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Executive Profile: Sue Major

Sue Major is obviously not afraid of big projects.

With partner Stacey Davenport, Major is in the middle of establishing her own business, DavenportMajor Executive Search. The firm caters to high-technology and life sciences companies, and is an outgrowth of the pair’s work at Slayton International and A.T. Kearney.

Major and her husband, local technology executive John Major, are also completing an unusual personal project. The couple has been restoring a Wisconsin house and three auxiliary buildings designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. At one point the Walworth County government wasn’t too keen on one aspect of the plan , rebuilding a boathouse that had been destroyed by fire in the 1970s , but it reversed its decision. Now the project is getting applause from historic preservationists.

Major took a break from organizing her business to answer the Business Journal’s questions , though she said she prefers to emphasize the collaborative nature of her work.

“I’m a we person, not an I person,” Major said.


RESUM & #201;

Name: Sue Major.

Title: Managing director.

Company: DavenportMajor Executive Search.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Masters of Business Management, both from Northeastern University, Boston.

Age: 53.

Residence: Rancho Santa Fe.

Birthplace: New Britain, Conn.

Family: Husband John; son John, 17; daughter Barbie, 14.


BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophy: I tell the client, “Get the person you need , not the person you can get.” By that I mean sometimes when recruiting, people settle for who is available and not who will do the best job , a great job. People hire us to recruit world-class talent who will make a difference. I attract and sell the best candidates. These are people who aren’t looking for new jobs. They won’t circulate resumes. Working with my team, we find them and convince them to join our client.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Delight and amaze your clients by quickly and efficiently hiring the most qualified candidate. Someone who will positively impact their business and make a difference in their organization.

Guiding principles: Great people deliver great results. Great people make great teams. Great people make the difference.

Yardstick of success: Repeat clients.

Goal yet to be achieved: Establish DavenportMajor as a recognized leader in executive search.


JUDGMENT CALLS

Best business decision: Developing and adopting the philosophy that a client should get the person it needs and not simply a person it can get.

Worst business decision: Accepting partners at prior firms who weren’t top performers.

Toughest business decision: Finding the right people for our team.

Biggest missed opportunity: Not forming DavenportMajor sooner.

Mentor: My dad.

Word that describes you: Networked. My 25-plus years working in high-tech has provided me with a rich and extensive Rolodex.


TRUE CONFESSIONS

Reason for getting into the high-tech business: I love technology and how it can help people.

What you like best about the high-tech business: The solutions. I was awarded two patents at Motorola that solved customer problems in the wireless space.

What you like least about the high-tech business: When the focus shifts from hiring the best people to just filling an opening.

How the high-tech business has changed: The industry is doing a better job responding to customer needs. The industry has evolved from “look what I can do” to “look what you can do.”

Pet peeve: People who see the glass as half empty.

Person most interested in meeting, living or dead: Frank Lloyd Wright.

Most-respected competitor: Spencer Stuart.

Three greatest passions: Family, my work and my charities. Also my Frank Lloyd Wright estate renovation project.

First choice for a new career: Chief marketing officer at a top technology company.


PREDILECTIONS

I’m currently reading: “The Second Summer of the Sisterhood” by Ann Brashares.

Favorite saying: “Knowledge is power but attitude is everything.”

Favorite cause: Girl Scouts and the Old Globe Theatres.

Most influential book: Girl Scout handbook.

Favorite status symbol: Perennial gardens. My goal is to have fresh flowers in the house every week of the year.

Favorite movie: “The Wizard of Oz.”

Favorite restaurant: Delicias and Milles Fleurs.

Favorite place for business meetings: Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Favorite vacation spot: Lake Delavan, Wis.

Favorite way to spend time: Traveling with my family.

Favorite automobile: One that is reliable.

Favorite place to go in San Diego: Del Mar beach at sunset.

If you had to leave San Diego, where would you move: Chicago.

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