AGResearch has built an effective organizational and leadership structure that allows us to maintain our personal level of service while accommodating the demands for scale and rapid response, finding qualified leaders for our varied client base in all major markets. We strive to be the best, rather than the biggest or most visible, providing strong values, commitment to client services, and long-term client relationships.
AGResearch has a profound knowledge of major industries and their divisions. We are focused on original research and name generation, candidate development, executive search services, competitive and market intelligence. Our unique approach to Recruiting and Competitive Human Capital Intelligence drives us to embrace teamwork, collaboration and knowledge sharing which leads to the kinds of people we attract to AGResearch and the passion we have for being our client’s most trusted advisor.
President and Managing Director
april.grady@agresearch.info(940) 455-2771
April founded AGResearch in June 2002 with a vision to supply clients with a cost effective solution for their recruitment needs. She has grown the firm to 38 team staff, served over 380 clients and completed close to 3,600 projects. With 15+ years executive search, research and market intelligence experience, April has served a variety of clients including seven of the top ten global executive search firms and a cross section of the Fortune 1000. April has managed the market analysis, research, strategy, people ID and project management for literally 1000s of assignments ranging in salary from $60,000 to multi-million engagements, across multiple functional and industry lines.
Prior to forming AGResearch, April served as the lead research analyst for the Global Sectors Group at TMP Worldwide (now Heidrick and Struggles), a senior retained search practice with over 70 partners and principals. Prior to joining TMP, April was the Director of Research at Best-World Associates where she directed a group of twenty researchers providing market intelligence, research strategy, and name generation services to a diverse group of both search firm and corporate clients.
Chief Operating Officer
patti.mayer@agresearch.info(972) 234-6811
Patti joined AGResearch in 2003 as Financial Director and assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in July 2007. Patti’s twenty-five years of financial and management expertise continues to be essential to the primary and fundamental structure and growth of AGResearch.
Prior to entering her role with AGResearch, Patti managed both the IT, financial and administrative aspects of the EDS Executive Stock Plan, writing and upgrading internal programs, as well as running vestings, paying dividends and initiating stock transfers. Patti also served as liaison with brokers, transfer agents, payroll and tax departments, both domestically and internationally as the Plan expanded from 200 to 10,000 participants. Prior to her tenure with EDS, Patti‘s financial background earned her accounting/management positions with Wells Fargo Business Credit and ITT Financial Services. She brings her unique background to AGResearch, lending us her solid insight and experience.
Director, Candidate Development
larry.proffitt@agresearch.info (804) 556-4845
Larry Proffitt is currently the Director of Candidate Development for AGResearch. Larry brings over a decade of experience in the recruiting and human resources industry and has worked within Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Technology, Financial, Insurance, Defense/DOD, Retail, Oil & Gas, Energy, Construction and Logistics/Transportation industries to name a few. While communicating with Management to C-Level executives, he has aided them in their search for a variety of positions from Individual Contributor to Executive level. Larry’s and his Team’s success in sourcing candidates comes from solid networking skills, research, cold-calling, and web/internet search engines. Larry brings a solid recruiting instinct and works effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive relationship with candidates, clients and co-workers alike. He has a Bachelor of Science is Business Administration from Old Dominion University and his major was Human Resource Management.
Director, Research Services
ahawkins@agresearch.info(770) 974-3598
Alissa joined AGResearch in 2003, bringing over a decade of executive level research and management experience to our Team. The Research Team consists of seasoned researchers with over 75- years combined experience. Using valuable resources, and cold-calling techniques, Alissa and her Team have served over 900 research projects since inception of the firm. In addition to managing the Research Team, Alissa provides daily consultative ideas and solutions to AGR’s clients during research kick-offs. The value-add of working with a generalist firm allows Alissa to bring industry specific knowledge to each project served.
Prior to joining AGResearch, Alissa held the position of Director of Research at two retained search firms and formerly managed her own research firm. Alissa participates in local research organizations and is a member of many national associations. Her experience includes, but is not limited to: Big 4, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Higher Education, Technology, Manufacturing, Construction Materials, Retail and Consumer Products.
Director, Executive Search Services
mcclintock@agresearch.info (972) 731-7971
Michelle McClintock serves as Director, Executive Search Services for AGResearch, focusing on executive search firm clients and executive level projects for the firm. Michelle joined AGResearch in December, 2003. She was previously a Senior Associate at TMP/Highland Partners, a leading global retained executive search firm where she was a member of the Industrial, Supply Chain and Human Resources practices. Michelle has over eleven years of senior executive level recruiting experience and has specialized in various areas including Retail, Telecom, Healthcare, Information Technology, Professional Services, and Industrial, Supply Chain, Aerospace/Defense and Automotive industries. Her functional expertise covers a broad range of areas including general executive management, consulting, operations, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and sales, finance, and human resources.
Prior to working with Highland Partners, Michelle was an Associate with a niche boutique executive search firm, Taylor Winfield, and she began her recruiting career with Kenzer Corporation, a national executive search firm. Throughout her career, Michelle has been involved in leading candidate development and evaluation efforts for executive and management level searches. She received a MA degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a BA from Texas A&M University.
Manager, Strategic Online Sourcing
ruth.sarkari@agresearch.info(469) 443-7984
Ruth was recruited to AGResearch in August 2007 as Manager of our Strategic Online Sourcing Group. She brings eight years of internet sourcing and research expertise with a combination of metrics, benchmarking and establishing best practices. Her range of data mining expertise covers multiple industries and job functions. Her talent sourcing skills are enhanced by an AIRS Certification.
Previously, Ruth was a Senior Associate with DHR International handling full life cycle recruiting. Prior to DHR, Ruth was a Senior Business Associate / Head of Research and Candidate Development with Hyle Human Capital Partners where her focus was the development and implementation of search strategy and the early identification of potential candidates using passive mining techniques on the Internet and other search engine software. Ruth has worked as a Lead Project Analyst (Internet Researcher) for eResourcing, Mid-Level Search & Selection Division of TMP Worldwide.
Ruth-Dinaz Sarkari has an MBA (Operations Management and Marketing) from the Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton, PA, and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with a concentration in Life Sciences and Chemistry from the University of Bombay, India.
IT/Systems Coordinator
cheree.hs@agresearch.info(940) 783-5811
Cheree’ Harrell-Steward leads the AGResearch IT department and, with her diverse knowledge of systems and applications, provides AGResearch superior support for 40+ local and remote users. She effectively manages AGR’s IT needs during transition phases, including installing effective information systems, establishing protocols for service requests, documentation of peripherals/equipment, implementing structured firm-wide computer/system audits, providing training and support on multiple software programs, and troubleshooting computer/server software and hardware errors and operations. With a strong knowledge of hardware and software, Cheree’ is responsible for IT purchases and implementation. She has experience in all aspects of systems administration, as well as integrated support and services.
Previously Cheree’ worked for IBM, providing vendor support for Wal-Mart, diagnosing software and hardware problems for their U.S. and U.K. (ASDA) RISC 6000 pharmacy servers. Her experience as a team lead in handling critical situations and down servers, working directly with Wal-Mart support and on-site IBM technicians, and training other support team associates provided her with the foundation for success. Her comprehensive knowledge and ability to work effectively and build confidence makes her an invaluable asset to AGR.