Matt Lewis
President & Founder
Matt Lewis is President and Founder of AG HeadHunters LLC, a consulting firm focused on recruiting and retention services for the agriculture industry. Matt is an award-winning search professional with over 16 years of experience recruiting and educating clients and candidates across the agricultural landscape.
Prior to launching AG HeadHunters, Matt was a Partner and Practice Lead with the Commercial Banking and Finance team at ThinkingAhead Executive Search firm. During his time at ThinkingAhead, Matt impacted change by working as a catalyst for new ideas and methods to help move the company forward. He was instrumental in various company training initiatives and was a frequent speaker at company events throughout his 14 year tenure with the firm. Along the way, he earned every distinction that ThinkingAhead recognizes for excellence and commitment to the business: The Partner designation (2007); The Ralph Mosley Award for Excellence (2010), voted on by peers and based on selfless contributions made both within the firm and outside of it. Practice Leader designation (2013) through helping to build and lead the largest team at the company; He went on to earn the highest honor within the firm, the Fellows Award. The Fellow Award is bestowed upon an elite group of individuals who demonstrate particular excellence in the pursuit of knowledge or practice within the Executive Search profession. Fellows are appointed by senior leadership within the firm and qualifications begin upon exceeding 10 years tenure, including at least 5 as Partner, as well as $2.5MM+ in service fees earned, exemplary involvement with internal and external training, trade group leadership, and a unique contribution to the firm itself. Matt left ThinkingAhead ranked #7 in all-time production history for the 38 year-old (founded in 1982), well respected search firm. www.thinkingahead.com
Previous to entering the search consultancy business, Matt was the Co-Founder and Vice President for a manufacturing and direct sales company that specialized in the pioneering of natural fiber clothing. Marketed to outdoor retail stores across the US, Canada and Japan, Matt was successful in helping to build the company from scratch until its eventual sale five years later. Matt was directly responsible for customer development and retention throughout North America achieving a greater than doubling of sales each year.
Furthermore, Matt worked with the Direct Sales Publishing Division of the Southwestern Company (parent to ThinkingAhead) in their summer sales program. Known as Southwestern Advantage today, the “book business” is a 165 year old door-to-door summer sales program that is not for the faint of heart. After relocating for the summer, students work 70+ hours a week, selling books. Matt worked in rural communities throughout Nebraska and Kansas calling on thousands of farmers and ranchers of all sizes directly at the farm gate. During his three-year time frame with the company, Matt consistently ranked as one of the top salespeople in the entire country, including finishing #9 in his first year (out of 1000+ students). Twice he recruited and led a small team. Along the way he earned multiple awards for production as well as being a 3x Gold Seal Gold Award winner for working 80+hours each week of each summer. www.southwesternadvantage.com
Matt brings an entrepreneurial background to the world of headhunting. Coupling his experience with a genuine appreciation for the timely personnel needs of a growing business, Matt connects with talented candidates and provides the tools necessary for clients to land them, keep them, and turn them into brand evangelists. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in Accounting. He also holds the Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) and Certified Employee Retention Specialists (CERS) designations. www.naps360.org
Matt is a past President of the Tennessee Recruiters Association. After serving in multiple board positions within the TRA (continuing education for recruiters and staffing professionals) he remains active in staying up to date on current trends in the industry. www.tennesseerecruitersassociation.com.
Matt is also active in several non-profit and coaching organizations throughout Middle Tennessee.
Matt enjoys spending time with his award-winning artist and amazing spouse, Jessica (www.jessica-lewis.com), their two children, Elia and Cooper, their dog Teddy, and Oreo the rabbit. Nashville, TN is home and basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, hiking, swimming, cooking, and music are at the top of the fun list when time permits.
Better Your Workforce, Better Your Company
