Executive Search Consultant

Gwendolyn E. Boyd joined AGB Search in 2017 as an executive search consultant. Dr. Boyd is an engineer and a prominent advocate of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.  She is described as a dynamic and relevant leader, a prolific motivational speaker, and a powerful preacher.

Representative Executive Searches 

• Edward Waters University (FL) - President
• Chicago State University - President
• Tougaloo College (MS) - President

Experience and Honors

Dr. Boyd's professional career of more than three decades at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics laboratory was highlighted by exemplary leadership and dedicated services as part of engineering teams. Boyd was a direct report to the President of Johns Hopkins University serving as chair of the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council from 2001-2014.

Dr. Boyd returned to her alma mater, Alabama State University, in 2014 to serve for three years as the 14th and first female president of ASU. Highlights of her presidency included establishing the university's first engineering degree program with approval for a BS in biomedical engineering. She and her team had the university removed from SACSCOC warning status from previous financial instability. The largest freshman class was documented during her tenure.

Dr. Boyd is a nationally recognized champion of education, especially in the STEM disciplines.  She was nominated by President Barack Obama and was confirmed by the Senate to serve as a trustee to the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation in 2009. She later served on the President's Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans in 2014.

Rev. Dr. Boyd is an ordained itinerant elder in the African American Methodist Episcopal Church. She serves on the ministerial staff of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD.

Dr. Boyd was elected to serve from 2000-2004 as the 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Known as the "Technology President", Boyd helped to establish technology in all facets of the sorority's activities and administration. Her four-year tenure included transformative accomplishments, such as the launching of Project SEE (Science in Every Experience), an initiative funded by a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant with a goal of promoting math and science for middle school African-American girls. She led the sorority's humanitarian and education advocacy efforts in various African nations. In 2013, Boyd served as chair of the sorority's Centennial Celebration, culminating in its Washington, DC-based convention that drew more than 40,000 participants from around the world.

Dr. Boyd has been awarded four honorary doctorates; Congressional recognitions; 32 "Keys to the City"; a Key to the "State of Florida"; declaration of Gwendolyn E. Boyd Day in eight cities; leadership awards, and professional awards, and professional awards for her achievements in the fields of engineering and higher education. She is a member of the Capital City Chapter of the Links, Inc., the Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Leadership Greater Washington.

Education

• B.S. from Alabama State University with a major in mathematics and a double minor in physics and music
• M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University
• M. Div. and D. Min. Degrees from Howard University

Carlos Hernández joined AGB Search in 2013.  He has conducted many successful searches for senior leadership positions at private and state universities, and community colleges.

Representative Executive Searches

• New York University - Director, Athletics Intramurals and Recreation
• Marshall University - Dean College of Arts & Media; Director School of Journalism & Mass Communications
• Maricopa County Community College District - General Counsel
• Miami Dade College - President
• Minnesota State Colleges and University - Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion
• Nevada State University - President
• Ramapo College of New Jersey  - President
• Prince George's Community College  - President
• Albizu University (PR/FL) - President; Chancellor/Provost
• Northwestern University (IL) -  Associate Vice President Title IX and Equity

Experience and Honors

Dr. Hernández previously served as President of New Jersey City University for 19 years and in 2012 was named President Emeritus of the University. Under his leadership the University expanded its scope, underscored its urban mission, and attained university designation on May 29, 1998.  Dr. Hernández also served in various capacities at the institution: as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Assistant to the President, and member of the faculty.

Dr. Hernández is a member of the editorial board of Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.  He has served on the American Council on Education’s Commission on Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity, the Board of Trustees of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, and is a past chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.  

Dr. Hernández is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Higher Education and chaired the Association's Hispanic Caucus. He is also a former member of the Governing Board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and served as a member of the American Council on Higher Education’s Commission on International Education.  Dr. Hernández has also served on the NCAA Division III Presidents’ Council. 

In New Jersey, Dr. Hernández served as chair of the Presidents’ Council Academic Issues Committee and is a former member of the Committee. Dr. Hernández is also a former chair of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  He serves on the boards of the Eastman Fund, the Liberty HealthCare System, Inc., Provident Bank, and is Chair of the Board of the Open Sky Museum.

Dr.  Hernández is the recipient of several awards, among them, India's prestigious Priyadarshni Academy's Global Award for Promotion of Education, the Prabhakar R. Shukla Humanitarian Award, and the State of New Jersey’s Many Faces – One Family Award.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts degree from York College of the City University of New York
• Doctorate in Psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York 

Robert Holyer joined AGB Search in 2011. He has assisted in over 100 executive searches for both public and private institutions, with over 50 percent for repeat clients. His experience covers a wide range of executive positions including those of president, provost, CFO, dean of arts and sciences, dean of business, dean of communications, dean of education, dean of health and human services, and dean of libraries, as well as several vice -presidential searches in advancement, enrollment management, and student affairs. 

Representative Executive Searches

• The University of LaVerne  - Interim Provost
• The Maryland Institute College of Art -  Interim President; Interim Provost, Interim Vice Provost for Open Studies
• Landmark College  - Interim President 
• The University of Scranton – Interim Provost 
• The College of New Jersey – Interim President, Interim CFO  
• Rollins College – Dean of the Crummer School of Business

Experience and Honors

Prior to joining AGB Search, Dr. Holyer accrued 35 years of experience in higher education at five different institutions, serving as a faculty member, department chair, director, provost, and acting president. He has written, spoken, and consulted on issues of curriculum development and assessment, planning, faculty development and personnel issues, and academic affairs staffing. A major part of his work as a provost was devoted to improving search and hiring procedures, and he led or was involved in more than 150 searches for faculty, staff, and senior administrators.

Dr. Holyer served as provost at Lyon College, Randolph-Macon College, and Presbyterian College. He has been active at the national level in various associations for higher education and academic administrators, serving as a board member and chair of the board of the Wye Seminars; as co-chair of the New Chief Academic Officers Workshop, sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges; as a member of the board of the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD); and as a regular participant in the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Annapolis Colleges.  Dr. Holyer also served for six years on the Visiting Committee of the University of the South. He has organized workshops for ACAD on “Becoming a chief academic officer” and “Succeeding in the search process.”’ 

His writings have been published in Change, Liberal Education, Trusteeship, and Inside Higher Ed.  His essay, “The qualities of an effective chief academic officer,” was included in the Resource Handbook for Academic Deans, Third Edition, published by Jossey-Bass. His essay, “Non-disclosure agreements: be cautious”, was published in the Career Advice section of Inside Higher Ed. 

Education

• Bachelor of Arts from Bethel College (MN)
• Bachelor of Divinity from Yale Divinity School (CT)
• Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge

Jamie Ferrare is the founding managing principal at AGB Search. In this role, Dr. Ferrare helped to build and lead an extremely successful team of consultants, research associates and office personnel.

Experience and Honors

Prior to joining AGB Search, he was a senior consultant and past president of a Washington D.C. based search and consulting firm where he served for 10 years. Since 2000, he has led more than 100 searches for presidents, vice presidents and deans in public and private colleges and universities as well as church affiliated schools and independent liberal arts and fine arts institutions. Prior to his move to Washington, D.C., Dr. Ferrare was Dean of the School of Education at Drake University. As Dean, he successfully enacted what he taught in his faculty role, that of Associate Professor of Leadership and Adult Development. While at Drake, Dr. Ferrare led a string of successful searches for university administrators, faculty members, and high-profile school superintendents. Prior to his deanship, Dr. Ferrare was a faculty member and Assistant Dean responsible for policy development, budgeting, and student support. Previously, he served as Associate Executive Director of the School Administrators of Iowa and as Associate Superintendent of Schools for the nationally renowned West Des Moines Community School district. He also taught at public middle and high schools in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ferrare has a long record as a consultant in strategic planning, performance assessment and organizational development. In addition to his work with colleges and universities around the country, he has facilitated programs for diverse organizations including Bank Boards, multiple Chamber of Commerce Leadership Groups, K-12 public and private school boards, political caucus leadership teams and government employee organizations.

Along with Dr. Joseph Johnston, Dr. Ferrare co-authored the book, "A Complete Guide to Presidential Search for Universities and Colleges", now in its second edition, which focuses on best practices for presidential searches conducted by university and college presidential search committees.

Education

• B.S. degree in Education. M.S. degree in Reading and Education from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
• Ph.D. degree in Education Policy and Administration from Iowa State University