Graham Halonen

Graham Halonen is the Practice Manager of Talent Services at PSM Partners, where he helps organizations connect with top technology talent and build high-performing teams. With a background in business development, staffing, and relationship management, Graham is known for his ability to bring together the right people, opportunities, and solutions to drive business success. He is passionate about building long-term partnerships and helping clients navigate their talent and technology challenges with confidence.

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Graphic with the title "Why the First 90 Days of a Technology Executive Hire Can Make or Break Value Creation" and text about the importance of accelerating value, reducing risk, and building confidence in PE-backed organizations.

Why the First 90 Days of a Technology Executive Hire Can Make or Break Value Creation

Key Takeaways: Why are the first 90 days so important for a new technology executive? The first 90 days establish trust, priorities, communication patterns, and leadership credibility that often determine long-term success. What should happen before the executive’s first day? Organizations should align on the executive’s mandate, success metrics, key business priorities, technology risks, and […]

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A blue graphic for PSM Partners discusses when retained executive search is valuable for hiring technology leadership roles like CTO, CIO, CISO, and VP-level positions. Circuit patterns and company logos are shown.

When Retained Executive Search Is Worth It for Technology Leadership Roles

Key Takeaways: What is the difference between retained and contingency search? Contingency search focuses on candidate placement, while retained search provides a structured process that includes role definition, market mapping, assessment, and stakeholder alignment. When is retained search worth the investment? Retained search is often the best choice when a role is strategic, confidential, difficult

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A digital graphic with circuit patterns and text: "AI Literacy Is Now a Core Requirement for Technology Executives. Boards and investors increasingly expect CTOs, CIOs, and leaders to understand AI. Learn what AI literacy means in executive hiring.

AI Literacy Is Now a Core Requirement for Technology Executives

Key Takeaways: Why is AI literacy becoming essential for technology leaders? Boards and investors increasingly expect technology executives to evaluate AI opportunities, manage risk, and connect AI initiatives to measurable business outcomes. Does AI literacy mean executives need to be AI experts? No. Effective technology leaders do not need to build AI models themselves, but

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A digital graphic with circuit board patterns and text about why private equity firms should evaluate technology executive search partners differently, emphasizing the need for more than resume access when hiring executives.

Why PE Firms Should Evaluate Technology Executive Search Partners Differently

Key Takeaways: Why do PE-backed companies need a specialized technology search partner? Technology leaders directly influence growth, operational efficiency, cybersecurity, AI readiness, and exit value. Hiring decisions should be evaluated through a value creation lens, not just a recruiting lens. What should PE firms look for in an executive search partner? The best search partners

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A digital graphic for PSM Partners titled “The Hidden Cost of the Wrong Technology Executive in a PE-Backed Company,” discussing leadership misalignment’s impact on execution, value creation, and exit readiness.

The Hidden Cost of the Wrong Technology Executive in a PE-Backed Company

Key Takeaways: Why is hiring the wrong technology executive so costly? Because the impact extends far beyond compensation and recruiting fees. A misaligned technology leader can delay strategic initiatives, weaken team performance, reduce board confidence, and slow value creation. Is a failed executive hire always a talent issue? Not necessarily. Many failed hires occur because

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