Since founding TillmanCarlson in 2002, Rob has served as President and CEO while delivering relationship focused executive search and advice.
Rob and his partner, Kelly Carlson work together on every assignment, and over the last eight years they have conducted over 200 executive search assignments while serving well over 1,000 clients and candidates.
While Rob and Kelly have been successful in building a team and a firm, they recognize their best days are ahead as they strive to become the best team in executive search. Clearly, this is a lofty goal, but few recruiters have their unique blend of styles and experience combined with a strong belief in the power of a team. This spirit and chemistry transcends everything they do, and today's leaders recognize the difference.
In terms of earlier background, Rob was intimately involved in building and leading another successful boutique as the Managing Partner of Crist Partners. Rob and his partners built one of the country's leading CFO boutiques which in late 1999 they sold to Korn/Ferry International. While this early success was interrupted by the sale, the dream of building an outstanding search firm lives on in TillmanCarlson.
Prior to the first boutique experience, Rob spent several years in Chicago with Russell Reynolds Associates where he worked with Kelly Carlson and his former partners at Crist. While serving a broad range of clients and gaining a solid foundation of experience, he also focused on the recruitment of financial officers and leaders in financial services.
In addition to over twenty years in search, Rob began his career in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche. His educational background includes a bachelors degree in accounting completed at The University of Illinois, and he currently resides in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife and three daughters.
