Robert N. McDowell
Managing Partner
Robert McDowell joined CHM Partners International, LLC as a partner in 1996 and became managing partner January 1, 2000. Since joining the firm, he has completed searches for senior executives and board members in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare industry sectors, in manufacturing, professional and financial services, not-for-profit organizations and higher education. In addition to his executive search practice, Robert McDowell has been a consultant and leadership coach for over 30 years in a wide variety of roles and organizational settings. He has significant leadership and organizational development experience as a corporate executive, management consultant and entrepreneur. His extensive experience living and working abroad enables him to effectively work in diverse multicultural global organizations.
Mr. McDowell joined CHM after 22 years in human resource management with Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, an international professional services firm. As a senior partner in the firm, he was National Director of Human Resources, the U.S. member of the firm’s International Human Resources Committee and a former Chief of Staff to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
Mr. McDowell received his B.A. in History from Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA) and his M.A. in counseling psychology with honors, from the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his professional coaching training at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland – Center for Organization & Systems Development and is a member of the International Coach Federation. He is certified by The Hay Group in the use of the Emotional & Social Competence Inventory. He is immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors and a member of the Executive Committee of the Morris County (NJ) Chamber of Commerce, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Juniata College.
James J. Welch
Partner
Jim Welch is a partner with CHM Partners International. With a corporate background in the global pharmaceutical industry, Jim possesses a unique combination of executive leadership and commercial experience enabling him to intimately understand his clients’ needs and provide access to the proven talent critical to their success. Jim entered the search profession as founder of HR Sourcing LLC. His clients include a broad range of top tier domestic and global firms within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, device and diagnostic sectors. Jim has collaborated with clients in attracting executives in all senior management positions and for key leadership roles in R&D, business development, sales, and marketing as well as for most functional vice presidents. Prior to beginning his career in executive search, Jim was Corporate Executive Director of Human Resources, Novartis Pharmaceuticals (legacy CIBA). In that role, Jim oversaw many of the company’s global workforce initiatives spanning executive recruiting, compensation strategy, expatriate management and organization development. Jim began his corporate career as a research scientist and held executive positions in worldwide drug development and commercialization functions before assuming his leadership role in Human Resources.
Jim is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. He holds an MBA degree from Rutgers University and has completed graduate studies at Seton Hall University and The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In addition to his wide-ranging business interests, Jim has also been active in a variety of community and charitable organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Partners in Philanthropy (NJ).
Scott R. McDowell
Consultant
Scott McDowell joined CHM Partners in January of 2003 as Executive Search Associate in research and candidate development and in 2004 began assuming direct client relationship responsibility. Scott serves a variety of capacities at CHM including qualifying and interviewing candidates, development of search strategy, and managing the freelance research process. He has conducted or assisted Partner-led searches in several industries including manufacturing, non-profit, pharmaceutical, biotech, education and professional services.
Scott began his career at Sandbox Automatic, an Internet record retailer, and worked at MTV Networks as a producer of 120 Minutes and other programs for almost four years.
Scott graduated with a B.A. in English/Creative Writing with honors from Connecticut College. In addition to his work at CHM, Scott is an on-air DJ and volunteer at WFMU 91.1, East Orange, NJ, as well as a member of the board of Project Acorn, a non-profit group that funds pre-school education for children of families with need. He is a charter member of the Human Capital Institute, a member of the Executive Search Roundtable, and a graduate of the Leadership Morris Class of 2005.
