Managing Director
Jane S. Howze, J.D.
Jane Howze, a founder and one of the principals of The Alexander Group, has more than 30 years of experience in executive search. She has successfully recruited executives worldwide in every industry and for every leadership position. Ms. Howze leads The Alexander Group’s board searches and diversity practice, and our clients look to her as a valued, pragmatic business advisor. She is a certified Personalysis trainer, sharing her expertise in this innovative assessment tool to help clients build stronger teams. Ms. Howze is also a regular columnist for Paper City and the author of “Best Practices for Executive Search Firms” for the “Inside the Minds” book series, and she is frequently quoted in major national publications.
Prior to founding The Alexander Group, Ms. Howze recruited for Korn Ferry. She began her career as a commercial loan officer for a leading Texas bank, practiced business law with a Houston law firm, and served as Associate General Counsel for a California-based, multi-national financial institution. She is a member of the State Bars of California and Texas.
“We never quit. If a search can be done, we can do it. Even if a search can’t be done, we will figure out a way to do it.”
Education
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University of Houston
Juris Doctor
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Rhodes College
Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Industry Experience
Not-for-profit
Energy
Manufacturing
Legal and Professional Services
Life Sciences and Healthcare
Professional Services
What do you think differentiates The Alexander Group from other executive search firms?
We are client-focused more than we are bottom-line focused. We want to build long-term relationships with our clients, and our 35 years in business reflect that we are meeting that goal.
What’s the highest compliment a client can give you?
“You have saved our organization.” “How do we decide between two outstanding candidates?” “You are more than a recruiter—you are an important part of our team.”
What do you think is the most difficult part of executive search, and how do you respond to it?
In starting a search, you don’t know if you will have to make 30 calls or 300 calls to identify the perfect candidate. By the time companies call us, they are in a hurry. We must be strategic and innovative while being nimble and moving with alacrity.
What do you love about your work?
I love the variety of my practice, including learning about new industries, new clients and the management teams that make our clients special. I also like the travel, which is good because I flew 225,000 miles last year.
Recent Articles
Successfully Integrating Business Services When Law Firms Merge
Throughout 2024, we witnessed a record number of law firm mergers. Conventional wisdom dictates law firms combine because “scale is important,” and a merger is one way to leverage practices, expand geographies, and supplement areas of expertise. We hear from law firm leaders, “This merger will provide us greater geographical reach and expanded practices, “Our
The Emerging Power of the CIO Role in Law Firms: Shaping The Legal Future
We discuss the evolving role of CIOs in law firms, highlighting their shift from technical experts to strategic leaders.
Board Member Resignation: How to Navigate Corporate Governance Crisis
The Alexander Group advises on responding to a full board resignation, emphasizing urgency, communication, and understanding voting structures.
The Business Traveler’s Guide to Overcoming Out-of-town Illness
Anyone who travels for business has had the misfortune of getting sick on the road. It can be more problematic for those in sales or professional services because you usually go from city to city, hotel to hotel, and client to client. You don’t have an anchor or support system as you might if you
How to Interview for a Board of Directors Position—The Company Interview
Pursuing a board position? We’ve written about interviewing with the search firm engaged to fill the open board seat, emphasizing that it’s essential to demonstrate that you “get” the board’s role and how it functions. The next stage of the process is meeting with the company. Here’s what you need to know. 1. It may