Owner Woody Johnson announced Monday that Jed Hughes, vice chairman of Korn/Ferry International, will lead the Jets' search for a new GM. Basically, Hughes is a head hunter. Here's his bio from his company web site:
Mr. Hughes has distinguished himself as an expert in identifying, assessing, and developing leaders. His relationships within sports and intercollegiate athletics are extensive, having spent twenty years coaching in professional and intercollegiate football and working for five Hall of Fame coaches.
As the leader of Walter V. Clark, a behavioral assessment company, Mr. Hughes re-energized the company with new products, research and software. He led the development of psychological testing, competency development and structural behavioral interviewing for the Super Bowl San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. While at Walter V. Clark, Mr. Hughes coached some of the top business executives at GE, R.R. Donnelly, H.J. Heinz, and PNC Bank in leadership.
Prior to his current position, he led the sports practice at another leading international executive search firm for over twelve years and served as a core member of the board and CEO practice.
Apart from the sports world, Mr. Hughes has had much success in recruiting board directors and CEOs within private equity, consumer, and industrial organizations.
He is the author of Succession Planning – The Retail Black Hole, An Old Game with New Challenges - Leadership at a Crossroads in Intercollegiate Sports, and Survival in the Sports Entertainment Business: The New Darwinism?
Mr. Hughes earned a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Michigan, as well as a master of arts degree from Stanford University.
Excerpt from press release, Jan. 11, 2012, announcing Hughes' hiring: "Mr. Hughes joins Korn/Ferry from Spencer Stuart, where he led the Sports Practice for over 12 years and served as a core member of the Board and CEO Practice. Among his high profile placements are Mark Murphy, CEO of the Green Bay Packers; Larry Scott, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference; and Brady Hoke, who last week restored football glory to the University of Michigan by guiding the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl victory. Other premier sports organizations that Jed has conducted searches for include the United States Olympic Committee, Ladies Professional Golf Association, PGA of America, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Arsenal Football Club, Liverpool Football Club, Ohio State University, ATP Tour, and Women’s Tennis Association.
"Earlier in his career Mr. Hughes coached for two decades in professional and intercollegiate football where he served under five Hall of Fame coaches - Bo Schembechler (University of Michigan), Chuck Noll (Pittsburgh Steelers), Bud Grant (Minnesota Vikings), John Ralston (Stanford University) and Terry Donahue (UCLA)."