About
Patino Associates is a boutique search firm specializing in the recruitment of executives in corporate communications, public affairs and marketing across all industries. Based in McLean, Virginia, Patino Associates focuses primarily on Senior Vice President/Vice President and Director level searches for clients seeking to lead corporate communications, public relations, media relations, international communications, internal/employee communications, marketing communications, financial communications, investor relations, public affairs or government relations.
Michael Patino: Managing Director & CEO
With nearly ten years of experience in executive recruiting, Michael Patino has worked with a variety of clients from global Fortune 500 corporations to start-up/high growth companies to trade associations to not-for-profit foundations and associations. He has conducted searches for clients from a wide range of industries - financial services, healthcare, energy, aerospace and defense, technology, manufacturing and consumer products and services.
Prior to launching Patino Associates, Michael was a consultant in the Corporate Communications Practice of Spencer Stuart, and before that developed the Corporate Communications Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Previously, Michael was an Account Manager with the Corporate Executive Board, a "best practices" consulting firm where he was responsible for over sixty relationships with Fortune 1000 firms. Before that, Michael worked as the Director of Special Projects in the Sports Division of E.J. Krause & Associates. Michael began his career in public relations at Entertainment Weekly, a Time Inc. publication.
Michael received his B.A. degree from Princeton University.
Michael and his wife, Karyn, live in Fairfax, VA with their two children, E.J. and Callie.
Jennifer Pennell: Executive Director
Jennifer Pennell has more than twelve years of search experience and has conducted senior level assignments across a variety of industries, including consumer, technology, financial services, energy, and education. Her work has ranged from multi-national corporations to early stage start-ups.
Prior to joining Patino & Associates, Jennifer spent over ten years with Russell Reynolds Associates, in a variety of executive search and leadership roles. Earlier in her career, she helped to build the Internet Practice at Russell Reynolds and also served a term as the Director for Research for Russell Reynolds’ North American operations. In addition to client work, Jennifer contributed to the strategic growth and operations of the firm.
Prior to her career in executive search, Jennifer was the Director, Public Relations at SMG, a sports marketing firm.
Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in International Relations at the University of California, Los Angeles. She resides in San Diego.