Wm. Watson Straub founded SearchTower leveraging more than 16 years of financial services and talent acquisition experience. Watson is known for his objectivity as well as understanding the importance of a firm’s unique culture, which is vital to a successful retained executive search. Over the years, he has represented some of the largest and most innovative companies in multiple channels across the U.S.

Before forming SearchTower (formerly Bryn Mawr Search Partners), Watson was Regional Director of Business Development at LPL Financial, the industry’s largest independent broker dealer. Watson joined LPL in August of 2002 as Regional Director, running the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware territory. In 2007, Watson was promoted to an officer of the firm after many years of outstanding recruiting performance and award recognition.

Beginning in 2001, Watson was Director of Marketing at Amidex Mutual Funds, rebuilding the distribution channel after the events of 9/11 forced the relocation of operations from Manhattan. From 1997 to 2001, Watson served as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley in Conshohocken, PA, where he earned the Financial Planning Specialist and Managed Money Specialist designations from Morgan Stanley’s national training program.

Through his years of experience as both a retail financial advisor and a top recruiter for the nation’s largest independent broker dealer, Watson has developed a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the financial services recruiting industry. Watson’s experience on “both sides of the talent acquisition fence” provides him with a unique understanding of the needs and concerns of both the company and top candidates contemplating a change.

The evolution and founding of SearchTower developed as a result of Watson’s close working relationship with a number of the country’s largest financial services companies. While helping these firms attract and recruit successful Financial Advisors, Watson was asked to help in the search for various key corporate employees. In this process Watson helped develop successful strategies to find and fill roles including Chief Financial Officers, Compliance Directors, Regional Directors of Business Development, Directors of Taxation, and many more.

Watson enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and sailing. He is married and has a 6-year-old son, Will.

watson@searchtower.com

610.520.2411