Prior to founding Pearson Partners International, Robert Pearson was the Chairman and CEO of LAI Worldwide Inc., the third largest global recruiting firm. He was instrumental in taking LAI public, the first firm to do so in the recruiting industry. Mr. Pearson's experience spans over 25 years in the executive recruiting field, first at Russell Reynolds Associates as the Executive Director, then as the Southwest Managing Partner of Lamalie Associates Inc. in Dallas, Texas before being elected the Chairman and CEO. Following several sizable acquisitions and a large secondary public offering, the company was sold to TMP Worldwide, Inc.

Mr. Pearson's early career started with McKinsey & Co. Inc., where he was a Senior Engagement Manager, then with Raymond James and Associates Inc., as VP Corporate Finance. He then ran Pearson Inc., a midsized manufacturing firm in Wisconsin.

Mr. Pearson received a B.S.E.E. from Michigan State University and an M.S. in Industrial Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.