Marshall recognized for 46 years of leadership and a commitment to creating opportunity for others
October 21, 2026 (King of Prussia, PA) – The Philadelphia Business Journal has named John Marshall, Founder and CEO of JM Search, a 2026 Most Admired CEO.
Marshall is one of 26 executives selected by the publication’s editorial board for their professional achievements, community contributions, and impact on Greater Philadelphia. Honorees will be celebrated on December 8 in Philadelphia and featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s December 11 special edition.
Marshall founded JM Search in 1980 at age 25 with no outside capital. For the first five years, he built client relationships, executed searches, and reinvested every dollar back into the business himself. Forty-six years later, JM Search is one of the nation’s leading retained executive search firms, having more than tripled in size over the past five years through entirely organic growth.
“Our work is about helping businesses find the leaders who will shape their future. Building JM Search has required that same investment in our own people,” said Marshall. “I’m proud of the firm we’ve built together and the opportunities it has created for our colleagues and clients. I’m honored to share this recognition with them.”
That investment is reflected in the firm’s 95% recruiter retention rate and the opportunities Marshall has created for employees to build their careers, according to Robert Sargent, Executive Chairman at JM Search.
“He has created a culture where everyone is challenged, everyone has the ability to advance their career and create financial security for their family and regardless of title, everyone has a voice,” said Sargent.
The recognition adds to a year of distinctions for JM Search. Earlier this year, Marshall was named a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Greater Philadelphia program. The firm also earned a top 20 ranking on Forbes’ 2026 list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms, the No. 11 spot on Hunt Scanlon Media’s 2026 Top 50 Recruiters list, and a fourth consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.