David J. Arnold

Dave is currently the Managing Director of Oak Hill Partners, a search firm specializing in building human resources organizations known for their ability to deliver results. He has been focused on the Human Resources function for over 20 years.

He is recognized as one of a handful of senior search executives who have completed dozens of Heads of HR for the most demanding Fortune 500 CEOS (www.ohpsearch.com/hr). He has also worked with many Heads of HR to upgrade their own function in the areas of Talent Management, Compensation and Benefits, and Leadership Development.

Dave has undertaken over 300 assignments with a 95% success rate. He works with companies which put a premium on the development of their human capital to provide a distinct competitive advantage.

Prior to founding Oak Hill Partners Dave was a Consultant and elected Director at SpencerStuart. This was followed by joining Heidrick and Struggles where he remained for ten years becoming a Partner, Senior Partner (Consumer/Retail Practice) and Global Head of its Human Resources Practice.

Before entering the search industry, he held senior positions with PepsiCo. As the Head of Human Resources for a $2 billion Division of PepsiCo, he worked with the President of the Division to drive financial performance through effective management of its human capital and led its widely acclaimed talent management and succession planning process.

He did his undergraduate work in Economics at Indiana University and extensive graduate work in Psychology at Purdue University. He is certified to administer and interpret the Hogan Leadership Series of psychological instruments.

His clients have included Aetna, American Airlines, Bain Capital, Bausch and Lomb, Becton Dickinson, Constellation Brands, EDS (now Hewlett Packard), Duracell, Forstmann Little, Gateway, General Mills, MDC, Merrill Lynch, Hovnanian, KKR, Putnam Investments, Starwood, Thomson-Reuters and Time Warner.

A few of his more notable placements were Meg Whitman placed as CEO of FTD Florists who went on to become Chairman and CEO of EBay, and Mike Peel who served as SVPHR at General Mills for many years, and also served as a Vice Chairman and Fellow of the HR Policy Organization.