At their annual Americas Conference on March 7th in New York City, the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) presented three important awards to executive search professionals who have made significant contributions to the industry. The Gardner W. Heidrick Award was presented to William B. Clemens, Jr., recently retired Partner at Spencer Stuart, the Eleanor H. Raynolds Award was presented to Alfredo Assumpção, CEO & Partner, Fesa, and the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the AESC was presented to W. Carl Lovas, Managing Partner, Odgers Berndtson.

“These AESC awards honor distinguished members of the executive search profession who have made valuable contributions to not only the industry but to their communities as well. Bill has been instrumental in raising the level of professionalism of the industry, conducting over 600 national and international searches during his 40 years in executive search. Alfredo has a diverse background and is an executive search consultant, an entrepreneur, an artist, and an active participant in his community as well. Carl has given considerable time and energy to the AESC in various leadership roles, including officer positions on both the Americas Council and the Board  of Directors. The AESC was pleased to be able to honor these gentlemen at our conference earlier this month.” said Peter Felix, President of AESC.

The AESC’s Gardner W. Heidrick Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the executive search consulting profession. William Clemens III, Partner at Spencer Stuart, presented the 2012 award to his father, William B. Clemens Jr., who recently retired after spending 45 years in executive search and human resource management. Bill joined Spencer Stuart in 1996, after 17 years as a Partner at Russell Reynolds Associates and Norman Broadbent International, and led the charge in developing functional/industry practices and raising the bar for internal recruitment of the next generation of search professionals. Bill also served in senior management roles within Spencer Stuart, as well as on the AESC board of directors from 1997-2000.

The Eleanor H. Raynolds Award is awarded annually to a professional who combines excellence in executive search with a strong commitment to volunteerism. Denys Monteiro, Partner at Fesa, presented the 2012 award to Alfredo Assumpção, CEO & Partner of Fesa, a leading executive search firm in Brazil. The AESC recognized Alfredo's energy in creating successful organizations while also sharing his passion about service to other institutions. Over an impressive 42 year career, he has consistently been a model of integrity, always upholding the highest professional standards, which has contributed significantly to the executive search profession, particularly in Brazil. On a community level, he has been engaged with many non-governmental organizations, such as the Institute for Recycling of Teenagers, which works to create better opportunities for young people from the slums of Sao Paolo.   

In September 2008, Alfredo was decorated with the President Juscelino Kubitschek medallion, awarded by the Government of the state of Minas Gerais, in recognition for the exceptionally relevant services he contributed to his country.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to the AESC is a special award this year that recognized an individual who has given generously of his time and service to the Association. Carl was presented the award by current Americas Council Chair James Hertlein, Managing Director, Boyden. Carl served on the Americas Council from 2004-2011, and on the Board from 2006-2011, including terms as Chair of both governance bodies.

About The Association of Executive Search Consultants
The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) is the worldwide professional association for the retained executive search industry. The AESC promotes the highest professional standards in retained executive search consulting, broadens public understanding of the executive search process, and serves as an advocate for the interests of its member firms. For more information, or to download the AESC Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Guidelines, please visit www.aesc.org.

The AESC offers www.bluesteps.com, a career management service for senior executives, and www.executivesearchconnect.com, a free service for the HR community offering industry information and tools to assist with senior executive recruiting, including access to the AESC membership directory.

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