Founded in 1988, APA Search is widely recognized as a leading retained executive search firm. Our financial services network is unparalleled. Collectively, our team has developed relationships with the most senior department heads and revenue producers in their respective sectors. We maintain the level of relationships that would only be found in a smaller, boutique search practice.
Leading our Financial Services Team is our President Julia Harris Wexler. Julia has over two decades of experience as a Partner in retained executive search. She has successfully placed over 300 Managing Directors and senior revenue producers from the leading investment banks, commercial banks, regional securities firms and hedge funds. Her clients have included Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse, Citi and S&P Global. Julia has served as Managing Director for the Whitney Group, Managing Partner at Tierney Harris LLC, and Senior Recruiter with TD Securities. She’s received her Advanced Coaching Certification from Columbia University, along with a master’s degree from Columbia University. She’s been a keynote speaker at Wharton Women in Business and has contributed to Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. She’s currently an Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac Business School.
Clients
Our financial services clients include many of the leading bulge bracket and major bracket investment banks, regional securities firms and private equity firms seeking exceptional management candidates for their diverse holdings.
Pride
We are proud of the reputation we have earned with our clients for successfully closing high quality, 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 with candidates and clients. We are committed to maintaining the highest level of ethical conduct in serving our clients and candidates, and in our overall business practices.
Our Team
Our team includes 10 consultants with many years of combined industry experience. Our team will take less time to identify relevant, top industry talent. Our team provides expert, innovative and highly customized solutions for critical executive level needs.
Howard Kesten
Chief Executive Officer
Julia Harris Wexler
President
Frank Cernuto
Executive Vice President
Gloria Donnell
Director of Recruiting
MaryAnn Smith
Director of Recruiting
Bethann McGrath
Director of Recruiting
Tim Cook
Senior Recruiter
Erika Mendelson
Vice President, West Coast
Isobel Hill
Recruiter
Suzanne Wexler
Director of Recruiting
Julia is an incredible talent and a phenomenal coach. Her background in executive search has uniquely prepared her to guide and reenergize the career paths of men and women from the Board Room to the C-Suite to management ranks and beyond. She is tremendously results driven and effective.
Charles Firlotte
former President and CEO
Acquarion Water Company
Julia is a fantastic coach and gave the members of Wharton Women in Business concrete and moving advice, somehow managing to make her recommendations applicable to an extremely diverse audience with wide-ranging goals! She is a pleasure to work with and her perceptive nature, vast experience and sharp instincts shine through immediately.
Liz Golden
Head of Product
Protein Evolution, a 4Catalyzer Company
Julia helped me summarize my experience in a way that transcended the immediate confines of the financial market, and that helped me land a job at the world’s top sports apparel company. There was quite a gap to bridge between cultures, and it was not obvious to translate the capabilities developed in my past career to the new opportunity. Julia was invaluable in that process.
Mauricio Esteves Marcal
Senior Director Business Strategy/Sustainability, Microsoft;
formerly Head of Performance Management, Global Sourcing & Manufacturing, Nike
Julia exhibits exceptional professionalism while approaching her work with boundless energy and a deep understanding of her subject matter. Very responsive and a genuine pleasure to work with. I have also referred Julia to others whose experiences have been similarly positive.
Stuart Smith
Managing Director
Credit Suisse Securities
Julia is one of the most insightful people I have every known regarding every element of building a successful career and navigating a rapidly changing business environment. In addition, Julia is extremely savvy about how best to approach any type of negotiation, thinking of how to position yourself well ahead of any actual transaction. I recommend Julia highly.
Amanda Tepper
Founder and Managing Partner
Chestnut Advisory Group
Whenever I was at a crossroads in my career, Julia was always there to provide insightful guidance. In fact, I always found her advice to be in my best interest not just for her client, so I knew I was always dealing with a person with integrity.
Alex Cena
Senior Portfolio Manager
Morgan Stanley
I have been working closely with Julia to take my business to the next level. During this time, she very quickly obtained a good grasp and a true understanding of exactly what my needs were and where I wanted to take my business over the next five to ten years. But even more importantly she has been able to help me get past the stumbling block that has been holding me back personally as well as professionally to begin the process of reaching these goals. With her help I have been able to establish a well-constructed “road map” to obtaining my objectives.
Ira Lippel
Managing Partner
Allen C Schneider & Co.
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