Robert W. Knopik has spent close to 30 years in leadership positions in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Beginning his business career at Inland Steel Industries, a $5 billion steel manufacturer and distributor, Mr. Knopik held many commercial positions in Sales, Marketing, Product Management and Planning. He served several years as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for the company's international materials management unit, leading the company's joint venture development in Mexico, China and India. He was a regular speaker at global conferences in Asia, Europe, Mexico and the United States as companies sought his advice in the development of overseas business units. Through these activities, he developed a widespread network of middle and senior executives around the world.

In addition to his corporate experience, Bob has also led teams in entrepreneurial environments as President of a major apparel embellishment company. Here he restructured the balance sheet and created the company's strategic and marketing plan that led to a series of new customer acquisitions. After completing his contracted assignment, he joined a large, international executive search firm where he learned the business prior to becoming the founder of The Leadership Search Group.

Mr. Knopik has had significant experience in developing and leading teams in multicultural environments, and has developed and improved global operating, marketing, sales and organizational effectiveness strategies. He has integrated acquired business units on an international scale and has managed change in both growth and turn-around circumstances. Additionally, he has created human resource assessment techniques proven effective in the development of many international and domestic business units.

Mr. Knopik graduated from Drake University and completed the Executive Program at the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. He and his wife, Penelope, reside in North Barrington, Illinois. They have three grown children.