International School Board Administrative Search Comments

Comments About Search Associates Administrative Searches

"After much research, we chose John Magagna .....International network and up to the minute information extremely useful....Rapidly responded to many e-mails and faxes.....Mindful of our limited resources...Outstanding Job....John Magagna [has) my highest recommendation, without any reservation."

Elizabeth Baylies, Board President, American Community Schools, Athens, Greece

"A meticulous search....Our needs were [John's] utmost priority....Thorough knowledge of the educational market and key players ....Approach[ed] excellent school heads around the world... Accessible at all hours....Worked tirelessly."

Dr. Uta Coym , Search Committee Chair, Frankfurt International School

"Uncanny ability to hire outstanding administrators. Years of experience and hard work are the secrets of [John's ] success. He knows how to spot and recruit the best."

Tom Kessinger, Ph.D, Former President, Haverford College

"Extremely pleased with entire process, especially selection of our new superintendent.... Absolute professionalism and advice were invaluable...Always accessible...School owes John Magagna a debt of gratitude for his hard work."

Ms. E. Horesh, Search Committee Chair, WB American International School, Tel Aviv

"Attracted a huge pool of qualified candidates...Always available....Invaluable source of information and guidance."

Cune Bednar-Droue, President of the Board, Rabat American School, Morocco

"Always on top of things....Tremendous capacity to focus on individual searches while multi-tasking other things.... Trusted and extremely well regarded throughout the academic community.... Available at all hours, even when he travels...Assisted us in every way possible...[John] will do whatever it takes to make your search a success."

Karen Thomas, Board Vice Chair / Search Committee Chair, American School In Japan

"A superbly executed job....Constantly available for consultation."

Michael Mullins, Board President, Pan American School of Bahia, Brazil

"Your proposal ..was given careful consideration along with those from other leading consulting firms in the U.S. and England. After studying these, however, we have requested John [Magagna] to serve as our consultant.

Dr. Allan Walker, Search Committee Chair, Jakarta International School, Indonesia

"Communication skills, tireless efforts, sound advice....Performance considerably exceeded our expectations...All of us as a Board want to thank you..and will highly recommend you, without qualifications."

Signed by six Board Members (one absent), S.A.I.S. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

"Board extremely satisfied with John's work....We would definitely use his services again."

Katherine Hertz, Board President, Cotopaxi Academy, Quito, Ecuador

"[John] worked remarkably hard for our school....Willingness to accommodate our special needs.... Personal insights invaluable to us....Thoroughness and patience....Available whenever needed."

Attorney John R. Inge, Search Committee Chair, Yokohama International School, Japan

"We never would have found such a talented group of educators nor could we have attracted them to Saudi Arabia, particularly so soon after the gulf War, had it not been for John Magagna and Search Associates."

Ambassador Richard Jones, Board V. President, Saudi Arabian Int'l School, Riyadh

"We could not have found a better partner [than John Magagna] in this crucial undertaking."

Paul A. Lackey, Board Member, Saudia-S.A.I.S., Jeddah

"Many, many thanks for all your hard work. It was my pleasure to work with you, and to try to keep up with you! If I'm ever in a position to look for another school head, you'll most certainly be the one I call"

Ms. Anne Y. Taylor, Search Committee Chair, Brent School, Baguio, Philippines

"Thanks to your professional assistance and a lot of hard work, [we] brought the Head search to a successful conclusion . We have come together as a group .... like never before in my time on the Board."

John Luke, Board Chair Schutz American School , Alexandria, Egypt

"You are fast and thorough. Thanks for your good work, and your encouragement"

David Alexander, Board Chair, Kaohsiung American School, Taiwan

" The insights provided on the candidates by colleagues and board members has been invaluable, and we appreciate your ability to solicit candid assessments."

Steve Seche, Chair, Board Chair - Damascus Community School, Syria

"Jim is a visionary. He has the experience, knowledge and character to lead international organizations into the next century."

Dr. Elmore Rigamer, Medical Director, Dept. of State, Washington, DC

"Thank you for all of your help and guidance . We were very happy with your work and I feel like you understood our school and recommended excellent choices to us."

Mark Jungels, Board Chairman, Tianjin, China

". . . even Jim's everyday efforts have been no less than extraordinary - steady, measured and visionary altogether. He is inviting, welcoming, inclusive, sets people at ease and is an excellent listener, yet he is always able to speak his own mind with clarity, decisiveness, with grace and without offense."

Katherine Babson, Board Chair, UNIS Board of Directors, Hanoi

" I would like to thank you for all you have done to make the search ....such a successful one. Your expertise, contacts and advice were invaluable."

Ann Clemmer, Board Chair, The American School of Kinshasa

"Many thanks for your invaluable advice. The Board were very impressed with all three candidates who came for interviews."

Bill Dawson, Board Chair - U. N. International School of Hanoi

Full text of original letters is available upon request.