Gordon McAleer spent three decades working at the top of his professional field: health care. Now, rather than spending time on the links, he”™s taking those 30 years of managerial expertise into a new industry: executive recruiting.
McAleer, the founding CEO of Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association and former CEO of Arden Hill Hospital in Goshen, lived in the Hudson Valley with wife Donna McAleer, CEO of Elant, the region”™s largest eldercare provider. When the opportunity to become CEO of Lewistown Hospital in Pennsylvania was offered to him in 1998, the couple opted for a commuter marriage.
Calendared into their hectic business schedules were private travel plans, so the couple could be a couple, even if only for a few days each week. “It was a juggling act, to say the least,” said McAleer. “Donna was always on the go in her position as a CEO, and I was CEO of Lewistown; we both had many responsibilities that kept us busy evenings and weekends.”
That scenario went on for nearly a decade. Then, Donna McAleer was diagnosed with cancer. It was decision time for the couple, and “commuter marriage” was no longer a viable option. McAleer tendered his resignation to Lewistown and came home to be by Donna”™s side. And while Gordon McAleer was delighted to be reunited as a family, he was nowhere near ready to retire. He started looking at various business opportunities. Cornell Associates, with a databank of 45,000 qualified candidates and a good track record in recruitment, was up for sale. McAleer felt it was a good fit for him and he bought the company in 2007, changing its name to McAleer Associates last month.
“After 30 years in health care, I realized how much time I had spent recruiting doctors, high-level administrators and striving to make the best possible staffing decisions,” said McAleer. Since he had done a fair share of recruiting in his own industry, McAleer said the opportunity to work with people in an even greater capacity, and in a wider range of businesses, felt like the perfect fit.
“There”™s nothing more satisfying than linking the right person to the right position,” said McAleer. “One example: I was searching for a pharmacist for a pharmaceutical company, and I located a candidate just on the verge of completing her MBA. She was traveling two hours every day each way to get to her job. Her husband became ill and was no longer able to work. On top of the commute, she had to worry about her ailing spouse. The position that opened up was only 10 minutes from her home ”“ as it turned out, the company was thrilled with her, and she with them. That”™s the kind of success story you feel good about and makes this work rewarding. You know you are making a real contribution, not just to the client but to the employee. In turn, that reaches out to the community.”
Typically, said McAleer, he spends time visiting the client”™s company for several days, getting a feel for the atmosphere and what kind of person would fit in best with the organization. “Each company is different and has its own expectations…walking around, talking to other administrators and employees, is a great way to get a sense of the company”™s personality. Each has a unique corporate culture.” McAleer sits in on candidate screenings to watch the interaction. “It”™s key to make sure they are right for each other,” said the former hospital CEO. “You want the fit to be a long-lasting and positive one for both.”
Despite the thousands of jobs being lost around the country because of the economic downturn, “top talent will continue to be hard to find, because the top 25 percent of that talent may not be looking for a job,” said McAleer. “If there is a reason or opportunity for someone to consider a change, it has to be for the right reason and for the right organization. That”™s where our expertise comes in: matching the company with a top-notch professional.”
Treating both company and candidate with respect at all times is a must, said McAleer. “Our candidates are the key to our success, and our clients are our source of income. We want both to be happy and to let others know we are there to serve their needs and do it successfully. Word of mouth is the best advertising, something money can”™t buy.”
McAleer, a Viet Nam vet who served in a MASH unit, says after going through a war, “there are very few things you don”™t learn to handle. You are always prepared for the unexpected. This was a great switch for me. I”™ve spent 30 years helping put the right people together in a health care setting. Now I can use the skills I”™ve gained in many industries; and of course, it is a great benefit to have an in-depth knowledge of the health care field.”
McAleer says his recruitment team is “dedicated to getting it right and delightful to work with.” An extra bonus: his son Brant has come on board to be part of the recruiting team. “McAleer Associates is moving full-steam ahead but I”™m staying put now,” said the corporate recruiter. “We may do job searches and placements all over the country, but the Hudson Valley will always be home for my family. There”™s no better place to work or live for me.”
