Robert L Pearson

Chairman of the Board and Founder

Building upon a highly regarded career spanning nearly 40 years in the executive search business, Bob Pearson is the founding partner and chairman emeritus of Pearson Partners International and lends his considerable expertise to advising on the firm’s chief executive officer and board of directors search practices.

Prior to founding Pearson Partners International, Bob Pearson was chairman and chief executive officer of LAI Worldwide, at the time the third-largest global executive search firm. He was instrumental in LAI’s initial public offering—a first for a firm in the recruiting industry.

Bob launched his executive search career at Russell Reynolds Associates as executive director, then became the Southwest managing partner of Lamalie Associates (later known as LAI Worldwide) before being elected Chairman and CEO. Following several sizable acquisitions and a large secondary public offering, the company was sold to TMP Worldwide.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Michigan State University. He attended graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a NASA fellowship, earning a Master of Science in Industrial Management degree.

Bob was awarded the Association of Executive Search & Leadership Consultants’ prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, widely considered the highest-level award in the executive search profession. He serves on the board of directors and is chair of the compensation committee for Pentagon Technologies, a semiconductor manufacturing equipment and cleanroom technology company.

Bob is an avid runner and has completed the New York City Marathon four times. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Norma.

What motto do you live by?

Whatever happens, the sun will be up tomorrow.

Why did you feel executive recruiting was the right field for you?

I joined executive search legend Russell Reynolds Jr. in 1982. We became fast friends and have been close ever since.

If you had to change careers tomorrow, what job would you choose and why?

I have always thought I would make a good neurosurgeon, but since it is probably a little late for that, I would likely retire and ask our mayor if there is any post I might serve on to help the poor and underprivileged in Dallas.