ZRG, the Rochelle Park-based talent advisory firm, on Thursday announced the acquisition of Howard Fischer Associates (HFA). The move significantly expands ZRG’s reach into executive search and boardroom advisory at a time when CEOs and boards are facing increasingly high-stakes leadership decisions.
HFA, a Philadelphia-headquartered firm with a 40-year legacy, is renowned for its “judgment-first” approach to leadership. The acquisition allows ZRG to integrate HFA’s deep experience in the technology, media, and industrial sectors with its own proprietary, data-driven talent platform.
The acquisition is a response to a shifting market where simple “candidate fit” is no longer enough. Modern boards are demanding advisory services that account for long-term performance and complex organizational context.
“HFA has built its reputation in the moments where leadership decisions carry real weight,” Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG said. “When you combine that with our platform, data, and reach, you give clients a more complete solution and a stronger partner in the decisions that matter most.”
Founded by Howard Fischer, HFA has spent more than three decades advising a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to venture-backed startups and private equity firms. The firm maintains a strategic presence in key innovation hubs, including Silicon Valley and Boston.
As part of the transition, Howard Fischer will join ZRG as Managing Director. He will be accompanied by his leadership team, including Jeff DiSandro, Eric Ferst, and Kris Limaye.
“When clients come to us, it is usually when the stakes are high,” Fischer remarked. “What made this decision clear is that ZRG understands that responsibility and has built a platform that strengthens it. For our clients, it means we can do more for them and move faster when it counts.”
Nate Frank, President of Executive Search at ZRG, noted that the quality of relationships HFA brings is “not easily replicated,” emphasizing that the integration will begin immediately to ensure continuity for existing clients.
