Joel Grushkin serves as Executive Vice President in the firm's San Diego, California office. He is also Leader of the Venture Capital Practice Group. Mr. Grushkin's background in executive search and management consulting includes 11 years with Arthur Young and Company (now Ernst & Young) as a Director of the Executive Search & Organizational Development Consulting Practice. His search experience encompassed a broad spectrum of senior executive positions in nearly all industries. His concentration since joining DHR has focused on the technology industries, particularly software, eCommerce, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Previously, Mr. Grushkin was Chief Operating Officer of Edward Carpenter & Associates, a group of five consulting companies specializing in the financial services and real estate industries, as well as CEO of their executive search subsidiary. In addition to his executive search and consulting experience, Mr. Grushkin has 11 years of senior management experience, having held positions of CEO, COO, CFO and Vice President Corporate Development at either the holding company or operating company levels. Mr. Grushkin has been active in the business communities of Southern California since 1971. He has been a guest lecturer at San Diego State University and University of California-Berkeley. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Venture Group.