Patrick Ference

Managing Partner

M: 704.604.1090
O: 704.412.3367

Nancy O’Malley

Senior Associate

M: 267.664.0545
O: 610.825.3229

Allison Keller

Administration Director

M: 704.770.8697
O: 704.209.4104

M: 704.604.1090
O: 704.412.3367

Patrick Ference

Managing Partner

Patrick has over 30 years of experience in corporate leadership and senior executive search with deep expertise in guiding companies through an inflection point of change (growth/expansion, turnaround, strategic shift, etc.).  Focusing on assignments largely in the industrial sector including manufactured industrial products, industrial technology, electrical & electronic equipment, metals & mining, and consumer durables, he recruits senior executives within all of the major functions including CEO/President, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Human Resources.

Patrick applies a rare combination of direct corporate experience in metals, mining, automotive, electrical products, and industrial equipment with extensive executive search experience to serve clients and partners around the globe. With broad global experience, Patrick is also a sought-after advisor to senior executives, providing executive recruitment and organizational consulting services to small/mid-cap industrial clients, ranging from publicly traded to private equity and family owned.

Formerly Patrick was a Chief HR Officer for two multi-billion dollar NYSE listed companies and chief talent office for another publicly-traded company. His deep understanding of stakeholder needs in executive recruitment comes from a unique perspective gained in key roles spearheading operating company turnarounds and company-wide initiatives such as corporate strategy, goal/policy deployment, reconfiguring go-to-market models, international growth/expansion, acquisitions, and executive development and succession.

Patrick was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also completed a Corporate Executive Program at the Graduate School of Management at Rice University.

M: 267.664.0545
O: 610.825.3229

Nancy O’Malley

Senior Associate

Nancy O’Malley brings more than 20 years of recruiting experience to Adaptive Search Partners, specializing in manufacturing, industrial, supply chain, sales & marketing, and technology.  She has firsthand knowledge of executive search from both the corporate side of the businesses she has been a part of, as well as the consulting side.  Nancy’s focus has been across a wide range of executive disciplines to include HR, finance, marketing and operations.  Nancy takes time with clients to develop a deep understanding of cultural and management fit, as well as the technical skills and disciplines required for each unique assignment. Nancy is a tenacious and genuine “hunter,” knowing where to find talent and how to build dynamic and productive relationships with her candidates and her clients. Nancy works as an extension of the clients she is engaged with, acting as a true partner — versatile, personable, and always driving for results.

Prior to Adaptive Search Partners, Nancy ran her own recruiting company, delivering the best possible outcomes to clients who appreciated her clear communication skills, sourcing skills, and negotiating abilities.  A graduate of Philadelphia University, Nancy has held recruiting positions at ESM Digital, imc2, Teva, and Gateway Search Associates.

Nancy is based in Philadelphia

M: 704.770.8697
O: 704.209.4104

Allison Keller

Administrative Director

Allison H. Keller serves as Business Manager of Adaptive Search Partners responsible for the day-to-day operations and accounting.  Ms. Keller is a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience in business management, financial management and human resources.

Prior to Industrial Search Partners, Ms. Keller served as Firm Administrator, General Manager and Director of Human Resources for prominent law firms specializing in Employment-Based Immigration Law.  Represented clients included Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 companies in a diverse array of industries, including, but not limited to, health care, finance, manufacturing, technology and education.

Ms. Keller is Certified in Office Management, member of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) and member of the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM).