NEWS & NOTABLES
CHICAGO—Donna Gaines, founder of Chicago-based Gaines International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allen Austin, has returned as managing partner to lead the top 40 global management consulting firm. The executive search and recruiting firm serves the architecture, interior design, engineering, construction and real estate development industries. It was acquired by Houston-based Allen Austin in 2014, which maintains regional offices across the country. “Donna is affectionately known as 'the godmother' in the AEC industry for her ability to acquire the highest-caliber talent, as well as strategically place individuals in positions best suiting their goals and expertise,” says Rob Andrews, chairman and chief executive officer of Allen Austin. Gaines founded her namesake firm in Atlanta in 1981 and subsequently relocated the firm to Chicago. It successfully executed more than 3,000 search engagements from project managers to C-suite executives. After negotiating the sale, she assisted design firms in setting up ESOP's, advisory boards, value acceleration programs, valuations and more.
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
