Gaines International

Gaines International is an executive search firm with customized solutions in architecture, engineering, interior design, real estate, and construction.

About Gaines International

Gaines International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allen Austin, is a globally positioned executive search and recruiting firm serving the architecture, interior design, engineering, construction and real estate development industries. With almost four decades of experience in specialized professional executive search and recruiting, we serve as both a partner and trusted advisor to our North American and international clientele. The mission of our team of consultants and researchers is to connect your company with individuals who possess the leadership qualities, expertise and talent to enhance your organization and bottom line.

What We Offer

Customized Solutions

Every search that Gaines International performs is unique.

Learn More

For Hiring Managers

We follow a proven recruitment process that is tailored to suit our client’s unique needs and requirements.

Learn More

For Potential Candidates

We take great pride in connecting elite candidates with our distinguished clients.

Learn More

Our Clients

What Our Clients Say

Gaines’ recruiters have identified many exceptional employment candidates and have pre- selected those candidates for our consideration who have always been aligned with our vision and values.

Cannon Design, CEO

Cooper Carry has enjoyed great results from the recruiting services of Gaines International for 30 years. That we have used their services for three decades attests to our satisfaction with the quality of the process, interactions, and results.

Cooper Carry, President and CEO

Our expectations are high in the relationships we forge… Gaines not only delivered on our expectations but exceeded them.

David Evans and Associates, Director of Recruiting

I found Gaines to be responsive to our needs and ultimately delivered what was committed.

DFS Galleria, President Store Operations

I have and will continue to recommend Gaines to other organizations seeking to fill top level positions.

Fuss & O’Neill, President and CEO

Consultant Spotlight

Rob Andrews

Chairman & CEO

Based in Houston, Rob Andrews is Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of Gaines International│Allen Austin. Rob leads Allen Austin’s global CEO, Consumer Packaged Goods & Durables Practice, and is also a member of the firm’s Leadership Advisory, Private Equity, Industrial and Marketing Officer practices. Building on his earlier career experience as an operating president with major convenience store and supermarket chains, Rob conducts searches for…

Ari Cretu

President

As President of Gaines International│Allen Austin, Ari’s responsibilities include corporate development, forging external partnerships, championing DE&I causes and embedding them within the firm’s growth strategy, client origination, revenue production, and ensuring world-class quality execution across all engagements and service offerings. As a key member of Gaines International│Allen Austin’s leadership team, Ari assists in the strategic direction and tactical plans of the firm. Also remaining under…

Liz Townsend

Partner

Based in Houston, Texas, Liz Townsend is part of the quickly growing Leadership Advisory segment of Gaines International│Allen Austin. Liz specializes in Consumer Goods and Services with emphasis on Health, Fitness and Restaurant brands. Prior to joining Gaines International│Allen Austin, Liz spent thirteen years as a P&L operator with 24 Hour Fitness during their exponential growth and acquisition phase, helped accelerate fast growing start-up, My…

Edie Bartlett

Partner

Based in Houston, Edie Bartlett is a Partner, and a member of the firm’s Consumer & Retail, Marketing Officer, Business Development, and Industrial practices. She has over 20 years’ experience in executive leadership roles with prestigious consumer packaged goods companies Including Warner Brothers, MGM Studio and Starz. Edie’s expertise encompasses all areas of CPG distribution including, sales, marketing, and product distribution across all classes of…

Stephen Buchanan

Partner

He began his search career in 1996, in research and research management. He managed research teams at two London-based executive search firms in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Over the last ten years, Stephen has delivered searches across multiple sectors, functions, and geographies. He has executed searches on behalf of some of the world’s biggest companies, including Disney, Sony, Microsoft, IBM, and PWC. He…

Allen Suvorov

Principal

Allen Suvorov has over 12 years of executive search experience. Since joining the firm in 2016, he has been instrumental in sourcing candidates for the urgent and highly demanding search assignments in the AEC space and several other sectors. Among most recent engagements were: – Technical Architectural Director with a Top-10 global luxury hospitality design firm; – Regional Practice Leader for an international construction forensics…

Rob Walker

Principal

Based in Houston, Rob brings fifteen years of senior level executive search experience to Gaines International. Rob’s specialties include architecture, design, engineering and construction, energy, industrial and healthcare. and is well known for identifying key, high-caliber performers across a myriad of functions specializing in Senior Staff level to the C-suite. Rob began his career in outside sales/business development before his introduction to search. It is…

New Engagement – CEO – American Society of Interior Designers

Gaines International|Allen Austin has been selected by the American Society of Interior Designers to conduct a retained search for a CEO to be based in Washington, DC. The American Society of Interior Designers is the world’s largest design association encompassing over 20,000 interior design professionals, students, and industry partners. This search will be led by Jackie Gorman, Senior Partner

New Engagement – Sr. Project Manager/Associate – DCI Engineers

Gaines International has been selected by DCI to conduct a retained search for a Sr. Project Manager/Associate to be based in Los Angeles. DCI Engineers has designed many notable projects throughout Los Angeles, including The Grand LA, W Hotel Hollywood and Vine, Highland Apartments, Courtyard Marriott LA LIVE, and The Emerson. DCI recruits and retains some of the best people in the business, with over…”

Open Engagement – Government Market Sector Leader – Atlanta, GA

Our client is seeking to attract an energetic and entrepreneurial architect to lead the Government Studio which covers federal, state, and local government projects. The position will be based in Atlanta, GA. Our ideal candidate will have a track record in identifying, developing, and maintaining relationships with government clients. They will also act as the senior technical leader for the Government studio while actively engaging…”

Open Engagement – Senior Project Architect – Madison, WI

Our client is looking to hire a passionate, humble Senior Project Architect based in Madison, WI. Our ideal candidate works to lead a professional team to deliver the design, modeling, project management and construction administration for our client’s projects. They will be responsible for leading the coordination of all architectural and engineering resources for assigned projects. Our client’s focus is to grow the whole person:…”

Open Engagement – Design Principal – Houston, TX

Our client is looking for a Design Principal based in Houston, Texas to inspire their design team and to explore design concepts. The candidate will be responsible for the overall quality of design and process for the projects they lead and for being an advocate of our client’s design philosophy and brand promise. Our client is an architecture and engineering firm developing new ideas and…”

Open Engagement – Commercial Market Sector Principal, Toronto

In order to strengthen its Commercial practice and gain market share, our client is looking to hire a talented, experienced Commercial Market Sector Principal in Toronto. Our ideal candidate is an enterprising business development leader who brings extensive experience of commercial architecture projects reflecting high design sensibility. They come to the position with a robust Toronto network, ready to lead the charge on business development…”

Allen Austin | Gaines International Launches Executive Mentorship

(Houston, TX) – Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – Allen Austin, a leading executive search and leadership advisory firm based in Houston, and parent company to Gaines International, is announcing a new service offering: Executive Mentorship. This service connects talented new executives with qualified external mentors, providing a confidential space for learning and development. “Our reputation as one of the world’s most effective retained search firms…”

Coffee with a Consultant: Succession Planning, Are You Prepared?

Engaging an Advisory Board

It’s lonely at the top and one of the smartest moves any business owner, principal or entrepreneur can make is to engage a Business Advisory Board (“BAB”). The success or accountability of your firm rests on the shoulders of the owner(s). Structuring your BAB, which is less formal than a Board of Directors, with the right mix of members can be paramount to a strong…”

Where’s Our Humanity?

There is no denying that technology has had a tremendous impact on our everyday lives. Overall, it has made us more efficient and productive – adding measurable and tangible value to our personal and work environments. However, there is also a downside. Technology can be impersonal, especially in regard to the nature and depth of human interaction in the workplace: the allure of technology has…”

Phone Number: (713) 355-1900

Home