Executive recruiter directory: this year's listing of the nation's black-owned executive recruiter firms - Executive Recruiter Guide - Directory

Black Enterprise, Feb, 1997 by Keisha Anderson

This year's listing of the nation's black-owned executive recruiter firms

THOUGH THEY MAY BE tiny fish in a big sea of contenders, minority-owned executive recruitment firms continue to play a major role in helping to diversify the American workforce. In 1995 alone, the 65 firms listed grossed $32.5 million, up 14.37% from $28 million in 1994. This year, 12 firms have been added to our list.

But it's not all good news. As white-owned recruitment firms continue to develop their minority-recruitment divisions, black-owned firms could see revenue gains flatten. As of September 1996, the combined revenues of black firms--$29.5 million--made up just a fraction of the $4.4 billion executive recruitment industry, according to Executive Recruiter News.

Despite this, black firms continue evolving to meet the demands of corporate America. For example, many have expanded their services beyond executive recruitment to include temporary placement, diversity consulting and career counseling. Nonetheless, it's still difficult for them to sell their services. "The pie has gotten larger, but the piece going to minority-owned firms is still very small," says Winnie Richardson Davis, vice president of Joseph Davis Consultants in New York. Unlike their larger white-owned counterparts, she explains, few black-owned firms listed can afford to specialize in any one field, and must diversify the industries they service.

It's important to understand exactly what executive search firms are. Search firms primarily cater to the needs of the employer, not job candidates. And they shouldn't be confused with employment agencies or placement firms, where job candidates pay a fee to be placed. Revenue sources generally fall under two categories: contingency (C)--the client company pays a fee to the firm if the candidate is hired; or retained (R)--the client company pays the firm a fee for the search, whether or not a candidate is hired.

As a result, don't necessarily expect a response if you send in an unsolicited resume. Although some firms do respond with a postcard of receipt, they're not obligated to contact you.

David Pailin Sr. of the Dallas-based Pailin Group Professional Search Consultants, who receives about 75 resumes a day, explains why his company may not respond: (1) The candidate may not be qualified for any of the positions. (2) The format of the resume is unacceptable (i.e., handwritten instead of typed, dates of employment or job titles missing, etc.). (3) The candidate is seeking a job in an area in which the firm doesn't usually recruit.

The following list of black-owned recruitment firms will provide career entry points and valuable information to executives seeking career advancement opportunities.

EXECUTIVE RECRUITER GUIDE

ACES EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANTS

P.O. Box 1513 Linden, NJ 07036 Tel: 908-925-8836 Fax: 908-925-3232

Anira C. Ervin. president. Founded 1989. C:60%; R:40%. Salary range: $30,000-$250,000. Industries include telecommunications, legal, pharmaceuticals, media and financial services. Firms include Sony, Time Inc. and American Express.

ACTREN

P.O. Box 941845 Atlanta, GA 31141 Tel: 404-355-9664 * Fax: 770-481-0290 e-mail: acjtl@aol.com

(Formerly ACJ & Associates Inc.). Tony Johnson, director of client resources. Founded 1990. R:100%. Salary range: $60,000-$250,000. Industries include information technology. Firms include Holiday Inn, AT&T and BellSouth.

ASPEN PERSONNEL SERVICES INC.

6930 Carroll Ave., Suite 507 Takoma Park, MD 20912 Tel: 310-270-3800 Fax: 301-270-0061

Armentha Cruise, president and CEO. Founded 1988. C: 90%; R: 10%. Salary range: $25,000-$110,000. Industries include technical telecommunications, financial, medical and human resources. Firms include Fannie Mae, NationsBank and MCI.

BENFORD & ASSOCIATES INC.

3000 Town Center, Suite 1333 Southfield, MI 48075 Tel: 810-351-0250 Fax: 810-351-8698

Edward A. Benford, manager. Founded 1989. C: 85%; R: 15%. Salary range: $50,000-$175,000. Industries include automotive, manufacturing and consumer products. Firms include General Motors, Ford and Toyota.

B.G. AND ASSOCIATES

P.O. Box 34162 Bethesda, MD 20827-0162 Tel: 301-365-4046 * Fax: 301-365-0435

Brian A. Gray, president. Founded 1981 C: 78%; R: 22%. Salary range: $50,000-$250,000. Industries include telecommunications, financial services, general engineering. Firms include Bell Atlantic, MCI and IBM.

CARRINGTON & CARRINGTON LTD.

39 South LaSalle St., Suite 1125 Chicago, IL 60603 Tel: 312-606-0015 Fax: 312-606-0501

Willie & Marian Carrington, principals and owners. Founded 1979. R: 100%. Salary range: $90,000-$300,000. Industries include financial services, consumer packaged goods and health care. Firms include American Express, Ameritech and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

HOWARD CLARK ASSOCIATES

P.O. Box 423 Bellmar, NJ 08099 Tel: 609-467-3725 * Fax: 609-467-3384

Howard L. Clark, president. Founded 1976. C: 85%; R: 15%. Salary range: $35,000-$200,000. Industries include manufacturing, educational and engineering. Firms include SmithKline Beecham, Coopers & Lybrand and Campbell Soup.