INDEPENDENT · PARTNER-LED · RETAINED AND ENGAGED

Executive search for the building and energy sectors.

Retained and engaged search for controls, mechanical, energy services, engineering and equipment companies, and the private equity sponsors who back them. One partner owns every search, start to finish, through the 90-day check-in.

How we think

A leadership search is won or lost before the first candidate call.

  1. Define the job the business needs

    Not the job description. We start with what this leader has to deliver in the first two years, then agree on it with you in writing before anyone makes a call.

  2. Map the whole market

    Not just who applies. The leaders worth hiring are busy running a branch, a region or a business unit. Your partner maps every relevant company and calls those leaders directly.

  3. One partner, accountable

    The partner who scopes your search runs it. No handoff after the pitch, and one person to call when you need a straight answer.

Read the approach

Practices

One sector. Five practices.

The companies that design, build, control, service, power and equip buildings, and the private-equity sponsors who invest in them.

  • 01

    Building Automation & Controls

    We recruit presidents, branch leaders, and sales, service and engineering leaders for the companies that design, install, integrate and service building controls. Our searches span independent integrators, OEM controls branches, smart-building software companies and platforms backed by private equity.

  • 02

    Mechanical / HVAC

    We recruit leaders for commercial and industrial mechanical contractors, HVAC service companies and service platforms backed by private equity. That means operating, service, construction and finance leadership, in union and merit shop firms, nationwide.

  • 03

    Energy Services & ESCO

    We recruit the leaders who develop, finance, build and verify energy projects for public and private owners. That includes ESCOs, energy-as-a-service providers, microgrid developers and the critical power service companies that keep facilities running.

  • 04

    MEP Engineering & Commissioning

    We recruit the executives, principals and senior engineers who run MEP consulting, commissioning, test-and-balance and fire protection firms. That includes founder-led firms planning a transition and platforms backed by private equity that are building leadership after a deal.

  • 05

    Manufacturers & OEMs

    We recruit business unit, commercial and product leaders for building equipment manufacturers. We also recruit for the rep agencies and distributors that carry their lines, including an agency's next owner.

  • 06

    PE Sponsors & Platforms

    Before close, after close, and when a seat has to change quietly.

Commitments

What you can hold us to

  • 1partner owns your search, start to finish
  • Fridaywritten update on your search, every week
  • 1business day to answer every inquiry
  • 5business days, at most, for every candidate to hear back
  • 30/60/90day check-ins after your new leader starts

Approach

How a search runs

Five phases, written deliverables at every step, and one partner from kickoff to the 90-day check-in. Here is what you get, and what we need from you.

  1. 01DefineWeeks 1-2
  2. 02MapWeeks 2-4
  3. 03EngageWeeks 3-8
  4. 04Present & assessWeeks 6-10
  5. 05Close & integrateWeeks 10-14, plus 90 days

See every phase and deliverable

Partner-led

Who you'll work with

Corey Kravitz founded Greenbriar & Russell after 15 years in building and energy executive search. Most recently, he was Managing Partner of a national executive search firm. He works directly with owners, executive teams and private equity sponsors on every search.

If I scope your search, I run it, and I'm still checking in 90 days after your new leader starts.

Corey Kravitz, Founding Partner

Founding Partner

Corey Kravitz

Founding Partner. 15 years in building and energy executive search. Works with owners, executive teams and private equity sponsors on leadership hires.

Insights

Notes on leadership hiring

Exploring a move?

Confidential conversations. You never pay a fee.

For leaders

Start with a conversation

Tell us about the seat and what the business needs from it. You'll hear back within one business day.