Experience

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  August Leadership

  • Portland, Oregon Area

  • Partner

    • Feb 2020 - Present
    • Portland, Oregon Area

    August Leadership (formerly Ward Howell USA) is a global executive search firm. We make an impact by helping our clients realize their biggest business opportunities through talent. August Leadership is a distinctive firm with a dynamic, innovative approach. Check it out at: www.augustleadership.comKen is a well-regarded strategic adviser and search generalist who specializes in Travel & Hospitality on a global basis. He sees each client as unique. His approach is immersive, striving always to first understand the strategic objectives and DNA of each client organization, then crafting the appropriate search strategy to achieve an outcome in line with those objectives. Ken is passionate about leadership and purpose-driven businesses. He has more than 20 years of experience in retained search and has worked on a global basis with businesses of all sizes, from startup companies to public Fortune 500 organizations, filling C-suite positions as well as top property-level roles and Board positions. He is a frequent speaker and author. Ken is also well-versed in Entertainment & Media, including all things digital.A Certified Public Accountant, Ken started his career with Deloitte & Touche (now Deloitte). From there he entered the world of executive search and consulting, working for three global search firms, as well as achieving many years of success with his own firm, Greger/Peterson Associates, Inc., a highly reputable retained search firm.Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis from Portland State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in Oregon, Washington and California. He is a member of the ALIS Planning Committee and serves on the HSMAI Foundation Board of Directors. Ken is also a Mentor in the Phocuswright Startup Program that debuted in 2018.

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  Ward Howell International USA

  • Portland, Oregon Area

  • Partner

    • Dec 2018 - Feb 2020
    • Portland, Oregon Area

    Ken has been a Partner with Ward Howell's Travel & Hospitality Practice since December 2018. On February 11th, 2020, Ward Howell USA announced a rebranding, including a name change to August Leadership and a new website.

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  AETHOS Consulting Group

  • Portland, Oregon Area

  • Managing Director

    • Jan 2016 - Dec 2018
    • Portland, Oregon Area

    Managing DirectorAETHOS Consulting GroupIn January 2016, Greger/Peterson Associates, Inc. merged with AETHOS Consulting Group and began operating under the AETHOS Consulting Group name. A hospitality-focused advisory firm, AETHOS provides executive search and compensation consulting services.

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  Greger/Peterson Associates, Inc.

  • CEO & Managing Director

    • Aug 1990 - Jan 2016

    Premier retained executive search firm specializing in Entertainment & Media, and Hospitality & Leisure. Top-tier national client base. $150K base minimum. Offices in Portland, OR and Los Angeles, CA.

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  Laventhol & Horwath

  • Managing Director - Executive Search Services

    • Jan 1987 - Jul 1990

    P & L responsibility for developing Executive Search practice in the Western Region [Texas-west] and overseeing related professional staff. In addition to Western Region, worked closely with the firm's Global Hospitality Practice Leader and other top Hospitality consulting partners to develop corporate-level hospitality executive search clientele.

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  KPMG

  • Los Angeles, CA

  • Manager - Executive Search Services

    • Aug 1980 - Dec 1986
    • Los Angeles, CA

    One of the senior leaders in the executive search practice of this major international accounting firm - Los Angeles, CA office. The search practice itself ranked in the top 10 worldwide. Chairman of the Entertainment & Sports Industry Committee for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Member of KPMG Entertainment Industry Practice Group.

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  Murphy Symonds & Stowell

  • Portland, Oregon Area

  • Executive Search Consultant

    • Jan 1978 - Aug 1980
    • Portland, Oregon Area

    Entered the executive search profession by joining this high-quality regional firm with offices in Portland, OR, Seattle, WA and Anchorage, AK

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  Deloitte

  • Portland, Oregon Area

  • Audit Senior

    • Jun 1975 - Dec 1977
    • Portland, Oregon Area

    Recruited while in college by this major international accounting firm, worked on audits ranging from small entrepreneurial enterprises to Fortune 500 clients.