SOURCE: Marakon Associates

May 31, 2006 14:10 ET

Marakon Associates, Top Management Consultancy, Elects New CEO

Former Chief Ken Favaro Becomes Co-Chairman

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 31, 2006 --Marakon Associates, the international management consultancy, today announced that Brian Burwell has been elected the firm's new chief executive, effective immediately.

Burwell, a managing partner in the firm's San Francisco office, succeeds Ken Favaro, who has served as Marakon's CEO since 2000 (two three-year terms). Favaro will continue to work as a managing partner and will pick up the additional title of co-chairman. Marakon Chairman and Co-founder Jim McTaggart becomes the other co-chairman.

Favaro decided earlier this year to step down as CEO in order to spend more time on client work and the promotion of an upcoming book, "The Three Tensions: Embracing the Struggle to Perform Without Compromise," to be published in December by Jossey-Bass. He is co-author of the book with Dominic Dodd, a senior advisor to Marakon and former managing partner.

"Brian's contribution to Marakon's growth, reputation and culture over the past three decades has been enormous," said Favaro. "His strong leadership capabilities, broad experience in all of our geographic markets and deep understanding of the many ways we help our clients improve performance make him the ideal candidate to take the reins at this time."

Burwell commented: "Thanks to Ken's leadership, Marakon weathered some tough times in the consulting industry and emerged with a more focused and robust offer than ever. I look forward to building on that progress so that we continue to deliver fresh advice and lasting impact to our clients."

Burwell joined Marakon in 1979 -- a year after the firm's founding -- and has more than 25 years of experience working with senior executives at some of the world's leading companies. Prior to joining Marakon, he worked with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and with a research group at the University of California. Burwell holds a BA in economics from the University of California and an MBA from Stanford University.

To arrange an interview or request a photo, please contact David Fondiller in New York at +1 212 377 5016 or dfondiller@marakon.com.

About Marakon Associates:

Marakon Associates is an international management consulting firm that works with senior executives of large companies on the issues that most drive corporate performance and long-term value. The Economist has called it "a consultancy that has advised some of the world's most consistently successful companies." Marakon has offices in New York, London, Singapore, Chicago and San Francisco.