Sarah Agee, Executive Bio

Sarah has been a professional in the executive search industry for fourteen years. Sarah formed Sterling Search four years ago and has focused this practice on non-profit, financial services, technology, professional services, consumer products and healthcare. She was formerly with, Korn/Ferry International—Futurestep, for four years where she was a Generalist and a Principal of the non-profit, education and healthcare practices. Ms Agee was responsible for acquiring new clients and executing such searches to a successful conclusion. Prior to Korn-Ferry International- Futurestep Sarah spent six years with various recruiting firms in the United Kingdom and United States of America.

Sarah formed Sterling Search to provide more personalized recruiting solutions to organizations that need to hire the best talent at the right prices. Sarah has served as the Chairman for the British American Business Council and is a member of the National Human Resources Association. Educated in England at GLOSCAT with a Bachelor’s in Business, Sarah now lives in Newport Beach, CA.

Betsy Schmittke, Executive Bio

Betsy Schmittke has over 20-years experience as an Executive Recruiter and conducts senior-level searches within a variety of industries and functions.  Her consulting clients over the past three years have included Alliant International University, Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, Hercules Sealing Products, and LRN Corporation. 

Betsy was previously a Managing Consultant with the largest national retained search firm in the United States, Korn/Ferry in its Futurestep division. Over her nine years with the company she received numerous awards for excellent performance in business development, client management, and closing searches successfully with high caliber individuals. 

Whether placing senior executives within Fortune 500, middle-market, or emerging companies, Betsy brings a wealth of experience to each search she conducts. Her clients have come from a broad range of industries, including: higher education, consumer goods, professional services, investment management, engineering, real estate development, and industrial/manufacturing companies.  Her clients have included Princeton University, Oregon State University, Cal State L.A., Red Bull, International Speedway, Panasonic,  Hilti, Mitsubishi, Beckman Coulter, Burger King, Allied Signal to name a few.  Plus, she has conducted numerous searches at the senior management level within operations, finance and administration, sales, product development, marketing, public relations, communications, human resources, IT, compliance, and environmental, health and safety.

Before joining Korn/Ferry - Futurestep, she was a Vice President with Dunhill Executive Search of Los Angeles.  During her 12 years with Dunhill, she was named Consultant of the Year several times, and received numerous President Awards. 

David Martin, Executive Bio

David Martin is Managing Partner of Sterling Martin Associates in the firm's Washington, DC office. During his almost 20-year career in executive search, Mr. Martin has held senior-level positions with global leaders such as Korn/Ferry International and Boyden International, as well as boutique search firms. He has served in key roles launching and growing offices in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA and Irvine, CA.

He has successfully completed over 150 senior-level search assignments for major nonprofit, professional and trade association and Fortune 500 clients across the United States. These searches have been in a broad range of functional areas including President/CEO, Chief Information Officer, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief International Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Foundation Officer and other senior management roles.

Mr. Martin’s expertise includes a special focus on the association and nonprofit sector. Through his extensive involvement as a board member, search committee member and volunteer leader, he brings first-hand experience to the particular issues and unique challenges of nonprofit's, professional and trade associations, and academic institutions in recruiting top executives.

Mr. Martin serves on the Board of Directors of Gifts In Kind International, a leading international nonprofit, and plays an active role as a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.

Prior to executive search, Mr. Martin worked in the corporate sector for eight years. He held increasingly responsible sales and management roles for Georgia-Pacific Corporation at the organization's Atlanta headquarters. He holds a B.A. from the University of Vermont and resides in Washington, DC.