NEW YORK, May 12, 2006 – Marakon Associates, one of the world’s premier consulting firms, has announced the addition of three new partners and the promotion of an existing partner to chief operating officer.

The three new partners are: Robert McKinnon and John Reynolds, senior managers in the firm’s London office, and Pete Durette, a senior manager in the New York office.

In addition, Lori Massad, chief talent officer and a partner based in New York, has been promoted to COO, assuming that responsibility from Managing Partner Brian Burwell. Massad will retain her title as CTO, overseeing global recruitment, retention and alumni.

"All of these promotions reflect not only the individuals’ significant achievements but the partner group’s continued confidence in the growth of the firm," said Marakon Chief Executive Ken Favaro.

Following are details on each of the four individuals:

Robert McKinnon joined Marakon as a consultant in 1995. In 1997, he left to become a director at PricewaterhouseCoopers but returned to Marakon in 2000 as a manager in the London office. Since then, McKinnon has worked with clients to address organizational and leadership challenges in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, financial services, energy, beverages and confectionery. He has worked on some of Marakon’s most challenging and innovative assignments, including developing a strategy for R&D at a major pharmaceutical company, and supporting a confectionery firm on their future consumer and business vision. In addition to his client work, McKinnon has co-authored several articles on the pharma industry. Recently, he took over as head of Marakon’s Leadership & Organization practice. Commented Favaro: "Rob has done a brilliant job of advancing our practice and helping his clients address difficult issues." McKinnon holds BS in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Durham and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD. Prior to attending INSEAD, he worked as a product manager and trader for Imperial Chemical Industries.

John Reynolds joined Marakon’s London office as a consultant in 1998. Since then, Reynolds has been involved in client engagements in the mining, retail banking, insurance, telecom and consumer products industries. Most recently, he worked with the top team of a leading mining company on a broad organizational and cultural change program. In addition to his client work, Reynolds has co-authored articles on strategic pricing and capital management, and has been heavily involved in the redesign of the consultant development program. Currently, he is responsible for Marakon’s Finance and Operations function in Europe. Commented Favaro: "John has been extremely effective in engaging clients and establishing commitment to change." Prior to joining Marakon, Reynolds worked as a business analyst at A.T. Kearney and a loan officer at Bank United. He holds a BA with distinction in Economics from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from the London Business School.

Pete Durette joined Marakon as an analyst in 1995. In 1999, he left to attend The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated as a Palmer Scholar. Since rejoining Marakon as a manager in 2001, Durette’s client work has spanned a number of industries, most notably diversified industrials, aerospace, consumer products, energy and financial services. Recently, he has been advising the senior management of a major conglomerate on defining and addressing the most critical strategic and organizational issues associated with the company’s transformation. In addition to his client work, Durette is Talent and Operations Leader of the New York office, recruiting leader at Wharton, and an active member of the East Coast business development team. "Throughout his career, Pete has shown exemplary leadership capabilities with our clients and our people," said Favaro. In addition to his MBA from Wharton, he holds a BA in Economics cum laude from Duke University.

Lori Massad joined Marakon in February 2004 as Director of North American Human Resources. In August of that year, she took on the additional responsibility of North American Recruiting. She was promoted to chief talent officer in October 2004. Her consulting career began with an eight-year stint at the Boston Consulting Group, where she became a senior manager and oversaw aspects of the firm’s global recruiting, training, and development strategies. She later was a founding member of two start-ups — Spencer Stuart Talent Network and a human resources outsourcing firm called EmployeeMatters. Immediately prior to Marakon, she was an independent consultant, advising venture capital and private equity firms and their portfolio companies on business strategy issues. "Lori’s unique background and outstanding capabilities make her exceptionally well qualified to take on the COO role," said Favaro. She holds a BA in business administration from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

For additional background, please contact Aviva Tropp at Marakon Associates, +1 212 377 5084.

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.