Driving change through recruiting excellence

Why APA Executive Search?

Since 1988, APA Executive Search has placed nearly 3,500 executives across North America. Our clients—many of whom we’ve worked with for over a decade—trust us not as vendors, but as strategic partners who understand their business and long-term goals.

Each search is led by a seasoned recruiter and supported by a highly experienced in-house research team. We take the time to understand your business, culture, and competitive landscape—then deliver high-impact candidates tailored to your needs.

Clients

Our clients include leading companies in the automotive and aftermarket industry; manufacturing and industrial sectors; private equity portfolio companies; and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. We partner with organizations seeking exceptional leaders who can drive transformation and create lasting enterprise value across diverse industries.

Pride
We are proud of the reputation we have earned with our clients for successfully performing high quality, efficient search assignments. Our candidates tell us that they appreciate our discretion, professionalism and personal approach.

Our objective has always been to cultivate long-term relationships by keeping everyone’s best interests at heart. We are committed to maintaining the highest level of ethical conduct in serving our clients and candidates, and in our overall business practices.

Our Beginnings

APA Executive Search was founded in 1988 by the Owner/President, Howard Kesten. Our office in New Canaan, CT is about 20 miles north of New York City.

Our Team

Our team is made up of seasoned consultants with decades of combined experience across multiple industries, including automotive, private equity-backed portfolio companies, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, and industrial.

Howard Kesten

Chairman of the Board

Erica Hali Conk

Managing Partner

Suzanne Wexler

Managing Partner

Frank Cernuto

Executive Vice President

Tim Cook

Senior Recruiter

MaryAnn Smith

Director of Recruiting

Bethann McGrath

Director of Recruiting

Testimonials
First off, I wanted to acknowledge you for your above and beyond involvement when seeking out the most ideal candidate for me. The search process was certainly all encompassing and I am clear about the tremendous extent you dedicated your efforts to my search. For that I am extraordinarily appreciative. You can count on me to be an amazing referral for you and your Company. Thank you.

Mr. John Kruger

Nevada Brake and Auto, Inc.

We are delighted with the outcome of the search process. Your hard work and experience will benefit Auto 7 greatly. Thank you for guiding us in the proper direction. We are fortunate to have your talent and friendship on our side. As Auto 7 grows, your resourcefulness will prove to become vital for our success.

Steven Kruss

CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER, AUTO7, Inc.

APA Executive Search helped us staff more than 10 positions in all facets of our business, from sales management to IT to executive and financial. The folks at APA Search are relentless about the work they do, but they hold themselves to an impeccably high standard of conduct.

Steven Smith

President/CEO GCommerce,INC.

We have used APA Executive Search for the past 20 years and plan to do so for another 20.

Steven Berman

President dorman products, inc.

…APA Executive Search applied a very methodical and detailed process to understand our unique requirements, scan the market for potential candidate and introduce the most qualified to us in a very transparent fashion.

Wolfgang Winzer

PRESIDENT WEBB WHEEL PRODUCTS, INC.

APA Executive Search…most recently filled a critical OEM position that was based in Europe. We have found working with them to be a very effective and efficient way for us to fill important positions that require a specific background or knowledge base.

Linda Oldman

GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TOMKINS AMG

Testimonials
First off, I wanted to acknowledge you for your above and beyond involvement when seeking out the most ideal candidate for me. The search process was certainly all encompassing and I am clear about the tremendous extent you dedicated your efforts to my search. For that I am extraordinarily appreciative. You can count on me to be an amazing referral for you and your Company. Thank you.

Mr. John Kruger

Nevada Brake and Auto, Inc.

We are delighted with the outcome of the search process. Your hard work and experience will benefit Auto 7 greatly. Thank you for guiding us in the proper direction. We are fortunate to have your talent and friendship on our side. As Auto 7 grows, your resourcefulness will prove to become vital for our success.

Steven Kruss

CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER, AUTO7, Inc.

APA Search helped us staff more than 10 positions in all facets of our business, from sales management to IT to executive and financial. The folks at APA Search are relentless about the work they do, but they hold themselves to an impeccably high standard of conduct.
Steven Smith

President/CEO GCommerce,INC.

We have used APA Search for the past 20 years and plan to do so for another 20.

Steven Berman

President dorman products, inc.

…APA Search applied a very methodical and detailed process to understand our unique requirements, scan the market for potential candidate and introduce the most qualified to us in a very transparent fashion.

Wolfgang Winzer

PRESIDENT WEBB WHEEL PRODUCTS, INC.

APA Search…most recently filled a critical OEM position that was based in Europe. We have found working with them to be a very effective and efficient way for us to fill important positions that require a specific background or knowledge base.

Linda Oldman

GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TOMKINS AMG