About GLS...

We understand that you know your community and organization the best.  The GLS team understands how to recruit and lead a successful a successful search process.  As partners, we can facilitate a thorough and effective hiring process to ensure the right leader is hired to move your organization forward.
 
The firm has grown significantly over the years because of quality service to organizations at a fair price.  Our quality service includes 21st Century recruiting measures, advanced screening tools, meaningful feedback from interview teams and coaching after the hire.
 
Grundmeyer Leader Services strives to make the selection process professional, efficient and successful to assure your complete satisfaction.  Currently, our team lands the top candidate selected by the board or hiring committee 99% of the time.  Furthermore, 97% of our hires are still in the role they were originally hired for years after the successful search.  This is a testament to the hiring process we lead and support we offer new leaders.
 
GLS customizes each search to fit the desired timeline, cost and process that fits your needs.  Some of the staples of our search process include:
  • A personalized and professional approach to the search with the belief that the firm works for the board or search committee.
  • Search consultants who are current in educational trends, resources and networks.
  • Recruitment strategies and interview process all aimed at the right fit rather than traditional or generic marketing efforts.
  • Unique screening tools to help identify which candidates are truly the best fit for your position.
  • One available search consultant to contact directly throughout the entire search process.​
  • A detailed entry plan created using feedback during the search process to set the candidate up for success after the hire.
  • Personalized support and coaching after the hire to ensure success for your new leader.

Established in 2014

As a firm, we will work hard to customize the search process to fit your unique needs, recruit a diverse candidate pool, and ensure you are able to hire your top candidate.  You will not find a firm that can provide a more objective hiring process or the right data to make the hiring decision than we offer.

Our Mission

We are confident you will be pleased with the services our team can provide from recruiting a quality candidate pool to landing your top candidate.   As our mission states, we strive to “Transform Education one Leader at a Time.”  Getting the right leader for your organization is the best way to make the transformations to your system a reality.

Our Team

Dr. Trent Grundmeyer
Search Firm Founder

Trent is the founder of Grundmeyer Leader Search LLC.  He started Grundmeyer Leader Search in 2014 which transitioned to Grundmeyer Leader Services in 2017 offering a broader range of support for education organizations and leaders themselves.  His background includes serving as a teacher, K-12 secondary principal and Associate Professor at Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
​

Dr. Kevin Fiene
Lead Insights Profile Consultant

Kevin has an extensive background in both K-12 and higher education.  His tenure includes serving as a teacher, coach, secondary principal district superintendent and Associate Professor at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. He served as a district superintendent for both East Sac and I-35 Schools.  Beyond leading searches, Kevin takes the lead on working with candidates on understanding their leadership styles.
Michael Mathews
CIO Search Lead Consultant
Michael has served in the roles of CIO for 15 years, Chief Innovation officer for five years and teaching and learning director for 12 years.  Most recently, Michael was named to the 2017 Top 30 Innovators in Education, 2017 Global Business Transformation Leaders, and a 2018 CIO 100 Awardee.

Roger Wilcox
Lead Strategy Consultant

Roger retired from Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools in June of 2016. He was an elementary and middle school principal for 25 years.  Roger was named the Iowa Fine Arts Administrator in 2010, Iowa Music Educator’s Administrator of the Year for the Arts in 2009, and received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 2000. He has been an adjunct instructor for Viterbo, Buena Vista  and the University of Northern Iowa.
Rob Olsen
Coaching Consultant
Brandon Johnson
Enrollment and Athletics Consultant
Rob runs his own coaching business called My Intentional Life where he serves others to reach their full potential and balance life's priorities. His background includes serving 26 years in education as a teacher, elementary principal, superintendent and consultant for the Department of Education. ​
Brandon currently serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Career Placement for Tennessee Technical University after serving to other universities as an Enrollment Manager.  He understands the demands of higher education and is well connected with leaders around the country who can leverage enrollment and retention strategies