Rick DeRose Awarded for Excellence in Executive Search

Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants Excellence Award presented at annual global conference in New York  

Today at their annual AESC Global Conference in New York, the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) honored Rick DeRose, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Acertitude, with the AESC Award of Excellence for his impact on the profession.  

Karen Greenbaum, AESC President & CEO, commented: “Rick DeRose’s stellar career demonstrates a true commitment to the high-quality standards demanded by AESC. As he’s grown his businesses, he has maintained these standards while elevating the profession.” 

Throughout his 25-plus-year career in the executive search and leadership consulting industry, Rick has founded and built two reputable firms, brought new consultants into the profession, provided a great place for consultants to do meaningful work, and elevated the profession’s reputation. 

“Rick’s impact in the executive search and leadership consulting domain has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Ed Meyercord, President & CEO of Extreme Networks. Rick has worked closely with the organization on 14 executive appointments in the last six years. “His high standards and commitment to the industry are not merely compliance, but a testament to his unwavering belief in the value of helping people unleash their human potential and building high-quality relationships.”   

Rick founded Telecom Executive Group, which later evolved into Technology Executive Group (TEG), in 1995. In 2015, he co-founded Acertitude with Kevin O’Neill. The firm has a “client for life” mentality and not only rejects an episodic mindset internally, but also makes substantial daily investments in the enduring success of the leaders it serves.   

In 2018, Guy Barnes joined as the third managing partner to spearhead the firm’s European expansion. This move broadened Rick’s impact on the profession as the firm expanded its client-centric founding philosophy, “The Acertitude Way” abroad.  

“Rick exhibits a client-for-life mentality when serving his clients, candidates, and the profession,” said Jack Callison, Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Senior Living. Rick has been integral in helping Jack overhaul Sunrise Senior Living’s C-level team, acting as an “extension” of the center’s brand and team. 

Not only has Rick launched a firm that operates with high standards, but it does so on a global scale. Today, The Acertitude Group has achieved remarkable growth to $34 million in less than nine years, has expanded its client base fivefold, its team by 300%, and its services to multiple countries. The firm takes pride in its superior level of professionalism, demonstrated by a high NPS score of +82 and an unwavering commitment to generating positive outcomes for clients, candidates, and team-members.   

Currently, Rick is a co-founder and managing partner at Acertitude. He also oversees the firm’s Technology and Healthcare practices, bringing over 20 years of experience to his role as a leadership advisor to CEOs and senior executives of private equity firms, public corporations and private companies. Rick and his team are also highly specialized in running CFO, CIO/CTO, GTM, CISO, and PE operating partner searches and in supporting value-creation, growth, restructuring, carve-out scenarios.  

Rick continues to be an advisor to TEG, which is now an Acertitude company specializing in management search across technology, digital infrastructure, healthcare, and professional services. 

Prior to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Rick progressed through an array of leadership roles at Cable & Wireless Communications. He earned an MBA, Finance from Drexel University, and a B.S., Accounting from St. Joseph’s University, where he is currently serves on the Board of Trustees. 

“I am honored to receive this year’s AESC Award of Excellence, yet the credit truly belongs to our remarkable clients, candidates, and team members,” said DeRose. “At Acertitude, we are committed to consistently delivering excellence at a global scale and developing life-long partnerships. Witnessing our clients’ successes in the marketplace fills us with excitement, and in my view, this award is a testament to our collective efforts and our capacity to collaborate towards unleashing human potential.”  

About the AESC Award of Excellence    

The AESC Award of Excellence honors individuals at the height of their careers who have made significant, outstanding contributions to the executive search and leadership consulting profession. Since 2000, this award has been given to recipients who promote AESC’s commitment to the highest professional standards through its Professional Practice Standards at their firm and within the profession.

About the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants       

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standards for the executive search and leadership consulting profession. AESC Members represent 16,000+ trusted professionals in 1,200+ offices, spanning 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized experts providing consulting services in the areas of leaders, teams and culture to the world’s leading organizations. They leverage their access and expertise to place more than 100,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions across industry sectors. Dedicated to strengthening leadership together, AESC and its members share a deep commitment to the highest quality standards in executive search and leadership consulting—for the benefit of clients and the profession. We Shape. Connect. Educate. Innovate. Learn more about us at aesc.org. For AESC’s career services, visit bluesteps.com.