Category: News

Century Group is saddened to announce the passing of one of its co-founders, Don Yaeger, early this month. Yaeger was instrumental in establishing the firm in Los Angeles 30 years ago — as a place where team members are encouraged to apply their individual strengths and experiences toward achieving results for our clients and candidates.

“Don was very good at uncovering the non-financial motivators, the key drivers, for career growth in a job change,” notes longtime colleague and Century Group CEO, Ron Proul. “Something our Century Group Concept embraces today as we match talent to clients’ needs.”

Yaeger began his career in New York City, applying his two master’s degrees in behavioral development and psycho-diagnostic testing to the evaluation of human motivation and potential. Part of his role required him to interview people to understand what makes them tick. He was soon asked to use this unique experience in assisting a major company identify and select a new vice president, ultimately sparking Yaeger’s love for the world of recruiting.

His first job in recruiting was with a firm specializing in the placement of CPAs in Los Angeles in the late 1970s. There, he began honing his unique approach — one that incorporated his educational background into the storytelling style that served him so well over the next 35 years as one of Southern California’s leading executive recruiters.

“Don cared and thought deeply about the chemistry fit of a client and candidate. He could look beyond the quality of a resume and tell you why this person would do well in that environment, for that manager, in that role,” says Dave Liebman, Century Group Director of Executive Search and former colleague of Yaeger. “Don always had candidates who he believed in so much that it was no surprise when he succeeded in placing them.”

In 1989, Yaeger reached out to former colleague, Harry Boxer, about launching a new executive recruiting firm, and the rest was history — Century Group was born. For the next 25 years, he was a top executive recruiter within the firm and a committed teacher of his craft to the dozens of recruiters — new and experienced — that had the privilege of learning from him.

His innate ability to connect with people was integral to his reputation as an original relationship builder. Yaeger believed in finding the right opportunity for each candidate, which remains a core value of the company and key to its continued success.

“Over the last few weeks, many of us have reflected fondly on Don’s personal impact within the firm. His exhaustive approach to understanding each person was something his candidates, clients and colleagues remember about him today, years after his retirement,” Proul says. “He was a good friend and a cornerstone of Century Group. May his memory be a blessing to everyone he knew.”

This February, Century Group celebrates 30 years since first opening its doors on Century Boulevard in Los Angeles — launching a series of company-wide events to commemorate the anniversary year.

The staffing and recruiting firm has established a niche for itself for three decades, staying true to its singular focus of connecting top accounting and finance professionals with the companies that need them. Founders Harry Boxer and Don Yaeger envisioned Century Group as a recruiter’s recruiting firm. Working to create a collaborative space where team members share the same goals, and sometimes the same deals, to meet the needs of its clients and candidates.

“I believe one of our greatest successes is our ability to attract and retain top people in an industry that’s constantly changing,” says CEO, Ron Proul. “In the past nine years, we’ve seen nearly 2,000% growth in our professional staffing practice and 500% for executive search.”

That expansion has translated into a total of twelve practices in six offices in California and Denver, Colo., and the continued support of the community it serves. Century Group hosts special events geared toward financial professionals throughout the year, as well as publishes resources including surveys, CG Quarterly and its annual national Salary Guide.

Investing in its people with the same level of commitment remains central to Century Group’s methodology.

“It’s important that as we continue our geographic growth, we stay committed to our core values of promoting a strong producer culture and helping people — our clients, candidates, consultants and associates — succeed,” Proul explains.

“Without the continued loyalty of these key players, reaching this milestone wouldn’t have been possible.”

About Century Group:

Century Group is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm that provides top-tier talent to start-up, mid-market and Global 1000 enterprises. Its specialized focus, extensive talent network and experience guarantees Century Group will identify, evaluate and deliver the right professional to you — fast.

Century Group is pleased to announce its anniversary year celebration, recognizing 30 years as a leader in the staffing and recruiting industry.

Since opening its doors in 1989, Century Group has established itself as a leading executive recruiting and project/interim services firm specializing in accounting and finance professions. And the thriving company recently set its sight on Denver, Colorado — taking its growth into new territories.

It launched its fifth location in Denver’s bustling metropolis in early March, bringing Century Group’s unique approach, known as The Group Concept, to the city’s vibrant job market.

“We have been identifying new locales for expansion,” says Ron Proul, CEO. “Denver is one of those that allow The Group Concept to service the region’s clients in the same way we have excelled in other markets.”

Century Group prides itself on a company-wide philosophy that’s grounded in collaboration. Its team shares the risks, as well as the rewards — helping to ensure that the success of Century Group’s network of clients, candidates and consultants remains the group’s collective focus. Its clients range from start-up to Fortune 100 companies, and encompass a wide variety of industries. But Century Group’s singular process can be successfully applied to each — with specialized solutions designed to meet individual companies’ needs and goals on a project, interim or direct-placement basis.

Managing Director, Peter Nelson, has worked with the search firm for nearly two decades, witnessing firsthand the value Century Group’s services provide to its clientele. The idea that talent can transform an organization is what Century Group believes sets businesses apart in today’s competitive marketplace — and it’s Nelson’s understanding of this that will help him as he leads the company’s latest venture.

“I’m excited about this new chapter in my career, and to take on this new challenge for the firm,” Nelson says. “I’m looking forward to bringing my 18 years of experience in The Group Concept to building a team in a new market.”

 

DENVER OFFICE LOCATION

1200 17th Street Suite 1225
Denver, CO 80202
(800) 337-9675

ABOUT CENTURY GROUP

Century Group provides financial executive search, professional recruitment, project and interim professional services in the areas of accounting, finance, internal audit and tax for middle market, Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies. For more information about the Century Group accountant employment agency, please visit www.century-group.com.

Century Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Phil Bruno to Executive Director. He served as Managing Director of the firm’s Glendale and Westlake Village locations — bringing more than 20 years of staffing industry experience to help drive Century Group’s success in the region since 2015.

“Phil has been instrumental in expanding our presence in northern metropolitan Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley and Ventura County by launching two key locations in a short time span,” says Ron Proul, CEO.  “His success has earned him the recognition of this role.”

Bruno’s unique background in management consulting, accounting and finance and staffing industries has enabled him to develop a group of talented recruiters who follow in the firm’s founding core beliefs. As Executive Director, he will continue to oversee the company’s growth in these regions and will provide guidance on key corporate policy and initiatives, explains President and COO, Ron Blair.

“It’s a pleasure to work with this group of top performers as they achieve new career highs through our Group Concept,” Bruno says. “I’m excited to continue leading the San Fernando Valley teams while contributing on a broader and more strategic corporate level.”

Just several months after the opening of its Denver office, Century Group continues to broaden its reach with the launch of its sixth location in San Francisco Bay Area’s Walnut Creek community.

The Bay Area job market hit record-high levels earlier this year — a trend that continues to surge as a thriving economy propels the region’s demand for skilled professionals. With Century Group’s specialized focus and expertise in accounting and finance, the staffing and recruiting firm is happy and equipped to meet that need.

“We are pleased to announce Carolyn Sweeney as the Walnut Creek office’s Managing Director, where she will drive Century Group’s investment in the area and share our unique approach with the robust business community,” says CEO Ron Proul.

Century Group has completed more than 30,000 placements since 1989, providing financial executive search, professional recruitment and project and temporary professional services for middle market, Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies.

Its founding philosophy, known as The Group Concept, encourages collaboration amongst team members and ensures that Century Group delivers the best, most effective service to the firm’s network of top-tier clients, consultants and candidates.

“As part of our commitment to serving clients with interests in both Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, our physical presence enhances our ability to continue to service both corporations and professionals seeking growth and opportunities,” Proul says.

Century Group is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding shares owned by founder Harry Boxer. All shares purchased will be returned to treasury.

“We are pleased that Harry Boxer has been able to realize his goals and we look forward to a new era of leadership and continued growth of the firm,” says CEO Ron Proul. “The transaction allows us to continue to invest in opening new offices and provides future opportunities for our employees as we continue to support our culture as the producer’s firm.”

Boxer will remain as an adviser and board member to the firm during his earnout period where he will continue to provide strategic direction as Century Group manages key milestones in its next stage of growth. Proul will assume the role as Chairman of the Board and Ron Blair has been named President and COO. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Century Group

Established in 1989, Century Group provides financial executive search, professional recruitment, project and interim professional services in the areas of accounting, finance, internal audit and tax for middle market, Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies.

As we celebrate 25 years, the Century Group team is looking to the future. The first step in that direction: further enhancing our connections within the Southern California finance industry.

Century Group already has a history of expertise in accounting, finance, tax and audit – our niche focus from the beginning – as well as strong ties and an unrivaled network nurtured through our long-standing involvement in Southern California. Looking to enhance our already-strong reach into the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, we’ve welcomed Phil Bruno to the company’s executive team and Jake Barbee as a Senior Associate.

Staffing Industry Veteran Phil Bruno

A veteran of nearly 20 years in the staffing industry, Bruno serves as Managing Director of our San Fernando Valley Office. Throughout his career, he has participated in all aspects of the business, from hands-on sales and recruiting to serving as Regional Vice President of one of the national leaders in employment and staffing services. He has also worked in various business lines of the industry as well, including management consulting, accounting and finance, legal, technology, and creative, which helped prepare him for the task of building and managing markets. Bruno took this expertise and expanded on it when he served as Market Manager for another leading staffing firm, turning a small operation into a multi-division team with internal growth potential.

“I help prepare people to run their own businesses,” Bruno shared. “That means developing managers, not managing people. I allow my team to develop and manage their own process by letting them be accountable to themselves. If I let them do their job, giving guidance as needed, they learn a lot by doing. And I, in turn, learn from them.”

“We were looking for someone with exactly Phil’s background and abilities to complement our continued growth in the region,” said CEO Ron Proul. “His philosophy and business acumen are a great fit with the executive team and the company as a whole.”

Nathalie Hollants, Director of Client Services, worked with Bruno in a prior role in the industry; she speaks highly of his management style and its effectiveness. “He has a way of working with people with varying personalities – he always makes it work,” she said. “He is an expert leader, able to build and maintain strong teams, and well-respected by clients and employees alike.”

Experienced Recruiter and Team-Builder Jake Barbee

Bruno isn’t the only new addition. We’ve also welcomed Jake Barbee as a Senior Associate on the San Fernando Valley team. He comes to Century Group after a seven-year break from the recruiting industry, where he served as President and Managing General Partner of Omega Energy/Omega Development Fund, an independent energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production in the Illinois Basin. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade as both an Account Manager and a Senior Executive Recruiter at two large, national staffing agencies’ offices in North Carolina and Burbank. In both roles, Barbee assisted in launching and expanding search divisions, recruiting and mentoring associates within various divisions, and serving as a top producer in placements for accounting and finance, as well as advertising, marketing and public relations. He earned his bachelor degrees in Philosophy and Media Communications from the University of Miami.

By enhancing the focus in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, we remain true to the vision of our founders – being the leader in the Southern California finance profession. As a testament to that, we will be the presenting sponsor at this year’s CFO of the Year Awards presented by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal this June.