William K. Sur

CEO, managing director, Conboy, Sur & Associates/Conboy Sur Morice & Associates

Company Info: Conboy, Sur & Associates/Conboy Sur Morice & Associates

Web site: www.csma-cons.com

Address: 15 East Churchville Rd., No. 170, Bel Air, Md. 21014

Phone: 410-925-4122

E-mail: conboysur@aol.com

Advice: "To thy own self be true." Have the strength of your convictions, preserve your integrity at all costs, and maintain your standards even in the face of adversity, sacrificing none for the sake of passing gain.

Qualities sought in emerging leaders: First of all, evidence of character and then instances of leadership, particularly under circumstances of adversity. Following on, seek examples of both accomplishments and setbacks. From this base, it logically flows to the assessment of other key factors, such as industry and business knowledge, motivational skills, style of management, planning ability, creativity, aspirations, self-perception.

Sector specialization: Consumer goods (durable and nondurable), pharmaceuticals (ethical and OTC), food services, high-tech/computers, packaging/paper and paper products

Job function specialization: Board directors, C-suite, general management, controllers, marketing/sales, research/technical, operations/manufacturing

Geographical Focus: U.S., Europe

Companies I often recruit for: Confidential

Favorite historical figure: N/A

Education: Villanova Univ., BS, Economics, 1954; George Washington Univ., non-degreed postgraduate studies, Finance, 1957-58

Languages: English

Employment history: Conboy, Sur & Associates/Conboy Sur Morice & Associates, CEO/Managing Director; 1998 to present; Canny Bowen, Senior Vice-President and Board Member, 1991-98; Stricker, Sur & Associates; President and Board Member, 1989-91; Sollis, Sur & Associates; Co-Founder and President; 1982-89; Spencer Stuart & Associates; Senior Vice-President, Partner, and Board Member, 1966-82

Other interests: History, antiques, skiing, shooting, golf

Professional/Membership Affiliations: Union League Club of New York; Maryland Golf & CC

Experience in executive search consulting: 41 years

High Profile Placement: Compaq Computer CEO and Board of Directors, 1998/1999

Other paths I might have pursued: Building a world-scale dealership in antiques

The global business trend that will most influence corporate performance in the future: Continued technological innovation which will stimulate/enable maintenance of economic ascendancy and prosperity.