Renewable. Alternative. Clean. The hot buzz words in today’s energy industry foreshadow an environmental revolution that has the potential to surpass the technological revolution of the past twenty years. With world focus on the well-being of the earth and its environment, a tidal wave of interest — and more importantly, investment — is pouring into energy initiatives. The strength of the movement is reflected in the hot demand for experienced, knowledgeable people to fill thousands of new positions being created in the industry, according to recruiting specialists at Angott Search Group (ASG). “In the history of investment capital, trends that have garnered the largest influx of capital have been ones that affected multiple areas of world culture – professional, personal and economic,” says

Quentin Burchill, Managing Director and energy practice leader at the ASG. “With energy front and center position in politics, in the scientific community, in academia, in business, and even in the world of entertainment, the stage is set for enormous change.”In addition to government involvement on the national and state level, the quest for renewable energy sources is now gaining momentum at the grass-roots level as more local municipalities search for ways to provide clean, affordable power to their constituents. ”In Grand Rapids, MI for example,” observes Burchill, “the mayor recently announced that he wants the city to purchase all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and the mayor of Ann Arbor, MI wants wind and solar power to provide one-third of Ann Arbor’s energy by 2010.”  Governor Granholm has a comprehensive economic plan to grow and diversify Michigan’s economy. As part of the plan, the state’s alternative energy sectors are being targeted to help revitalize Michigan’s economy. Recent alternative energy investments are making

Michigan a leader in alternative energy technologies across the board.
These investments include:  
 

• Mascoma Corporation, choosing Michigan as the place to build a cellulosic ethanol plant
• Hemlock Semiconductor, the world’s leading producer of polycrystalline silicon for solar cells, investing $1.5 billion for three recent expansions in Michigan

• United Solar Ovonic, which produces some of the world’s most advanced solar panels, adding three new plants in Auburn Hills and Greenville
• John Deere Wind Energy the state’s first commercial wind farm in the thumb region. 

The Renewable Energy Policy Project, an international energy think tank in Washington D. C., ranked Michigan fourth highest nationally in manufacturing job potential in the renewable energy sector.“This scenario is being replicated around the country,” Burchill says, “resulting in increased demand for people who are knowledgeable in the alternative energy arena. The candidate pool is comprised of recent MBAs who have a passion for renewable/alternative energy and view it as a cause; people who work at boutique start-ups or entrepreneurial shops that caught the wave early and have highly sought-after experience; and people with general energy industry experience who want to pursue the field as a strategic career decision.

”A deep shortage of ideal candidates to staff the burgeoning industry already exists and is growing bigger every day. Companies prize the few people already within the renewable sub-sector as well as people who have the requisite functional skills but presently work in the general energy industry.  Many companies find they have to improvise and get what they can by sacrificing either functional experience or renewable experience. “The interesting underlying difference is the ‘passion’ factor,” says Burchill. “Generally, people who are interested in renewables were interested in the environment even before there were renewable initiatives. Now that there are many initiatives they have an outlet for their passion and can’t think of anything better than working in something that they totally believe in and subscribe to. The ‘tree-hugger’ generation is rife with talent eager to get into renewable energy.”

Many larger companies find they are losing people from their renewable energy investment and technology groups to smaller start-up and boutique firms because of the passion factor; as a result, they are having a harder time staying ahead of the curve and figuring out how provide the kind of work environment that satisfies the desire of their employees to make a difference in the world. “Investment and consulting firms that analyze and recommend new technologies are also beefing up their energy groups,” says Burchill. “They are looking for graduates of top business schools with undergraduate degrees in science or technical engineering disciplines like materials science, chemistry, physics and environmental engineering.”

Burchill says that within the energy industry, the hottest areas include renewable energy, alternative fuels, and clean technology investment groups. Of the renewables, wind is the strongest right now as it is the most mature, while solar, biofuels (corn ethanol, solid waste, biomass), and fuel cells are gaining steam. Other key areas include energy efficiency, demand response, smart grids, and waste water.

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”

Steve Wassman, Director of the Automotive, Engineering, and Manufacturing division at ASG announced today that Donald Hoffmann has been named to the position of Director of Engineering for EDSCHA USA.  Donald is a dynamic person and is excited to be part of EDSCHA USA.” stated Wassman. “He will be based in Pontiac, MI.  

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together” 

“Rona Mehl has recently been named as VP Branch Administrator for Huron Community Bank,” announced Clarissa Kieliszewski, Director in Banking and Financial Services.  “She is extremely excited to be joining the bank and is looking forward to being part of their strategic team.” added Ms. Kieliszewski. Rona will be based at the headquarters location in East Tawas, Michigan. 

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”

BMO Capital Markets in Chicago, IL has named Andrew Pluta to the position of Vice President, Healthcare Banker and Aleen Hartje to the position of Vice President, Leveraged Lending.  “BMO Capital Markets is a dynamic company and both Andrew and Aleen are delighted to be joining the team,” stated Megan Uphoff, Managing Director of the Banking and Financial Services division at ASG.  

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“Rob Naudi has accepted the position of Senior Vice President, Senior Loan Officer at the First National Bank of Howell,” stated Brian Rhonemus, Managing Director of the Banking and Financial Services Division at ASG.  “First National Bank of Howell is an exciting organization and Rob is excited to be joining the team. He will be based in Howell, MI.” added Rhonemus.

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“Scott Carlton was named as the Commercial Producer for HUB International,” announced Kim Fous, Managing Director of the Insurance practice at Angott Search Group.  “Scott is looking forward to joining HUB International and will be based in Grand Rapids, MI” Ms. Fous futher stated.

 

 

 

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”

In January, the U.S. saw the first negative job growth in more than four years.  It comes on top of December 2007 being the worst December for mass layoffs in five years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics more than 1,400 mass layoff events in December (those involving more than 50 employees at a time) resulted in over 140,000 employees losing their jobs.

 “There are profound issues affecting the economy today, but there are equally profound issues affecting the job market. The baby boomers are just beginning to retire en mass and there simply aren’t enough workers to replace them.” stated Mark R. Angott, President of Angott Search Group. 

A recent GAO report warns Congress that retiring baby boomers will force many government agencies to turn to con-tract staffing rather than full-time employees to complete the basic functions of government. 

“Expansion of government services in the seventies led to a governmental hiring boom, meaning that a disproportionate part of today’s 20 million government employees are nearing or at retirement age,” says Angott.  To fill these positions, the government will be drawing down the labor pool across many highly skilled disciplines such as healthcare, scientific research, engineering and accounting. However, there will still be demands for the clerical staff that keep bureaucracies running. 

From the private side, retiring baby boomers are increasing the demand for healthcare and retirement related financial services.  To a lesser extent there will construction jobs to create more assisted living facilities and planned retirement communities.  Also, service jobs will be created to entertain and occupy an active retired class. 

“There are reasons to make careful decisions when hiring right now, reasons to think strategically,” added Angott “Any responsible manager will be looking for ways to trim costs which is a likely cause for the up-tick in mass layoffs. Yet there are too many pressures causing shortages in too many industries to justify the decline in hiring the BLS saw in 2007’s last quarter.”  

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Press Release

Angott Search Group
Rochester, MI 

Concordia University, Ann Arbor, has hired a new Chief Financial Officer through the recruitment efforts of Angott Search Group.  Mr. Jeffrey L Williams has been named to this position.  Mr. Williams comes from a public service background with strong accounting credentials. 

Williams has over 20 years of experience and has demonstrated success and achievement throughout his career.  “Jeffrey is excited about joining Concordia University and he is looking forward to being part of an academic community that is dedicated to excellence.” stated Quentin Burchill, Managing Director of the Investment and Advisory practice.  Mr. Williams, a resident of Canton, MI will begin his post Chief Financial Officer this spring. 

 “Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”

With the topic of Renewable Energy taking the world stage Mark Angott, President of Angott Search Group announced the addition of Michele Steenbergh to the Energy/Automotive division. “Michelle possesses an extensive background in the Automotive Engineering industry and her focus at ASG will be in the alternative energy field, specifically advanced energy storage.” stated Angott. “With a global focus on the environment and “green” initiatives, the automotive industry has been developing clean technologies to increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and use alternative energies to power vehicles.  Fuel cell storage and battery power are at the forefront of these technological pursuits.” added Angott. 

ASG is collectively passionate about the environment and excited to build a practice within the firm to pro-actively focus on recruiting the top-notch scientists, and engineering professionals to assist both automotive OEM’s and their suppliers in attracting their staff of the future.  

Ms. Steenbergh can be reached at:

Angott Search Group
101 S Main St
Rochester, MI 48307
Tel: 248-650-4800
Fax: 248-650-4817
msteenbergh@asgteam.com 

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”

Press Release

Angott Search Group
Rochester, MI 

“Rona Mehl has recently been named as VP Branch Administrator for Huron Community Bank,” announced Clarissa Kieliszewski, Director in Banking and Financial Services.  “She is extremely excited to be joining the bank and is looking forward to being part of their strategic team.”  Rona will be based at the headquarters, located in East Tawas, Michigan.

“Bringing Great People and Great Companies Together”