Bernard Layton
Managing Director
b.layton@stantonchase.com

Bernard Layton has 22 years of experience in the executive search business. He began his career at a national firm and, as Partner and Division President, started the Chicago operation for the organization. In 1992, Bernard founded Morgan International, Inc. and subsequently Nicholas Partners, which rebranded as Peoplenext in October 2004. As of July 2008, Peoplenext became Stanton Chase Chicago.

Bernard has successfully performed over 2200 searches spanning a wide range of senior and mid-management positions such as Presidents, Chief Executive Officers, Partner and Senior Vice Presidents across a number of industries, with particular expertise in Engineering, Construction, Management Consulting, Consumer Products, Industrial and Financial Services.

Bernard earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Industry Practice Expertise

• Construction and Engineering
• Consumer Products and Services
• Financial Services
• Industrial
• Natural Resources and Energy
• Professional Services

John McNicholas
Managing Director
j.mcnicholas@stantonchase.com

John has more than 12 years of search experience, and 18 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Stanton Chase Chicago, John was a Partner at James Drury Partners in Chicago, where he led searches in consumer products, financial services, logistics and distribution, industrial manufacturing, transportation, and real estate. Previously, he established his own retained executive search firm in the Chicago area, and earlier began his career in search with a leading international firm. John’s experience also includes the following sectors: professional services, technology, publishing and printing, and telecommunications.

His background includes thirteen years in commercial banking, with much of that time spent in human resources management at Northern Trust Company, and later as Vice President at Central Bank of the South (AL), now operating as Compass Bancshares. He later joined Touche Ross, becoming the consulting organizations’ first-ever National Director of Recruiting. He spent eight years in this role, with later responsibility for driving talent acquisition in the merged firm of Deloitte Touche.

A native of Chicago, John graduated from DePaul University with an undergraduate degree in psychology, and he has also has completed coursework at the Kellogg School of Management - Northwestern University.

Industry Practice Expertise

• Consumer Products
• Logistics/Distribution/Supply Chain
• Financial Services
• Industrial
• Professional Services