40 - Sunday, March 29, 1992 - North Shore News JOHN TANTON: The professional head-hunter hunts for sonic cf the top executives in.North America. i “Caveiti Design’ Diamond Studs, 2.00 carar total weight, VVS2, E Colour. — Appraised $30,000.00. The Lion’s Mark $20,000.00. Always purchasing © Consignment welcome 1730 MARINE DR., WEST VANCOUVER 926-7710 HIGH PROFILES Top head-hunter John Tanton’s executive search firm Tanton/Mitchell Group s kind in North America Johanne Olsen Through Dan Interion, Johanne presents 2 complete shopping experience from furniture to unique gifts and quality kitchen accessories. “Our store offers such fine lines as Kosta Boda, litrala, and Arabia of Finland. We also have a oumplete line of cookware, including Cuisinart, lagostina, Sigg, and Copperware. Remember us for exciting acrylic lines for patio and boaters.” A bridal registry is also available. Fur those who appreciate the difference. Dean interiors Park Royal South 922-1181 NEWS photo Mike Wakefield Stop in at Shortstop Brake THEY’RE KNOWN in the industry as head-hunters. But they’re a far cry from the type of head-hunters Gilligan and the rest of the castaways were always run- ning away from on Gilligan’s tsiand. By Surj Rattan News Reporter John Tanton is probably one of North America’s most successful head-hunters, As senior partner in Tanton/Mitchell Group Ltd., he and partner Kyle Mitchell find people to fill vacant senior execu- tive-level positions. They hunt for the top heads. The company was recently recognized as being one of the top 50 executive search firms in North America by the prestigious Execu- tive Recruiter News publication. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, says Tanton. “The statistical odds of that happening in your business life are not high. You can’t apply for this award. It’s like the Oscars in our business,”’ says Tanton. But Tanton has not always been a head-hunter. He studied sciences at the University of B.C. and began his working career with Atomic Energy of Canada, He then worked for a medical supply company and was in charge of its western Canadian operation from B.C. to Manitoba. The medical profession has been a big part of Tanton'’s life. “My father delivered me. He was a general practitioner,” says Tanton. And the health industry con- tinues to follow him around. He is currently on the Lions Gate Hos- pital board of directors. Tanton describes himself as ‘‘a regular user of the hospital.’’ “Both of my children have been born at Lions Gate Hospital. I have been treated at Lions “Gate Hospitai for a brokeu leg from a skiing accident. I had two com- pound fractures both sticking out in two places and my ankie was smashed. “The doctors told me | had in excess of 23 fractures in my left & Muffler. With our Highest Quaiity at the Lowest Price Guarantee (and this $25.00 off coupon) your car’s pesky ‘‘Squeeks” F "BRAKE & MUFFLER * NOT VALIO WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION . you're sure to get rid of and ‘‘Bangs" for less bucks! Vancouver 2667 Kingsway 437-4307 North Vancouver 634 Marine Dr 980-9801 @ NAME: John Taunton @ AGE: 51 @ OCCUPATION: Senior part- ner, Tanton/ Mitchell Group Ltd. @ RESIDENCE: West Vancouver @ BORN: Oleary, P.ELL. @ FAMILY: Wife Barbara Anne, two children @ EDUCATION: Bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from University of B.C. leg. I was in a cast for eight months. | got married in a cast. I also broke four ribs water skiing so 1 was again in Lions Gate Hospital.*” Tanten said he is a strong believer in giving back to your community, which is is why he let his name stand for a directorship - on the hospital’s board. The Tanton/Mitchell Group is often one of the first companies approached by businesses looking for a high-level executive, ‘We arc put on a retainer by large, medium and sometimes small organizations in western Canada. They can be anything from governments to Crown cor- porations to private industries,’’ says Tanton. “We deal primarily at the exec- utive level...the senior manage- ment level, and we are put on a retainer to go into the world to find candidates that match the predetermined set of profiles that the client is looking for.” Tanton and his team search for vice-presidents, presidents and chairmen of the board. The com- pany employs a long list of top researchers to find the right per- son for the right job. ‘*There’s a lot of tracking in- volved. We also have files entered into our computers, and we also do advertisement programs,’’ says Tanton. He does not see the job vacancy position for executives imprqving until at least September, but Tan- ton adds that everything will de- pend on B.C.’s economy. “*There’s no questicn that we’re flat right now. I don’t think we’re as bad in our economy right now as we were between 1982 and 1984 when things were really tough,” says Tanton. Vancouver 2105 East 12th Ave. 872-6047 Delta/Tsawwassen 1617 - 56th St. 323-6065