Founded in 1987, we support library organizations and nonprofits in their pursuit of exceptional leaders who impact and transform organization.

We help you find the right leader so that your organization will continue to grow and thrive.

We specialize in Executive Director and CEO searches for:
• Public Libraries
• Non-Profit, Academic, and Cultural Organizations

Our team thinks and works creatively, challenging the status quo in executive search. We are a full-service, nationwide firm founded by John and Beth Keister in 1987. For over 33 years, we have been identifying and recruiting top leadership talent, completing executive searches for leading technology companies, libraries, regional library systems of all sizes, and non-profits. Our backgrounds combine technical expertise, library and copyrights knowledge, and executive search skills.

We have a deep understanding of libraries through our service on library boards, including roles as trustee and president of multiple boards. We also consult on a wide range of issues including library board effectiveness and succession planning, and are actively engaged as advocates for the library community. Our extensive private sector experience enables us to understand and work effectively with other service-oriented organizations and associations.

Each search we undertake is customized to reflect the special character of the place and people a particular organization serves. We enjoy recruiting, identifying, and vetting leaders to evaluate how they may fit into your organization. When you select John Keister and Associates, you get a partner and a relationship that works to find the right leader who will expand your organization's capability and success.

We'd like to hear from you and discuss your needs. Please contact us to learn more about our services.