Michael started Patino Associates in 2008, practically on a dare. Armed with a decades worth of experience from building the Corporate Communications practice at Russell Reynolds and then Spencer Stuart, Michael set out to create a firm that would set the standard for recruiting leadership talent across any and all communications disciplines.

“Search was for me because I get great satisfaction out of finishing things – puzzles, to-do lists and, of course, searches. Our approach is to take our business personally. Even after we finish the search, we celebrate the media victories of our clients and candidates and share their pain when the press is merciless.“

Before launching Patino Associates, Michael was a consultant in the Corporate Communications Practice of Spencer Stuart, and before that developed the Corporate Communications Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Previously, Michael was an Account Manager with the Corporate Executive Board, a “best practices” consulting firm where he was responsible for over sixty relationships with Fortune 1000 firms.Before that, Michael worked as the Director of Special Projects in the Sports Division of E.J. Krause & Associates. Michael began his career in public relations at Entertainment Weekly, a Time Inc. publication.

Michael received his B.A. degree from Princeton University. Michael and his wife, Karyn, live in Vienna, VA with their three children, Eli, Callie, and Thomas.