John Thompson

Vice-chairman, Heidrick & Struggles International

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Company Info: Heidrick & Struggles International

Web site: www.heidrick.com

Address: 2740 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park, Calif., 94025

Phone: 650-234-1520

E-mail: jthompson@heidrick.com

Advice: Know yourself and make sure you develop an appropriate balance between your work and personal life. Pursue your passion and not your financial goals.

Qualities sought in emerging leaders: Integrity, authenticity, intellect, intensity, operating skills

Sector specialization: Software, Internet, tech-enabled businesses, media, industrial

Job function specialization: Board directors, CEOs, COOs

Geographical Focus: Global

Companies I often recruit for: Google; First Data; Amazon.com; Disney; Blockbuster

Favorite historical figure: Thomas Jefferson

Education: Virginia Tech, BA, Economics, 1970, and MBA 1971

Languages: English

Employment history: Heidrick & Struggles, Vice-Chairman, 1989 to present; David Powell, VP, 1983-89; Williams Cos., Corporate Director, Organization Development, 1976-82

Other interests: Vintage Corvettes and Ferraris, watches

Professional/Membership Affiliations: Board, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research

Experience in executive search consulting: 24 years

High Profile Placement: Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google, 2001

Other paths I might have pursued: University professor, sports car driver

The global business trend that will most influence corporate performance in the future: Interdependence of the global economy will impact CEOs at a very rapid pace; in addition, the aging population of baby boomers will have a significant impact in both developed and developing countries.