Founded in 2007, The Sterling Group is a boutique executive search firm built on relationships, integrity, and performance. With offices in Florida and Georgia, we partner with companies nationwide to identify and place transformative leaders who accelerate growth, elevate performance, and strengthen organizational culture.
We have successfully placed 1000+ leaders across industries including Fortune 500 companies, private equity–backed ventures, and high-growth startups. From former SOF operators and decorated military veterans to C-suite executives and rising industry stars, our candidates bring mission-driven leadership and proven results.
What sets Sterling apart is our specialized networks, rigorous vetting process, and relationship-first approach. We don’t just fill positions—we deliver leaders who thrive in complex, fast-paced environments and empower our clients to achieve lasting success.
To be recognized as the most trusted and effective executive search partner in the market—relentless in pursuit of exceptional talent, unmatched in our client service, and unwavering in our commitment to results.
At Sterling, we operate with a total commitment to the highest standards of ethics and performance. These principles guide every search, every interaction, and every decision we make:
James is the President and Founder of The Sterling Group, a premier executive search firm specializing in placing transformational leaders into private equity portfolio companies and high-growth businesses. His firm is known for its unmatched access to top former military officers, Academy graduates, and proven industry executives.
A graduate of West Point, James played football for the Army Black Knights and served as an Infantry Officer. He is both Airborne and Ranger qualified and brings that same discipline and focus to every search.
Under his leadership, Sterling has placed CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and senior leaders across operations, supply chain, finance, IT, and engineering—primarily in private equity-backed companies across aerospace, banking and financial services, manufacturing, industrial services, medical device, life sciences, and energy. He also leads Sterling Micro-Conferences, curated hiring events focused on elite Junior Military Officers and Academy talent.
James lives in Atlanta with his wife Rebecca and their four sons. Their oldest, Harrison, recently graduated from The Citadel and is now serving as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Bragg. James is an avid golfer and passionate college football fan.
Cal is a Partner at The Sterling Group, where he brings deep leadership experience and a strong network developed over 20 years of service and executive search work. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Cal was a standout Army football player and served as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army.
He has a proven track record of identifying high-impact talent, particularly among former military officers and seasoned industry leaders, and plays a key role in supporting Sterling’s work with private equity-backed companies.
Cal lives in Atlanta with his wife Vanessa (also a West Point Grad) and their two sons. Cal loves watching his son’s play both Baseball and Football.
Bob is a Partner at The Sterling Group with over a decade of executive search experience, focused on placing high-impact leaders into private equity portfolio companies and industry roles. A four-year Army football starter and West Point graduate, Bob served as a Blackhawk pilot and Army Aviator.
He brings a unique blend of military leadership, business insight, and certified behavioral coaching expertise to every search—helping clients assess both skill and cultural fit. His legacy of service continues through his daughter, also a West Point graduate.
Bob lives in the Tampa area with his wife and two daughters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the water, surfing, and foiling.
