THETEAM
DARCY AHL
Darcy has successfully filled hundreds of senior level roles across a broad stripe of businesses and job functions. She is a trusted advisor to several large family run businesses, as well as a confidant and coach to a number of candidates she has placed over the years. Darcy’s 18 years in the executive recruiting world were preceded by a successful career in consumer packaged goods and advertising. Starting her career at Procter & Gamble, she parlayed that experience into senior roles at Bozell, DDB Needham and W.B. Doner in the Chicago and Detroit markets. Her blue-chip client list included Volkswagen, Lipton, Anheuser-Busch, and Campbell Soup. She also has entrepreneurial experience, having co-founded Illume Software, a company whose mission was to mitigate distracted driving.
A graduate of Duke University, Darcy is active in a number of non-profit organizations including the Posse Foundation, the Duke Alumni Association and Stratton Mountain School, where she serves on the board of trustees.
She and her husband Jeff live in Rowayton, CT with their Duck Tolling Retriever, Boomer. They have three grown children, and two grandchildren.
JIM BERRIEN
Jim has broad senior leadership experience in media, financial services, digital technology and non-profit organizations. He held a succession of key management posts at American Express in the company’s financial and publishing divisions including President of the Travelers Check Group Worldwide, President of Establishment Services, EMEA, and Senior VP and Group Publisher, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Departures.
He also served as President and Publisher of the Forbes Magazine Group. After leaving Forbes, Jim had leadership roles in several entrepreneurial ventures, first as President and COO of Mother Nature Network, and later as Chief Revenue Officer of Gogo In-flight. Before entering the world of executive search, he was President of G100, a member-based learning community for CEOs. Jim is also an advisor and board member for several early-stage digital companies.
Jim is a former Chairman of the Board of Connecticut College. Other philanthropic work includes board membership for Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry, and Culture of Respect.
Jim and his wife, Mary Jane, live in Connecticut with their Labrador, Rascal. They have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.
FRANK FARRELL
Frank is a legendary recruiter and a founding partner of Bentley & Farrell, Ahl & Berrien, now Ahl, Berrien & Partners. He continues to provide counsel to our firm and manages several key long term relationships for the firm.
Frank started in executive recruiting at Heidrick & Struggles in 1971. He left after 8 years to start his own boutique recruiting firm, Farrell & Phin, which he ran with great success for nearly 20 years after which he became President of Nordeman Grimm.
A former Marine, Farrell graduated from NYU. He and his wife Kelly live in Massachusetts and have three grown children. He is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity.
