Inside Team Capital: Q&A with John Lamar

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts then moved to California and New Jersey before settling in a little town in Connecticut just outside NYC. It was the perfect combination of small town values with big city lights just a short train-ride away. My Father is a classic entrepreneur. He has worked in many different industries from Transportation to Technology to Energy. This influenced me to wanting a profession with exposure to multiple industries. Executive search satisfies my intellectual curiosity and my desire to know what makes certain industries successful.

How did you get involved with executive search?

After college, I moved to NYC to work as a financial analyst in NYC. My Father–a lifelong entrepreneur–introduced me to an executive search professional who intrigued me with stories about the business over a power breakfast at the Four Season’s. Then in 1993, a friend from childhood introduced me to the business where I immediately found my new home–my true calling.

What jobs have you held?

I worked my way through college as a drive through bank teller and a florist. To this day I have a special appreciation of a well designed funeral spray and no one counts money faster than I do.

Describe your strangest interview.

I once interviewed a leading partner for a major law firm. After he presented me with a 25 page summary of all his many accomplishments and transactions, he directed my attention to Page 24 and wanted me to know that he had, in fact, been acquitted of the child molestation charges raised against him several years ago.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to spend the weekends at my beach house. Sitting on a beach, catching up on my reading, with the sound of the waves and the smell of the heavy salt air is the perfect tonic for a week’s worth of travel, challenges, etc. I also like travel and have hiked Machu Picchu, biked through Italy and climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge.