Robert Kristan

About Robert Kristan

As President and Founder of Kristan International, I’ve spent over 30 years leading retained executive search engagements for clients across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. I work directly with CEOs, boards, and executive teams to recruit high-impact leaders who can guide transformation, growth, and cultural change.Over the decades, I’ve built long-standing relationships with global organizations, private companies, and high-growth firms—many of whom return to us for multiple searches due to our consistent delivery and strategic counsel.Kristan International’s Customized Recruitment Process is built on deep industry insight, direct candidate outreach, and in-depth behavioral assessment resulting in:• 99% search completion rate• Average hire tenure of 7+ years for our clients• Trusted partnerships on confidential replacement search projects and stagnant searches• A one-year leadership replacement guaranteeI’ve personally led executive search assignments for roles such as President, COO, CFO, VP of Sales, Global VP of HR, General Manager, Chief Revenue Officer, VP Advanced Manufacturing & Lean Engineering, VP of IT Operations & Technology, VP Corporate Real Estate, General Manager-Japan, Director-Americas, Country Manager and others across industries and sectors such as manufacturing, private equity, commercial real estate, oil & gas, distribution, commercial construction & interiors, facilities services, power & data, technology, professional services and others.Before founding our firm, I began my career in executive search with a Houston based global oil & gas executive search firm for 4 years upon my graduation from Penn State.I was one of the founding members of Eyes of Texas Partners, an angel investment group headquartered in Austin, Texas and have served as a Judge at the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship’s world-renowned Rice Business Plan Competition at Rice University. I continue to speak at industry events, collaborate with executive networks, and remain hands-on with every project we take on. r•••••••@kristan.com

Experience

1. President

   Kristan International Executive Search

   Jan 1993 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   As Founder and President of Kristan International, I oversee all aspects of client engagement, search strategy, and executive recruitment across domestic and international markets.Our firm specializes in senior-level, confidential, and hard-to-fill leadership roles across sectors including manufacturing, engineering, operations, design, sales, IT, finance, and HR.Key Focus Areas:• Retained executive search for C-suite and other leadership roles• Confidential replacement search assignments • Turnaround of stalled or failed executive search assignments after other firms were unable to deliver results• On-site interviews in our clients\' locations throughout the world• Career Strategy Counseling & Coaching• Compensation Package Advisor to Executive LeadersRetained Executive Search Projects include:• Chief Operations Officer• Chief Financial Officer• President • Global Vice President of Sales & Strategic Market Development• Vice President of Manufacturing Operations• Vice President of International Sales• Country Manager- Mexico • Director of Engineering, Procurement & Construction-Americas• Director of Marketing & Sustainability- U.S.For a full list of projects, please reach out or check out: kristan.com/case-studies/

Education

• Penn State University

  Bachelor of Science - Premedicine