Mr. Atkinson focuses on the recruitment of human resources generalists as well as functional experts in compensation and benefits, organizational development and talent management. Within the consumer sector, he has led a variety of assignments in sales, marketing and general management primarily in the hardware, housewares and building products sectors. He has worked with Fortune 500 corporations as well as early-stage high growth companies. He has extensive knowledge of the nuances of recruiting for privately-held and private equity-backed ventures.

Prior to joining Korn/Ferry in 1996, Mr. Atkinson served as a territory manager for Baxter Healthcare. He also worked in marketing for Wilson Sporting Goods as well as in strategic planning with Sears Roebuck & Company.

Mr. Atkinson holds a master of management degree from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University. He is also an active board member of the Springboard Foundation, which supports small, under funded and grass-roots after-school programs in Chicago's most impoverished neighborhoods.