R.I.C - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner
• Member of the Leadership Team
• Managing Partner of R.I.C. Executive Search

Jason T. Welch is the Managing Partner of R.I.C. Executive Search. A South Florida native, Jason is primarily responsible for the management of client relationships (recruiting and retaining top executives) as well as design and implementation of new organizational development initiatives for clients focused on leadership, career success and peak performance in the workplace. Prior to joining R.I.C. in 2001, Jason co-founded an eCommerce company where he was Vice President of Business Development. Jason also spent a number of years with AutoNation, Inc., the FORTUNE 100, automotive giant. In his years at AutoNation he influenced many as a Training Specialist who traveled the country sharing the company vision. His leadership, enthusiasm and sincerity helped him become a premier training professional, known to many across the country. After his years in training, Jason became a Purchasing Manager at AutoNation where he was responsible for managing more than $25 million in commodities and reducing millions of dollars in expenses on an annual basis. Giving back to the community is a priority for Jason. He serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of South Florida, where he is the Chairman of the Board. In addition, he is an active member of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit and coaches Little League Baseball teams. Over the years, Jason has volunteered his time with numerous projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Broward, and teaching Junior Achievement elementary school curriculum. Jason was honored in both 2002 and 2003 as a Finalist for the South Florida Business Journal, Up & Comer's Award. In 2003 and 2004, Jason was a proud nominee of the Sun-Sentinel Publisher's Community Service Award. Jason attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Minor in Leadership Development. He is married and resides with his family in South Florida.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Vice President, Administration

Job Titles:

• Director of Research
• Member of the Leadership Team
• Director of Research for R.I.C. Executive Search

Laura Ray is the Director of Research for R.I.C. Executive Search. She is responsible for developing the search strategy to identify and attract the top industry talent for each of our clients. Laura and her team lead their efforts from R.I.C.'s Chicago office. Prior to joining R.I.C. Executive Search in 2000, Laura spent seven years as the Principal of Ray Research Associates, where she lead research and candidate development services for a variety of retained search firms and FORTUNE 500 companies. Her expertise in attracting executive talent led her to candidate development assignments ranging from the Director level to the C-Suite. Laura spent five years working in retained search with two boutique firms in Chicago as a Consultant and later Director of Research before opening her own research firm. She began her career in the management training program for Allstate Insurance's Property and Casualty Division in Chicago. Laura has a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois, Champaign. She and her husband reside in suburban Chicago.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the Leadership Team
• President
• Leadership Expert and Executive Coach

Tom Welch is a renowned leadership expert and executive coach. He founded R.I.C. Executive Search in 1975 after contributing his expertise in Marketing and Human Resources at Motorola, Inc. Over the years, he and his team have helped attract and retain executives extraordinaire for a wide range of clients from start-ups to industry leaders. Through his coaching, he has guided his clients in transforming their leadership into exceptional business results. Tom has been featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Financial Times of London, Business Week and Kiplinger's. He has been heard on the Wall Street Journal Radio Network and Business Talk Radio. He is the author of Work Happy Live Healthy, The Career Cure and The Breakthrough Job Search Cure. Active in the community, Tom serves on the Board of Governors at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. Tom and his team support Junior Achievement of South Florida, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, the Salvation Army and other philanthropic endeavors. Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. John's University and his MBA from Loyola University. Tom and his wife currently reside in South Florida.