Jeffery L. “Jeff” Smith serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of DHR International’s Houston office.  He is the Global Co-Leader of the Energy Sector and  senior member of the firm’s CFO, Financial Services, and Board of Directors  search practices. 

With more than 27 years of energy banking and executive search experience, Mr. Smith brings a unique combination of financial and energy industry perspective. Following a 15 year career in financial services, Mr Smith started in the energy search practice at Korn Ferry International.   In the late 1990’s he left to assist in the formation of a boutique search firm focused on the field of energy and corporate finance. In June of 2005 Mr. Smith was recruited to open DHR’s Houston office.

Mr. Smith has conducted numerous senior level searches for a broad range of energy clients including E&P, Midstream Pipelines/MLPs, Oilfield Services, Utilities and commodity trading sectors. In addition to industry assignments he has specialized in bringing technical energy expertise to investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, and other commodity focused clients.

Mr. Smith has completed searches for CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs, Treasurers, Controllers, and Business Developers, as well as other senior positions.  Recently Mr. Smith has spent time significant time working with private equity groups seeking executives for their portfolio company investments. 

Prior to joining the search industry, Mr. Smith spent fifteen years in corporate/investment banking at Chemical/JP Morgan Chase and NationsBanc Capital Markets.  Originally from New York, after 26 years in Houston, Mr. Smith is an adopted Texan.  He holds a BS in Chemistry from Hobart College and an MBA from Babson.

Mr. Smith and his wife, Laura Leigh, have two college aged daughters.  When not at the office you might find Mr. Smith working on his golf game or coaching boys lacrosse. He is a Board Member of the Houston Chapter of US Lacrosse.