Gilman Partners is proud to announce its official expansion into the Louisville market. With an increasing demand for its services in the region, the firm has hired its first Louisville-based team member, marking a significant step in its commitment to serving the area.
Gilman Partners has seen rapid growth in Louisville over the past two years, completing a growing number of searches for leadership roles in privately held, family-owned, and nonprofit organizations. Recent placements include:
- Koetter Construction – President
- Arrow Electric – President; Director of Operations
- Arrow Electric/Accuserve – Chief Financial Officer
- Zoeller Company – Chief Financial Officer
- James Graham Brown Foundation – VP of Finance
- Family-owned manufacturer – Director of Manufacturing; Operations Manager
To demonstrate its commitment to the Greater Louisville region, Gilman Partners has hired Ben Smock, Search Consultant, as its first employee to be based in the market. Smock is a 2023 Louisville Business First “40 Under 40” honoree with deep connections in the region. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Louisville. Smock’s professional experience includes leadership roles at Metro United Way and, most recently, as director of development at Canopy, a nonprofit focused on certifying socially and environmentally responsible businesses.
In his new role, Smock will collaborate with Gilman Partners’ team of search consultants and researchers to strengthen relationships and help Louisville-area clients identify, attract, and hire senior leaders.
“We’ve had our eyes on the Louisville region for a while, and over the past 18 months, our opportunities there have grown significantly – driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth referrals,” said Gilman Partners’ CEO, Angel Beets. “Now is the perfect time to establish a more intentional presence in the Louisville area, and it didn’t take our team long to recognize Ben as the person to help us do just that. He approaches relationships and clients the way we do, as trusted partners who focus on the long game and on doing what’s right and not just what’s easy.”
With this expansion, Gilman Partners builds on more than four decades of experience as a retained executive search partner, specializing in filling leadership roles for privately held and family-owned businesses as well as nonprofit organizations. More than 75 percent of its searches come from repeat clients, a testament to the firm’s commitment to long-term partnerships.
“Cincinnati and Louisville share thriving business ecosystems and a strong sense of community, making this expansion a natural fit,” Beets said. “As demand in Louisville grows, we’re excited to bring our relationship-focused approach to help organizations find the senior leaders they need to succeed.”
