Linford E. Stiles is the founder of Stiles Associates and currently not an active partner or executive with the company. Prior to founding Stiles Associates in 1991, Lin Stiles was a Partner and a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee at Ward Howell International, a major international search firm. He ran Ward Howell’s Stamford, Connecticut office.  Prior to joining Ward Howell in 1985, Lin was a partner at the search firm, Goodrich & Sherwood.

Beyond his numerous completed senior management-level searches, Lin has worked with board chairmen and members to complete over 30 Chief Executive Officer search assignments. Lin’s search expertise is the result of more than 35 years of experience in marketing, manufacturing, finance and general executive management for a variety of industries including consumer products, machine tools, heavy industry and high technology.

Before starting his career in search in 1978, Lin held President and Vice President positions in the manufacturing divisions of the Title Insurance Company of California and Textron (Eaton Paper Division). He began his career at Bowne and Company, a large financial printing firm. Lin holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University.