Family Office President & CEO Placement: Executive Search Case Study for a Century-Old Legacy 

>The Background 

A Century of Stewardship

For over 100 years, a Texas-based family has built and preserved wealth across three core areas: forestry and paper products, commercial real estate, and oil and gas. The family office now serves over 100 family members across multiple generations. 

After decades of steady leadership, the family’s long-term President announced his planned retirement. The family needed to find someone who could honor their legacy while guiding them into their next chapter of growth and diversification. 

>The Challenge 

Bridging Tradition and Innovation

The incoming President and CEO would need to balance two different approaches. The family’s traditional, low-risk investment strategy had worked well for generations, but they wanted to move toward more dynamic, diversified investments. 

Cultural fit was highly important, too. With over 100 family members spanning multiple generations, this leader needed to respect established values while bringing fresh thinking. They would need proven experience leading family offices or investment organizations, expertise in oil and gas and diversified investments, and interpersonal skills to work with a large, involved family group. 

>The Solution 

Going Above and Beyond

Stanton Chase conducted a national search. Understanding the complexity of family office leadership, we designed an evaluation process that went deeper than standard interviews. 

Working with Assessment Director Sandhya Johnson, PhD, we used Hogan assessments and career journey interviews to evaluate six finalists. This approach revealed insights into each candidate’s leadership style and cultural fit that wouldn’t have come up in conventional interviews. 

The family could make their decision based not just on experience and credentials, but on a real understanding of how each candidate would work within their culture and governance structure. 

>The Results 

The Right Fit

Stanton Chase placed the founder of a successful private investment firm with deep sector knowledge and strong alignment with the family’s values. His combination of investment expertise, entrepreneurial mindset, and interpersonal skills convinced everyone he was right for the role. 

He earned unanimous approval from the 12-member board and family leadership team. 

The new President and CEO now leads the family office into its next century, balancing the careful stewardship that has defined the family’s legacy with the growth vision they need going forward.