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	Hunter Group Expands International Capabilities with the Addition of Two Leading Business Veterans The Hunter Group LLC, a provider of executive search services for key management positions worldwide, announces that two business leaders, Bryan A. Becker, CPA and Wim van Acker have joined the firm as partners, bringing with them an expanded network of affiliated offices in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands. The announcement was made by Jim Lionas, who co-founded the firm with Sherry Muir Irwin in 1995. Mr. Lionas sees the addition of Messrs. Becker and van Acker as a reflection of the evolving need for executive search assistance that offers international, niche expertise in a changing corporate environment. "Both Bryan Becker and Wim van Acker, who is multi-lingual, have broad experience with international firms and a unique perspective on the type of executive talent that is necessary in global corporations and emerging industry sectors, as well as leadership talent that is necessary to navigate today's economic climate," says Mr. Lionas. "Today's executive requires different skills than those who lead in relatively stable times. Now is the time for maverick talent that is undaunted by today's corporate challenges; rather, they thrive on it. These are the candidates we bring to our clients' table." Bryan Becker possesses a storied career of over 30 years in the Detroit office of the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP. He joined the firm following graduation from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and rose to the rank of audit partner, managing a variety of client industries and serving in various leadership roles within the firm. Mr. Becker directed the entrepreneurial practice for E&Y's Eastern Michigan practice and the insurance industry practice for the State of Michigan. Under his leadership, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year? program in Michigan grew to cover hundreds of companies in over a dozen industries. Upon retiring from Ernst & Young, Mr. Becker joined the executive search profession, building on the executive placement skills he gained from placing top talent with clients and developing and mentoring staff. He served as executive vice president of Southfield-based search firm for over 3 years prior to joining The Hunter Group and was responsible for management recruiting activities for a variety of industries. Mr. Becker is active in various professional and civic causes. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and remains actively involved with the school, where he is a two-time recipient of the campus' Alumni of the Year award. Mr. Becker is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Becker is a resident of Bloomfield Hills. Wim van Acker most recently served as the Managing Partner for North America at the international consulting firm, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, where he focused on increasing performance of client organizations by strategy development, organizational development and operations improvement initiatives. He also served as a management consultant for the international consultancy, A.T. Kearney for 6 years in Europe and South America. Mr. van Acker's consulting assignments took him throughout the world, with engagements in Europe, South America and North America. He began his career with the chemical corporation AKZO Nobel, where he took on increasingly more responsible management positions in engineering and strategy development and operated in Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East. Mr. van Acker, who is fluent in six languages, has extensive experience in the engineered products industry, the integrated logistics sector, the energy and waste management sectors, especially with regard to renewable energy sources, and the automotive industry. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Mr. van Acker serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber Music Society of Detroit. Mr. van Acker is a resident of Bloomfield Hills. The Hunter Group was established in 1995 to serve the executive search needs of a variety of industries and is committed to identifying and attracting high caliber leadership and managerial expertise for its global client base through its international delivery network. Go Back