#United States #Jericho #JS Held #Jonathon Held #Lee Spirer

J.S. Held Declares CEO Transition and Strategic Future

J.S. Held, the distinguished global consulting firm, has made headlines with the announcement of a significant management transition. Jonathon (Jon) Held, the company's long-serving Chief Executive Officer since its inception, is set to step down from his role and transition to the position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. This strategic shift is designed to ensure seamless leadership continuity and capitalize on the firm’s proven success as it navigates its sixth decade of client service.

Lee Spirer, currently serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer, is slated to take over the helm as CEO, effective at the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. Jon's new role as Executive Chairman will allow him to continue to provide invaluable strategic guidance and increase his client-facing involvement, particularly focusing on advisory and dispute resolution consulting in the insurance sector. This planned leadership transition underscores J.S. Held's commitment to optimizing value creation and fostering sustained growth.

Since taking the reins as CEO in 1985, Jon Held has been instrumental in steering J.S. Held’s growth trajectory, transforming it from a small regional entity into a globally recognized consulting powerhouse boasting over 1,500 professionals operating across six continents. Steve Dutton, a partner at Kelso Company, the firm’s private equity partner, emphasized Lee Spirer’s recruitment as pivotal to ensuring that Jon's decision to transition to the Executive Chairman role is executed smoothly. Dutton noted, “Working collaboratively with Jon and the executive team, Lee Spirer has been brought on board to facilitate this critical succession.”

Reflecting on this transition, Jon Held stated, “Lee Spirer's extensive experience and proven capability to drive strategies that focus on financial results and operational excellence positions him perfectly to lead our team into the next chapter of our growth journey.” His sentiments were echoed by Spirer, who expressed excitement about building on Jon's legacy and guiding J.S. Held into the future. Spirer asserted he feels fortunate to lead a talented team and intends to elevate the firm in line with its historical commitment to exceptional service and stakeholder success.

J.S. Held's mission spans nearly five decades, aiming to serve as trusted advisors to clients worldwide while supporting the professional growth of its experts. Jon Held reinforced this mission, stating, “Today, we reaffirm that commitment at the highest level of our organization, benefiting our clients and the over 1,500 scientific, technical, financial, and risk experts within our global community.”

Lee Spirer's ascension as President and CEO is noteworthy; he has established a robust reputation over three decades, known for his strategic insight and successful execution of growth plans through both organic and acquisition-based strategies. His previous experience includes operating within public and private enterprises, directing businesses through IPOs, and engaging with diverse investors and boards. With a combination of innovative approaches and technological leverage, he has consistently delivered value in human capital-intensive industries.

The forthcoming leadership transition reflects J.S. Held's unwavering resolve to adapt to evolving market dynamics while holding steadfast to its core values. As the firm nears its 50th anniversary of serving clients, stakeholders can look forward to a bright future under the direction of Lee Spirer, one filled with potential for continued innovation and exceptional service delivery.

For more information about J.S. Held and its services, visit JSHeld.com.

About J.S. Held

J.S. Held stands as a global consulting firm intertwining technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to guide clients toward realizing value and mitigating risks. With a team of over 1,500 experts across six continents, J.S. Held proudly serves a wide array of industries, including top-tier law firms, insurance giants, and Fortune 100 companies. The firm maintains its mission to provide indispensable advisory services while advancing the professional growth of its personnel.