The Black Enterprise executive recruiter directory: a listing of the nation's black-owned executive recruitment firms - Cover Story - Directory

Black Enterprise, Feb, 1994 by Ann Brown

A listing of the nation's black-owned executive recruitment firms.

As more corporations strive for diversity in their workforce, the outlook for minority executive recruiting firms would seem promising. Management experience and skill remain at a premium in the labor force, and corporations must compete for the best that the national pool of black corporate talent has to offer. Yet, according to BLACK ENTERPRISE'S latest survey of black-owned executive search companies, business is far from booming.

In fact, there has been only modest improvement in business since last year. Collectively, gross revenues of the firms responding to the 1 993 survey were $1 3.93 million, compared with $1 3.89 million for 1992. The number of assignments for the group rose just 1.07%, with some firms reporting declines of up to 35%. Placements went up about 1.08%. Most black firms explain it is still more difficult for them to land long-term retainers from major corporations than it is for their white counterparts.

Despite this lackluster showing, black firms seem to be in this unstable field for the long haul. While a few firms closed their doors last year, the majority of black-owned recruiters have been in the industry for at least five years.

This year's respondents have placed executives with many of the nation's largest corporations and financial institutions. Several firms, including H C Smith Ltd., have carved out a niche with black-owned businesses. "We've had significant success in applying our expertise in this area," says CEO Herbert C. Smith, citing high-level placements at Atlanta Life Insurance Co. and H.J. Russell & Co., the BE 100s construction concern.

Following is Be's latest annual listing of black-owned and black-managed executive recruitment firms, compiled as a service to companies seeking top-notch executive personnel in a variety of fields. It should help you find the right executives to meet your company's strategic planning and management challenges.

ACES EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANTS P. O. Box 1513 Linden, NJ 07036 908-925-8836

Anita C. Ervin, president. Founded in 1989, ACES recruits executives in the areas of consumer products, computer services, engineering, legal, manufacturing, medical and pharmaceuticals for positions with salaries ranging from $25,000 to $200,000-plus. Clients include American Express, Sony, Warner-Lambert, Du Pont-Merck and American Cyanamid.

BENFORD & ASSOCIATES INC. 3000 Town Center, Suite 1333 Southfield, MI 48075 313-351-0250

Edward A. Benford, manager. Founded in 1989, the firm places middle- and senior-level executives in such fields as accounting, manufacturing, food and consumer products and the auto industry. Salaries range from $40,000 to $125,000. Among Benford's clients are Philip Morris/Kraft Foods, Ford, Sara Lee and Clorox.

CARRINGTON & CARRINGTON LTD. 39 S. LaSalle, Suite 1125 Chicago, IL 60603-1557 312-606-0015

Marian M. Carrington, principal. Founded in 1979, the firm recruits middle- and senior-level executives for positions with salaries ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 in consumer packaged goods, financial services, real estate, oil, telecommunications and transportation. Clients include Allstate Insurance Amoco Oil, Ameritech, Ryder Systems, Freddie Mac and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

HOWARD CLARK ASSOCIATES 231 S. White Horse Pike Audubon, NJ 08106 609-467-3725

Howard L. Clark, president. Founded in 1976, the firm places executives in positions ranging from entry-level to those with salaries of up to $150,000 in the areas of accounting/finance, banking, biology/chemistry, construction, data processing, engineering, health care, insurance, legal, market research, real estate and science. Clients include Campbell Soup, Brooklyn Union Gas, SmithKline Beecham and Betz Labs.

RICHARD CLARKE ASSOCIATES INC. 9 West 95th St. New York, NY 10025-6779 212-222-5600

Richard V. Clarke, president. Founded in 1957, Richard Clarke is one of the oldest black-owned recruiting firms. It recruits professionals, technical staff and managers for private industry, public agencies, colleges and universities. The firm guarantees each placement for a period of one year. Salaries range from $75,000 to $250,000.

CORPORATE PLUS 3145 Tucker-Norcross Rd. Suite 206 Tucker, GA 30084 404-934-5101

Shawn Menefee, managing partner. Founded in 1991, the firm recruits executives in sales, marketing, MIS, engineering, accounting/finance, manufacturing and human resources. Salaries range from $25,000 to $150,000. Clients include Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, Johnson & Johnson and Baxter.

DUNHILL PERSONNEL OF BRENTWOOD INC. 1750 South Brentwood Blvd. Siute 207-7 St. Louis, MO 63144 314-961-1442

Lynn Smith, president and CEO. Founded in 1986, Dunhill recruits professionals for positions with salaries ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 in data processing, engineering, human resources, loan/mortgage processing, sales and marketing. For secretarial positions within the pharmaceutical, medical and chemical industries, salaries range from $30,000 to $70,000. Dial Corp., Mobil and Procter & Gamble are among their clients.