Managing Director
Gibson Smith is a Managing Director with Reilly Partners, bringing a wealth of experience in HR, talent acquisition, and leadership to the executive search industry. With a proven track record of aligning people strategies with business objectives, Gibson specializes in identifying top-tier leadership talent to drive organizational success and long-term growth.
Over his career, Gibson was a Co-Founder and held executive-level positions, including Chief People Officer at Avionos, where he implemented talent strategies that earned the company recognition as one of Crain’s Chicago Best Places to Work for five consecutive years. Twice named one of Crain’s Chicago Notable HR Leaders, Gibson has demonstrated exceptional expertise in areas critical to executive search, such as leadership development, talent management, employee engagement, and organizational culture.
His accomplishments include leading HR integrations for multiple M&A’s, designing scalable infrastructure to support rapid growth, and developing performance management frameworks that improved organizational alignment and retention. At Accenture Interactive (via Acquity Group), Gibson oversaw global recruitment efforts for hundreds of annual hires, refining processes to secure high-caliber talent in competitive markets.
Gibson’s ability to understand complex organizational needs and deliver tailored solutions has positioned him as a trusted advisor to clients seeking transformational leaders. He brings a consultative approach to search assignments, ensuring alignment between leadership appointments and strategic business goals.
Gibson earned his MBA in eCommerce Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Wittenberg University. Based in Chicago, Gibson enjoys staying active on the basketball court and spending time with his wife and two children.