News:

Jefferson Partners will be a VIP sponsor of the Hunt-Scanlon Leadership Forum in Chicago on May 12, 2004. Click here for more information about this event.

Michael A. Wellman to speak at the Forbes CFO conference in New York City on May 21, 2004. Click here for more information and to register for this event.

January 2004: View the new Jefferson Partners Ad (PDF)

Press Releases:

October 16, 2003:
Jefferson Partners Completes NII Holdings Board Search

September 15, 2003:
Michael A. Wellman, Vetern Executive Search Professional, Launches Jefferson Partners

Press Mentions:

First Quarter 2004:
The Wall Street Transcript: Jefferson Partners (PDF)

December 2003:
Executive Search Review: Michael Wellman Profile (PDF)

December 8, 2003:
Ex-dot-commers netting plum jobs

November 3, 2003:
Women finding places at boardroom tables

September 29, 2003
Google search finds software engineers

December 9, 2002
Fallen CEOs can rehab their reputations

In The News:

Jefferson Partners was featured in the Business section of the Stamford Advocate on October 17, 2003. Following is the complete article.

Up To The Challenge

Darien Man Launches His Own Executive Search Firm

By Richard Lee
Assistant Business Editor

During his 20 years in the executive search business, Darien resident Michael Wellman has experienced the ups and downs of the industry, and now he has taken advantage of that knowledge and started his own executive search firm.

Wellman, formerly president of global specialty practices and major accounts for Korn-Ferry International, one of the world's largest executive search firms, has launched Jefferson Partners, a retainer search firm specializing in senior level and board of directors positions.

"After 20 years of senior executive search experience with several leading firms, I formed Jefferson Partners to deliver a more focused, client-centered approach to senior level executive search than exists today at the largest international executive search firms," Wellman said.

Wellman has conducted more than 400 senior executive searches fro Fortune 500 companies and middle-market and emerging businesses during his years with such firms as Korn-Ferry, Christian & Timbers, Spencer-Stuart and Johnson, and Smith & Knisely.

His clients include companies in advanced technology, venture capital, private equity, communications, manufactured goods, biotechnology, vices, financial services and professional services.

This diversity of clients gives Wellman an advantage over other small firms that specialize in a specific industry, said Dale Zupsansky, editor and senior analyst with Stamford-based Hunt-Scannlon, a market research firm.

"He has a lot of experience and has done searches in a lot of different markets. He has the flexibility to do work in different industries," Zupsansky said.

Many large executive search firms have been severely impacted by the recent slow economy when corporate clients were not in the hiring mode, he said, resulting in many veteran recruiters such as Wellman leaving their positions - either through their own volition or through layoffs- and starting their own businesses.

They are using important contacts that they have developed over the years, Zupsansky said.

Such was the case for Wellman, who joined Christian & Timbers in mid-2002 as managing partner of its New York City and Stamford offices.

After less than a year, however, he decided it was time to start his own business, believing the economy was on the upswing and that there would be a demand for his services.

"My love is doing executive searches. The economy was improving. When you start a new business, you want to start when the economy is moving north," Wellman said.

Wellman was recently contracted by NII Holdings Inc., formerly Nextel International, a Virginia-based wireless provider that serves clients principally in Latin America, to recommend a candidate for its board.

Finding the right people to serve on boards of directors has been crucial since the Tyco and Enron scandals, said Wellman, as boards pay more attention to corporate governance.

NII Holding's board members have the financial, operational and technical experience, but required someone with working experience in Central and South America, said Steve Shindler, the company's chief executive officer, who was impressed by the candidates Wellman recommended.

Realizing his client's dilemma, Wellman identified Charles Herington, a native Mexican and chief executive officer of AOL-Latin America, as one of the candidates to serve on the board.

"The board needed a member who understands doing business in Latin America, "Wellman said.

Shindler was impressed by Wellman's ability to grasp the company's challenge and his personal approach.

"Mike did a great job. I admire the way he runs his business," Shindler said. "He applied the old-style thinking of the hands-on approach."