In the Media
Why Executive Search Is Still a Human Business: A Conversation With Boyden President & CEO Chad Hesters
Gary Pikul
Chief Technology Officer, Boyden Corporation
Gary Pikul is a seasoned executive who has held senior leadership roles within global organizations. He provides the vision and direction to strengthen Boyden’s ability to respond with agility to the changing needs of clients and teams worldwide. His expertise in orchestrating business transformation and ability to engage with stakeholders further enable him to optimize opportunities and outcomes.
Professional Focus
- Nearly 30 years’ experience as a business leader and executive within global organizations
- Broad range of high-level business expertise in transformation and change management, operational excellence, executive decision support, corporate governance, risk management and due diligence
- Strong analytical skills and expertise in organizational and process planning and redesign; M&A, divestitures and outsourcing; requirements validation; service and product roadmap development; partner management; project leadership and management; supply chain and vendor management
- Proven command of management strategies and methodologies such as lean, agile, and continuous improvement
- Deep functional expertise in IT and finance, including accounting and reporting; infrastructure, application and end user services; IT architecture, engineering and operations
- Industry expertise in professional services, technology and energy
Business Expertise
- Senior Director, IT Mergers & Acquisitions at Cognizant Technology Solutions, a multinational IT services and consulting firm
- Senior Director at DXC Technology, a multinational IT services and consulting firm
- Senior Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; promoted from Senior Manager and Director at Hewlett Packard Company
- Executive Recruiter at a retained executive recruiting and advisory services firm focused on the energy sector
- Finance Manager, SOPUS and MOTIVA Manufacturing at Shell Oil Company; earlier role as Global Supply Chain Controller, Pennzoil-Quaker State
- Senior Finance Manager - Global Financial Design at Compaq; earlier roles included Business Planning Manager - Worldwide Demand Planning and Execution, and Financial Analyst - Latin America Headquarters Financial Planning
- Senior Accounting Analyst - Financial Planning, Analysis and International Accounting at Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
- Treasury Analyst at The Methodist Hospital System
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Texas
- High Potential Leadership Certification, NYU Stern School of Business
- Lean Executive Belt, McKinsey & Company
Case Studies
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Scaling Legal Capability in Global Markets
Boyden partnered with a leading sovereign wealth fund to place a senior lawyer for UK and European investments, strengthening governance, risk management, and long-term growth.
Navigating the Nuances of Philanthropic Leadership: The Search for a Major Gifts Officer
Through a highly targeted, relationship-based search, Boyden successfully identified a Major Gifts Officer whose fundraising approach, mission alignment, and donor engagement style matched the organization's long-term philanthropic goals.
Efficiency in procurement: An interim purchasing manager strengthens the purchasing organization of a food producer
An interim Chief Procurement Officer restructured the purchasing organization of a medium-sized food producer and achieved sustainable savings and process improvements through targeted measures in supplier management and cost control.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Volatility Is the Baseline: GCC CXOs’ 2026 Survey
GCC executives in 2026 are navigating intense geopolitical and operational pressures with cautious optimism, while facing critical leadership capability demands and a significant gap in succession readiness.
Blog
Private Company Boards Then and Now: From Bodies of Representation to Engines of Strategic Capability
Private company boards have moved from relationship‑based oversight to capability‑driven leadership, responding to the demands of faster, more complex operating environments.
Boyden Report Series
CEE Executive Mobility 2026: What’s Driving Movement Across the Region
Perspectives from 30 senior executives on relocation decisions and leadership mobility across CEE
Newsletter
The CFO Leadership Lens
Expert insights directly from Boyden’s Financial Officers Practice
Q2 2026 Edition
Media
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Executive Search Insights: How CPG & Retail Companies Find the Right Leaders
Podcast
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Dr. Amy Athey on the Still Evolving Podcast
Podcast
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Candice Bourne on 'The Journey of a Search CEO' Podcast
Podcast
Startup to Stewardship: How a family business was Built to Matter with Josephine Sukkar
Podcast
News & Events
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Press Release
Durham Regional Police Service Board Announces the Selection of two Deputy Chiefs of Police
Boyden is pleased to share the appointment news of Deputy Chief Designates Chirag Bhatt and Ryan Connolly, a recruitment led by Andrew Dumont
In the Media
Orrstown's new CEO says bank is in a position of strength
Orrstown Financial’s new CEO Adam Metz highlights the bank’s strong financial position, disciplined growth strategy, and well-planned leadership transition as it enters its next phase.
Contact Gary Pikul today and let's get started