Friends, Happy 3rd Quarter:


The second quarter of ’26 mirrored the first quarter with a fast pace of hiring – at both the executive level and our mid-level [FLIGHT]. This growth was across the industrial sector – automotive, commercial vehicle, robotics and automation, packaging, and industrial services. While private equity-backed portfolio companies continued to fuel a significant portion of our activity, demand was well balanced by traditional industrial manufacturers and Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers. Within the automotive supply base, we conducted numerous searches to replace retiring executives as well as to help companies make meaningful step changes in leadership performance to better position their organizations for future growth. The toughest challenge for employers is moving fast enough in a highly competitive market to capture top level talent who have multiple options surfacing quickly.


This growth appears to be resilient as consumers continue to spend and companies are investing in capital equipment and infrastructure, in part taking advantage of the tax provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”


As we think about our own growth in this busy market, we are delighted to welcome Dan Hobbs to our team. Dan will plant a flag on the East Coast for Holden Richardson in Philadelphia and work the New England corridor where he brings strength in chemicals, industrial/metals distribution, and industrial services for a broad base of PE clients. We’re excited to have Dan join the team. Dan and Alex overlapped at Korn Ferry years ago, and since KF Dan has honed his craft at Diversified Search and his own boutique.


Welcome aboard, Dan. 


Brad & Alex

Welcoming Dan Hobbs

Daniel has successfully led more than 250 retained executive search assignments across a broad range of industrial markets, including metals, capital equipment, performance materials, engineering services, and construction.


Prior to joining Holden Richardson, Daniel served as Managing Director with Diversified Search Group and as a Client Partner in Korn Ferry's Industrial Practice.
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Word on the Street
  • We expect inflation has peaked, noted a senior industry economist. Adding that GDP will likely hit 3% annual domestic growth, a minimum 2.5%.
  • The U.S. and Mexico are winning, while Europe and Asia are losing.
  • The vehicle market will remain flat. Vehicle affordability continues to challenge the market, and automakers are scrambling to “DE content” to bring MSRPs down.
  • Wildcards - the war with Iran, fuel/diesel prices, inflation, and stubborn interest rates.
  • AI adoption will be disruptive, shared an industry expert advising major corporations. “20% of all professional jobs are exposed, whereas growth in “physical sciences” will offset these losses – jobs such as plumbing, HVAC, electronics, and other construction/repair/maintenance services. These jobs are already in high demand and that demand will not abate anytime soon.
  • AI adoption is accelerating change from “months to weeks to days to minutes.” Its impact will overall be positive, but “it will be the end of the world as we know it."
  • Are websites on their way out? AI will eliminate the need for consumer websites.
  • Consumers will use Agents to buy products; consumers will not be buying from websites.
  • Management continues to push their teams to adopt AI knowledge and use. Those that don’t embrace AI will be pushed out. It is already a requirement to hiring.
  • Is the U.S. becoming Brazil? Growing concern that the U.S. is losing its role as an export hub and trending to a “local for local” economy, much like Brazil, a model no one really wants to copy. "How can companies make capital allocation decisions when the USMC trade agreement is now negotiated annually?", shared a leading management consultant.

Recent Executive Placements:

Jun Wang joined Symbotic as Principal Hardware Engineer – Battery Engineering. In this role, he leads battery strategy and development for next-generation AI-enabled robotic platforms. Prior to joining Symbotic, Jun served as Senior Manager, Cell and Process Design at EaglePicher Technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Penn State University and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. 

Nathan “Nate” Sladek has joined Methode Electronics as Vice President, Commercial Strategy. Nate brings a strong background in strategy, product management, and commercial leadership within automotive and industrial technology. He most recently served as Vice President of Strategy and Product Management at Marelli, leading global product strategy across a $1B+ electronics portfolio.

Antony Funston has joined Bodycote as Vice President Operations, NA. Antony brings strong operational leadership skills honed at Tenneco/Federal Mogul, and more recently in the building materials sector. He most recently served as General Manager with Clayton Homes where he was tasked with productionizing the residential home building space. 

Oscar Velderrain has joined Federal Signal as General Manager of the company’s Public Safety Systems business. He most recently served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, LATAM, for Signify. Oscar spent his early career with Philips in various product and engineering roles and remained with the organization when it was spun out to become Signify. 

Scott McClelland has joined Federal Signal as General Manager of the company’s Signaling Devices business.  He most recently served as Vice President of Product Management and Marketing with Sloan Valve Company where he was responsible for the commercial P&L of a product portfolio including Faucets, Flushometers, Fixtures, Sinks and Lavatories, Mirrors, Accessories, and Smart Water Solutions.

Daniel Carvajal Fuentes has joined Sun Chemical as Human Resources Manager, Mexico. Daniel brings expertise in Human Resources Operations leadership across a broad range of manufacturing segments and multinational businesses. Daniel most recently worked for Ravago Group as Human Resources Manager where he built and professionalized HR functions in Mexico from the ground up

Janelle Van Lopik joined Culligan International as Manager, Financial Analytics – Corporate FP&A. Janelle brings experience in strategy consulting, financial planning and analysis, and operational leadership. Prior to joining Culligan International, she served as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group, supporting industrial and manufacturing clients. She holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Finance from Michigan State University. 

Andy Armstrong joined Riverbend Industries as an Independent Director. Andy currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Republic Companies and brings extensive experience in HVAC and electrical distribution. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA in Marketing from Bradley University. 

 Jimmy Reynolds joined Shaw Development Company as Aftermarket Technical Business Development for DuraWRX. Jimmy brings deep experience as an HD aftermarket Strategic Account Manager. He holds an AA degree in Automotive Engineering Technology and Business Administration from MCC-Longview in Kansas City.

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