May 21, 2025 | Our Company, Our Thinking
Slayton Search Partners Named to Forbes’ Best Executive Recruiting Firms List for 2025
Slayton Search Partners proudly announces its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of excellence, resilience, and leadership in the executive search industry. Founded in 1985 by industry veteran Dick Slayton, the firm has grown from a niche practice focused on industrial and automotive sectors into a nationally recognized leader in strategic executive recruitment.
“This journey has been pretty fantastic, to be honest, and I’m very grateful that we’re here,” said Richard Slayton, Managing Partner & CEO. “At 40 years, we have established ourselves as a force in the industry, gaining reputation and recognition from not only clients but also candidates.”
Since its inception, Slayton Search Partners has evolved in step with the changing dynamics of the executive talent landscape. Under the leadership of Rick Slayton, who assumed the role of CEO after his first decade with the firm, Slayton expanded beyond its Midwest roots to serve clients across a diverse range of industries, including consumer, distribution, financial, industrial, insurance, private equity, and retail.
The firm’s resilience has defined its trajectory. During the 2008–2009 financial crisis—a period that saw nearly half of executive search firms close their doors—Slayton made the strategic decision to refocus on its core strengths as a boutique firm. This move proved pivotal to its long-term success. A decade later, the firm navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with similar agility and strength, reinforcing its reputation for adaptability and client commitment.
In 2022, Slayton Search Partners joined The Judge Group, creating new opportunities for growth while maintaining the firm’s unique culture and consultative approach that have distinguished it for decades.
Today, Slayton Search Partners is known for its precision in placement, commitment to professional development, and a values-driven culture that blends professionalism with a strong sense of community. “My goal,” added Rick Slayton, “is to make sure that this business gets passed to the next generation and then the generation after that so it can continue to do what it does today into the future.”
As Slayton Search Partners commemorates this milestone, the firm remains deeply committed to the principles upon which it was built—client service, integrity, and long-term relationships—while embracing innovation and preparing the next generation of search professionals for success.
