Jim Bethmann  

Partner

Jim Bethmann’s counsel is sought after worldwide as a result of both his hands-on operational leadership experience and his executive recruiting expertise. He is an industry specialist in technology, IT services/outsourcing, and in the defense sectors, all of which he has previously worked in as well as recruited senior executives for leadership positions in these sectors. Jim is frequently quoted in business and industry publications including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Red Herring, CBS MarketWatch, Computer World and Financial Executive. He is also a sought-after speaker and moderator at industry events, most notably the annual CEO Summit in Pebble Beach and the Staffing Industry Executive Forum.

Jim joined Caldwell Partners in March, 2009 as one of the initial team of Managing Partners to build and grow the US market. Before Caldwell Jim was with Heidrick & Struggles and was the Global Managing Partner of the firm’s Hardware & Systems Sector within the Technology Practice. He was also an active member of the IT Services and Defense Practice, Board of Directors Practice, CEO Practice as well as the Marketing and CIO functional practices.

Jim Bethmann was previously a vice chairman of Highland Partners, as well as global leader of the firm’s Technology/IT Services, Defense and Industrial sectors. Before joining Highland Partners, he was a managing director at Korn/Ferry International and co-led the firm’s Advanced Technology Practice in North America, where he established and led the firm's first Software and Emerging Technologies Practice. He also vice chaired the firm's e-business strategy and search initiatives. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, Jim led the Southwest Technology Practice of another major executive search firm. Jim’s clients have included AMS, BAE Systems, BEA, Cap Gemini, Compaq, Dell, E&Y, i2, Monster, NEC, PeopleSoft, Perot Systems, Philips, Reynolds & Reynolds, Tektronix, Telcordia, Vignette and Yahoo.

Prior to executive search, Jim served as a corporate officer and a president of Recognition International, a leading international systems supplier of high-performance document recognition systems, image and workflow software solutions, where he also lived, built and led businesses in the Americas, the Pacific Rim (living in Tokyo & Singapore) and Europe (London).

Jim sits on a number of corporate and nonprofit boards to include Telecommunications Systems, Inc. (TSYS), Codekko, the Institute for Effective Leadership and The Lumen Institute. He is also a member of BENS (Business Executives for National Security) and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He is currently the president of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association in North Texas and a former national board trustee. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Navy Lieutenant Commander.