' Team beautifully." Judith Nichols, Deputy Director, External Affairs
Brooklyn Public Library
"I worked with James on his search assignment for the COO position at the Columbus Zoo for which I was hired. James proved to be an executive search professional with the highest ethics helping me and the organization through the process making sure the communication flow continued until the hiring process. I would recommend James to anyone in need of a professional and caring search executive."
Manny Gonzalez, Former COO
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
"I am writing to thank you for your great service in helping the DCPA recruit a new Chief Executive Officer...You brought us good candidates, and most importantly, you brought us one absolutely outstanding candidate, Mark Nerenhausen. I think we have selected a winner. He is scheduled to begin full time with the DCPA on February 26, 2009...I want to thank you also for being a wise and effective intermediary between Mark and myself...[w]ith your guidance and sage counsel to both sides, we reached a good result. I am comfortable, and I believe Mark is too...I hope we can see each other again before too much time passes. I hope your business continues to thrive in 2009. You have a real talent for what you do, and I know whatever you undertake will turn our good...Thank you again. You were outstanding."
Howard Hallam, Board Chair
Dallas Center for the Performing Arts
"DHR worked well to provide us with a choice of excellent candidates for the position of President of the Direct Marketing Education Foundation. They also helped our committee to revise the by-laws that ultimately has led to a stronger organization. The new President of DMEF is now in her position for over a year and has already had a positive impact on both the DMEF and the Direct Marketing Association."
John A. Greco, Jr., President & CEO
Direct Marketing Association
"On behalf of the Board of Directors and members or the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your participation in our IEDC's 2008 Leadership Summit in Orlando, Florida. We greatly value your significant contribution to our program which attracted more participants than any conference has previously...For each of our conferences, we strive to provide economic development professionals with the most relevant and up-to-date information available. Your involvement in The Total Leader: Managing the Leadership Gap session played a critical role in reaching this goal. The evaluations we have received have provided positive feedback regarding the quality of the session and of the information passed on to the conference attendees."
Jeffrey A. Finkle, President and CEO
International Economic Development Council
"During my 25 years in the aquarium and zoo business, I have had the good fortune of knowing and working with James Abruzzo and his team...They understand completely the required skills for leadership positions within our industry. There is a fine line in our profession between the conservation/education mission and the necessary business management skills for a successful leader. They have the know how to find those leaders of tomorrow."
Ted Beattie, President
John G. Shedd Aquarium
"It is a professional pleasure for me to write this open letter of reference regarding DHR International and James Abruzzo, its executive in charge of nonprofit executive search...I have known James over the past ten years in his capacities as a search consultant, cultural industry surveyor, CEO advisor and, most recently, also a co-founder and co-director of The Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership at the Rutgers Business School. This spectrum of capacities, building upon his earlier reputation as head of AT Kearney's nonprofit practice, give James a uniquely strong set of credentials in the world of museums, arts and performing arts organizations...As background context, Liberty Science Center is New Jersey's most visited museum and, as a result of a recent $100+ million expansion and renewal project, ranks as a new benchmark for the museum field's quest for new models that combine usefulness and popularity. James has a deeply experienced grasp of the history and challenges of the museum field, especially as they pertain to leadership imperatives. In each of my interactions, James Abruzzo has consistently combined a soft-spoken, listening-ready manner with the powerful additions of his knowledge and network...For an executive search by any nonprofit seeking to make a difference, I strongly recommend consideration of James Abruzzo and DHR International."
Emlyn Koster, President & CEO
Liberty Science Center
"The National Aquarium in Baltimore has called upon James Abruzzo and his team to assist us in a variety of organizational development projects. These have included analyses of establishing satellite facilities and benchmarking our development program, executive compensation planning, and executive searches. James' work has always been of enormous help to both the Board and staff, bringing to bear his own expertise and that of a talented group of associates."
David Pittenger, Executive Director
National Aquarium in Baltimore
"Pilchuck Glass School, whose board I am president of, recently hired DHR to conduct a search for a new CEO/Executive Director for the school. Prior to deciding on DHR we interviewed many national search firms. Their nonprofit practice was superlative. James breadth of knowledge, experience and connections in the arts is unparalleled. We began the process in late Spring and by the end of October we had a new CEO in place. DHR thoroughly researched the candidates, conducted preliminary interviews and only sent us the best. We are thrilled with our new CEO."
Patricia Wallace, Board President and Search Committee Chair
Pilchuck Glass School
"I am pleased to endorse the work of James Abruzzo. Working with him to fill a position at The New Jersey Historical Society, I found his recommendations about the institution and appropriate candidates insightful. In fact, the benefits of a search extended far beyond filling the specific position. James's experience allows him to draw from a wide selection of candidates and present the very best for the position in question, but his understanding of organizations and organizational cultures allows him also to provide guidance and direction for the future as well. He is a pleasure to work with and I endorse his work whole-heartedly."
Sally Yerkovich, Former President
The New Jersey Historical Society
"I was recruited via James Abruzzo and DHR International for my current position. They worked hard to ensure that it was a good match on both sides. DHR has a deep knowledge of the field and is able to successfully meet the goals of their clients."
Catherine Fukushima, Program Officer
The Wallace Foundation