http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_room.aspHands-on experience in the fields we recruit from, a personal commitment to excellence in each member of our recruitment staff, and our exclusive retention program have made Lucas Group one of the nation's largest executive recruitment firms.ATLANTA – August 14th, 2008 - Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, recently appointed John Lutkenhouse and Jim Palombo as Executive Senior Partners within the Military Division, Irvine, CA. John Lutkenhouse, for over (7) seven years, specializes in placing former enlisted technicians and non-commissioned officers from all branches of the military in civilian careers. He was previously a former Marine Corps Officers and is currently a member of the Marine Corps Reserves which brings him valuable experience in matching client profiles with candidate’s strengths. Previously John worked for Pepsi Cola as an operations manager in San Diego and Las Vegas where his leadership skills were easily transferable. Jim Palombo served as a Navy Supply Corps Officer before entering corporate America in 1997 with Pepsi Bottling Group in San Diego. At Pepsi Bottling Group he gained experience in Operations Management, Sales and Sales management. In 2001 he joined Lucas Group to recruit for Navy Supply Corps Officers, Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officers, Naval Aviators and Flight Officers. He also recruits enlisted and non-0commissioned officers from all branches. He continues to be an active Navy Reservist. About Lucas Group Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive recruitment firms that built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. The search firm has increased its reach, while maintaining a commitment to high performance and unsurpassed industry knowledge. Lucas Group focuses on recruiting top executives in management, advertising/marketing, sales, accounting, manufacturing, legal, military personnel transitioning and technical positions across all major industries. With offices nationwide and its expansion into Europe, Lucas Group performs search assignments for Fortune 100+ companies, as well as regional businesses and entrepreneurial firms.14 Aug 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=135ATLANTA – August 12th, 2008 - Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, recently John DeLucia as Executive Senior Partner within the Accounting & Finance Division, Atlanta, GA. Since 1996, John DeLucia has had great success in placing finance and accounting senior level professionals throughout the business community. His continual goal is to present his clients with the best talent available. He has taught accounting and finance at Northeastern University, Bethany College and New Hampshire College and has expanded his knowledge internationally teaching at the University of Paderborn in Germany. His previous experience prior to Lucas Group including working for Union and Digital Equipment Corporation in corporate finance and accounting positions. About Lucas Group Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive recruitment firms that built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. The search firm has increased its reach, while maintaining a commitment to high performance and unsurpassed industry knowledge. Lucas Group focuses on recruiting top executives in management, advertising/marketing, sales, accounting, manufacturing, legal, military personnel transitioning and technical positions across all major industries. With offices nationwide and its expansion into Europe, Lucas Group performs search assignments for Fortune 100+ companies, as well as regional businesses and entrepreneurial firms.12 Aug 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=136Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced an additional two Military Hiring Conferences to their existing August schedule. The new locations are Norfolk, VA and Atlanta, GA. August 2008 August 1st – Washington, DC August 1st – Irvine, CA August 8th – Dallas, TX August 12th – Norfolk, VA August 15th – Atlanta, GA Lucas Group's Military Hiring Conferences are avenues for companies seeking former military as part of their hiring initiatives. These are invitation-only events that give progressive companies an opportunity to proactively interview the U.S. Military's best leaders. Candidates are rigorously pre-screened and hand-selected for each company they meet. Military members leaving service are natural leaders with proven capabilities, experience and dedication. Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for over 38 years in cities across the country. The search firm screens more than 10,000 military service members annually to identify and place the best and brightest junior military officers (JMOs) and senior military officers (SMOs) into leadership and technical positions across all major industries. Corporate clients and military members interested in attending the conference should register online at www.lucasgroup.com/military.30 Jul 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=128Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced it will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, July 30th from 4pm to 8pm to celebrate the Atlanta corporate and branch operations move. The event will be held at Lucas Group’s new location, 3384 Peachtree Road, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30309. The move will allow Lucas Group to increase both their leadership and producer talent within their four divisions, Executive Search, Legal, Accounting & Finance and Military Transition. With a strong model and service that provides human capital, they are positioned for a bright future. Lucas Group is one of the nation's largest executive recruitment firms that have built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. The search firm has increased its reach, while maintaining a commitment to high performance and unsurpassed industry knowledge.23 Jul 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=129Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced its 38th anniversary in July. Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive recruitment firms that built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. The search firm has increased its reach, while maintaining a commitment to high performance and unsurpassed industry knowledge. As we have moved forward in FY 2008 we are positioned to be an industry leader in our market segments. We are blessed with excellent leadership and producer talent, a strong business model and a service that provides human capital that is growing in importance to our customers and businesses world-wide. "I picked the right industry 38 years ago to join. The best days for Lucas Group are ahead." Stated Art Lucas, CEO/President. Lucas Group focuses on recruiting top executives within the accounting and finance, advertising/marketing, aerospace and defense, call center, engineering/manufacturing, hospitality, human resources, legal, medical device/pharmaceutical, military transition oil and gas/alternative energy and technical industries. With offices nationwide and its expansion into Europe, Lucas Group performs search assignments for Fortune 100+ companies, as well as regional businesses and entrepreneurial firms.16 Jul 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=130Lucas Group to Host Military Hiring Conferences in Washington, DC; Irvine, CA and Dallas, TX early August Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced upcoming Military Hiring Conferences early August in Washington, DC; Irvine, CA and Dallas, TX. The conference dates are: August 2008 August 1st – Washington, DC August 1st – Irvine, CA August 8th – Dallas, TX Lucas Group's Military Hiring Conferences are avenues for companies seeking former military as part of their hiring initiatives. These are invitation-only events that give progressive companies an opportunity to proactively interview the U.S. Military's best leaders. Candidates are rigorously pre-screened and hand-selected for each company they meet. Military members leaving service are natural leaders with proven capabilities, experience and dedication. Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for over 38 years in cities across the country. The search firm screens more than 10,000 military service members annually to identify and place the best and brightest junior military officers (JMOs) and senior military officers (SMOs) into leadership and technical positions across all major industries. Corporate clients and military members interested in attending the conference should register online at www.lucasgroup.com/military.15 Jul 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=133ATLANTA (April 22, 2008) — Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced Richard Stark, Accounting & Finance Executive Senior Recruiter, and Ray Garcia, Accounting & Finance Managing Partner, will be speaking this years 2008 Spring Account Expo held at the Relant Center in Houston, TX on May 28-29, 2008. Their topic of conversation will be "Hiring and Retaining Talent in Houston." Rich and Ray will be covering the many aspects of the continuing War for Talent in today's job market. Their analysis will encompass the state of the current job market including current trends, areas of strength & weakness and what might be in store in the future. In addition, they will present a step-by-step "Battle Plan" to assist you and your company to meet future challenges such as Assessing Your Needs and Likely Influences. They will cover the sometimes daunting Interview Process and all it's parts, including Finding & Identifying qualified talent, Preparing for the interviews from beginning, middle to end. Then after finding talented people, "how to keep them, improve morale, and "reduce overall turnover." "This is our 15th year to participate in the Spring Accounting Expo. This event provides continuing education for more than 900 CPA's every year. People are always interested to hear about the current and future trends in the job market and how to hirer and retain the best and brightest for their companies," stated Ray Garcia, Accounting & Finance Managing Partner with Lucas Group. "Talented employees are assets that any successful company can not live without."22 Apr 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=126ATLANTA (April 21, 2008) — Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced upcoming Military Hiring Conferences for the month of May in Dallas, TX; Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; Atlanta, GA; Norfolk; VA. The conference dates are: May 2 – Dallas, TX 7 – Washington, DC 9 – Seattle, WA 16 – Atlanta, GA 20 – Norfolk, VA Lucas Group's Military Hiring Conferences are avenues for companies seeking former military as part of their hiring initiatives. These are invitation-only events that give progressive companies an opportunity to proactively interview the U.S. Military's best leaders. Candidates are rigorously pre-screened and hand-selected for each company they meet. Military members leaving service are natural leaders with proven capabilities, experience and dedication. "We have noticed a generally upward trend in starting salaries for our military candidates over the past year," reported Bryan Zawikowski, Vice President of Lucas Group's Military Transition Division. "This is not surprising, because even as the unemployment rate increases slightly, corporations are competing for the best leadership talent. Succession planning and leadership development are topics that are on the executive radar screen now more than ever, as companies prepare to do more with less in the days ahead," added Zawikowski. Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for over 38 years in cities across the country. The search firm screens more than 10,000 military service members annually to identify and place the best and brightest junior military officers (JMOs) and senior military officers (SMOs) into leadership and technical positions across all major industries. Corporate clients and military members interested in attending the conference should register online at www.lucasgroup.com/military.21 Apr 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=127ATLANTA. GA (April 2, 2008)— Lucas Group announces its participation at the Virtual Executive Career Fair being held on May 6, 2008 from 9am to 8pm EST, sponsored by the Career Journal. The fair offers candidates the opportunity to not only learn but briefly interview with a wide range of top companies and determine if there is a potential fit for them within the organization at their convenience. At the Lucas Group’s booth, candidates are able to see multiple opportunities within their specialty and speak directly with a recruiter who specializes within their industry. This promotes not only our clients but allows candidates to see a variety of positions within a day rather than weeks. The last Virtual Executive Career Fair Lucas Group participated in, with the Career Journal, brought in over 1,750 prospective candidates viable for our clients. "We are very pleased to actively participate in the fair with Career Journal," said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. "Companies with a competitive edge and those that are seeking top talent can rely on Lucas Group to bring together executive talent with top corporations and organizations around the country. Our previous success from our prior participation within these virtual fairs is a testament to the needs in the marketplace. We hope to help these companies and candidates come together and form opportunities and prosperous relationships."2 Apr 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=131ATLANTA (April 1, 2008) — Lucas Group, an executive recruitment search firm, announced upcoming Military Hiring Conferences for the month of April in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA. The conference dates are: April 1 - 2 – Washington, DC 4 - 5 – Atlanta, GA 8 - 9 – Norfolk, VA 8 - 9 – San Diego, CA Lucas Group's Military Hiring Conferences are avenues for companies seeking former military as part of their hiring initiatives. These are invitation-only events that give progressive companies an opportunity to proactively interview the U.S. Military's best leaders. Candidates are rigorously pre-screened and hand-selected for each company they meet. Military members leaving service are natural leaders with proven capabilities, experience and dedication. "We have noticed a generally upward trend in starting salaries for our military candidates over the past year," reported Bryan Zawikowski, Vice President of Lucas Group's Military Transition Division. "This is not surprising, because even as the unemployment rate increases slightly, corporations are competing for the best leadership talent. Succession planning and leadership development are topics that are on the executive radar screen now more than ever, as companies prepare to do more with less in the days ahead," added Zawikowski. "Our January hiring conferences hosted more than 135 corporations and nearly 300 candidates in five cities from coast-to-coast," noted Zawikowski. "This is surprisingly strong given general economic conditions, and is a positive leading indicator looking to the months ahead." Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for over 38 years in cities across the country. The search firm screens more than 10,000 military service members annually to identify and place the best and brightest junior military officers (JMOs) and senior military officers (SMOs) into leadership and technical positions across all major industries. Corporate clients and military members interested in attending the conference should register online at www.lucasgroup.com/military.1 Apr 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=132ATLANTA, GA (March 26, 2008) – Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently placed Andrew Goldstrom as President at International Environmental Management (IEM) headquartered in Atlanta, GA. IEM is a subsidiary of Oakleaf Waste Management headquartered in East Hartford, CT. IEM represents properties in over forty-three states on behalf of retail owners including seven of the ten largest shopping center developers in North America. IEM specifically works to create, support and implement efficient waste removal and recycling programs. Prior to joining IEM, Andrew served as an Executive at Johnson Controls in their Global Workplace Solutions Division. Prior to that, was a Senior Partner with USI, a national commercial tenant representation firm that was purchased by Johnson Controls in 2005. Nancy Neal, a Senior Real Estate Recruiter with the Lucas Group, specializes in the placement of mid-to-senior level real estate management and development positions for the Real Estate industry. She has more than 25 years experience in real estate sales and property management allowing her to grow an extensive network within the industry, including a strong pool of candidate talent in real estate property management, commercial, corporate and residential entities.24 Mar 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=134ATLANTA (February 28th, 2008) – Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed Jim Barnhill as Managing Partner for its Accounting & Finance branch in Atlanta, GA. As Managing Partner, Jim will oversee a branch of recruiters with local and national client management. He will focus on recruiting Accounting and Finance candidates by exceeding customer expectations through finding flexible recruiting solutions to include retained, contingent and contract options. During his transition, Jim will continue to manage his Human Resources practice. Jim joined the Lucas Group over nine years ago as a Staff Recruiter and ultimately was promoted to Executive Senior Partner. He has successfully recruited and placed mid to upper level professionals within the Human Resources disciplines and become one of the leaders in cross-selling between divisions. His established track record with companies such as AIG, Delta Airlines, Regions Bank, Frito-Lay and Sara Lee will allow him to easily lead the Accounting and Finance division in both the permanent and contract niches. "Jim Barnhill has established himself as one of the top producers and leaders at Lucas Group over the last decade. His ability to service business across industry lines uniquely qualifies him to head Atlanta's Accounting and Finance practice," stated Andi Jennings, Vice President, Lucas Group. "Under Jim's leadership, Lucas Group will continue to provide executive search and contract placement services to leading companies throughout the nation." Jim has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee.28 Feb 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=124ATLANTA (February 7, 2008) — Lucas Group, an executive search firm, announced upcoming Military Hiring Conferences for the month of February in Seattle, Washington DC, Dallas, Atlanta and San Diego. The conference dates are: February 11 - 12 – Seattle, WA 25 - 26 – Washington, DC 28 - 29 – Dallas, TX 28 - 29 – Atlanta, GA 28 - 29 – San Diego, CA Lucas Group's Military Hiring Conferences are avenues for companies seeking former military as part of their hiring initiatives. These are invitation-only events that give progressive companies an opportunity to proactively interview the U.S. Military's best leaders. Candidates are rigorously pre-screened and hand-selected for each company they meet. Military members leaving service are natural leaders with proven capabilities, experience and dedication. "We have noticed a generally upward trend in starting salaries for our military candidates over the past year," reported Bryan Zawikowski, vice-president of Lucas Group's Military Transition Division. "This is not surprising, because even as the unemployment rate increases slightly, corporations still have to compete for the best leadership talent. Succession planning and leadership development are topics that are on the executive radar screen now more than ever, as companies prepare to do more with less in the days ahead," added Zawikowski. "Our January hiring conferences hosted more than 135 corporations and nearly 300 candidates in five cities from coast-to-coast," noted Zawikowski. "This is surprisingly strong given general economic conditions, and is a positive leading indicator looking to the months ahead." Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for over 38 years in cities across the country. The search firm screens more than 10,000 military service members annually to identify and place the best and brightest junior military officers (JMOs) and senior military officers (SMOs) into leadership and technical positions across all major industries. The registration deadline for corporate clients to attend the conference is eight days prior. Military members interested in attending the conference should register online at www.lucasgroup.com/military7 Feb 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=125ATLANTA, GA (January 2, 2008) – Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently placed Warren Neuburger as President, Network Management, at Ipswitch Inc. Ipswitch Inc. develops and markets software products and service for businesses worldwide with more than 100 million people using their software. The company is headquartered in Lexington, MA with Research & Development centers in Atlanta and Augusta, GA and a European sales and support office in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Mr. Neuburger will be based out of the Atlanta, GA office. Mr. Neuburger most recently served as President at Concurrent Computer Corp. within the Integrated Systems Division in Duluth, GA. John Butler, an Associate Partner with the Lucas Group, managed the search. He has over twenty years of recruiting experience specializing within the executive recruiting, human resources and operations management division of Information Technology. He has placed positions ranging from CEOs, Vice Presidents of Sales and Senior Technology Professionals. His vast knowledge of the technology industry has enabled John to build long-term relationships with his clients through strong recruiting and sales skills that allow him to match the right candidates with the right clients.2 Jan 2008http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=123Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed Steven Lynch as Managing Partner for its Legal branch in Atlanta, GA. As Managing Partner, Steven will oversee a branch of recruiters, as well as local and national client management. His main concentration continues to focus solely on the placement of experienced attorneys of all levels with firms, corporations and non-profits across the country. “Steve is a welcome addition to our legal division management team,” states Neil Handwerker, General Manager of the Lucas Group. “He has a noteworthy background in perm legal search and a strong handle on both the law firm and in-house markets. We look forward to growing our presence in the city under Steven.” Mr. Lynch joins the Lucas Group with over ten years of experience working in and servicing the legal industry, most recently working as a Senior Recruiter for Hughes Consultants and prior to that working as a Legal Search Consultant with Cambridge Partners. His career began in Atlanta with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) where he rose to the level of Vice President of Business Development and Director of the AAA’s New Orleans Regional Office.19 Dec 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=120Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently placed Robert C. Doherty as President at ArmorStruxx, a premier international company who provides world-class, comprehensive ballistic and blast protection solutions, located in Lodi, CA. Mr. Doherty most recently served as President/CEO at TC Cosmotronic Holding LLC in Irvine, CA. Erik Kessinger, an Executive Senior Partner, managed the search. He has been with the Lucas Group for over eight years specializing in the recruiting/executive search industry of manufacturing with an emphasis that crosses the spectrum of manufacturing operations, logistics/supply chain, engineering/research and development.4 Dec 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=122Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed Kelly Stewart as the Director of Human Resources at Corporate Headquarters located in Atlanta, GA. As Director, Kelly will provide strategic HR leadership, develop and implement human resources policies, programs and services including retention, legal compliance, employee benefits and relations, employment practices and procedures, compensation and performance management for more than 425 employees nationwide. “Kelly Stewart brings outstanding Human Resource and governmental relations experience to Lucas Group as our newly appointed HR Director,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “She will be a major contributor to our senior corporate management team.” Prior to joining the Lucas Group, Kelly served as Manager, Human Resources of EMS Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions. She has amassed more than 15 years of human resources management in both the government and business sectors. She received her Master’s degree from Georgia Tech, Bachelor’s degree from Brenau University and Associate’s degree from Gainesville College.26 Nov 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=121Lucas Group, one of the nation’s largest executive search firms, announced that Todd Caissie has joined as the new Managing Partner of the New York Legal Executive Search office. Mr. Caissie brings nine years of recruiting experience to his new role at Lucas Group with a rich background in Legal recruiting that spans the globe. His last position was Managing Director at Major Lindsey & Africa, the world’s largest legal search firm where he worked with top fortune 500 companies including Colgate-Palmolive and Merrill Lynch as well as the National Hockey League, prestigious hedge funds and Private Equity firms and other high profile clients in a variety of industry sectors. Prior to Major Lindsey & Africa, Todd spent five years in Japan and headed up the Tokyo office for TMP Worldwide. Job turnover and lateral recruiting were still recent phenomenons and new frontiers in Japan but with the changing job market he was involved in growing the office from 6 people to 65 in a little over three years. “I am very excited to join Lucas Group in New York. I inherit an extremely talented team of recruiters and I look forward to increasing our presence in the tri-state area” says Todd Caissie. Todd grew up in Canada and speaks French and Japanese. He graduated from Stony Brook University with a BA in Psychology. The New York office is located at: 5 Vanderbuilt Avenue, 2nd floor New York, NY 10017 800.208.617212 Sep 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=118Lucas Group, one of the nation’s largest executive search firms, reports that they are adding a new office in Tampa, Florida on October first. The company currently has 14 offices in the United States and two in Europe. The Tampa office will therefore be their 17th office in total. “Lucas Group is aggressively expanding its national and international presence. Tampa was targeted as a strong market where Lucas Group could make an impact,” says Art Lucas, Founder and President of Lucas Group. Kathy Franklin will be the new Managing Partner. She has built an 11 year track record in the search industry as well as recruiting executives on a national basis in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Kathy has been instrumental in her career in starting up divisions and contributing to sales, recruitment and management responsibilities. Lucas Group is currently hiring recruiters for positions working in Aerospace & Defense, Hospitality, Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance, Manufacturing & Engineering and Military Transition for the Tampa office. The new office will be located at: 2202 N. West Shore Blvd., Suite 200 Tampa, Florida 33607 800.836.5439 x1667 Sep 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=117H.I.G. Capital LLC, a leading global private equity firm based in Miami, Florida, announced today that it has acquired a majority equity interest in Lucas Group. Lucas Group, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the nation’s leading executive recruitment firms. With 15 locations in the United States and two in Germany, Lucas Group has built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. Lucas Group has specialty groups focused on recruiting top executives in management, advertising/marketing, sales, accounting, manufacturing, legal, and technical positions across all major industries. Lucas also specializes in placing ex-military personnel. It has performed search assignments for Fortune 100+ companies, as well as regional businesses and entrepreneurial firms. H.I.G. partnered with the company’s founder and management to consummate the transaction. “After 37 years of independent growth, we are excited to have found the right partner for Lucas Group,” said Arthur Lucas, the founder and chief executive officer of Lucas Group. “With H.I.G.’s financial and strategic support, the company will continue to grow and advance to the next level in a way that is consistent with our history, philosophy and value system.” Brian Schwartz, a Managing Director of H.I.G., commented “We are excited to partner with an outstanding management team that has created a true market leader and innovator through relentless focus on excellence. We look forward to supporting the team and the next phase of Lucas Group’s growth.”23 Jul 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=116Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today reports supply chain and logistics positions are experiencing record growth across nearly every industry. Supply chain and logistics is a more highly-recognized and implemented function throughout companies in recent years versus the past. “Companies are beginning to realize the importance and necessity of establishing some version of supply chain organization,” said Don Riemenschneider, senior recruiter for Lucas Group, Supply Chain & Logistics. “Logistics positions, such as warehousing, distribution and transportation no longer suffice alone. The interlink between all facets of the supply chain are just as important, from the product development and procurement functions through the delivery of the product to the end-user. As a result, certain positions are experiencing faster growth.” As business has evolved internationally and domestically, the need for very specific supply chain disciplines to manage globalization has grown. Growth continues for individuals with global sourcing experience, particularly those who know the factories and capabilities, who can get the product made better, faster and for the right price, and who can create working relationships between the domestic purchaser and the foreign producer. Complementing the role of global manager is the need for more specialized managers, especially those familiar with import/export, international logistics, customs brokerage and supply chain integration. In addition, the need for more diversity is high. Roles are changing, as women and minorities are becoming a larger part of the workforce, including supply chain and logistics. “Change in diversity is leading organizations to embrace things with a different perspective,” said Riemenschneider. “They are more open to considering new solutions to old problems and to creating a culture not bound to antiquated attitudes. The supply chain world is changing dramatically. Companies should embrace these changes, or they will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Professionals within this industry carry unique skills needed to advance the world of supply chain and maintain a competitive position in the marketplace.”26 Jun 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=115Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed three new managing partners for its Houston, Chicago and Washington, D.C., Legal branches. Danielle Comeaux was promoted to managing partner of the Houston branch. Alix Miller was also promoted to managing partner of Lucas Group Legal’s Chicago branch. Kelly Blouin recently rejoined Lucas Group as managing partner of Lucas Group Legal’s DC branch. As managing partner, Comeaux, Miller and Blouin will oversee a branch of recruiters, as well as local and national client management. Lucas Group’s Legal division focuses on national and international legal placement of top attorney talent, often on an exclusive retained basis, for leading law firms, the legal departments of Fortune 500 and fast-growth corporations and financial institutions. “As our Legal division continues to grow, we are implementing new management initiatives to support our growth,” said Neil Handwerker, general manager for Lucas Group’s Legal division. “Danielle, Alix and Kelly are all very well-respected in our organization. Their current and past successes position them well to be leaders for Lucas Group. We are pleased to have each of them as a managing partner in our Legal division and look forward to our continued success.”7 May 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=114Lucas Group, an executive search firm that places former military members into corporate America, reports corporate businesses have increased hiring demand for mid-to-senior level military officers (SMO) in the past year. “Interest in our Senior Military Officer transition program has intensified,” said Bryan Zawikowski, vice president and general manager of Lucas Group’s Military Transition division. “We have grown our SMO recruiting team by more than 50 percent in the past seven months to accommodate the 63 percent increase in hiring activity in this market segment.” SMOs in the military range from field grade to flag officers, which are mid and senior level executives for the military services. They are charged with developing and implementing strategic and tactical plans, where the consequences of failure are serious. As leaders and battle-tested officers, they have proven leadership skills in high-stress environments. “What’s interesting about the increase in activity is that the demand we see is across different industries, including construction, defense, technology and logistics,” said Zawikowski. “The companies are also seeking to fill a variety of positions. Some titles fall into mid-level and senior management, business development, program management and logistics management. No matter the industry or company, SMOs’ accomplished skills and experiences position them well for today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business world.”7 Feb 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=113Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today reports employment trends in the restaurant industry. A growing trend for businesses in the restaurant industry is to hire candidates with multi-unit management experience. Candidates with this experience typically have the soft skills needed in the business: multi-tasking, delegating responsibility, organizational skills and time management. “Companies are interested in employees with multi-unit management experience because they know how to hire, train and coach a team of people,” said Reg duDomaine, associate partner and restaurant recruiter for Lucas Group. “Multi-unit managers work hard and are used to long and odd hours, which can be a key causing factor for industry turnover.” Retention is also a very high priority for companies. It is more difficult now than ever to find great candidates who are dedicated to the demands of the restaurant industry. Mid-to-upper level managers are leaving the hospitality industry to go into other industries after learning the great systems, disciplines and transferable skills from these demanding jobs. Many companies are seeking outside professional hiring help from recruiting firms or other third parties. “Retention is critical to the profit of this business,” said duDomaine. “When you lose a manager, you lose employees and customers, and then sales suffer and profit drops. The cost of hiring and training new employees is lofty, and companies will suffer if their turnover is high. The restaurant industry is very competitive but very rewarding. It is imperative that companies put measures in place to attract and maintain successful employees to stay ahead.”5 Feb 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=112Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed Arnold Cherry as Managing Partner for its Search branch in Washington, D.C. As Managing Partner, Cherry will oversee a branch of recruiters, as well as local and national client management. Cherry will focus on technology recruiting, working with companies to place senior-level technical talent, as well as C-level positions. He joined Lucas Group from Hudson Highland, where he was a division manager, recruiting executive IT professionals within private industry, state and federal government. He managed the division in all sales, recruiting and administrative functions for the D.C. and Vienna offices. “Arnold’s knowledge of the recruiting industry as well as his management experience in the local market makes him a great manager for the DC office,” said Tom McGee, vice president and general manager for Lucas Group’s Search division. “He understands the industry, the hiring needs of companies and the career demands of candidates. We are pleased to have him join our Washington Search team.”29 Jan 2007http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=111Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently announced fiscal year 2006 revenue results. Revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 were $68.1 million compared to $52.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, resulting in a 28.8 percent increase. The firm also expanded search services in 14 locations, launched new offices and increased the number of recruiters by 19.0 percent. Lucas Group added search offerings in New York, Phoenix, Houston, San Diego, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and launched a new office in South Florida. The firm’s executive search services include accounting and finance, advertising, marketing, consumer products, construction, human resources, insurance, legal, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, aerospace and defense, medical, biotech, pharmaceutical, military transition, real estate, hospitality, food service, technology and more. Lucas Group also appointed several new corporate and recruiting managers to meet industry and company demands and oversee new Lucas Group operations. “Lucas Group has continued its steady growth again this year, working hard and exceeding our company goals,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “We have a strong team of talented and dedicated individuals. This was a year of records and is a result of our associates. By remaining humble, focused and disciplined, we will continue to experience record growth.”30 Nov 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=110Lucas Group, an international executive-search firm, and CareerJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal’s executive career site, today announced the addition of their first West Coast executive diversity fair, following the success of this year’s Executive Diversity Career Fairs in Chicago and New York. Presented by The Wall Street Journal’s CareerJournal.com and Lucas Group, the next Executive Diversity Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Los Angeles – International Airport South. Free seminars throughout the day will cover such topics as interviewing, networking and negotiating more effectively. A free resume critique will be offered during the event as well. Pre-registration for the fair is not required; attendees can register onsite the day of the event and should bring copies of their resumes. The Executive Diversity Career Fairs were created as a way to help women and other diversity candidates, who have been underrepresented as companies seek to recruit senior-management talent. They offer candidates the opportunity to interview with a range of top companies in a professional setting, as well as attend free career-management seminars. The most recent Executive Diversity Career Fair, held in New York City on October 12, attracted 750 candidates. Interested candidates and companies should visit www.lucasgroup.com/diversity for more information. In a related announcement, Lucas Group renewed its partnership with The Wall Street Journal and CareerJournal.com. The alliance, formed in July 2002, has enabled Lucas Group to promote its executive search businesses through print recruitment advertising in The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Journal Europe and The Wall Street Journal Asia; to cosponsor Executive Diversity Career Fairs; and to sponsor the HR Center and Executive Recruiter sections on CareerJournal.com. “This partnership has leveraged Lucas Group to be a leader in executive search firms,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Our exposure across several mediums to a diverse group of clients has increased dramatically, and our continued relationship with the Journal enables us to further develop creative recruitment solutions for our clients.” “We are pleased to continue our alliance with Lucas Group,” said Gail Griffin, general manager, CareerJournal.com. “This partnership enables them to reach high-quality professionals and job-seekers in print, online and in-person through The Wall Street Journal and CareerJournal.com and our co-branded events.”28 Nov 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=109Lucas Group, an executive search firm, announced dates for upcoming Military Hiring Conferences in Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Dallas; Irvine, Calif.; and Norfolk, Va. The conference dates are: Alexandria - November 17; Atlanta - December 8; Dallas - December 8; Irvine - December 8; and Norfolk - December 12. Lucas Group’s Military Hiring Conferences are venues for companies seeking candidates with hands-on leadership and technical experience in the U.S. Military to fill immediate employment needs. Their work ethic, loyalty and mission-oriented mindset make military veterans excellent employees for companies of all sizes. Corporations that attend meet with highly-qualified and motivated candidates that have been specifically selected for the job openings the corporations are seeking to fill. The format ensures the candidates with whom they are scheduled to meet with are qualified and interested in the opportunities. “Corporate attendance at our hiring conferences continues to rise,” said Bryan Zawikowski, vice president and general manager of Lucas Group’s Military Transition division. “We added four conferences to the schedule in 2006, and the number of participating companies has increased by more than 53 percent. On average, there are 40 corporations and 75-100 military veteran job-seekers at each event. The new war for talent is growing; and many companies have realized that their ability to grow is directly related to their ability to attract, develop and retain high potential employees that will become their future business leaders.” The registration deadline for corporate clients to attend the conference is eight days prior to each event. Companies or military veterans interested in attending a conference should register online for more information at http://www.lucasgroup.com/military.20 Nov 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=108Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently announced the promotion of Tom McGee, general manager of Search division, and Bryan Zawikowski, general manager of Military Transition division, to vice president of their respective divisions. McGee has been with Lucas Group for 21 years. He began his Lucas Group career as a recruiter and was promoted to managing partner for the Atlanta Search division. For the past two years, he has managed the entire Search division, which consists of 145 recruiters in 17 office locations and a variety of recruiting industries. Bryan Zawikowski came to Lucas Group 12 years ago as a recruiter. As general manager, Zawikowski has built the Military Transition division to the most successful military transition recruiting firms in the nation. His operational leadership includes five branch offices and over 70 associates. Since 1970, Lucas Group Military Transition has facilitated more than 25,000 successful transitions from active duty military service to civilian careers. The Military Transition division also runs 35 hiring conferences nationwide each year. “I am very happy to announce both promotions,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Tom and Bryan are tremendous assets to Lucas Group and their divisions. They have contributed to the substantial growth of our company and are instrumental leaders. We look forward to the continuous success they have in their new vice president roles.”8 Nov 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=107Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently announced the expansion of its Legal division into South Florida and Los Angeles, Calif. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our legal search team along both coasts,” said Neil Handwerker, general manager of Lucas Group’s Legal Division. “With Florida’s growing economy and business climate and Los Angeles being one of the top legal cities in the country, these make ideal locations to continue to grow our Legal Search team.” Sherry Schneider, Esq. was appointed as managing partner for Lucas Group Legal in South Florida. Schneider is an experienced recruiter specializing in placing lateral associates, as well as facilitating partnership acquisitions and mergers throughout South Florida. This is Lucas Group Legal’s first office in the Florida market. Merle Vaughn, a graduate of Boalt Hall School of Law, is the managing partner for Lucas Group Legal in Los Angeles. Vaughn and her team are experienced at placing highly-credentialed attorneys and partners laterally at law firms, in addition to in-house counsel in corporate legal departments throughout Southern California. Lucas Group’s Los Angeles office also provides placement services for accounting and finance, real estate, technology and human resources professionals and companies.30 Oct 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=106Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently promoted Neil Handwerker as general manager of its Legal division. Handwerker will oversee the entire Legal division, which consists of nine locations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington, D.C. Lucas Group’s Legal division focuses on national and international legal placement of top attorney talent, often on an exclusive retained basis, for leading law firms, the legal departments of Fortune 500 and fast-growth corporations and financial institutions. Handwerker joined Lucas Group in 2002 as an associate recruiter in the New York office. He was promoted to Managing Partner of New York Legal, the largest branch in the Legal division, and led his branch to paramount success. Prior to joining Lucas Group, Handwerker was President of Fulcrum Information Services. He has his Bachelor of Arts from Union College and earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. He graduated in the top five percent of his class. “I am pleased to have someone of Neil’s caliber to lead our Legal team,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Neil has successful experience with our company. He is highly-respected by our clients and employees; and he has the knowledge to grow our Legal division into one of the nation’s leading legal recruiting firms.”16 Oct 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=105Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today announced the launch of its newly designed Web site. The Web site operates under the same domain, www.lucasgroup.com, and includes a fresh look coupled with increased functionality and usability for all visitors. With enhanced organization, navigation is highly-focused on user activity, enabling users to quickly and easily locate important information and resources. The Knowledge Center is a new feature where companies and job seekers will find an abundance of resources. Visitors can purchase recommended books from Amazon.com, link to important industry organizations and associations and read about current trends in the market that will be frequently posted by leading experts in the field in the new blog section. “Our goal was to make the Web site more user-friendly, while keeping a professional image to provide an online experience for our customers that is rewarding and informative,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO for Lucas Group. “Lucas Group’s Web site is a great avenue of communication to achieve successful business relationships. It is the virtual face of our company and will help strengthen and unify our brand, image and service.”2 Oct 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=99Transition Assistance Online, TAOnline.com, an e-recruiting Web site for transitioning military members and employers seeking military talent, announced upcoming Military Job Fairs. The job fairs are great avenues for companies seeking candidates with hands-on leadership and technical experience in the U.S. Military to fill immediate employment needs. Employers that participate not only interview qualified transitioning military members and veterans, but are included in all marketing and promotional activities for the event and given resume database and job posting access. Different sponsorship and package options are available. Transitioning military members are exposed to various top corporations around the nation seeking candidates with skills learned from the Military. Upcoming conference dates include: Hampton, VA, Oct. 19; Jacksonville, FL, Nov. 2; Ft. Hood, Nov. 9. The events are held in major military markets, and pre-registration is available. “Our job fairs allow in-person meetings between job seekers and employers in a market that is growing,” said Tom Kaleta, managing partner of TAOnline.com. “Leading corporations actively seeking to hire military talent regularly attend these career events with great success. We are excited to host each fair and look forward to the employment success for all participants.” Companies or military veterans interested in attending a conference should contact Guin Hayes at ghayes@taonline.com or visit www.taonline.com/militaryjobfairs.com for a list of future conferences and more information.19 Sep 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=98Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today announced results from its annual accounting and finance hiring manager survey, which reflect positive hiring projections for the next 12 months. The survey represents accounting and finance in a broad cross section of industries, including banking/finance, consulting, distribution, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate and more. Overall company revenue varied; however, 56 percent of participating companies collect more than $1 billion in revenue. According to the survey, business growth and hiring trends continue to increase and show no signs of slowing down. Sixty-eight percent of survey participants predict strong to very strong company growth, a significant increase from 47 percent in 2005. Of almost every industry represented in the survey, 50 percent or more predict strong to very strong growth in the next year. “With strong company growth expected throughout nearly every industry represented in the survey, accounting and finance talent will continue to be in high demand,” said Andrea Jennings, vice president and general manager for Lucas Group Accounting & Finance. Sixty-three percent plan to hire in accounting and finance within the next year; and of those companies hiring, 86 percent feel hiring needs are attributed to company growth, attrition or a combination of both. Companies are challenged, however, to find qualified candidates in positions, including senior-level to manager-level accounting, audit, financial analysts and entry-level accountants. “We are still seeing a shortage of quality talent in accounting and finance,” said Jennings. “With our tenure, market knowledge, and international reach, we have exposure to the best talent, but with demand outpacing supply, quality talent is hard to find in certain areas.” Shortage of qualified talent aligns with The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings, which report that employment for financial analyst and personal finance advisor positions is expected to increase faster than average through 2014. The BLS also reports that the demand will continue to increase for finance managerial occupations as a result of regulatory reform and the expansion of the economy.5 Jul 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=97Lucas Group, an executive search firm, reports employment in the homebuilding industry remains strong while the market slows and shifts into a buyer’s market at the 2006 PCBC show in California. “After a record breaking two years in homebuilding, market conditions are returning to normal,” said Tim Morrissey, executive senior partner and construction recruiter for Lucas Group’s Irvine office. “New home builders are offering incentives and discounts, which has not been necessary in recent years. And, with higher interest rates and less demand, prices for homes will be declining.” Although the market is slowing, Baby Boomer retirement will heavily affect the future of the homebuilding industry. According to “Impending Crisis; Too Many Jobs, Too Few People,” projections estimate in 2010, there will be 10,000,000 more jobs than people. With baby boomers retiring, there will be a high demand for Active Adult Communities. Combined with housing demands for generations X and Y, long-term forecasts for residential construction are excellent. “While there are pockets of the market that are soft, it is only temporary,” said Morrissey. “By late 2007, the market should shift back to steady growth forecast. Demand for good talent is still strong.The greatest need now in the market is for project managers dealing with entitlement and development issues. Homebuilders also have a great need for vertical superintendents and purchasing agents.”21 Jun 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=96Lucas Group, an executive search firm, recently appointed Jack Hosterman as Managing Partner for its Search branch in Dallas. As Managing Partner, Hosterman will oversee a branch of ten plus recruiters, as well as local and national client management. He was promoted to Managing Partner from a recruiter position in Lucas Group’s Dallas Military branch. Hosterman’s recruiting expertise is focused in the manufacturing, technology and engineering industries. “Jack’s thorough knowledge of the recruiting industry coupled with his expertise in several industries make him a great manager for our Dallas branch,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “He is a very successful recruiter who can manage others and bring great results to our company. We are pleased to have him join the Dallas search team.” Prior to joining Lucas Group, he was an Information Technology (IT) consultant with Global Compression Dynamics. He is also a former Air Force officer and business owner.20 Jun 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=95Lucas Group, an executive search firm, adds legal search services to its Denver office. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our legal search team to Denver,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Over the past few years, we have expanded our legal recruiting services throughout the nation and internationally in Germany. Denver offers a fantastic market, with numerous firms and companies seeking a human capital legal placement partner.” Clint Johnson, Managing Partner of Houston’s Legal team oversees the Denver branch as well. “Establishing local presence will provide law firms and corporations with offices in Denver representation of legal recruiters with an in-depth knowledge of the local legal market,” said Clint Johnson, Managing Partner for Lucas Group. “We work locally to meet the needs of our clients and demands of the industry, and we are glad to offer our services in Denver.” Lucas Group’s Denver office also provides recruiting services in the accounting and finance industry.19 Jun 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=94Lucas Group, an executive search firm, announced upcoming Military Hiring Conferences in Atlanta, Dallas, Irvine, Calif. and Norfolk, Va. The conference dates are: Dallas, June 23; Norfolk, Va., July 13, Irvine, Calif., July 14; and Atlanta, July 14. The conferences are venues for companies seeking candidates with hands-on leadership and technical experience in the U.S. Military to fill immediate employment needs. Their work ethic, loyalty and mission-orientated mindset make them excellent employees for companies of all sizes. Corporations that attend meet with highly-qualified and motivated candidates that have been specifically selected for the job openings the corporations are seeking to fill. The format ensures the candidates with whom they are scheduled to meet are qualified and interested in the opportunities. “Our recent conferences in D.C. and Chicago had over 100 candidates and 65 companies in attendance at each event,” said Bryan Zawikowski, division director of Lucas Group’s Military division. “In San Diego, we had over 150 candidates and 70 corporations confirmed to attend. These numbers are not surprising given the tightening labor market and increased demand for leadership talent as many companies come to the realization that their growth is limited by their ability to find and develop people.” Lucas Group pioneered the Military Hiring Conference forum and has conducted them for more than 30 years across the country. Attendance increased more than 19 percent over the past 12 months. The registration deadline for corporate clients to attend the conference is eight days prior to each event. Companies or military veterans interested in attending a conference should register online at http://www.lucasgroup.com/military/.12 Jun 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=93Lucas Group, an executive search firm, co-hosted its sixth Executive Diversity Career Fair April 19, 2006, at the Embassy Suites in Chicago with The Wall Street Journal’s CareerJournal.com. The Executive Diversity Career Fair is the only executive-level diversity career fair in the nation. Some of the participating companies included Ernst & Young, Aon, Alzheimer's Association, Fitch Ratings, UBS, Boeing, ConAgra, Owens Corning, Crowe Chizek, Walgreen’s, General Electric, AC Nielsen, Harris Bank and Zurich North America. Participating companies met with interested candidates in private suites to discuss job opportunities. Disciplines included finance/banking, sales, consulting, healthcare, non-profit, law, IT and more. “The Executive Diversity Fair is unlike most career fairs in the nation because it helps diversity candidates and women,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Our goal is to provide an avenue in which qualified diverse talent can meet in a comfortable atmosphere with hiring managers from companies around the nation. The positive results and relationships that come from this event are a testament to the diversity needs in the marketplace.” “We get great satisfaction from our ability to introduce highly qualified diversity candidates to employers who are eager to meet them,” said Gail Griffin, general manager, CareerJournal.com. “As more companies realize that hiring a diverse executive team gives them a competitive advantage, they turn to CareerJournal.com as the best source for identifying and recruiting those candidates.” The next Executive Diversity Career Fair will be held Oct. 12, 2006, at the Embassy Suites in New York City.16 May 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=92Lucas Group, an executive search firm, announced the expansion of its insurance recruiting practice to New York and surrounding areas. Lucas Group’s New York branch hired local insurance recruiters to meet increased client and business demands. Lucas Group works with global and regional retail and wholesale brokerage houses, as well as top insurance carriers throughout the nation. Lucas Group’s insurance recruiters have 100 years of combined industry experience. Establishing local presence will provide companies with offices in New York representation of recruiters with an in-depth knowledge of the local market. They have access to local candidates and can personally meet with all candidates and clients, providing a thorough recruiting process for everyone. According to an A.M. Best Co. study of U.S. Department of Labor statistics, insurance industry employment jumped by 6,800 in March, to 2.298 million, increasing 2.4 percent from March 2005. That annual growth rate was the strongest since 2.8 percent in November 1998, which was before the last recession. Further, February's employment gain revised to 7,500 from an initial reporting of 6,300. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the seasonally adjusted data on April 7. (Reproduced with the permission of the A.M. Best Co.) “All of the new players in the industry have resulted in increased competition for new and renewal business,” said Talia Salvati, insurance recruiter for Lucas Group’s New York office. “Companies are demanding their insurance programs reflect extensive coverages at competitive premiums. In order for brokers and carriers to win and maintain business, it is paramount that they recruit top talent in all facets of their operations.”15 May 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=91Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced fiscal year 2006 second quarter revenue results. Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $16.2 million, a 26.9 percent increase from $12.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Year-to-date revenue for the period ended March 31, 2006 was $31.5 million, a 33.0 percent increase from $23.7 million for the same period last year. “We had an excellent quarter,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO for Lucas Group. “The positive revenue trends for Lucas Group are a result of the strong business goals and plans we established for the year. We are pleased with the rapid pace of our growth and continue to set aggressive targets. With the right business model, executives and talent, Lucas Group continues to maintain a successful track record.”8 May 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=90Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today reports pharmaceutical industry growth reflects positive hiring trends in marketing and sales. According to IMS Health (NYSE: RX), the world’s leading provider of market intelligence to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, North America’s pharmaceutical industry grew 5.2 percent in 2005 and accounts for 47 percent of global sales. IMS Health also predicts that the global pharmaceutical market will expand at a compound annual growth of five to eight percent to 2009. Despite increased regulatory and stakeholder demands and industry challenges, aging populations and the need for new developments in pharmaceutical products ensure continued industry growth, which propel the need for qualified sales and marketing talent. “There is increased competition in new product development and various blockbuster products potentially coming off the market,” said Ned Hansen, executive senior partner and pharmaceutical recruiter for Lucas Group. “The combination provides an imperative need for these companies to market effectively and efficiently, which calls for superior human capital needs in marketing and sales. Companies specifically expanding sales forces are those with new products in development that are reaching stage three in clinical trials with anticipated launches in 2006 and 2007.” “Companies seeking top professionals generally look to hire candidates not actively searching for a new position but those who are open to a change for certain reasons, including geographic location and therapeutic specialties,” continued Hansen. “Most companies want the best talent so they can focus on marketing efforts that maximize developments and minimize challenges. To attract these candidates and motivate a job transition, companies often rely on recruiting firms to secure this talent, but most importantly they need to provide good packages and incentives for the marketing and sales fields. Brand awareness for these companies is important, which is why sales and marketing show no indication of slowing down.”26 Apr 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=89— Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, recently appointed Kristen George as Managing Partner for its Legal Search office in Chicago, Ill. As Managing Partner, George will oversee several legal recruiters, as well as local and national client management. She was promoted to Managing Partner from an executive recruiter position in Lucas Group Legal’s Chicago office. “Kristen’s proven skills as a successful recruiter in the Chicago legal space provides her great experience to lead our team,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “She has the legal background and recruiting experience needed to take our Chicago office to the next level. She understands the special human capital needs of top law firms and corporations and can effectively meet candidate needs at the same time.” Prior to Lucas Group, she held various roles in product management, sales, consulting and staffing with TrialGraphix and Law Pros.30 Mar 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=88Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced plans for the 2006 Dream Builders program, a program that connects inner city graduating seniors with corporate summer internships. The internships provide students the experience, confidence and skills necessary for being successful in college and subsequently in their career. This year marks the eighth year of the Dream Builders program for Lucas Group. Some of the past years’ participating employers include, McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLC, Allstate Insurance Company, Richard Bowers Company, Reliance Trust Company and Emory Conference Center. “Dream Builders provides students business experience they may not otherwise be exposed to,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “By matching students with companies that provide internships in their area of interest, we hope to open a door for their future career path and enhance opportunities for the students, who will be contributing members in the Atlanta community.” Employers who are interested in participating in the 2006 Dream Builders program should apply online at www.lucasgroup.com/dreambuilders or contact Derrick Eason, Dream Builders Program Director, at deason@lucasgroup.com. The deadline for employers to participate in the program is May 15, 2006.29 Mar 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=87Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced fiscal year 2006 first quarter revenue results. Revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 were $15.0 million compared to $10.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. Record revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 were $52.6 million compared to $36.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2004, resulting in a 42.2 % revenue increase. “Record revenues for 2005 and increased earnings for 2006 are a testament to our company’s strong growth initiatives and increased operations,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO for Lucas Group. “We are pleased with our continued strong growth for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 and positive trends, which reflect our firm as a top producer among an international list of client companies and organizations. Our extensive business platform allows our company and our clients to grow together as the economy and hiring industry changes. We are on track for a successful 2006.”28 Feb 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=86Transition Assistance Online, TAOnline.com, an e-recruiting Web site for transitioning military members and employers seeking military talent, and eLearners.com®, an online marketing firm focused on the post-secondary and continuing education markets with a specific expertise in online education, announce an alliance and launch of a new, joint education site for transitioning military members, www.taonline.elearners.com. TAOnline.com is a subsidiary of Lucas Group, an executive search firm. The partnership and Web site creates a dynamic, new tool for TAOnline.com’s candidates and provides eLearners.com and its various affiliated education institutions extended reach in the transitioning military market. A large number of former military personnel opt to continue their education either at full or part-time after leaving the military. The site provides transitioning military members an avenue to access useful education information that will guide them in making informed decisions as they transition into civilian life. “eLearners.com’s pedigree when it comes to education is unsurpassed,” said Tom Kaleta, managing partner of TAOnline.com. “This creates a new benchmark by which all military transition sites will measure how they address the ongoing education needs of their candidates. eLearners.com’s experience and technical ability in the online learning community coupled with our military visibility and reach provides the ultimate resource for military members seeking education opportunities.” “The GI Bill created a rich tradition between educational opportunities and the military,” said C.J. DeSantis, founder and president of eLearners.com, “eLearners.com is privileged to help continue that tradition with additional opportunities through the Internet.”22 Feb 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=84Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, announced the expansion of its Accounting & Finance practice to New York City and named industry veteran Michael Marino Accounting & Finance Managing Partner. Marino will oversee the development of Lucas Group’s Accounting & Finance branch in New York City. He comes to Lucas Group with more than eight years of recruiting experience in New York City and ten years of accounting and finance experience. Marino was a managing partner of a New York City-based recruiting firm specializing in accounting & finance. Lucas Group already has a number of offices with Accounting & Finance practices, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and two international offices in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany. Opening a local office in New York City establishes Lucas Group as a coast-to-coast provider in Accounting & Finance and enables the search firm to better service companies in the financial capital of the United States, as well as surrounding areas in New Jersey and Connecticut. “I’ve managed all aspects of a recruiting firm, and I thoroughly understand and enjoy the business,” said Marino. “Lucas Group is a rapidly-growing and highly-valued firm in the industry. I am pleased to contribute to its success and expansion.” “We have established relationships with clients in New York,” said Andrea Jennings, vice president of Accounting and Finance Recruiting for Lucas Group. “Our office opening provides us a greater local presence to expand clientele. Mike is a great leader who brings extensive knowledge, experience and reach to our firm.”22 Feb 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=85Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, reports a promising hiring outlook for technology professionals. Lucas Group’s fiscal year 2006 first quarter sales for its technology practice were up 350 percent over fiscal year 2005 first quarter. The search firm’s increased sales and placements in the technology sector are evidence of the continuing demand for qualified talent in the industry. “To remain competitive, companies continuously update and enhance technologies,” said Tim Sobon, senior partner and technology search consultant for Lucas Group. “Technological advances ensure more career opportunities, especially for professionals with specialty skills.” Search consultants report companies have increased hiring needs for IT auditors due to Sarbanes-Oxley, as well as IT security, IT sales and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) candidates. Conversely, candidates will find employment opportunities have significantly increased in the financial services, healthcare and consulting fields. “From a hiring perspective, all areas of technology remain strong,” Sobon said. “The current trends in hiring are driven by different factors. Compliance drives the need for IT auditors, a stronger focus on identity management creates the demand for IT security professionals, and the ongoing evaluation and upgrading of technologies contributes to the strong growth of IT sales. Additionally, C-level technology positions have recently been prevalent in healthcare, online retail and emerging wireless technology areas.” The technology market is evolving more each year. With evolution of the industry comes evolution of careers within the industry. Technology professionals with specific technical skills, certifications, full life cycle implementation experience and methodology experience will be well-positioned to remain strong, competitive candidates.21 Feb 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=83Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, reports salary data from its Military division 2005 placements (Oct. 1, 2004 – Sept. 30, 2005). The salary information is presented by position and region, including positions in engineering, consulting, leadership/management, technician and operations. Lucas Group found corporate salaries for former military members have remained steady during the past year. Jobs within the Northeast and Pacific regions present the highest salaries, especially for engineering and leadership roles. Sample collection from Lucas Group’s report: Region Position Average Salary Pacific Engineering $77, 090 Northeast Senior Management $115,000 Mid-Atlantic Consultant $82,500 Southeast Technician $48,300 Central SW Leadership/Management $60,760 “Salary data is usually a reflection of the employment market, as salaries move up or down in a reactive mode to balance supply and demand of talent,” said Bryan Zawikowski, division director and general manager for Lucas Group Military. “The data in our report, which shows steady, but not dramatic growth in starting salaries for military veterans departing active duty, is not surprising given the strength and stability of corporate earnings and hiring over the past 12-18 months.” He continued, “We place more than 1,000 transitioning military veterans each year, and we work with many companies and organizations. One interesting finding about 2005 was that not all corporations in strong industries performed well from a profit standpoint; and conversely, some corporations in industries that are not as strong did surprisingly well. We will soon reach a demographic tipping point when corporations that have not implemented leadership development as a high priority will find themselves at a disadvantage.”30 Jan 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=82Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, reports an increased demand for specialized human resource executives and comprehensive hiring assessments. According to search consultants with the firm, companies are hiring more specialized HR professionals and implementing new training methods to meet growing corporate expectations. Specialized roles within HR include areas of compensation, benefits, organizational development, training and staffing. “Hiring has increased in many disciplines, including human resources,” said Jim Barnhill, human resource search consultant for Lucas Group, Atlanta. “The employment market is booming with the boost in the economy; therefore companies are increasing their budgets and looking into specialized roles to effectively grow. To be competitive in a crowded job market, companies are finding an increased need to advance productivity, tenure and development among employees.” Increasing HR staff and hiring specialized roles allows more research, time and development to create better compensation packages, diversify benefit options, hire better candidates and increase retention rates. To increase retention rates and unify company culture, more and more companies are implementing new selection processes through advanced testing and assessments. Certain personality, skill, aptitude and background tests are used to measure a prospective employee’s potential and compatibility. “Assessments are becoming part of a more integrated recruiting process in HR departments across all industries,” said Barnhill. “There is a growing need to ensure talent brought on board will work effectively, work efficiently and retain their position. Both specialized roles in HR and enhanced testing methods provide more options for the company and its employees, which all contribute to positive cultural, ethical and financial outcomes.”23 Jan 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=81Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, recently appointed Ed Felice as new Managing Partner of its Executive Search office in Chicago. Felice oversees and manages all Chicago operations and employees who recruit in various industries, including insurance, information technology, manufacturing, hotel and hospitality, human resources, sales and marketing and more. He also leads the insurance search team in Chicago, working with top companies around the nation and world. Felice comes to Lucas Group from Allstate Insurance Company, where he held various leadership roles in product operations, actuarial resources, human resources, sales and finance. His background includes extensive experience in both the recruiting and insurance industries. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Psychology, as well as several industry certifications and has completed an advanced executive education program. “Chicago is a significant and vibrant market,” said Felice. “It has a dynamic and growing economy with a need for a search organization that can function like a boutique search firm with extensive local market and candidate knowledge yet has the reach, resources and capabilities of an international search practice, which we do. We work to provide the most efficient and effective service to our clients, and I am pleased to join such a tenured and talented group.” “Ed is a value-add to Lucas Group,” said Tom McGee, general manager of Lucas Group’s Executive Search division. “He brings a wealth of leadership talent, recruiting experience, and with his extensive network of professionals, he will bring Lucas Group’s Chicago office to a new level.”3 Jan 2006http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=80Transition Assistance Online, TAOnline.com, an e-recruiting Web site for transitioning military members and employers seeking military talent, announced its partnership with CareerProPlus’ Military Division, a subsidiary of CareerPro Global, Inc., one of the top resume writing firms assisting transitioning military members. TAOnline.com is a subsidiary of Lucas Group, an executive search firm. TAOnline.com and CareerProPlus formed an alliance to offer transitioning military members’ added benefits and assistance. CareerProPlus provides TAOnline.com monthly content for newsletters and the Web site on various issues separating military encounter when seeking a civilian career. CareerProPlus’s resume writing services will be highlighted on TAOnline.com, and TAOnline.com will be featured on a number of the CareerProPlus’s Web sites, enabling both companies to reach more members. “CareerProPlus’s extended resources bring added value to our candidates,” said Tom Kaleta, managing partner for TAOnline.com. “Their services help extremely qualified veterans market their skills in a manner that is understood and valued by the civilian job market. They have more than 35 years of experience specializing in military resumes and career coaching, are certified professional resume writers and offer a fantastic product. With the same mission, our partnership will be beneficial for both companies, but more importantly the members and employers seeking our help.” “Through our partnering with TAOnline, we will enhance CareerProPlus’s mission to help transitioning veterans market their highly valued skills in the civilian marketplace,” said Barbara Adams, president, CareerPro Global, Inc. “Our goal is to do what we do best; help our veterans. This partnership will allow us to do just that. Our team of Certified Professional Resume Writers, Certified Federal Writers, and Certified Career Coaches located throughout 10 states expertly translate and highlight the diverse skills gained by veterans into the requirements and achievements sought after by civilian employers.”7 Dec 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=79Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, announced the hire of Stephen Fenton as its National Director of Accounting and Finance Contract Staffing. Lucas Group’s Accounting and Finance Contract Staffing group specializes in providing mid- to high-level project specialists to help its client corporations meet the ever-changing staffing demands of today’s accounting & finance environment. Fenton manages all accounting and finance contract operations for Lucas Group, which include offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York and Phoenix. He is focused on growing market share in existing markets, while expanding reach into new markets. Fenton comes to Lucas Group with more than 10 years of experience in accounting and finance staffing. His background includes a BBA from Texas A and M University and a professional career in accounting with Ernst & Young, as well as management with Kelly Financial Resources. “Stephen is a valuable addition to our team, and we are pleased to have him join our experienced and talented group in Accounting and Finance,” said Andrea Jennings, vice president of Accounting and Finance Recruiting for Lucas Group. “His background in public accounting coupled with his leadership experience in the staffing industry makes him ideally suited to take our contract operations to the next level.”5 Dec 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=78Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, reports attendance is up 20 percent (Oct. 1, 2004 – Oct. 1, 2005) over last year for its Military Hiring Conferences. Lucas Group Military Hiring Conferences serve as a networking venue for corporations and prospective employees. The events, which occur three or four times a month, are great avenues for former military candidates to begin their transition into corporate America. The candidates are pre-screened by Lucas Group executive search consultants and selected to complete interview processes with top companies around the nation at the conference. Each attending corporation interviews eight to 12 candidates and each candidate has six to eight interviews. “Corporate client attendance at our Military Hiring Conferences is driven by overall economic conditions,” said Bryan Zawikowski, former Air Force officer and division director of Lucas Group’s Military division. “GDP growth, corporate profits and employment data have all been very positive over the past several years. We have seen a positive trend since 2004 when companies realized they needed to stay ahead of the curve when hiring talent.” The average number of clients attending Lucas Group Military Hiring Conferences has increased by more than 10 per conference in each of the past two years. “Our conferences are very successful,” said Zawikowski. “It’s a very productive process that benefits both parties. We typically have 65-75 percent returning companies. In many cases, the interviewers and hiring managers are people we helped place years earlier, which is a testament to the type of talent we bring to the table.”29 Nov 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=77Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, announced record company growth and expansion due to several successful company initiatives. During its 2005 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2005, the firm increased revenue by 43 percent, expanded search services in five locations, launched four new offices, including two international offices, and increased the number of recruiters by 33 percent. Lucas Group added search offerings in Chicago, Denver, New York, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and launched new offices in Baltimore, Las Vegas, as well as internationally in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany. The firm’s executive search services include accounting and finance, advertising, marketing, consumer products, construction, human resources, insurance, legal, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, aerospace and defense, medical, biotech, pharmaceutical, military transition, real estate, restaurants, food service, technology and more. Lucas Group also appointed several new corporate and recruiting managers to meet industry and company demands and oversee new Lucas Group operations. “Lucas Group has made great strides and exceeded several company goals over the past year,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “With such a wealth of talent and dedication, our company has increased revenue, remained profitable and continued our successful business expansion. We have worked to ensure a prosperous year through which we will continue to experience record growth.”31 Oct 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=76Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, announced the expansion of its Executive Search practice and the appointment of a new Managing Partner in New York. Lucas Group’s New York branch recently moved to a larger office and is adding new associates to meet increased client and business demands. Growing practice groups include advertising, marketing, consumer products, medical, biotech, pharmaceutical, human resources and technology. The office also currently conducts executive searches in the legal and finance industries. Baade Lucas was appointed Managing Partner to oversee the development of the New York Executive Search branch. She is an executive search consultant in the advertising and marketing industries. Lucas has played a key role in the success of the New York office. Her prior experience includes working for New York ad agencies, including BBDO and Grey Advertising. “Lucas Group has established relationships with Fortune 500 companies in New York,” said Lucas. “By expanding our practice groups, we can better meet the demands of our existing local clients who have hiring needs in more than one discipline. We will continue to fill positions throughout the nation but want to ensure we personally address our clients’ needs in New York. We are pleased with our growth and look forward to future successes.”26 Oct 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=75Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, reports career opportunities in the insurance industry are increasing in core product and business lines, as well as product management. The industry as a whole has focused its attention away from niche products, which are considered riskier classes of business, and with the shift in focus comes a shift in employment opportunities. “What we currently see in the industry is a shortage of qualified talent,” said Scott Faurot, managing partner and insurance search consultant for Lucas Group, San Diego. “Companies have been reluctant to train entry-level staff on underwriting basics, claims and business development. Ten years ago, training was critical to the successes of these departments, but training programs were cut when budgets were slashed. Because they are difficult to find, the most valuable candidates are those with a well-trained, well-rounded knowledge of all core insurance products.” Additionally, marketing, business development and product management positions are in demand. With the creation of new products, coverage and solutions comes specific needs. “The use of new analytic and segmentation tools coupled with new methodologies lead to new opportunities in traditional careers and emerging careers, such as product management,” said Ed Felice, managing partner and insurance search consultant for Lucas Group, Chicago. “Insurance companies now offer more extensive careers in product development, pricing, underwriting, claims, customer retention, marketing and more, which require enhanced analytical, financial and product skills sets.”24 Oct 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=74Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, reports employment in the advertising, marketing and public relations industries is regaining strength with the rise of the economy. “In the wake of 9/11, many marketing budgets were slashed,” said Jamie McCann, executive senior partner and advertising recruiter for Lucas Group, Irvine. “Since then, the economy has recovered and so has our industry. Advertising and marketing companies are now looking for candidates that embrace integrated marketing approaches.” Integrated marketing consists of traditional advertising, marketing and PR avenues, such as broadcast and print, as well as more recent forms of messaging, including direct response mail and more interactive, online approaches. Effective marketing today means being able to measure and track results, which means knowing the right target audience. “Candidates that are in highest demand are the ones who appreciate all mediums and know how to match the medium with the market,” said McCann. “One form of marketing will not suffice. Employees must understand, appreciate and see the benefit of combining traditional approaches with surfacing interactive methods.” Similarly, mid-level PR positions are opening on both the corporate and agency side because they were the positions let go first during the economic downturn. The public relations industry is gaining momentum and mirroring the same demands as advertising and marketing. “What we see are more marketing communications positions that combine management of all marketing functions under one umbrella,” said Joyce Johnson, senior recruiter in PR and corporate communications, Irvine. “Diversity, creative, technology and e-commerce are playing a big role in marketing and PR departments now, and we are seeing an up tick in hires among the healthcare, finance, real estate and technology industries.”12 Oct 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=73Lucas Group, a leader in professional recruiting, reports the number of former military personnel placed into civilian positions increased more than 40 percent compared with military transition placements last year. “The military represents an excellent pool of motivated talent,” said Bryan Zawikowski, former Air Force officer and division director of Lucas Group’s Military division. “Men and women that have served in the military are mission-oriented, have proven leadership skills, great work ethic and possess a keen sense of urgency. They make great employees, and many of the most admired corporations in the United States are targeting this outstanding source of talent.” Lucas Group reports that companies seek military veterans because they have the leadership and technical talent essential to becoming future leaders. The majority of former military hires have grown in leadership positions within manufacturing, distribution, engineering and field service operations. The demand for former military personnel in corporate America has risen because national unemployment is down. As a result, corporations are looking to non-traditional alternative sources like the U.S. military. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports tight employment with national unemployment below five percent. "Junior Military Officers have proven to be a great avenue of hiring leadership for Otis,” said Sondra Martinez, SPHR, staffing and recruiting manager for Otis Elevator Company, NSAA (a division of United Technologies). “Individuals who possess these talents along with understanding, flexibility and commitment are definitely a value-add for any company.” “The military has been an untapped resource until recent years,” said Zawikowski. “Corporations that react to this shift in the employment market and recognize the strong potential of military personnel will come out ahead. It is a matter of supply and demand. Demand is up. Supply is down. As the labor market tightens in the years to come, employers need to tap into every possible resource. They will benefit from maintaining employees that possess multiple qualities and skills, which is why former military personnel are valuable. They have the education, the training, the leadership experience and other skills that are important to most employers.”26 Aug 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=72Transition Assistance Online, (www.TAOnline.com), the Internet job board for separating military personnel preparing for civilian careers, recently appointed Tom Kaleta as Managing Partner. TAOnline.com is a subsidiary company of Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting. “Tom brings added value to TAOnline.com and is a great addition to our leadership team,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group and TAOnline.com. “With expert knowledge in advertising and his extensive background in the media business, Tom carries aggressive growth goals and holds top professional contacts in multiple industries. His experience and great leadership skills are imperative in continuing to bring highly-qualified transitioning military personnel to more employers each year.” Prior to joining TAOnline.com, Kaleta was the Director of Business Development for TMP Worldwide, a Monster.com company, where he managed initiatives for business growth. He also worked for J. Walter Thompson Specialized Communications as Director of Business Development, obtaining numerous top accounts, including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He spent a number of years in media and worked for Tribune Media Net, the Chicago Tribune and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “TAOnline.com encompasses a mission that I respect,” said Kaleta. “We uphold the position to match top companies around the nation with our servicemen departing from the military via our online service. I am proud to be a part of this business. Through my experience, I expect to develop new initiatives and bring a unique perspective on recruitment advertising to TAOnline.com.”22 Aug 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=71Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, appeared in July’s issue of Workforce Management magazine as one of the Top 12 Executive Search Firms. The list featured in the July issue ranks the top 12 search firms based on annual global revenue and includes revenue figures, revenue growth for the past year, number of client companies and key clients. Of the firms included, Lucas Group’s 51 percent revenue increase over the past year topped the list. “Lucas Group experienced a great year in 2004, and 2005 is proving to be even more successful with growth, mergers and expansions,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “Annual revenues are up and we have expanded our offices throughout the nation and overseas in Europe. Additionally, we are unique to most search firms in that we provide executive searches for nearly all industries. With such a wide range of services, our firm meets all of our clients’ hiring needs, filling positions for all departments, thereby increasing reach and revenue growth. We are pleased with our inclusion in Workforce Management’s listing and view it as a testament to our company’s strong growth initiatives.”15 Aug 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=70Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, reports the construction industry is growing strong with increased hiring. Lucas Group reports a 50 percent increase in construction job assignments from 2004 to 2005. The growing demand in multi-family construction, which apartment developers expect to increase as new home purchases decline, is attributable to rising interest rates. Although interest rates are rising, they are still low enough to continue growth in all areas of construction. Steady stream of building by all construction sectors and continued population growth impacts demand for positions across the industry, resulting in increased job opportunities. Lucas Group also reports growth in retail and hospitality commercial construction, which are regaining strength since the economy decline post-September 11th. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry is expected to grow 15 percent through the year 2012. Of the goods-producing and service-providing sectors, construction employs nearly 29 percent of all workers and accounts for 61 percent of establishments. “The growth in the industry opens many doors for existing and upcoming construction employees,” said Cindy Ewers, a construction search consultant for Lucas Group, Houston. “There is a high demand and shortage for highly-qualified construction professionals. Over the next 10 years, companies will continue to lose senior personnel due to retirement, and they have not been proactive in recruiting young construction professionals. Although efforts have greatly improved in recent years, the industry as a whole will have a large gap until supply of qualified personnel catches up with demand.”3 Aug 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=69Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced further expansion into Europe with a new operation in Frankfurt, Germany. “After just seven months of successful operation in Berlin, we are further expanding our local presence in Germany and Europe,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “The Frankfurt office enables Lucas Group to better tap into the European market and locate superior talent for U.S. and European companies, which is why it is a well-positioned, central location for a multitude of opportunities.” Juergen Doenges, senior consultant for Lucas Group, Frankfurt, is heading the new location, which services several industries, including automotive, consumer products, real estate, pharmaceuticals/biotech/medical devices, entertainment/media, manufacturing/engineering, accounting and finance, legal, banking, technology and energy. “The new office will create more efficient communication methods for our growing client base in Europe,” said Doenges. “Our presence enables us to better align our business model and offerings with international requirements and expectations. With a drive for improving international human capital management and Lucas Group’s expert team of local consultants, clients are provided the benefit of personalized service.” “Our recent expansion in Europe presents great growth opportunity for Lucas Group,” said Lucas. “We are pleased with Lucas Group’s success in the United States and growth overseas and look forward to our future developments.”1 Aug 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=68Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced its 35th year of business in the executive search industry. Celebrating 35 years with sound success and rapid company expansion, Lucas Group marks several company milestones this year. Lucas Group opened its doors 35 years ago as a military transitioning firm and has since evolved into an extensive executive search firm with offices in 16 locations across the globe. The firm now conducts executive search for numerous industries, including accounting and finance, legal, military transition, technology, advertising/marketing/consumer products and more. Lucas Group has experienced tremendous company growth in the past year. Revenues are up 57 percent compared with last year, and all areas are rapidly expanding. The company’s Accounting and Finance search team alone has seen a 96 percent revenue increase. Additionally, in 2005, Lucas Group has expanded offices worldwide and now holds the most number of employees in company history. The firm launched an international office in Berlin, Germany and opened an office in Las Vegas. Lucas Group also expanded offices in Chicago and acquired The Williamson Group, a legal search firm in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. “Lucas Group is celebrating its 35th birthday by experiencing one of the most successful years in our company’s history,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Group. “I am pleased with the strong performance of our search consultants and credit our growth to their dedicated work and our expansive search offerings. Our mission is to provide strategic hiring direction by fulfilling companies and law firms’ hiring needs and creating a streamlined process. We strive to build successful, working relationships with all of our clients and customers, which is representative of the foundation on which our company was built.”13 Jul 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=67Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today reports medical device and pharmaceutical hiring trends. Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive search firms. According to survey results in the December 2004 Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry magazine, the medical device industry had an increase in employment opportunities in 2004. Lucas Group is continuing to see the same for 2005. Due to a healthy economy and reinvestment in research and development, companies are seeking highly-qualified candidates that can aid in creating new lifesaving products. These candidates require a specific set of skills that may include sales training from blue chip companies, leadership experience, proven sales results, awards and longevity with their prior employers. Nancy Simon, senior partner and medical recruiter for Lucas Group, said, “The medical device industry is an important group in the medical field, and those creating these products report to the highest professional levels. The pay is excellent and the pipeline for new, life-saving products is full. Companies are allowed to be choosy in who they select as employees, from management and corporate to sales.” Medical sales and marketing positions are also on the rise. Simon said, “As there is a growing need for innovative candidates that can influence and possibly change current medical practices, sales positions are increasing in many fields, including cardiology, neurology, peripheral intervention and surgery.” Along with medical, the pharmaceutical industry has also seen a hiring increase in specialty sales, as well as corporate-level, middle management positions. As the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) prepares to release new compounds, companies are generating corresponding sales and management initiatives. “Although some industry insiders say the pharmaceutical industry was negatively impacted with the FDA’s decision to pull Vioxx, companies are preparing in earnest for the next generation of approvable drugs,” said Ned Hansen, senior partner and pharmaceutical recruiter for Lucas Group. Companies are forming new brand teams and seeking an outside marketing perspective, while sales teams are actively growing to expand their reach in more markets. Larger management teams are in demand due to the many facets of the pharmaceutical industry that require direction, from life cycle management, product launch and marketing to key opinion leaders and direct to consumer. “Companies are seeking talent to fill positions across the board in pharmaceuticals,” Hansen said. “The industry is growing strong and definitely not slowing down.”14 Jun 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=66Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced results from its annual accounting and finance hiring manager survey, which reflect positive hiring projections for the next 12 months. Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive search firms. The search firm predicts strong employment and business growth trends for the next 12 months. According to the survey, hiring needs are attributed to both company growth and attrition. More than 47 percent of participants feel company growth will increase this year, a significant increase from last year’s 36 percent. “Growth in hiring is attributable to a growing economy and an increase in positions needed to meet Sarbanes Oxley compliance,” said CPA and Managing Partner Bill Kuchar for Lucas Group’s Houston Accounting and Finance division. “Our placements for accounting and finance professionals have substantially increased from last year, and we expect the increase to continue.” Nearly 50 percent of industries that predict the strongest growth in accounting and finance employment opportunities include banking/finance, consulting, distribution, healthcare and high tech software companies. Additionally, 100 percent of high tech software companies expect company growth, which aligns with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report that show software publishers as a leading industry with one of the fastest wage and salary employment growth from 2002-2012. The BLS also reports financial activities employment reached an all-time high in 2004. With more than 67 percent of hiring managers planning to hire during the next year, accounting and finance professionals can expect ample employment opportunities. The outlook is promising, but the industry also faces its challenges. Of the participating hiring managers, 77 percent feel their workload has increased in the last year, and 72 percent feel their staff is working harder. These results reflect nationwide surveys that show 60 to 70 percent of employees are planning to seek alternate employment. Coupled with the need for additional resources to cover anticipated growth and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, the next year will pose challenges for employers looking to attract and retain talent. “The new accounting legislation has compelled companies to pull their audit function inside,” said General Manager Andrea Jennings for Lucas Group’s Accounting and Finance division. “Companies are also seeking candidates to strengthen their S.E.C. departments and fill technical accounting positions. Our division has seen a 96 percent increase in revenue in the past year, which means more positions are opening and creating a greater demand for qualified candidates.” “We are finding the primary challenge in accounting and finance hiring stems from this increase in demand,” Kuchar said. “There have been fewer new graduates for the last several years, and the baby boomers are beginning to retire, which leaves a void to be filled. The opportunity for accounting and finance professionals is vast, as companies are expanding their departments and seeking more talent.” The survey represents a broad cross section of industries, including banking/finance, consulting, distribution, healthcare, high tech software, manufacturing, real estate and more. Overall company revenue varied; however, nearly 57 percent of participating companies collect more than $1 billion in revenue.13 Jun 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=65Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, co-hosted its fourth Executive Diversity Career Fair April 28, 2005 at The Embassy Suites in Chicago with The Wall Street Journal and Career Journal Online. Lucas Group is one of the nation’s largest executive search firms. The Executive Diversity Career Fair is the only executive level diversity career fair in the nation. Employer attendance numbers increased 220 percent from last year’s fair in October, and there were more than 900 attending candidates. Some of the participating companies included AON, American Express Financial, Zurich American Insurance Co., SC Johnson, Wachovia, Alliant Energy, RR Donnelly, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of new entrants to the workforce by 2008 will be women and people of color. According to projections for years 2002-2012, the number of women in the labor force is expected to grow at a faster rate than men. Additionally, the number of Hispanic or Latino workers is projected to increase by 6 million, which will account for more than one third of the total labor force growth. “The minority presence in the work force is steadily growing and companies are recognizing the need to maintain a diversified profile,” said Art Lucas, president and CEO for Lucas Group. “Lucas Group and our partners at The Wall Street Journal were pleased to bring together high-level executive candidates with companies that value diversity at the Executive Diversity Career Fair in Chicago. The career fair enabled collaboration, exceeded our expectations and resulted in success for both the candidates and the employers.” The next Executive Diversity Career Fair will be held Nov. 15, 2005 at the Embassy Suites Alexandria, located outside of Washington, D.C.2 May 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=64Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, adds Legal Search Services to its Chicago office. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our legal search team to Chicago. With Legal Search Consultants already in Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, New York and Washington D.C. , Chicago’s strong legal community is a ideal location to continue to grow our Legal Search team”, said Art Lucas, CEO and President of Lucas Group. John Pearman, Esq. was appointed as the Managing Partner - Legal Search in Chicago. Lucas Group’s Chicago office also provides recruiting services for Accounting & Finance professionals.14 Apr 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=62Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting appointed John Pearman, Esq. as Managing Partner-Legal Search in Chicago, Illinois. “John Pearman is a proven and valued leader in the Chicago legal community,” said Art Lucas, CEO and President of Lucas Group. “He brings top level management and practical lawyering experience to our operations. His professional contacts and relationships in this industry are unparalleled. These qualities make John the ideal candidate to lead our new Lucas Group Legal Search Division in Chicago.” Pearman recently worked in a prestigious Chicago law firm with a civil defense and workers’ compensation practice. He previously held numerous management positions in government and politics in Illinois, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Illinois Attorney General’s office.14 Apr 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=63Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, recently appointed Larry Austin as the new Managing Partner – Executive Search (Las Vegas). "Larry Austin is an experienced executive search veteran who we are very excited to bring back to lead our new operation in Las Vegas,” said Art Lucas, Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of Lucas Group. "He will once again be a strong asset to both Lucas Group and the executive search industry across the country. Bringing on board someone of Larry’s caliber is precisely what Lucas Group looks for in leadership to direct our search consultants to performance success." Previously, Austin had served Lucas Group as Managing Partner - Executive Search (Houston). His recruiting experience includes the Information Technology (IT), Construction and Hospitality industries.24 Mar 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=60Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced its expansion with a new office in Las Vegas. "Our expansion into the Las Vegas market allows Lucas Group to broaden our well-established Western operations to the next level," said Art Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of Lucas Group. "Las Vegas is one of the faster growing, vibrant communities with an infinite pool for top-tier talent. Bringing those kinds of candidates to our clients is our number one goal, and with our new Las Vegas office we are positioned to continue our success in reaching that goal.” The new operation enhances Lucas Group’s ability to drive human capital solutions for a growing U.S. job market. Developing this new site in one of the lowest unemployment areas in the U.S., Lucas Group’s Las Vegas team brings expertise in human capital management in the Information Technology (IT), Construction and Hospitality industries. "Our new team in Las Vegas is comprised of some of the most talented people who have direct industry experience with the practice groups where we recruit," said Larry Austin, Managing Partner of Lucas Group’s Las Vegas office. "Not only are we hiring our search consultants as veterans from those industries, but with the strong, exclusive network at Lucas Group we are also brining them into the strongest recruiting system in the U.S.”24 Mar 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=61Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced plans for the 2005 DreamBuilders program, a unique summer internship program that matches talented, diverse inner-city high school students with professional opportunities at metro-Atlanta businesses. This year marks the seventh year of the DreamBuilders program for Lucas Group. Past employers who have participated in the DreamBuilders summer internship program include Cox Communications, Deloitte & Touche, General Electric (GE), BellSouth and The Home Depot. In 2002, Mayor Shirley Franklin proclaimed July 31 “Lucas Group Day” in honor of the company’s successful community service program. “The DreamBuilders program is about more than just finding teens a summer job,” said Art Lucas, CEO and President of Lucas Group. “It’s about the community reaching out and giving students from all walks of life the guidance and skills needed for successful careers and for employers to come together with the community in a very direct and meaningful way.” Employers and students who are interested in participating in the 2005 DreamBuilders program should apply online at www.lucasgroup.com/dreambuilders or contact Derrick Eason, DreamBuilders Program Director, at deason@lucasgroup.com. The deadline for candidates to apply is Friday, April 8, and the deadline for employers to participate in the program is Friday, April 22.8 Mar 2005http://www.lucasgroup.com/company/press_center.asp?ID=59Lucas Group, a respected leader in professional recruiting, today announced its acquisition of The Williamson Group, a legal recruiting firm based in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, to meet client demands for more legal search consultants. “The Williamson Group brings to us a strong legal recruiting f