A look at the people behind the numbers in area business:
Jim Zuehlke cardinal board services
Title: Principal
Age: 60
As principal of Cardinal Board Services, Jim Zuehlke is using his executive recruiting experience to help companies find candidates who will add oversight and expertise as members of their board of directors. In 2015, Cardinal Board Services will continue to concentrate on working with privately held companies with $50 million to $1 billion in yearly revenue, Zuehlke said.
"Nobody focuses heavily on private companies," Zuehlke said. "Where we have the biggest impact is the private company that is really looking to grow and have a board bringing value."
Zuehlke and principal Charlie Roer launched Cardinal Board Services after recruiting directors for a number of companies that are clients of their retained executive search and placement firm, Cardinal Mark.
"Everybody needs a good boss, even if you're the CEO," Zuehlke said of a board's role. Boards can be especially valuable in helping family-owned companies through transitions and in developing growth strategy. Board members should bring expertise the company needs, often in areas such as international sales or sourcing, manufacturing or finance, Zuehlke said.
"They can open up doors for you with customers, in new markets or new suppliers," he said. Zuehlke has 25 years of recruiting experience at Cardinal Mark, after finding that he was a "natural networker" as he worked in the technology, medical and financial services industries. He and Roer founded Cardinal Board Services in 2011.
