Steven Baumruk

Managing Partner | Aerospace, Defense & Space (ADS) | Global Industrials | Private Equity COE @ DHR Global

About

With over 20 years of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, Steven brings a wealth of expertise in building high-performance leadership teams across the global Industrials sector. Steven specializes in partnering with private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the tech-enabled industrials domain, with a strong focus on manufacturing processes and additional expertise in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors. He has successfully placed high-impact CEOs and transformative leaders in both public and privately held organizations, including high-growth and turnaround environments, enabling them to achieve strategic goals and drive organizational transformation. Steven’s expertise spans multiple verticals, including original equipment manufacturers, precision engineering, defense electronics, aerospace and aviation services as well as government contractors. In addition to executive search, he frequently advises industrial and aerospace-oriented private equity investors in pre-deal and diligence situations, supporting acquisitions, and planning leadership transitions, ensuring a seamless integration post-acquisition.

Country

United States

City

Washington

Industry

Aviation & Aerospace

Skill

Deal Strategy, Business Analysis, Aerospace Industries, Spaceflight, Space Systems, U.S. Department of Defense, Military Leadership, Cybersecurity, Defense Electronics, C-Suite, Executive Search, Go-to-Market Strategy, Analytical Skills, Turn Around Management, Private Equity, Hedge Funds, Venture Capital, Mergers, Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance

Experience

Managing Partner | Aerospace, Defense & Space (ADS) | Global Industrials | Private Equity COE

DHR Global

2024-6 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Co-Sector Leader, Aerospace, Defense & Space (ADS) at DHR Global—one of the world’s largest executive search firms—working in tandem with 18+ affiliated ADS partners worldwide. I help Private Equity sponsors and Public company boards build CEO and C-suite teams that move programs, scale manufacturing, and create durable value. My remit spans ADS and tech-enabled Industrials, with deep experience across industrial manufacturing environments—including aerospace manufacturing, metals, castings, superalloys, composites, and advanced materials—where regulated supply chains, complex hardware, and mission-critical operations intersect. Mandate focus: Board/CEO and P&L-critical C-suite • Finance & Ops: CFO, COO, President/GM • Growth: CRO/CGO • Technology/Engineering: CTO/Chief Engineer Typical situations: Succession, upgrade, team build-outs; turnaround-to-growth; carve-outs; founder transitions; M&A integration; portfolio value creation Primary domains Aerospace & Defense: Defense electronics (RF, EW, power, connectors, rugged/embedded), airborne & maritime systems; precision components; mission systems Space: Electronics/RF/EW, systems, ground & in-space, launch & service providers Aviation: Services & MRO Tech-Enabled Industrials & Advanced Materials: Heavy/mixed industrials; manufacturing & process industries; aerospace/industrial manufacturing; metals, castings, superalloys, composites; specialty & advanced materials; automation & robotics Member, Private Equity Center of Excellence — partnering with PE operating teams and public boards on CEO succession and high-impact C-suite appointments across global Industrials and ADS.

Member Board of Directors

National Defense University Foundation

2022-6 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Partner, Sector Leader Aerospace, Defense and Space

Heidrick & Struggles

2023-2 - 2024-6 · 1 yr 5 mos

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Senior Client Partner

Korn Ferry

2019-1 - 2023-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Executive search professional with over 15 years of retained executive search and talent-acquisition experience. Deeply versed in advising US-focused Private Equity sponsors on C-Suite, Operating Partner, and Board searches. In addition, Steven has built a track record partnering with sponsor clients, helping to originate transactions, add-on acquisitions, and connecting clients with hard-to-find “Riverguides”, deal-proven industry experts who provide pre-acquisition due-diligence and potential CEO or Board leadership post deal-close. Steven works within the Global Industrials practice at Korn Ferry with specialty expertise across Aerospace & Defense (Primes/T1/T2), Electronic Manufacturing Services, Industrial Distribution & Services Industrial Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing Steven received his MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College and his BA from Clark University.

Managing Director, Private Equity

NorthWind Partners

2016-2 - 2019-1 · 3 yrs

Greater New York City Area

Vice President, Private Equity

JM Search

2012-10 - 2016-1 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Greater New York City Area

Director, Talent Acquisition and Leadership Strategy

Distress-focused Private Equity Investor

2011-2 - 2012-9 · 1 yr 8 mos

Greater New York City Area

Mandate to build the leadership teams (CEO & CFO) at our portfolio companies and align them with the appropriate turnaround strategy. Manage internal talent acquisition for senior level management at the private equity fund.