Company Info: Herbert Mines Associates

Web site: www.herbertmines.com

Address: 375 Park Ave., Suite 801, New York, N.Y. 10152

Phone: (212) 652-0345

E-mail: hdreiter@herbertmines.com

Advice: Create your own opportunities. The best leaders I have known took what appeared to be setbacks, and transformed them into their greatest assets. Also, treat everyone around you with respect. You never know when a snippy e-mail or angry phone call will come back to haunt you.

Qualities sought in emerging leaders: Before I meet a candidate, I want to see a strong record of success and signs of intelligence, be it an impressive education or launching an innovative new business idea. When someone walks into my office, I look for more intangible qualities such as strong listening skills, compassion, and a high EQ (emotional quotient). I like people who possess what I call a "sublime ego." A leader needs to exude enough confidence and charisma to inspire employees to work their tail off to impress.

Sector specialization: Retail, apparel and fashion, consumer products

Job function specialization: CEOs, chairman, presidents, board directors

Geographical Focus: North America

Companies I often recruit for: Many private equity firms, national retailers and wholesalers

Favorite historical figure: Muhammad Ali. He was an underdog, but talked like a winner. The legacy of Ali’s moxie speaks for itself.

Education: Lewis & Clark Law School, JD, 1979; Univ. of Oregon, BA, 1972

Languages: English

Employment history: Herbert Mines Associates, Chairman and CEO, 1993 to present; Butler Capital, Managing Director, 1990-93; Korn/Ferry International, Vice-President, 1986-90; Arcata Graphics, Attorney, 1980-86

Other interests: Family, golf, travel

Professional/Membership Affiliations: Oregon and Connecticut State Bars; Director, Rock Island Corp.; Trustee, William Alanson White Institute

Experience in executive search consulting: 22 years

High Profile Placement: Barneys New York CEO

Other paths I might have pursued: Law

The global business trend that will most influence corporate performance in the future: N/A