Making an Impact
3 Interviews, 1 Hire
It is an astounding ratio: 3.16:1 since 2011. For every three candidates we present, the odds say you'll hire at least one.
Sky-High Retention
We have one of the highest retention rates in recruiting: 81% of our placements remain with your organization after three years.
Global Capability
Our global reach stems from recruitment in 44 states and extends to 55 countries in nearly 100 offices around the world.
With 51 years as its foundation, Charles Aris Executive Search quickly identifies and delivers world-class leaders who are qualified, available and interested in enhancing your organization.
Clients choose and return to Charles Aris for its expertise, execution, focus on cultural fit and pinpoint deliverables. That's why Charles Aris is trusted by organizations around the world, from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms.
In addition to its industry-specific recruiting practices, Charles Aris addresses your organizational needs across these integral functions as well:
- Engineering, Operations & Supply Chain
- Executive Leadership
- Finance & Accounting
- Private Equity & Asset Management
- Sales & Marketing
- Strategy & Corporate Development
Expertise
Meet the Practice Leaders of Charles Aris
Mitch Oakley
Founder & Chairman
Executive Leadership
Diversified industries
Charles Aris Inc. founder and chairman Mitch Oakley has led the retained executive search firm since 1969.
View Mitch Oakley's full bio.
Chad Oakley
Chief Executive Officer
Strategy & Corporate Development
CPG; Industrials; Financial Services
Chad Oakley serves as the CEO of Charles Aris Inc. and as the firm’s primary practice leader for Strategy & Corporate Development.
View Chad Oakley's full bio.
Allen Oakley
Chief Operating Officer
Real Estate
Allen Oakley serves as the COO of Charles Aris Inc. and as the firm’s primary practice leader for Real Estate.
View Allen Oakley's full bio.
Greg Harper
Senior Vice President
Engineering & Operations
Industrial Manufacturing; Chemicals
Charles Aris Inc. senior vice president Greg Harper serves as the company’s primary practice leader for Engineering & Operations and Sales & Marketing.
View Greg Harper's full bio.
Jim Etling
Senior Vice President
Private Equity
Finance & Accounting
Jim Etling serves as the firm’s primary practice leader for Private Equity as well as Finance & Accounting.
View Jim Etling's full bio.
Caroline Wilson
Vice President
Strategy & Corporate Development
Private Equity; Asset Management
Caroline Wilson is a Strategy & Corporate Development vice president with a focus on recruiting management consultants.
View Caroline Wilson's full bio.
Steven Stewart
Vice President
Strategy & Corporate Development
Technology
Steven Stewart is a Strategy & Corporate Development vice president with an industry focus on Technology, Media & Telecom.
View Steven Stewart's full bio.
Jill Jitima
Vice President
Strategy & Corporate Development
Consumer
Charles Aris vice president Jill Jitima is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader with a Consumer / Retail industry focus.
View Jill Jitima's full bio.
Sarah Becker
Vice President
Operations; Sales & Marketing
Private Equity; Consumer
Sarah Becker is an Operations, Sales & Marketing vice president with a focus on Private Equity and Consumer / Retail.
View Sarah Becker's full bio.
Ashlee Wagner
Vice President
Strategy & Corporate Development
Financial Services
Ashlee Wagner is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader for the financial services industry.
View Ashlee Wagner's full bio.
Jody Karavanic Bischoff
Vice President
Strategy & Corporate Development
Healthcare
Jody Bischoff is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader for the healthcare industry.
View Jody Karavanic Bischoff's full bio.
TJ Deal
Practice Leader
Corporate Development
Private Equity
T.J. Deal is an Industrials; Technology, and Media & Telecom senior associate practice leader with a functional focus on Strategy & Corporate Development.
View TJ Deal's full bio.
Ryan Morgan
Senior Associate Practice Leader
Finance & Accounting
Consumer Goods & Durables
Ryan Morgan is a senior associate practice leader with focus on the Finance & Accounting and Consumer industries.
View Ryan Morgan's full bio.
Derek Gracey
Senior Associate Practice Leader
Human Capital
Derek Gracey is a senior associate practice leader with a functional focus on Human Capital.
View Derek Gracey's full bio.
Julia Opaleski
Associate Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
Julia Opaleski is an associate practice leader with a functional focus on Strategy & Corporate Development.
View Julia Opaleski's full bio.
Heather Kivett
Associate Practice Leader
Engineering; Sales & Marketing
Industrial Manufacturing; Chemicals
Heather Kivett is an associate practice leader in the Industrial Manufacturing practice across the Engineering & Operations and Sales & Marketing functions.
View Heather Kivett's full bio.
Heather Porter
Associate Practice Leader
Diversified practices
Heather Porter is a senior associate recruiter with a focus on identifying, recruiting and placing top Sales & Marketing talent in Industrial Manufacturing.
View Heather Porter's full bio.
Jacob Watkins
Associate Practice Leader
Diversified practices
Jacob Watkins is an associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Inc.
View Jacob Watkins's full bio.
Josh Kotelnicki
Associate Practice LeaderDiversified practices
Josh Kotelnicki is an associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Executive Search.
Prior to joining the executive recruiting firm, Josh worked as a college football coach for 16 years. Most recently as the head coach at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, he oversaw all aspects of player development, business operations, alumni management, fan and community engagement, recruiting, staffing and game-day strategy for the Marauders. He previously worked at the University of North Dakota, Kansas State University, Truman State University and Murray State University.
Josh earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of North Dakota, where as a starter he helped North Dakota win the 2001 NCAA Division II Football Championship. He earned his MBA degree from Murray State in 2003.
Josh enjoys spending free time with his wife and two children; hiking; reading; and smokin’ barbecue.
Josh’s content
Executive recruiters’ favorite books and podcasts for 2021
Kotelnicki earns promotion to associate practice leader at Charles Aris Executive Search
View Josh Kotelnicki's full bio.
Data dive
We've released The Anatomy of a Chief Strategy Officer. This comprehensive report analyzes the backgrounds of CSOs across the Fortune 500.
Learn More
Searching for success
Have you seen our 2020 Corporate Development Offer Report? We've compiled data from a subset of completed searches for your benefit.
Learn More
Words of wisdom
There is always more to learn. Our recruiting experts have compiled a list of books and podcasts to keep you at the top of your game.
Learn More
Let's chat!
Is your team about to end its hiring freeze? If so, you may be ready to vet a search partner to help land A-level talent. Tell us more about your hiring needs today.
Learn More
