O'Brien and Roof Executive Search was started in May of 1991 by Lindy O'Brien and Howard Roof. Although the business was started at the peak of a recession, the firm has reached a high level of success and has established relationships with a number of top performing companies in the industry.

Prior to starting her own business in recruiting, Lindy worked with a long established Columbus-based search firm for nine years as an Executive Recruiter. The president of the firm had recruited her from Snelling and Snelling where she was both an Office Manager and Senior Recruiter. 

Lindy’s experience prior to executive recruiting consisted of approximately ten years at General Electric holding various positions in Finance. She also attended the internal Financial Management Program, which required a weekly commute to General Electric in Evendale, Cincinnati for 2 ½  years. Her last position at General Electric was Supervisor of Accounts Payable. 

She is married and she and her husband have four married children. With a B. A. in Psychology from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, Lindy is completing her Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in May/2008.

Throughout her career she has been involved in many organizations and has established herself as a very active member and/or officer in the following:                

• Board Member, Columbus Chamber of Commerce 2003-04
• Chair of Small Business Council of Central Ohio, 2003-04
• Head of Education Committee, Small Business Council
• Entrepreneurship Steering Committee of Columbus Chamber
• Nominated to Ohio Small Business Development Center Statewide Advisory Council
• Relocation Council of Central Ohio
• Society of Human Resources Management
• Women’s Food Service Forum, chosen for pilot mentor program, membership committee
• NAWBO – National Association of Women Business Owners – charter member in Columbus
• Advisory Board, CMACAO/Head Start, 1999-2002
• Worthington Schools Business Partner Council
• ColumbusAmerica member
• 100 CEO’s for Columbus
• BRAC committee member
• Member, 21st Century Growth Team, Job Growth Subcommittee, City of Columbus 

Howard's Bio

Howard has 25+ years of corporate human resources and executive recruiting experience. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he began his career with Huntington Bank in the management training program, serving in numerous management positions. Howard joined Hobart Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of commercial food equipment, to gain experience in Human Resources. He earned several promotions while with Hobart with his last position being Manager of Corporate Recruiting.

Howard left Hobart when he was recruited to Wendy’s International, Inc. At that time, Wendy’s was growing rapidly and he joined the company in a lead position in corporate staffing. Having successfully managed high volume recruiting loads, he was instrumental in attracting and hiring key senior level restaurant industry professionals who led the company during Wendy’s high growth years. He was rewarded with several promotions with his last being to Corporate Director of Staffing and Employee Relations, the position he held when he left Wendy’s.

Due to a deep rooted love for recruiting, Howard next joined a well established search firm in order to hone his skills in executive search. During his years with this firm, he developed a broad base of local and national clients, successfully completing searches in a wide range of disciplines at all management levels in a variety of differing industries.

Howard and his partner, Lindy O’Brien, founded O’Brien and Roof in May, 1991.

Howard is a Certified Professional Resume writer as awarded by the PARW. He is a member of the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio and International Council of Shopping Centers. An avid runner, he is also very active in his church.