History

Frank Beaudine was one of the pioneers of the executive recruiting industry. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in chemical engineering, he spent three years on active duty as a naval officer aboard a destroyer. His early business career was with several well-known firms, including Uniroyal and Montgomery Ward. After several years as a general consultant with the prestigious firm of McKinsey & Company, he served for five years as vice president of operations for a division of Norton Simon, Inc. He founded Eastman & Beaudine in Chicago, 1967.

In 1980, Eastman & Beaudine became a father-and-son team. Bob Beaudine, Frank’s youngest son, joined the firm and opened their Dallas office. At its peak, the firm opened seven offices in the U.S. and 20 abroad. In 1985, the firm moved their corporate headquarters from Chicago to Dallas.

Bob Beaudine became president of Eastman & Beaudine in 1988 and then became the CEO soon after. After 15 years of doing search work in general business, Bob expressed his desire to add sports and entertainment as a specialty of the firm. He thought, “If I could match my love for sports with my desire to help people find their paths in life, it could create my dream job.

Now after forty years, Bob is honored and humbled that Sports Illustrated and the Wall Street Journal have recognized his firm as top in the executive search industry. He only wishes his dad, Frank Beaudine, was still around to enjoy it with him. Bob worked side-by-side with his father for more than 20 years. His father always told Bob: “The key to success was to make friends, help your friends in everyway you can, and then don’t be surprised if you do a lot of business with your friends.” What a great tip for us all.