No man ever listened himself out of a job.

Calvin Coolidge

Frankfurt office consultants

Meet the team

Manfred Michalek

Managing Partner
m.michalek@stantonchase.com

Manfred has more than 30 years of professional experience in consumer goods and financial services. In his career, he has held leading managerial positions in companies like Agfa-Gevaert, General Foods/Kraft, PepsiCo, Citigroup, Airplus Company and MasterCard International. In his last position with MasterCard, Manfred was General Manager Central Europe, based in Frankfurt and responsible for some 35 staff. Under his leadership, MasterCard's business for debit- and credit products increased its market share to an impressive 91%.

His personal strengths are his analytical capabilities, the development of successful business strategies and their execution and his managerial capabilities.

Manfred is a graduate of Berlin university and speaks German and English. In his spare time he enjoys sports, photography, reading and a glass of good wine.

Industry Practice Expertise:

  • Consumer Products and Services
  • Financial Services

Johann. J. Barring

Partner
j.barring@stantonchase.com

In his professional career, Johann gained in-depth knowledge of the executive search profession and decided in 1997 to switch sides by adapting industry best practise methods and applying a very personal and service oriented approach in dealing with customers and candidates.

Johann studied Business Administration in Germany and started his career with Schmalbach-Lubeca (Continental Can Company, Stanford, USA). After moving to the United States, he attended the MBA Program at Clark University and worked for the market research company Frost & Sullivan, New York and Norton Company, Worcester, manufacturer of ceramics and abrasives. Back in Germany, he joined Tetra Pak and served there for nine years in various sales positions. Thereafter, he was Director Sales and Marketing at a German Crown Cork & Seal subsidiary.

He joined Stanton Chase International as partner early in 2002. His field of competence lies primarily in the areas of packaging and printing, machine building, IT and telecommunications.

Industry Practice Expertise:

  • Industrial
  • Technology

Rudolf Leiwesmeier

Partner
r.leiwesmeier@stantonchase.com

Rudi choose to work in the executive search business due to his experience at Booz Allen, where he learned to practice the philosophy "the right man at the right time for the right position." Rudi studied Engineering and Business Administration and started his professional career as an R&D Manager in the automotive industry. After serving as a Manager for a textile company, he became a founder of the Mülder/Amrop group and later joined MSL. Since 1994, he has been a Partner of Stanton Chase Frankfurt.

For more than 20 years, Rudi has been serving Consumer Products and Services, engineering and manufacturing clients as well as for those in the professional services. Backed by his comprehensive expertise, he is successfully involved in projects covering all management levels and functions in numerous industries in Germany and throughout Europe.

Industry Practice Expertise:

  • Industrial
  • Logistics and Transportation

Dr. Erik Meyer

Partner
e.meyer@stantonchase.com

Erik went into the executive search business to leverage his individual and educational assets in the people business. He has been involved in helping client organizations succeed for more than 20 years.

He has particular affinity and experience in the areas of Financial Services and Banking as well as Professional Services (including Consulting and the Legal Market). His main clients in these areas are MasterCard, ABN Amro, Union Asset Management Holding AG, Latham & Watkins and Hay Management Consultants.

Erik studied Business Administration, Management and Social Psychology, and began his professional career as a general consultant and management trainer. He moved on to management selection and executive search five years later and worked successfully as senior manager and managing director for PA Management Consultants and MSL. He joined Stanton Chase International in 1994 as partner and general manager.

Industry Practice Expertise

  • Financial Services
  • Professional Services

Gerhard R. Swierzy

Partner
g.swierzy@stantonchase.com

For the last 30 years, Gerhard has managed Executive Search assignments for a broad range of German and international clients ranging from family-owned companies to Fortune 500 companies. Industries served include Life Sciences, Automotive/Transportation, Industrial, Supply Chain and IT/Telco/Consulting. He has been founder and Managing Partner of CETRA -TRANSEARCH International in Germany (1987). Prior to that, he achieved extensive experience as a Consultant with SPENCER STUART and MÜLDER & PARTNER.

Gerhard’s career began with a metal manufacturing company with an emphasis on IT and HR-Management. He holds a degree in economics and politics from Konstanz University and is fluent in German, English and French.

Gerhard is married with Beatrix and they have three adult children. He is an enthusiastic golfer and mountain biker in his leisure time.

Industry Practice Expertise

  • Industrial
  • Life Sciences and Healthcare

Petra Gerstner-Berggren

Partner
p.gerstner-berggren@stantonchase.com

Petra entered executive search in 1992, starting as a researcher, subsequently as a consultant and later as partner. She spent many years with IIC Partners in Munich; thereafter she built and developed an executive search department for the Dutch company Brunel in Germany.

Petra joined Stanton Chase Frankfurt in September 2010. She has a very deep understanding and know-how about executive search projects; she is very service-oriented and eager to find the best result for each project.

She studied business administration in Germany and Sweden. Petra started her professional career as a strategic purchaser with a leading car parts supplier (today ZF Friedrichshafen).

Petra is married with two children. In her spare time she likes sports (running, golfing, skiing), politics and travelling.

Industry Practice Expertise

  • Consumer Products and Services
  • Industrial

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Frankfurt Office
Stanton Chase Frankfurt
Kaiser-Friedrich-Promenade 27/29
D-61348 Bad Homburg v.d.H,
Germany

Tel: +49 61 726 0030
Fax: +49 6172 600310
E-mail: frankfurt@stantonchase.com