Connie Adair, CEO, is recognized as one of the most respected executive recruiters within the global technology world. She brings 20 years of executive level management experience, as well as 12 years of executive recruiting to the role of CEO of Taylor Winfield, Inc.

During the critical time following the market crash of technology, Connie stepped into the CEO role to lead the company. Her leadership not only took the company through this difficult period without any setbacks, but has led and expanded the company to new successful heights within the industry. Connie implemented a “best practices” search methodology that has earned Taylor Winfield the highest closure rate in the industry. She has also expanded the company’s capabilities to include an impressive C Level International Practice, including China, India and EMEA.

Connie has further transitioned the company to a broader client base, spanning the entire horizon of technology companies… from venture-backed portfolio companies… to private-equity focused opportunities… and then into the public sector. She works with a broad range of clients including Fortune 500 and 100 companies, corporations facing rapid change or high growth and early stage start-ups. Connie’s current practice concentrates on the recruitment of executives where the charter is to assist the CEO and/or Board of Directors to achieve their goal by attracting top talent to build high growth divisions within public companies or to create top management teams for private equity backed companies. Connie is highly skilled at helping the client company leverage their strengths to identify and close the candidates of their choosing.

Her experience covers the broadly defined technology spectrum, including the e-commerce, data communications, wireless and networking software, infrastructure and systems software, enterprise application software, capital equipment and optical component areas. Connie serves on the Board of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives.

Clients Served:

Public Sector: 1-800-Flowers; Measurement Specialties; Switch & Data; BEA; Deloitte & Touche; Hewlett Packard; MTI Technologies; XO Communications; Captiva Software/EMC; Mediware Information Systems; and Knova Software

Private Sector: The Cobalt Group; Shop.com; Cassatt; Presidio; Cranite; Zetera; Yodlee; Kodiak Networks; Syndera; and Fortent

Nadine North, Managing Director, enjoys 20+ years experience in strategic business development, executive search and corporate finance.

Bringing unique hands-on operating experience of building management teams and businesses to the Silicon Valley executive search community, Nadine provides ‘same side of the table’ credentials, while offering ‘other side of the table’ perspective for her clients.

Since joining TW in 2003 and establishing the Silicon Valley office, Nadine has led or partnered executive searches backed by leading private equity and venture capital firms across the US including Warburg Pincus, Oak Investment Partners, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Trident Capital, and Menlo Ventures — and searches with NASDAQ companies including Microsoft and I-Many. She is the firm’s liaison to Penrhyn International, and drives business development for this partnership of 20 boutique executive search firms based amongst the major capitals of the world including those in China, India, South America and across EMEA.

Prior to joining Taylor Winfield, Nadine was head of Global Recruiting at Siebel Systems (NASDAQ:SEBL), industry leader in the CRM software and services space. She established and led the global recruiting organization to build the company from 1000 to 8000 employees throughout 35+ countries and to $1.2B revenues. Previously, Nadine was head of recruiting at Pegasystems Inc (NASDAQ:PEGA), the Cambridge-based enterprise software and services company. She was a member of the management team that built the company from 80 to 800 employees; from $10mm to $80mm in revenues; and through their successful IPO in 1996. Nadine’s corporate finance career was in business development positions with Citicorp and Fleet Financial Group, developing clients primarily in the high technology sectors.

Nadine is active in many organizations including Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives, Environmental Entrepreneurs and TiE. She also advises non-profit organizations in training young adults for ‘jobs of the future’ including the clean tech sector and public service. Since completing her education at the University of California at Davis, she has resided in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Amy Vernetti, Managing Director, joined Taylor Winfield via the 2005 acquisition of The Vernetti Group. Since 1992, Amy was instrumental in building the management teams of companies including Jaspersoft, Digital Fountain, Voltage Security, Informative, Net6, Pavilion Technologies, Altra Energy Technologies, Prologic Systems, MyCFO and Think3.

Prior to founding The Vernetti Group, Amy was a General Partner with Technology Crossover Ventures. TCV is an expansion stage venture capital firm that invested in Expedia, Netflix, Personic, Ariba and Firepond. Prior to TCV, Vernetti was the "Human Capitalist" at Garage.com, a leading venture capital investment bank. She created the Human Capital program at Garage.com that was the only one of its kind in the venture capital community and a key component of the Company's offerings. As the program's leader, Vernetti was a headliner at the Garage.com "Boot Camps" across the US, speaking to entrepreneurs on the importance of recruiting and retaining the right people to drive their businesses.

Previously, Amy was a Principal with the International Technology Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, where she was a member of the firm's Software Industry Group. While at Heidrick & Struggles, Amy was part of a five-person launch team for Heidrick On-Line, an innovative client communication tool used globally by the technology practice. She began her career in Executive Search with Korn Ferry International in the Advanced Technology Practice. Throughout her recruiting career, Amy has worked for clients such as Netscape, Apple Computer, Dell Computer, Autodesk, Novell as well as several early stage companies.

A strong proponent of public school reform, Amy has also worked with several organizations focused on K-12 education including The New Schools Venture Fund, Teachscape and The Lightspan Partnership.

Vernetti is extensively profiled and quoted in Business Week, Fast Company, InternetWorld, CNNfn and CNET, among others, on the topic of human capital. Amy was also a contributor to the human capital section of Guy Kawasaki's new book The Art of the Start.

A consummate team player and builder, Amy was also a Division I NCAA basketball player at Saint Mary's College in California. A mother of two, Amy now lives in Oakland, CA. She is on the Board of Directors for Envision Schools, a not-for-profit charter high school organization funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is an Advisor to the Professional Aptitude Council.

Gerri Kies, Managing Director, brings more than 20 years of experience in Executive Recruiting and Human Resource Leadership roles to the Taylor Winfield Team.

Prior to joining Taylor Winfield, Gerri led successful practices for two retained search firms in sectors including consumer branded goods, retail, foodservice, manufacturing, high-tech consumer products and financial services.  Her extensive senior level human resources experience includes such leading Fortune 500 Companies as PepsiCo, Macy’s and Nations Credit. 

Gerri has recruited executives into both public and private companies including 7-Eleven, Home Interiors & Gifts, Neiman Marcus, Boston Pizza, EatZi’s, Quick Trip, Match.com, Cerillant, Ace Cash Express, Pizza Hut, Swift Foods, Dickies, Double D Ranch Wear, King Ranch, Buy the Color, AutoNation, Divita, Health Stop, Kohler, Capital One, Sterling Bank, Walmart, Disney Entertainment and Brinker.  The searches were for a broad range of executive positions including C-level sales, marketing, human resources, operations, and finance.

Gerri completed her Bachelors Degree in Administration from Austin College and holds a J.D. from South Texas College of Law.  Now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is active in SHRM, Women in Food Service, National Restaurant Association, American Society of Compensation and Benefits, American Society of Training and Development, ENetworking and has served on the Boards of Limbs for Life and the Dallas Mayors special committee for schools.

Jen Sudduth, Account Manager, develops searches throughout the enterprise in sectors including high technology, energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare and the Internet.  Her clients include early stage start-ups seeking strong leaders to help forge the company into their next phase of growth, throughout the growth spectrum to large, established companies that also expect to hire the best candidates within their respective industries. 

Prior to entering the search world, Jen served in sales and marketing roles in the technology sector. While with Waypoint Business Solutions, a Houston based Systems Integrator, she was an instrumental member of their start-up team.  By leading their marketing and sales teams, creating go-to-market strategy and branding, she helped to earn a coveted place on the Houston Fast Tech 50 as one of Houston’s fastest growing tech companies.  Jen continued her career branding and marketing systems software with Neon Systems (NASDAQ: NEON), where she was on the I-Wave integration Sales team.

Jen holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.  In addition, she is a strong advocate for Children’s rights and serves on the board of directors for Justice for Children.  This is a national organization dedicated to providing legal advocacy for abused children and to implement solutions within our society to improve their lives.

Mitch Williams, Managing Director, brings 20 years field sales operations experience to Taylor Winfield.  Specializing in Sales leadership searches, Mitch most recently was Vice President of Sales for ATG, a publicly held provider of enterprise, e-commerce software delivered both as a licensed model and as SaaS.  While at ATG, he provided sales leadership building revenues from clients including:  Boeing, Restoration Hardware, AT&T, Cabelas, Nike, and Herbal-Life.  As Vice President of Sales at venture backed companies including Pacific Edge Software, Valdero Corporation, Kadiri, and The EC Company, he was instrumental in building the sales models and teams that enabled successful exits.  Investors included:  Kleiner Perkins, Mohr Davidow, Trinity Ventures, Onset Ventures, Voyager Capital, Sequoia, Newbury Ventures and Wheatley Partners.

Mitch’s start-up expertise has a strong foundation in the enterprise.  During his 8 ½ years with Octel Communications Corporation, the Company increased in revenues from $50 million to over $650 million.  He held the positions of Area Manager, District Manager and ultimately Vice President of World Wide Sales for CTP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Octel.  While in these roles, Mitch managed distribution sales, national account sales, OEM sales and Direct sales.  Distributors included US West, Willtel Communications, and numerous other channels.  National Accounts included:  Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Microsoft, HP, 3M, Honeywell, Grand Met, American Stores and Carlson Companies.  Octel was sold to Lucent Technologies.  Mitch graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the University of Phoenix with a Masters, Business Administration.

Kirk Harrell, Vice President of Delivery, provides the leadership and training for TW’s Search Associates to insure top talent candidate development is provided to meet client specifications, driving the searches to successful closure throughout the company. He is a recognized top talent recruiter in the high technology industry, and as a key member of the team, Kirk helps to identify future trends and opportunities within the industry.  He has earned a reputation of meeting and exceeding client expectations with his superior candidate development expertise; and his domain experience includes Enterprise Software, Internet Services, Software-as-a-Service, Telecommunications, Networking, Outsourcing/BPO, and Digital Media.

Kirk partners with the portfolio companies of top venture capital and private equity firms located across North America and Europe, recently to include: Warburg Pincus, Oak Investment Partners, Kleiner Perkins, NEA, ABS Capital, Icahn Associates, Sequoia Capital, Hummer Winblad, Seaport Capital, Accel Partners, OnSet Ventures, JK&B Capital, Maveron, The CapStreet Group, Woodside Fund, Selby Venture Partners, Draper Richards, TeleSoft Partners, BA Ventures, Wellington Partners, JMI, and TA Associates, amongst others.   Kirk is also very effective in helping public companies build out organizations and teams at very senior levels.

He joined Taylor Winfield in 2002 from a boutique search firm where he focused on business development and search execution for nationwide technology clients within the hardware, software, telecommunications, and Internet sectors. Previously, he was Manager of Resource Planning for Isix Software/DARC Corporation specializing in Oracle services and software. Kirk has a B.A. in Business Administration from Baylor University.

Judy Redeker, Chief Strategy Officer, is a veteran of seventeen years with Taylor Winfield. She continues to play a major role in identifying and executing the marketing and business development approach that distinguishes Taylor Winfield as the premier search firm in the industry.

Judy provides the strategic vision and direction to meet the needs of today’s executive recruiting marketplace while building new verticals for high growth future markets.  Judy’s extensive career in executive recruitment spans all areas of the high-technology spectrum, including enterprise software (applications and infrastructure), wireless, networking, computer hardware, clean technology, services and semiconductor sectors. Her business development activities include the top tier investment community on a global basis, and public market leading companies in need of top talent that is not easily accessible or identified.

Prior to her career in executive search, Judy was Founder and President of several entrepreneurial ventures and is a strategic visionary recognized for her top achievements in senior-level executive operations and sales and marketing roles. Judy holds a BA from Bluffton College.

Paige Edwards, Director, Candidate Development, brings 10 years search experience to Taylor Winfield.  Her role includes market research and candidate development for national searches in the technology, energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, internet and retail sectors.

Paige joined Taylor Winfield from a boutique search firm focused on local, and national professional search assignments for technical, sales, operations and executive level positions across numerous industries in the Houston area.  Previously, she was a senior recruiter for one of the leading global providers of software solutions for which she specialized in sourcing top sales and consultant talent throughout the US.   Her clients have included WesternGeco, Schlumberger, Suez Energy, Energy Alloys, Apache Corp., R.R. Donnelley, Sysco, iREIT, AlertLogic and E.V. Roberts.

With a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Texas Tech University, and a Masters of Music Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, Paige is an active member of The Woodlands Symphony, Bach Society of Houston Chamber Orchestra, and the Masquerade Theater Orchestra.

Elisa-Marie van Blerk, Vice President, ensures top talent candidate development is provided to meet client specifications, driving the searches to successful closure.  She has partnered with top entrepreneurs and business drivers to build leading-edge executive teams.

Elisa-Marie has conducted assignments for private (venture and private equity backed) and public clients at all stages of growth focusing on senior roles, including CEO, CFO, GM, and Vice Presidents across all functions. Some of those clients included Blade Network Technologies, First Virtual Group, Freescale Semiconductor, Global Market Insight (GMI), Glu Mobile, Ingres, Network General, Register.com and StreamServe.  In conjunction with those searches she partnered with firms such as Silver Lake Partners, Texas Pacific Group, TCV, FTVentures, Vector Capital, Garnett and Helfrich Capital to build strong management teams for their portfolio companies.  Elisa-Marie joined TW from the premier executive search practices of Devine Capital Partners and Egon Zehnder International. She has a degree in sociology from the University of Western Australia.

Nancy L. Albertini, Founder of Taylor Winfield Inc., founded Taylor Winfield in 1986 in response to changing needs in the market for a more customized approach to hiring executives. Nancy’s focus on emerging and growth companies provided the growth vehicle for Taylor Winfield and in 1993 she began to mix an investment model in the search business and invested alongside her clients. In 1994 she introduced BEA Systems to Warburg Pincus, which resulted in BEA becoming the fastest growing software company in Silicon Valley in the 90’s. 

Ever the entrepreneur, Nancy has founded PowerBuilders, Inc. which is a growth company focused on mid-market search and web initiatives. The collaboration with Taylor Winfield, Inc. continues today to provide a seamless approach to the marketplace. Previously Nancy was an executive with RCA and holds a MBA from Southern Methodist University – SMU with international training at the London School of Business.