Reflections from 50 Years of Executive Search
By Dennis Rizzo

Fifty years in executive search gives you a rare vantage point. You see cycles come and go, leadership styles evolve, and entire industries reshape themselves in real time. But through all of it, some things don’t change—relationships, instincts, and the ability to read people beyond what’s on paper.

Dennis Rizzo has spent five decades in the business, building a career rooted in trust, consistency, and a deep understanding of the hospitality industry. Looking back, his perspective isn’t just about what’s changed—but what’s endured.

Looking back across the decades, what’s one moment or shift in the industry where you thought, “Okay… things are never going back to the way they were”?

On 9/11, I knew things would never return to the way they were. But from that pause came a clearer sense that our work in rebuilding mattered more than ever.

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of recruiting advice 50 years ago—what would it be… and would you actually listen?

I’d advise my younger self to nurture every relationship. Those connections open doors no job board ever will. Whether I would have taken that advice at the time is another story, but it’s a lesson that experience reinforces quickly.

Every era has its “type” of leader—how has the definition of a great hire changed from then to now?

It’s now a blend of strong leadership, collaboration, and adaptability. It’s no longer just top-down leadership. The best hires today can lead clearly, work across teams, and adjust quickly, because the pace of change doesn’t really wait for anyone’s comfort zone.

What’s one trend you remember everyone being convinced would change everything… that quietly disappeared?

Over the years, there have been waves of “silver bullet” solutions—whether it was technology, job boards, or systems that promised to replace the human side of recruiting. Many of those tools had their moment, but none of them replaced relationships. In the end, the fundamentals never really changed. The industry evolves, but the core of it—trust, judgment, and personal connection—always finds its way back.

Over the years, what’s been the most surprising way relationships have shaped placements—not just resumes?

The most meaningful placements often come from relationships built long before there was ever an open role. I’ve seen situations where timing, trust, and a deep understanding of someone’s career goals made the difference—not what was on paper. When you’ve built that kind of relationship, you’re not just filling a role—you’re helping shape someone’s future, and that’s something a resume alone can’t do.

If someone looked at your career timeline from the outside, what part would surprise them the most?

What might surprise people most is that I’m still at it 50 years later—and still happy to be contributing to the hospitality field. The industry has evolved dramatically, but my enthusiasm for it hasn’t changed.

After 50 years, do you trust your gut more than ever—or has experience taught you to question it just a little?

I’ve always trusted my gut, but after 50 years—and with today’s complexities—I’ve learned to verify it more than ever. It’s a balance of instinct and diligence. Trust, but verify.

Fun Fact: After 50 years in the business—what’s something about you that would surprise people (and has nothing to do with recruiting)?

After all these years, I still get up at 5 a.m. every day to work out. That comes from my Marine Corps background—it keeps me on track. It’s about keeping my mind and body sharp. If I miss a day, I regret it. Sitting in an office all day isn’t exactly healthy, so that morning routine is my reset. It keeps me disciplined and focused.