Every name is a leader who controls an independent service firm and has already changed how it works
The test is drawn from one example, Marty Bicknell of Mariner. See the list
In short
- Every name meets acceptance criteria drawn from Marty Bicknell: a US service firm of 50 to 10,000 people (1,000 to 10,000 for new searches), independently owned, led by someone who controls it, a dated and costly change to how the work is done, and their own words on why.
- Each person went through seven steps, from a public record to a named leader, then a review that tried to knock them down, then a check of the firm's size and ownership.
- 233 leaders meet every acceptance criterion and make up the list.
- The commonest reason a reviewed leader is not on the list: does not control the firm.
- 417 research paths led to the names, from SEC filings and licence registers to trade press, industry rankings and podcast transcripts.
- What this cannot see: firms that change quietly, and anything not written down in public.
Who we looked for
Acceptance criteria
| Test | What passes | How we checked it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A US service firm | People doing the work for clients: advice, care, law, accounting, insurance, engineering, staffing, agencies and similar. Firms that mainly sell products or software do not pass. | The firm's own site and descriptions of what it sells. |
| 2. 50 to 10,000 people | A firm this size has an established way of working, and one leader can still change it. New searches look only at firms of 1,000 to 10,000 people. | The best public headcount: the firm's site, its releases, industry rankings or filings. No credible number means the test is not passed. |
| 3. Independently owned | Private, family, employee or co-op owned. Not publicly traded, and not controlled by a private-equity owner. | The firm's site, ownership announcements, filings and trade press. |
| 4. A leader who controls it | A founder, owner or chief executive with no parent company or controlling investor above them. | The same sources, plus a dated 2025 or 2026 source showing the role is current. |
| 5. A dated, costly change to how the work is done | AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm. A sale of the firm, a private-equity deal or a succession plan is not enough by itself. | Two different public pages, each quoted exactly. |
| 6. Their own words | A quote from the leader, not the company or a journalist, showing they want to change how the firm works or are rethinking it from the ground up. | A program opened the page and found the exact words on it. |
233 of the 378 leaders who passed review meet every acceptance criterion. Household names and billionaires are left off the list, and so is anyone outside the United States.
Why the others missed. Leaders who passed review but missed at least one test, by the test they missed (some missed more than one):
| Missed because | Leaders |
|---|---|
| Does not control the firm | 52 |
| No transformation quote in their own words | 50 |
| Sells products or software, not services | 49 |
| No credible headcount found | 37 |
| under 1,000 staff (new name) | 35 |
| Publicly traded | 31 |
| More than 10,000 people | 19 |
| Fewer than 50 people | 15 |
How the work was done
Seven steps for every name
- Drew the test from one example. Marty Bicknell, who leads Mariner, is the pattern: an independent service firm whose leader controls it and has already changed how its people work. Grad Conn and Marshall Kirkpatrick set the acceptance criteria from him.
- Followed research paths to named leaders. A research path is a short chain of steps from a public record to a named person, for example an industry ranking of privately held firms, then each firm's newsroom, then the leader quoted on the change. AI research agents followed 417 of them.
- Checked every quote. A program with no AI in it opened each cited page and searched it for the quoted words. Quotes it could not find did not count.
- Tried to knock each person down. A reviewing agent looked for the best case against each one: the wrong person with the same name, a change that belonged to the company and not the leader, a single gesture with nothing behind it, words that did not match actions. Cases it could not settle went to a second review that searched for the missing evidence.
- Looked up the firm. For each leader who stood, the firm's headcount, ownership, who controls it, and whether it sells services, from the firm's site, releases, rankings and filings.
- Found their own words. A quote from the leader on why they changed the firm, checked on the page by the same program.
- Applied the acceptance criteria. A program, not a person and not an agent, applied them to what steps 3 to 6 found. A leader who meets all of them goes on the list.
AI research agents did the reading and the searching. People set the test, decided who is excluded, and decide whom to approach and how. The list shows that public, quotable evidence exists for each leader's control and for a change they made. Whether someone is the right person to approach is a judgment for the people who know them.
The checks each route had to pass
Six checks for every research path. A path that failed was retried, then ruled out with the reason written down.
- It pulled real data. At least two saved copies of what the source returned, so every name can be traced to where it came from.
- It searched more than one way. At least two differently worded searches, because one phrasing often returns nothing where another finds a great deal.
- It was tested on known people it had never seen. Each route was asked about 8 people from the held-back half of the reference list (26 people). A person counted as found only with a checked quote from the route's own source.
- It named at least five new people who met all seven conditions.
- Its steps were written down as run: each step, the source it used, and what links one step to the next.
- Its timing was measured. For each known person found: the year the route's signal first appeared, against the year that person was first publicly recognised. A signal that comes first is early. One that comes after only confirms.
A route can also end as ruled out. That needs at least three recorded attempts and a written reason. Route 11 ended this way.
How routes are ranked. Each working route gets a score out of 100 from fixed weights.
| Part of the score | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Known people found | 25 | Share of the 8 held-back people the route found. |
| New people | 25 | How many new people met all seven conditions, counted up to 15. |
| Timing | 15 | How far ahead of public recognition the signal came. |
| Quotes confirmed | 10 | Share of the route's quotes found on their cited pages. |
| Access | 10 | How open the source is: a free data feed scores highest, a paid source lowest. |
| Trait fit | 10 | Share of the four traits evidenced per new person. |
| Source quality | 5 | Filings and official pages count for more than press, press for more than social posts. |
Read the scores with three cautions. Eight people is a small test, so one hit moves a score a long way. Most routes stopped near five new people because that was the bar, not because the source ran dry. And the reference list of known leaders leans toward chief executives of large companies, so routes that find leaders of smaller private firms score low on known people found even when their new names are good.
The sources
All public. Grouped by what kind of record they are.
| Kind of record | Sources | What they show |
|---|---|---|
| US company filings | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) EDGAR system: 8-K event notices, proxy statements, insider share transactions, large-shareholder filings, private-fundraising notices, investment-adviser registrations | Restructurings, who controls the votes, gifts of stock, who runs a fund |
| Charity and foundation records | ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (US foundation tax returns), Charity Commission for England and Wales, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List | Who funds what, how large the vehicle is, who controls it |
| Ownership and licence registers | UK Companies House, Purpose Foundation list of steward-owned companies, Arizona Supreme Court register of law firms with outside owners, Utah and England and Wales equivalents, Council of Institutional Investors list of dual-class companies | Owners who gave up control, firms that changed what kind of firm they are, founders who hold the votes |
| Pledges and donor rosters | The Giving Pledge, the Audacious Project, Co-Impact, Blue Meridian Partners, Lever for Change, Breakthrough Energy Coalition, Protecting Our Planet Challenge | Named people committing money at scale, and who gives beside whom |
| Community rosters | XPRIZE (benefactors, board, sponsors), Abundance360, the Moonshots and Exponential View podcasts, Jeremiah Owyang's blog and events, the Kauffman Fellows directory | Who gathers around three conveners, and who pays to take part |
| Relationship data | LittleSis (boards and funding ties), Wikidata, OpenAlex (who funds research) | Shared boards, shared funders, founders of institutes |
| Announcements and press | GlobeNewswire, PR Newswire, vendor customer-story pages (Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google Cloud, Salesforce, ServiceNow, UiPath), trade press for wealth, accounting and law, firm newsrooms, Hacker News search, the GDELT news index | Firm-wide changes, new roles, the executive quoted as responsible |
| Wealth and identity | Forbes real-time billionaires list and profiles, Wikipedia | Whether someone has the capacity, checked last |
Not used. LinkedIn, because its terms forbid automated reading. Paid databases such as PitchBook. The SEC's full-text search, which refused automated requests; its filing feeds worked.
The routes
417 ways in, each a chain of steps from a public record to a named person
Route 1: Operating memos: leaders who rewrote how their firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A memo or written policy from a chief executive to staff that changes how the firm works, once it becomes public.
- Why this trace
- Putting a new rule in writing and sending it to everyone is hard to walk back.
- Steps we take
- Search public discussion and news indexes, and published collections of these memos, for the memo language.
- Open the memo or the report on it and take the firm and the author.
- Find later reporting or the firm's own posts showing the firm made the change, with dates and numbers.
- Confirm the author's role in the company's proxy statement or leadership page.
- Sources
- Hacker News search, GDELT news index, published memo collections, firm blogs, SEC proxy statements
- Result so far
- Working. Found 3 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Its signal came in the same year as public recognition (3 cases). Evidence
Route 2: Operating-model change in SEC filings
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in which a listed company reports restructuring costs and describes a new way of operating, not a plain layoff.
- Why this trace
- A company must file this notice within days of the decision, and it is signed.
- Steps we take
- Read the SEC's feed of newly filed 8-K notices (a company's report of a major event).
- Keep the ones reporting restructuring costs (Item 2.05) whose text describes a new operating model.
- Open the attached press release or shareholder letter and take the executive quoted as owning the change.
- Confirm that person's role and shareholding in the latest proxy statement.
- Sources
- SEC EDGAR: latest-filings feed, company filing indexes, 8-K notices and exhibits, proxy statements
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 3: Founder control as the power to decide, crossed with redesign signals
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Lists of listed companies where one person holds the votes: companies with two classes of shares, and filings by large individual shareholders.
- Why this trace
- It tests the fourth trait directly. Someone who controls the votes can push a redesign through.
- Steps we take
- Take companies from the Council of Institutional Investors list of dual-class companies and from new large-shareholder filings.
- Read the ownership table in each company's proxy statement and name the controlling person.
- Search that company's event notices, chief executive letters and newsroom for a redesign of the firm.
- Confirm the person and their control in the proxy statement.
- Sources
- Council of Institutional Investors dual-class list, SEC EDGAR (13D filings, proxy statements, 8-K exhibits), company newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 4: Named executive sponsors in AI deployment case studies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Customer stories published by AI and software vendors that name the executive who sponsored a firm-wide change.
- Why this trace
- The vendor has every reason to name the real decision-maker, and the firm approved the story.
- Steps we take
- Read the customer-story indexes of seven vendors.
- Take the executive the story names as sponsor.
- Confirm the change on the firm's own pages or in trade press, so the vendor is not the only source.
- Confirm the executive's role on the firm's leadership page or in an appointment release.
- Sources
- Customer-story pages of Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google Cloud, Salesforce, ServiceNow and UiPath; firm websites; trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 5: New roles that signal a redesign
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A press release announcing a new senior role, such as chief AI officer or chief transformation officer.
- Why this trace
- Creating a role with a mandate is a public, costly act by the chief executive who created it.
- Steps we take
- Search two press-release wires by role title.
- Take the firm and the chief executive quoted as creating the role.
- Look for proof the role has a mandate: an acquisition, a platform rollout, a workforce programme.
- Confirm the chief executive's role from the release, the leadership page or an SEC exhibit.
- Sources
- GlobeNewswire and PR Newswire, firm newsrooms, SEC exhibits, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 6: Professional and financial services firms that changed their own model
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- State registers of law firms licensed under new ownership rules. Arizona's Alternative Business Structure register lists law firms that people who are not lawyers may own.
- Why this trace
- An accounting, wealth or consulting firm that opens its own law arm has changed what the firm is. The licence is a public record.
- Steps we take
- Read the register (181 licensed entities when pulled).
- Match each licensed entity to its parent firm.
- Take the chief executive, managing partner or practice head named in the launch release or trade press.
- Confirm that person's role on the firm's leadership page.
- Sources
- Arizona Supreme Court Alternative Business Structure directory, Utah Office of Legal Services Innovation, Solicitors Regulation Authority register (England and Wales), firm newsrooms, legal trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 7: Ownership restructuring as lock-in
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- Registers of firms whose owners gave up control to protect the mission: steward-owned companies, employee ownership trusts, and conversions to public benefit corporation.
- Why this trace
- Giving up ownership or control is the most expensive signal there is, and it cannot be undone.
- Steps we take
- Read the Purpose Foundation list of steward-owned companies, UK Companies House records of employee ownership trusts, and SEC notices of charter changes.
- For each firm, find the founder or owner who gave up control and the date.
- Confirm their intent in the firm's own announcement or trade press.
- Sources
- Purpose Foundation company list, UK Companies House (register of people with significant control), SEC EDGAR 8-K notices
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 8: Co-investor and co-funder graph around known people
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- The already-recognised people on the design half of the reference list, and the funds they give through.
- Why this trace
- People who repeatedly put money beside known transformers are likely to share the aim, and many are little known.
- Steps we take
- Look up each known person's foundation in US nonprofit tax records.
- Find the pooled funds that foundation backs.
- Read each pooled fund's roster of funding partners and take the other funders.
- Resolve each funder to the person behind it and check their wealth.
- Sources
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (US foundation tax returns), funder rosters of Co-Impact, Breakthrough Energy Coalition, Protecting Our Planet Challenge and the Audacious Project
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 9: The Peter Diamandis community crossed with prize funding and co-investment
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- The public surfaces around Peter Diamandis: XPRIZE benefactors, board and prize sponsors, the Abundance360 member council, and guests on the Moonshots podcast.
- Why this trace
- A community shows who gathers. Paying for a prize or a seat shows who commits.
- Steps we take
- Collect the names on each surface.
- Keep people who appear on two or more surfaces, at least one of them a paying role.
- Check each person's wealth or role.
- Sources
- xprize.org (benefactors, board, sponsors, prize pages), abundance360.com, Moonshots podcast feed, Forbes profiles
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 10: The Azeem Azhar community crossed with costly action
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- Guests on Azeem Azhar's Exponential View podcast.
- Why this trace
- He interviews people about how technology changes firms. The guest list is a curated pool of leaders with a view.
- Steps we take
- Pull the full episode archive with guest names, titles and firms.
- Keep chief executives and founders. Set aside investors, researchers and officials.
- For each, find a dated redesign of their own firm in its newsroom or SEC filings.
- Confirm the role from a filing or press statement.
- Sources
- Exponential View episode archive, Apple Podcasts listing, company newsrooms, SEC filings
- Result so far
- Working. Found 3 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Its signal came a median 10 years after public recognition (3 cases). Evidence
Route 11: The Jeremiah Owyang community crossed with Form D and the Kauffman network
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- The public surfaces around Jeremiah Owyang: his blog and event recaps, event pages, and the filings of the fund he invests through.
- Why this trace
- Tested because he convenes AI founders and investors.
- Steps we take
- Read his event recaps and event pages for named people.
- Read the fund's private-fundraising filings for backers.
- Look up portfolio companies for their directors.
- Sources
- web-strategist.com, Luma event pages, SEC Form D filings
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Owyang's own channels are public and pullable (WordPress blog with RSS and site search, Luma event pages, two Blitzscaling Ventures Form D filings), but none of the route's hops reach people with capacity. Llama Lounge posts name early-stage AI startups by brand, VC firms by name only, and corporate attendees by role without names (for example 'Adobe: GenStudio Product Manager'); named corporate people are startup-program and innovation staff, not chief executives or controlling owners. Evidence
Route 12: LittleSis interlocks around known people
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- LittleSis, a public database of who sits on which boards and who funds what, searched around the known people on the design half of the reference list.
- Why this trace
- People tied to two or more of the same organisations as a known transformer are close to them in practice.
- Steps we take
- Find each known person in LittleSis.
- List the organisations they sit on, founded or fund.
- Find other people tied to two or more of those organisations.
- Confirm a dated, costly action for each in a second source, then check wealth or role.
- Sources
- LittleSis, Wikidata, Forbes profiles, organisation newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 13: Grand challenge first: problem to builders to funders to principal
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- A hard problem, not a person: fusion energy, carbon removal, longevity.
- Why this trace
- Working backward from the problem finds the people paying to solve it, whoever they are.
- Steps we take
- List the companies building against the problem.
- Read each builder's funding and customer announcements for backers and buyers.
- Name the person who controls each backer.
- Check that person's wealth or role and the date of the commitment.
- Sources
- Frontier portfolio, Fusion Industry Association, OpenAlex research-funder data, builder newsrooms (Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion), SEC Form D filings
- Result so far
- Working. Found 3 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Its signal came a median 10 years after public recognition (3 cases). Evidence
Route 14: Pooled big-bet funds: grantee releases to named donors
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- Donor rosters and launch announcements of pooled funds that make very large grants.
- Why this trace
- Joining a pooled fund means funding at system scale beside peers, and the rosters name the donors.
- Steps we take
- Read each fund's donor roster and announcements.
- Take each named donor or donor vehicle.
- Look up the vehicle's tax filings for its size.
- Name the person behind it and check their wealth.
- Sources
- The Audacious Project, Co-Impact, Blue Meridian Partners, Lever for Change, Breakthrough Energy Coalition, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Forbes profiles
- Result so far
- Working. Found 5 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Its signal came a median 2 years after public recognition (5 cases). Evidence
Route 15: Vehicle formation: Form 4 gifts and new foundations
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- SEC records of company insiders giving away shares. Since 2023 a gift of stock must be reported within two business days.
- Why this trace
- A large gift of founder stock is often the first public sign of a new charitable vehicle, years before that vehicle files anything.
- Steps we take
- Read the SEC's quarterly data on insider transactions and keep gifts worth more than $10 million.
- Read the footnotes for the named recipient: a foundation or a donor-advised fund.
- Look up when that foundation was registered and when it first filed.
- Confirm who the insider is and their role.
- Sources
- SEC Insider Transactions Data Sets (Forms 3, 4 and 5), SEC EDGAR, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 16: Registries outside the US
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- Charity and giving records outside the United States.
- Why this trace
- US filings do not see most of the world. These registers do.
- Steps we take
- Read the India philanthropy ranking, Australian charity returns and the England and Wales charity extract for the largest funders.
- For each, name the trustee or donor who funds and controls the vehicle.
- Check that person's wealth.
- Sources
- EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission data, Charity Commission for England and Wales, Forbes profiles
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 17: Wealth first baseline: rich list to anomalous allocation
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- A rich list. This is the conventional way in, kept as the baseline the other routes have to beat.
- Why this trace
- It shows what the obvious method finds, and how late.
- Steps we take
- Pull the Forbes real-time list of billionaires (about 3,000 people).
- Keep those with a high giving score or a profile naming a large, dated commitment.
- Find the vehicle they founded.
- Confirm the dated commitment and what they say it is for.
- Sources
- Forbes real-time billionaires list and profiles, Wikidata
- Result so far
- Working. Found 7 of 8 held-back known people and named 7 new people. Its signal came a median 1 years before public recognition (7 cases). Evidence
Route 18: Giving Pledge roster by year and region, with letters
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- The Giving Pledge roster, read by year and region to surface recent and lesser-known signers.
- Why this trace
- A public promise to give away most of one's wealth, with a letter saying why.
- Steps we take
- List signers by region and year.
- Read each signer's page and letter for the vehicle they give through.
- Confirm who controls that vehicle.
- Check their wealth.
- Sources
- givingpledge.org roster and letters, vehicle websites, Forbes profiles
- Result so far
- Working. Found 4 of 8 held-back known people and named 7 new people. Its signal came a median 2.5 years after public recognition (4 cases). Evidence
Route 19: Kauffman Fellows directory: firms that are a family office or a principal's own vehicle
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- The Kauffman Fellows directory of venture investors (the network Jeremiah Owyang joined), read for firms that are one family's office or one person's own investment vehicle.
- Why this trace
- Most fellows are fund partners. Where the firm belongs to one principal, the directory leads straight to that person.
- Steps we take
- Page through the directory: fellow, firm, country, sector.
- Read each fellow's profile for the kind of firm and any named principal.
- Confirm on the firm's own site who controls it.
- Find a costly commitment by that principal and check their wealth or role.
- Sources
- Kauffman Fellows directory and fellow profiles, firm websites, press, Giving Pledge
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 20: Trade press and wire announcements: firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A trade-press story or press release in which a wealth, advisory, accounting, law or consulting firm announces a change to how the work gets done, with its chief executive quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing. For them this announcement is the first public trace, and often the only one. This route was built from a named example: Marty Bicknell of Mariner, whom none of the first 19 routes found.
- Steps we take
- Sweep the trade press and press wires for firm-wide changes: an AI workforce contract, a restructure, a new owned law or tax arm, a new pricing model.
- Take the chief executive, founder or managing partner quoted on why.
- Read the vendor's newsroom for other firms on the same model.
- Check control: ownership schedules in the firm's adviser registration, its own capital announcements, or the law-firm ownership register.
- Check cost: the change must be dated and expensive.
- Search back for the firm's earliest redesign move.
- Sources
- InvestmentNews, RIABiz, WealthManagement.com, American Banker, Accounting Today, legal trade press, press wires, SEC adviser registration records (Form ADV), Arizona Alternative Business Structure register
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 21: Trade press sweep: wealth and advisory firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Wealth and advisory trade press from 2024 to 2026, read for firms announcing a firm-wide change to how the work gets done.
- Why this trace
- It is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector, to name more people in the market closest to Humanity Labs.
- Steps we take
- Sweep seven wealth and advisory trade publications and the press wires.
- Take the firm and the chief executive, founder or managing partner quoted on why.
- Confirm the change in the firm's own announcement or a vendor's newsroom.
- Check who controls the firm, and that the change is dated and costly.
- People already found by other routes are not listed again.
- Sources
- InvestmentNews, RIABiz, WealthManagement.com, Citywire, ThinkAdvisor, Financial Planning, AdvisorHub, press wires, SEC adviser registration records
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 22: Trade press sweep: accounting, tax and consulting firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Accounting, tax and consulting trade press from 2024 to 2026, read for firms announcing a firm-wide change to how the work gets done.
- Why this trace
- The same method in a second sector where private partnerships file nothing and the trade press is the record.
- Steps we take
- Sweep the accounting and consulting trade publications and the press wires.
- Take the firm and the leader quoted on why.
- Confirm the change in a second source.
- Check who controls the firm, and that the change is dated and costly.
- People already found by other routes are not listed again.
- Sources
- Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor, Going Concern, Journal of Accountancy, Consulting magazine, INSIDE Public Accounting, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 23: Trade press sweep: law firms and legal services that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Legal trade press from 2024 to 2026, read for law firms and legal businesses announcing a firm-wide change to how the work gets done.
- Why this trace
- The same method in a third sector, where new ownership rules and AI are changing what a law firm is.
- Steps we take
- Sweep the legal trade publications and the press wires.
- Take the firm and the leader quoted on why.
- Confirm the change in a second source.
- Check who controls the firm, and that the change is dated and costly.
- People already found by other routes are not listed again.
- Sources
- LawSites, Artificial Lawyer, Legal Futures, ABA Journal, The Lawyer, press wires, firm newsrooms, Arizona Alternative Business Structure register
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 24: Trade press sweep: US healthcare services firms (physician groups, home health, dental and veterinary groups, labs) that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US healthcare services firm, physician group, home health or hospice operator, dental or veterinary group, or lab company changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search healthcare services trade press (Becker's Hospital Review and Becker's ASC and Dental, Fierce Healthcare, Healthcare Dive, Modern Healthcare headlines, Home Health Care News, Hospice News, MedCity News) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US healthcare services firm, physician group, home health or hospice operator, dental or veterinary group, or lab company changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Becker's Healthcare (beckershospitalreview.com, beckersasc.com, beckersdental.com), Fierce Healthcare, Healthcare Dive, Home Health Care News, Hospice News, MedCity News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 25: Trade press sweep: US insurance agencies, brokers, MGAs and mutual carriers that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US insurance agency, broker, managing general agent, regional or mutual carrier changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search insurance trade press (Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Insurance Business America, Digital Insurance, Coverager, Risk & Insurance, Independent Agent magazine) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US insurance agency, broker, managing general agent, regional or mutual carrier changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Insurance Business America, Digital Insurance, Coverager, Risk & Insurance, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 26: Trade press sweep: US construction contractors and engineering firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US general contractor, specialty contractor, engineering or architecture-engineering firm changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search construction and engineering trade press (ENR, Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Civil + Structural Engineer, Zweig Group news, Architect's Newspaper) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US general contractor, specialty contractor, engineering or architecture-engineering firm changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- ENR (enr.com), Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Zweig Group, press wires, firm newsrooms, ESOP announcements (NCEO)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 27: Trade press sweep: US logistics, freight and distribution firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US freight broker, carrier, third-party logistics provider or distributor changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search logistics trade press (FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, Logistics Management, DC Velocity, Transport Topics, Modern Distribution Management) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US freight broker, carrier, third-party logistics provider or distributor changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, Logistics Management, DC Velocity, Transport Topics, Modern Distribution Management, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 28: Trade press sweep: US community and regional banks and credit unions that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US community or regional bank or credit union changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search banking trade press (American Banker, Banking Dive, The Financial Brand, ABA Banking Journal, Bank Automation News, CU Times, Credit Union Journal, BankDirector) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US community or regional bank or credit union changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- American Banker, Banking Dive, The Financial Brand, ABA Banking Journal, Bank Automation News, CU Times, BankDirector, FDIC BankFind for control and size, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 29: Trade press sweep: US private-equity-backed services platforms whose chief executive rebuilt the operating model
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US private-equity-backed services platform (home and field services, managed IT services, testing and inspection, business services) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search deal and operating trade press (PE Hub, Private Equity International, Middle Market Growth, ACHR News, Contracting Business, ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert, Channel Futures) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US private-equity-backed services platform (home and field services, managed IT services, testing and inspection, business services) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- PE Hub, Middle Market Growth, ACHR News, Contracting Business, ChannelE2E, Channel Futures, press wires, sponsor portfolio pages
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 30: Second sweep: US wealth, advisory, trust and family-office firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US registered investment adviser, independent broker-dealer, trust company, multi-family office or turnkey asset manager changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search wealth trade press NOT mined by Route 21 (Financial Advisor IQ, Kitces.com guest and firm profiles, WealthManagement.com and InvestmentNews items from 2025-2026, Barron's Advisor headlines, Rethinking65, Private Wealth, Family Wealth Report, Trusts & Estates) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US registered investment adviser, independent broker-dealer, trust company, multi-family office or turnkey asset manager changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Financial Advisor IQ, Kitces.com, WealthManagement.com, InvestmentNews, Rethinking65, Private Wealth magazine, Family Wealth Report, SEC Form ADV for owners
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 31: Second sweep: US accounting firms whose managing partner chose outside capital, a split or new ownership to redesign the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US CPA or accounting firm (Top 400, regional or local) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search accounting trade press NOT mined by Route 22 (INSIDE Public Accounting, CPA Trendlines, Accounting Today regional leaders and Top 100 profiles from 2025-2026, CPA Practice Advisor, The CPA Journal, state CPA society news) with focus on private-equity deals, alternative practice structures and employee ownership for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US CPA or accounting firm (Top 400, regional or local) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting, CPA Trendlines, Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor, state CPA society news, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 32: Second sweep: US law firms and legal services businesses led by a chair or founder who redesigned the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search US legal trade press (LawSites, Legaltech News headlines, ABA Journal, Bloomberg Law news headlines, Texas Lawyer, Law360 Pulse headlines, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS directory) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Legaltech News, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS Directory, Utah Office of Legal Services Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 7 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 33: Second sweep: US chief executives of mid-sized and private firms who published an operating memo rewriting how the firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (revenue roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search published chief-executive memos and the coverage of them (company blogs and newsrooms, Axios Pro, Business Insider and Fortune headlines, Inc. and Fast Company, Every.to and Lenny's Newsletter interviews) where a chief executive tells staff how the work itself will change for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (revenue roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- company blogs and newsrooms, Inc., Fast Company, Fortune, Axios, Every.to, press wires
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 34: Trade press sweep: US independent marketing, advertising and communications agencies that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US independent advertising, marketing, PR or media agency changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search agency trade press (Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek US, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, 4A's news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US independent advertising, marketing, PR or media agency changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, press wires, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 35: Trade press sweep: US staffing, outsourcing and IT services firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US staffing firm, recruitment process outsourcer, business process outsourcer or IT services firm changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search staffing and services trade press (Staffing Industry Analysts, Staffing Industry Review, CRN solution provider coverage, Channel Futures, HR Dive, ClearlyRated and American Staffing Association news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US staffing firm, recruitment process outsourcer, business process outsourcer or IT services firm changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts, HR Dive, CRN, Channel Futures, American Staffing Association, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 36: Trade press sweep: US real estate brokerages, property managers and mortgage lenders that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US real estate brokerage, property manager, commercial real estate services firm or independent mortgage lender changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search real estate and mortgage trade press (Inman, HousingWire, Real Estate News, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Multifamily Dive, National Mortgage News) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US real estate brokerage, property manager, commercial real estate services firm or independent mortgage lender changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Inman, HousingWire, Real Estate News, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Multifamily Dive, National Mortgage News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 37: Trade press sweep: US family-owned and private mid-market manufacturers that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search manufacturing trade press (IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Plant Engineering, Smart Industry, state manufacturers association news, Family Business magazine) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Family Business magazine, NCEO employee ownership news, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 38: Trade press sweep: US family-owned and private industrial distributors and wholesalers
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US industrial, electrical, plumbing or building-products distributor or wholesaler changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search distribution trade press (Modern Distribution Management, Industrial Distribution, Electrical Wholesaling, Supply House Times, Distribution Strategy Group, NAW news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US industrial, electrical, plumbing or building-products distributor or wholesaler changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Modern Distribution Management, Industrial Distribution, Electrical Wholesaling, Supply House Times, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. As written the route does not reach its target. Distribution trade press (Distribution Strategy Group, Supply House Times, Electrical Wholesaling, Industrial Distribution) tells firm-redesign and AI-ownership stories almost only about public or very large distributors (Fastenal, Grainger, Ferguson, Wesco, MSC, Henry Schein, Builders FirstSource), most of which S-27 already took or which are voiced by a CIO or the vendor. Evidence
Route 39: Trade press sweep: US mid-market food and beverage producers
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US food, beverage or consumer packaged goods producer (private or mid-sized) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search food industry trade press (Food Dive, Food Business News, Food Processing, Food Engineering, Beverage Digest headlines, Supermarket News) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US food, beverage or consumer packaged goods producer (private or mid-sized) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Food Dive, Food Business News, Food Processing, Food Engineering, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 40: Third sweep: US regional, mid-size and plaintiff law firms led by a founder or managing partner who redesigned the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US regional or mid-size law firm, plaintiff or consumer law firm, or legal services business below the AmLaw 100 changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search US legal and state bar press (LawSites, ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state bar journals, Texas Lawyer and Daily Business Review headlines, Trial Lawyer magazine, Legal Talk Network transcripts) excluding firms already in output/candidates.json for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US regional or mid-size law firm, plaintiff or consumer law firm, or legal services business below the AmLaw 100 changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state bar journals, Legal Talk Network, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 7 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 41: Long interviews: US mid-market chief executives describing in their own words how they rebuilt the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search long-form interviews and transcribed podcasts with chief executives (Inc. and Fast Company features, Forbes and Fortune interviews, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review case interviews, McKinsey and BCG interview transcripts, company podcasts with published transcripts) where the chief executive describes a dated change to how the work gets done for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Inc., Fast Company, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey and BCG interview pages, podcast transcript pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 42: Trade press sweep: US architecture, interiors and design firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US architecture, interiors, landscape or design firm changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search design trade press (Architect magazine, Archinect, The Architect's Newspaper, Interior Design, Metropolis, Building Design+Construction design-firm coverage, Zweig Group letters) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US architecture, interiors, landscape or design firm changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Architect magazine, Archinect, The Architect's Newspaper, Interior Design, Metropolis, Zweig Group, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Three attempts (about 65 receipts across Interior Design, BD+C, Archinect, Zweig Letter, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Fortune and firm newsrooms) gave 2 counted names against a gate of 5. US design trade press reports AI as internal tools and structural change as ownership transitions or new service lines, almost never as a CEO-voiced, dated, costly firm-wide redesign. Evidence
Route 43: Trade press sweep: US boutique consulting, research and advisory firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US boutique management consulting, market research, economic consulting or advisory firm (not the Big Four, Accenture or MBB) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search consulting and research trade press (Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org US, Source Global Research, Quirk's, Greenbook, Research Live, Insights Association news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US boutique management consulting, market research, economic consulting or advisory firm (not the Big Four, Accenture or MBB) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org, Quirk's Media, Greenbook, Insights Association, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 44: Trade press sweep: US employee benefits brokers, PEOs and third-party administrators that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US employee benefits broker, professional employer organization, payroll firm or third-party administrator changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search benefits and HR trade press (BenefitsPro, Employee Benefit News, Business Insurance, PEO Insider (NAPEO), Self-Insured Reporter, HR Dive) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US employee benefits broker, professional employer organization, payroll firm or third-party administrator changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- BenefitsPro, Employee Benefit News, Business Insurance, NAPEO PEO Insider, HR Dive, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The sources are public and pullable (Employee Benefit News teasers, Business Insurance, HR Dive, Insurance Business US benefits desk, PR Newswire all return 200; BenefitsPro is 403 direct and via Jina; NAPEO PEO Insider has no public article index). Across 12 search variants and 15 fetched stories, no US benefits broker, PEO, payroll firm or TPA leader passed both the control check and the cost check. Evidence
Route 45: Trade press sweep: US behavioral health, therapy and specialty practice groups that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search specialty care trade press (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's specialty sections, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, PT in Motion, Healthcare Innovation) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's Healthcare, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, Healthcare Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 46: Trade press sweep: US senior living, home care and post-acute operators that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search aging-services trade press (Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, Home Care Magazine, Argentum news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 47: Trade press sweep: US electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and energy services firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search utility trade press (Utility Dive, NRECA America's Electric Cooperatives news, Public Power (APPA), T&D World, Canary Media, Smart Energy International US) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Utility Dive, NRECA, American Public Power Association, T&D World, Canary Media, press wires, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 48: Trade press sweep: US restaurant groups, hotel operators and hospitality firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US restaurant group, franchise operator, hotel management company or hospitality firm changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search hospitality trade press (Restaurant Business, Nation's Restaurant News, QSR Magazine, Franchise Times, Hotel Management, Hotel Dive, Skift, Hospitality Net) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US restaurant group, franchise operator, hotel management company or hospitality firm changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Restaurant Business, Nation's Restaurant News, QSR Magazine, Franchise Times, Hotel Dive, Skift, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 49: Trade press sweep: US mid-market retailers and consumer brands that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-market retailer, regional grocery chain or direct-to-consumer brand changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search retail trade press (Modern Retail, Retail Dive, Retail TouchPoints, Grocery Dive, Progressive Grocer, Chain Store Age, Retail Brew) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-market retailer, regional grocery chain or direct-to-consumer brand changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Modern Retail, Retail Dive, Retail TouchPoints, Grocery Dive, Progressive Grocer, Chain Store Age, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 50: Trade press sweep: US auto, truck and equipment dealer groups that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US auto dealer group, truck or heavy-equipment dealer changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search dealer trade press (Automotive News, CBT News, Auto Remarketing, Dealer Magazine, WardsAuto dealer coverage, Equipment World dealer coverage, Farm Equipment dealer news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US auto dealer group, truck or heavy-equipment dealer changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Automotive News, CBT News, Auto Remarketing, WardsAuto, Equipment World, Farm Equipment, press wires, dealer group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 51: Trade press sweep: US agricultural cooperatives, ag retailers and agribusinesses that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US agricultural cooperative, ag retailer, grain or farm-supply business, or family agribusiness changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search agriculture trade press (CropLife and CropLife 100, AgWeb and Farm Journal, Agri-Pulse, Successful Farming, Feedstuffs, NCFC co-op news, Rural Cooperatives) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US agricultural cooperative, ag retailer, grain or farm-supply business, or family agribusiness changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- CropLife, AgWeb, Agri-Pulse, Successful Farming, Feedstuffs, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, press wires, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 52: Regional business press: US mid-market chief executives who rebuilt how their firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company in any sector changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Search regional and state business press (Crain's editions, Twin Cities Business, Utah Business, Texas CEO Magazine, Colorado Biz, Indianapolis Business Journal, state business journals, Smart CEO and state CEO-of-the-year and innovation award write-ups; bizjournals.com only where it fetches) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company in any sector changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Sources
- Crain's regional editions, Twin Cities Business, Utah Business, Indianapolis Business Journal, state business journals, state award write-ups, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 53: Operators in their own words: long-form interviews on rebuilding the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Transcripts of podcasts and long interviews in which a chief executive or operating chief explains why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Why this trace
- People who rebuild a firm from first principles tend to explain it in their own words, at length.
- Steps we take
- Search podcast and interview transcripts for a leader explaining why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Write down the leader and the firm.
- Find a second source on a different page that records a costly change to the firm itself, such as a restructure, a new arm or a new model.
- Confirm that the leader can decide today, using a dated source for their role or ownership.
- Sources
- Podcast and interview transcript pages, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 54: Fund formation: Form D funds and IAPD advisers to the principal
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- Form D filings, the notices the SEC (US Securities and Exchange Commission) receives when a private fund raises money, for funds in frontier themes.
- Why this trace
- Setting up a fund with your own capital behind a theme is a costly, dated commitment.
- Steps we take
- Search new Form D filings for funds in frontier themes such as climate, longevity or AI.
- Write down the people the filing lists as running the fund.
- Look up the fund's adviser in the SEC adviser register (Form ADV) to find who controls it: a general partner or a family office.
- Write down the principal behind that general partner or family office.
- Confirm the principal's wealth or control in a dated source.
- Sources
- SEC EDGAR Form D filings, SEC adviser register (IAPD and Form ADV), family office and fund websites
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 55: CEO commitment registries tested against capital allocation
Looks for: Both kinds
- Starts from
- Public climate and sustainability commitments signed by chief executives: the Science Based Targets dashboard, UN Global Compact statements, the Climate Pledge and RE100.
- Why this trace
- It tests whether a public commitment is backed by money, which separates real commitments from statements.
- Steps we take
- Read the commitment registers for companies whose chief executive signed or announced the commitment.
- Write down the company and its chief executive.
- Check the company's capital spending and research spending in its SEC financial data, to see whether the money followed the commitment.
- Keep the chief executive only where the spending backs the commitment.
- Sources
- Science Based Targets dashboard, UN Global Compact, The Climate Pledge, RE100, SEC XBRL company financial data
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 56: Named leads: people named by ruled-out or short routes, checked on their own evidence
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Four people named by routes that were ruled out or fell short, each checked on their own evidence, then one more sweep of the three sectors whose routes were ruled out.
- Why this trace
- No one should be left off because their route or their industry produced too few other names.
- Steps we take
- Take each named lead: Garrett Lord, Jason Seger, Ron Swidler and Sandeep Ahuja.
- Search for each person and firm by name in trade press, the firm's newsroom and interviews.
- Confirm their current role in a dated 2025 or 2026 source.
- Find the dated, costly change to how the firm works, in the leader's own words where possible, and a second page that backs it up.
- List everyone who meets all seven conditions, and say plainly why anyone who does not falls short.
- Search once more for leaders in industrial distribution, employee benefits brokerage and outsourced HR, and architecture.
- Sources
- Firm newsrooms, trade press, press wires, interview transcripts
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 57: Another sweep of Route 41: US mid-market chief executives describing in their own words how they rebuilt the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 41, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 41 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search long-form interviews and transcribed podcasts with chief executives (Inc. and Fast Company features, Forbes and Fortune interviews, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review case interviews, McKinsey and BCG interview transcripts, company podcasts with published transcripts) where the chief executive describes a dated change to how the work gets done for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Inc., Fast Company, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey and BCG interview pages, podcast transcript pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 58: Another sweep of Route 53: Operators in their own words: long-form interviews on rebuilding the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Transcripts of podcasts and long interviews in which a chief executive or operating chief explains why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 53, which found people who stood up to review. People who rebuild a firm from first principles tend to explain it in their own words, at length.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 53 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search podcast and interview transcripts for a leader explaining why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Write down the leader and the firm.
- Find a second source on a different page that records a costly change to the firm itself, such as a restructure, a new arm or a new model.
- Confirm that the leader can decide today, using a dated source for their role or ownership.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Podcast and interview transcript pages, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 59: Another sweep of Route 47: US electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and energy services firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 47, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 47 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search utility trade press (Utility Dive, NRECA America's Electric Cooperatives news, Public Power (APPA), T&D World, Canary Media, Smart Energy International US) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Utility Dive, NRECA, American Public Power Association, T&D World, Canary Media, press wires, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 60: Another sweep of Route 46: US senior living, home care and post-acute operators that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 46, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 46 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search aging-services trade press (Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, Home Care Magazine, Argentum news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 61: Another sweep of Route 37: US family-owned and private mid-market manufacturers that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 37, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 37 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search manufacturing trade press (IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Plant Engineering, Smart Industry, state manufacturers association news, Family Business magazine) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Family Business magazine, NCEO employee ownership news, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 62: Another sweep of Route 45: US behavioral health, therapy and specialty practice groups that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 45, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 45 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search specialty care trade press (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's specialty sections, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, PT in Motion, Healthcare Innovation) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's Healthcare, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, Healthcare Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 63: Another sweep of Route 51: US agricultural cooperatives, ag retailers and agribusinesses that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US agricultural cooperative, ag retailer, grain or farm-supply business, or family agribusiness changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 51, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 51 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search agriculture trade press (CropLife and CropLife 100, AgWeb and Farm Journal, Agri-Pulse, Successful Farming, Feedstuffs, NCFC co-op news, Rural Cooperatives) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US agricultural cooperative, ag retailer, grain or farm-supply business, or family agribusiness changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- CropLife, AgWeb, Agri-Pulse, Successful Farming, Feedstuffs, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, press wires, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 64: Another sweep of Route 32: US law firms and legal services businesses led by a chair or founder who redesigned the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 32, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 32 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search US legal trade press (LawSites, Legaltech News headlines, ABA Journal, Bloomberg Law news headlines, Texas Lawyer, Law360 Pulse headlines, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS directory) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Legaltech News, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS Directory, Utah Office of Legal Services Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 65: Another sweep of Route 33: US chief executives of mid-sized and private firms who published an operating memo rewriting how the firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (revenue roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 33, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 33 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search published chief-executive memos and the coverage of them (company blogs and newsrooms, Axios Pro, Business Insider and Fortune headlines, Inc. and Fast Company, Every.to and Lenny's Newsletter interviews) where a chief executive tells staff how the work itself will change for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (revenue roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- company blogs and newsrooms, Inc., Fast Company, Fortune, Axios, Every.to, press wires
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 66: Another sweep of Route 34: US independent marketing, advertising and communications agencies that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US independent advertising, marketing, PR or media agency changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 34, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 34 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search agency trade press (Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek US, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, 4A's news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US independent advertising, marketing, PR or media agency changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, press wires, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 67: Another sweep of Route 25: US insurance agencies, brokers, MGAs and mutual carriers that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US insurance agency, broker, managing general agent, regional or mutual carrier changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 25, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 25 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search insurance trade press (Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Insurance Business America, Digital Insurance, Coverager, Risk & Insurance, Independent Agent magazine) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US insurance agency, broker, managing general agent, regional or mutual carrier changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Insurance Business America, Digital Insurance, Coverager, Risk & Insurance, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 68: Another sweep of Route 24: US healthcare services firms (physician groups, home health, dental and veterinary groups, labs) that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US healthcare services firm, physician group, home health or hospice operator, dental or veterinary group, or lab company changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 24, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 24 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search healthcare services trade press (Becker's Hospital Review and Becker's ASC and Dental, Fierce Healthcare, Healthcare Dive, Modern Healthcare headlines, Home Health Care News, Hospice News, MedCity News) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US healthcare services firm, physician group, home health or hospice operator, dental or veterinary group, or lab company changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Becker's Healthcare (beckershospitalreview.com, beckersasc.com, beckersdental.com), Fierce Healthcare, Healthcare Dive, Home Health Care News, Hospice News, MedCity News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 6 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 69: Another sweep of Route 26: US construction contractors and engineering firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US general contractor, specialty contractor, engineering or architecture-engineering firm changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 26, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 26 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search construction and engineering trade press (ENR, Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Civil + Structural Engineer, Zweig Group news, Architect's Newspaper) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US general contractor, specialty contractor, engineering or architecture-engineering firm changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- ENR (enr.com), Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Zweig Group, press wires, firm newsrooms, ESOP announcements (NCEO)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 70: Another sweep of Route 52: Regional business press: US mid-market chief executives who rebuilt how their firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company in any sector changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 52, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 52 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search regional and state business press (Crain's editions, Twin Cities Business, Utah Business, Texas CEO Magazine, Colorado Biz, Indianapolis Business Journal, state business journals, Smart CEO and state CEO-of-the-year and innovation award write-ups; bizjournals.com only where it fetches) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company in any sector changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Crain's regional editions, Twin Cities Business, Utah Business, Indianapolis Business Journal, state business journals, state award write-ups, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 71: Another sweep of Route 50: US auto, truck and equipment dealer groups that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US auto dealer group, truck or heavy-equipment dealer changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 50, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 50 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search dealer trade press (Automotive News, CBT News, Auto Remarketing, Dealer Magazine, WardsAuto dealer coverage, Equipment World dealer coverage, Farm Equipment dealer news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US auto dealer group, truck or heavy-equipment dealer changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Automotive News, CBT News, Auto Remarketing, WardsAuto, Equipment World, Farm Equipment, press wires, dealer group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 72: Another sweep of Route 40: US regional, mid-size and plaintiff law firms led by a founder or managing partner who redesigned the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US regional or mid-size law firm, plaintiff or consumer law firm, or legal services business below the AmLaw 100 changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 40, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 40 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search US legal and state bar press (LawSites, ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state bar journals, Texas Lawyer and Daily Business Review headlines, Trial Lawyer magazine, Legal Talk Network transcripts) excluding firms already in output/candidates.json for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US regional or mid-size law firm, plaintiff or consumer law firm, or legal services business below the AmLaw 100 changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state bar journals, Legal Talk Network, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 73: Another sweep of Route 43: US boutique consulting, research and advisory firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US boutique management consulting, market research, economic consulting or advisory firm (not the Big Four, Accenture or MBB) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 43, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 43 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search consulting and research trade press (Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org US, Source Global Research, Quirk's, Greenbook, Research Live, Insights Association news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US boutique management consulting, market research, economic consulting or advisory firm (not the Big Four, Accenture or MBB) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org, Quirk's Media, Greenbook, Insights Association, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 74: Another sweep of Route 54: Fund formation: Form D funds and IAPD advisers to the principal
Looks for: World transformers
- Starts from
- Form D filings, the notices the SEC (US Securities and Exchange Commission) receives when a private fund raises money, for funds in frontier themes.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 54, which found people who stood up to review. Setting up a fund with your own capital behind a theme is a costly, dated commitment.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 54 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search new Form D filings for funds in frontier themes such as climate, longevity or AI.
- Write down the people the filing lists as running the fund.
- Look up the fund's adviser in the SEC adviser register (Form ADV) to find who controls it: a general partner or a family office.
- Write down the principal behind that general partner or family office.
- Confirm the principal's wealth or control in a dated source.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- SEC EDGAR Form D filings, SEC adviser register (IAPD and Form ADV), family office and fund websites
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 75: Another sweep of Route 20: Trade press and wire announcements: firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A trade-press story or press release in which a wealth, advisory, accounting, law or consulting firm announces a change to how the work gets done, with its chief executive quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 20, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing. For them this announcement is the first public trace, and often the only one. This route was built from a named example: Marty Bicknell of Mariner, whom none of the first 19 routes found.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 20 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Sweep the trade press and press wires for firm-wide changes: an AI workforce contract, a restructure, a new owned law or tax arm, a new pricing model.
- Take the chief executive, founder or managing partner quoted on why.
- Read the vendor's newsroom for other firms on the same model.
- Check control: ownership schedules in the firm's adviser registration, its own capital announcements, or the law-firm ownership register.
- Check cost: the change must be dated and expensive.
- Search back for the firm's earliest redesign move.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- InvestmentNews, RIABiz, WealthManagement.com, American Banker, Accounting Today, legal trade press, press wires, SEC adviser registration records (Form ADV), Arizona Alternative Business Structure register
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 76: Another sweep of Route 1: Operating memos: leaders who rewrote how their firm works
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A memo or written policy from a chief executive to staff that changes how the firm works, once it becomes public.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 1, which found people who stood up to review. Putting a new rule in writing and sending it to everyone is hard to walk back.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 1 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search public discussion and news indexes, and published collections of these memos, for the memo language.
- Open the memo or the report on it and take the firm and the author.
- Find later reporting or the firm's own posts showing the firm made the change, with dates and numbers.
- Confirm the author's role in the company's proxy statement or leadership page.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Hacker News search, GDELT news index, published memo collections, firm blogs, SEC proxy statements
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 77: Podcast transcripts: US firm leaders explaining in their own words how they rebuilt the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Published transcripts and show notes of industry podcasts in which a US firm leader describes, in their own words, a dated and costly change to how the firm does its work.
- Why this trace
- Routes built on leaders' own words produced the highest share of people who stood up to review.
- Steps we take
- Search published podcast transcripts and show notes in wealth management, accounting, law, insurance, healthcare services, construction, manufacturing, logistics and agencies.
- Write down each chief executive, founder or managing partner who describes a dated, costly change to how their firm does its work, and the firm.
- Confirm their current role in a dated 2025 or 2026 source.
- Find a second source on a different page, such as the firm's newsroom or trade press, that confirms the change.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself.
- Keep US people only, and skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Podcast transcript pages, Listen Notes, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 78: Third sweep of Route 41: US mid-market chief executives describing in their own words how they rebuilt the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 41, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 41 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search long-form interviews and transcribed podcasts with chief executives (Inc. and Fast Company features, Forbes and Fortune interviews, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review case interviews, McKinsey and BCG interview transcripts, company podcasts with published transcripts) where the chief executive describes a dated change to how the work gets done for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Inc., Fast Company, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey and BCG interview pages, podcast transcript pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 79: Third sweep of Route 53: long-form interviews on rebuilding the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Transcripts of podcasts and long interviews in which a chief executive or operating chief explains why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 53, which found people who stood up to review. People who rebuild a firm from first principles tend to explain it in their own words, at length.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 53 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search podcast and interview transcripts for a leader explaining why each part of the firm exists and what they changed.
- Write down the leader and the firm.
- Find a second source on a different page that records a costly change to the firm itself, such as a restructure, a new arm or a new model.
- Confirm that the leader can decide today, using a dated source for their role or ownership.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Podcast and interview transcript pages, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 1 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing rests on 1 case, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 80: Third sweep of Route 77: US firm leaders explaining in their own words how they rebuilt the firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- Published transcripts and show notes of industry podcasts in which a US firm leader describes, in their own words, a dated and costly change to how the firm does its work.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 77, which found people who stood up to review. Routes built on leaders' own words produced the highest share of people who stood up to review.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 77 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search published podcast transcripts and show notes in wealth management, accounting, law, insurance, healthcare services, construction, manufacturing, logistics and agencies.
- Write down each chief executive, founder or managing partner who describes a dated, costly change to how their firm does its work, and the firm.
- Confirm their current role in a dated 2025 or 2026 source.
- Find a second source on a different page, such as the firm's newsroom or trade press, that confirms the change.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself.
- Keep US people only, and skip anyone already found by any route.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Podcast transcript pages, Listen Notes, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 81: Third sweep of Route 47: US electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and energy services firms that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 47, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 47 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search utility trade press (Utility Dive, NRECA America's Electric Cooperatives news, Public Power (APPA), T&D World, Canary Media, Smart Energy International US) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US electric cooperative, municipal or regional utility, or energy services contractor changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Utility Dive, NRECA, American Public Power Association, T&D World, Canary Media, press wires, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 82: Third sweep of Route 46: US senior living, home care and post-acute operators that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 46, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 46 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search aging-services trade press (Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, Home Care Magazine, Argentum news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 83: Third sweep of Route 37: US family-owned and private mid-market manufacturers that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 37, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 37 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search manufacturing trade press (IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Plant Engineering, Smart Industry, state manufacturers association news, Family Business magazine) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US family-owned or private mid-market manufacturer changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- IndustryWeek, Manufacturing Dive, Assembly Magazine, The Fabricator, Family Business magazine, NCEO employee ownership news, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 2 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing rests on 2 cases, too few to trust. Evidence
Route 84: Third sweep of Route 45: US behavioral health, therapy and specialty practice groups that changed how the work gets done
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Starts from
- A story from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm.
- Why this trace
- Another sweep of Route 45, which found people who stood up to review. Private firms file almost nothing in public, so the trade press is often the only record that a firm redesigned itself. This is the Route 20 method aimed at one sector.
- Steps we take
- Read what the first run of Route 45 searched, then use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates from 2023 to 2026.
- Search specialty care trade press (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's specialty sections, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, PT in Motion, Healthcare Innovation) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US behavioral health provider, therapy practice group, or specialty physician practice (dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy) changed how its work gets done across the firm, for example an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm.
- Write down the firm the story names.
- Write down the leader the story quotes on why the old way of working had hit its limit: the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner.
- Find a second source on a different page that confirms the change: the firm's own announcement or another outlet.
- Confirm that this person can decide today, using a dated 2025 or 2026 source that names their role or ownership.
- Confirm that the change has a date and a real cost, and that it is more than a sale or change of ownership.
- Search back for the firm's earliest move to redesign itself, to date when the change began.
- Skip anyone already found by any route.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's Healthcare, Physician Practice, Medical Economics, Healthcare Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 85: Marty profile: independent wealth management and RIA founders
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search independent wealth management firms and registered investment advisers with 50 to 2,000 staff (Barron's and InvestmentNews top RIA lists, RIABiz, WealthManagement.com, Financial Advisor IQ, Citywire RIA headlines, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- independent wealth management firms and registered investment advisers with 50 to 2,000 staff (Barron's and InvestmentNews top RIA lists, RIABiz, WealthManagement.com, Financial Advisor IQ, Citywire RIA headlines, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 86: Marty profile: multi-family offices, trust companies and outsourced CIO firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search multi-family offices, independent trust companies and outsourced CIO firms (Family Wealth Report, Private Wealth, Trusts & Estates, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- multi-family offices, independent trust companies and outsourced CIO firms (Family Wealth Report, Private Wealth, Trusts & Estates, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts (about 32 web searches and 26 fetch attempts) found no US multi-family office, independent trust company or OCIO leader who fits the whole Marty profile. Attempt 2 inverted the route (fit list first, then each firm's releases and interviews) and hit the same wall as attempt 1: firms big enough (50+ staff) and independent are run by hired CEOs under founders, families or member owners (Cresset's Susie Cranston, Fiducient's Sabrina Bailey, National Advisors Trust's John Sullivan, Fiduciary Trust's Adam Spector, Equity Trust), or publish AI programmes with no named leader voice (Brown Advisory, Cambridge Associates), while the one firm that built and spun out its own AI system (GenTrust, VIRA joint venture 2026) has 33 employees, a strategic outside investor (Kudu) and the quote comes from its CIO. Evidence
Route 87: Marty profile: regional accounting firms not owned by private equity
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search regional and mid-size CPA firms that remain partner-owned (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400, Accounting Today regional leaders, CPA Practice Advisor, state CPA society news) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- regional and mid-size CPA firms that remain partner-owned (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400, Accounting Today regional leaders, CPA Practice Advisor, state CPA society news)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 88: Marty profile: mid-size law firm chairs and managing partners
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers led by a chair or managing partner who redesigned the firm (LawSites, ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state legal press, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers led by a chair or managing partner who redesigned the firm (LawSites, ABA Journal, Attorney at Work, state legal press, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 89: Marty profile: privately held insurance agencies and brokers
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held independent insurance agencies and brokers (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance top privately held broker lists, Insurance Business America, Independent Agent magazine, agency newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held independent insurance agencies and brokers (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance top privately held broker lists, Insurance Business America, Independent Agent magazine, agency newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 90: Marty profile: Vistage, EO and YPO member chief executives
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search published stories and interviews of Vistage, Entrepreneurs' Organization and YPO member chief executives of mid-size private service firms (vistage.com blog and case studies, EO Octane magazine, YPO member stories, chapter features) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- published stories and interviews of Vistage, Entrepreneurs' Organization and YPO member chief executives of mid-size private service firms (vistage.com blog and case studies, EO Octane magazine, YPO member stories, chapter features)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Vistage, EO and YPO publish their member stories openly and fetch at 200, but the stories are membership marketing. Vistage Perspectives features, award blurbs and SBA write-ups are about growth, succession, ESOP sales, ownership buyouts and peer-group benefits. Evidence
Route 91: Marty profile: employee-owned service firms (ESOP Association and NCEO stories)
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search employee-owned service businesses (NCEO and ESOP Association case studies and awards, Employee Owned magazine, firm newsrooms); the transformation must be in how the work is done, not only the ownership change for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned service businesses (NCEO and ESOP Association case studies and awards, Employee Owned magazine, firm newsrooms); the transformation must be in how the work is done, not only the ownership change
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 92: Marty profile: family business leaders who rebuilt the family firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search family-owned service companies (Family Business magazine, Family Enterprise USA, university family business center awards and case studies, regional business journals) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- family-owned service companies (Family Business magazine, Family Enterprise USA, university family business center awards and case studies, regional business journals)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The family-business source category is public and fetchable (familybusinessmagazine.com, hartfordbusiness.com family business honorees, centerstateceo.com, familybusiness.org all return 200), but after 30+ logged fetches and 12 search variants it produced no person who meets the Marty profile. Family-business outlets and award programs select for succession, governance, legacy, growth and community, not for a dated costly change to how the work is done: of 22 Family Business CEOs to Watch 2025-2026 profiles, 11 Hartford family business honorees and the CNY Business Innovation winner, none has an owner-voiced, dated redesign of the work. Evidence
Route 93: Marty profile: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators that are not PE-controlled (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, operator newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators that are not PE-controlled (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, operator newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 94: Marty profile: independent behavioral health and physician practice groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search independent, physician- or founder-owned behavioral health and specialty practice groups (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, practice newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- independent, physician- or founder-owned behavioral health and specialty practice groups (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, practice newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 95: Marty profile: employee-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms (ENR Top 500 Design Firms, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, Building Design+Construction, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms (ENR Top 500 Design Firms, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, Building Design+Construction, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 96: Marty profile: privately held staffing and recruiting firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held staffing and recruiting firms (Staffing Industry Analysts largest staffing firms and Best Staffing Firms lists, ClearlyRated, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held staffing and recruiting firms (Staffing Industry Analysts largest staffing firms and Best Staffing Firms lists, ClearlyRated, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 97: Marty profile: independent marketing, PR and creative agencies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search founder-owned independent marketing, PR and creative agencies with 50 to 1,000 staff (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, Digiday, agency newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- founder-owned independent marketing, PR and creative agencies with 50 to 1,000 staff (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, Digiday, agency newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 98: Marty profile: boutique consulting and professional services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Forbes America's Best Management Consulting Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Forbes America's Best Management Consulting Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 99: Marty profile: privately held property management and real estate services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held property management, brokerage and real estate services firms (NMHC top managers, Inman, HousingWire, The Real Deal, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held property management, brokerage and real estate services firms (NMHC top managers, Inman, HousingWire, The Real Deal, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 100: Marty profile: privately held freight brokerage and logistics services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held freight brokerages and logistics services firms (Transport Topics top freight brokerages, FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held freight brokerages and logistics services firms (Transport Topics top freight brokerages, FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 101: Marty profile: family-owned home and facility services companies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search family-owned HVAC, plumbing, cleaning, landscaping and facility services companies that are not PE-backed (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, Lawn & Landscape, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- family-owned HVAC, plumbing, cleaning, landscaping and facility services companies that are not PE-backed (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, Lawn & Landscape, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 102: Marty profile: owner-operators in their own words on podcasts
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search published podcast transcripts and long interviews with owners of mid-size private service firms (EOS and Traction community podcasts, The Family Business Podcast, industry podcasts, Inc. and Fast Company owner interviews) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- published podcast transcripts and long interviews with owners of mid-size private service firms (EOS and Traction community podcasts, The Family Business Podcast, industry podcasts, Inc. and Fast Company owner interviews)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Podcast transcripts of owner-operators are open and pullable (Collective 54 sitemap and /podcast/<slug> pages, Construction ESOP Collective episode pages, Journal of Accountancy podcast transcripts, all 200 with --text), but for the Marty profile they yield nothing countable. 13 episode or show pages and 2 firm pages gave 0 of 11 guests who pass all tests: Collective 54 member-case guests describe tools or advice with no dated firm-wide change (Bratton, Doyle, Arnott, Ikosipentarhos, Witty, Miramant, whose firm search results also describe as investor-backed); the one real redesign (Innovia Consulting's switch from time and materials to fixed fee, voiced by CEO Alan Wyne in April 2024) fails control because the firm's About page lists the founder as chairman above him; the GWCPA busy-season rebuild is a firm of 'less than 20 people'; the remaining Construction ESOP Collective guests are a surety broker and a former CEO; ServiceTitan's Toolbox for the Trades features consultants and vendors. Evidence
Route 103: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Mid-Atlantic (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 104: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Southeast (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 105: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in Florida
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in Florida (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Roster-first and change-first searches over Florida physician, oncology, orthopedic, pediatric and behavioral health groups (13 web searches, 17 logged fetches) found no leader who passes all Marty-profile tests. Every lead failed one: Florida Cancer Specialists sold about 70% of its business arm Core Ventures to McKesson (NYSE) in June 2025 and its managing physician leaves at the end of 2026; Millennium Physician Group is a CD&R portfolio company built by acquisition; Watson Clinic's Orlando Health hospital is a branding affiliation voiced by Orlando Health; Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute's 2025 buyback from Baptist is an ownership change voiced by an executive director; Pediatric Associates hired an outside CEO in 2025 and its AI work is voiced by the COO; Elite DNA, Health and Psychiatry and Physicians' Primary Care of SWFL show only office expansion, no dated 2023-2026 change in how the work is done. Evidence
Route 106: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in Texas
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in Texas (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 107: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Midwest (Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin)
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Midwest (Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin) (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 108: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the Upper Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the Upper Midwest and Plains (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 109: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Mountain West
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Mountain West (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A Mountain West roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce firms gave 0 leaders who pass size, private ownership, control and a dated change in their own words, from 15 WebSearch queries and 22 logged fetches. The roster spines are closed to fetch.mjs: coloradobiz.com Colorado 500 staffing list is 403 direct and via --jina, staffingindustry.com is 403 (earlier lessons), ClearlyRated winners pages are 404. Evidence
Route 110: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in California
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in California (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 111: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Pacific Northwest
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Pacific Northwest (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 112: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the South (Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas)
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the South (Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas) (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 113: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Carolinas and Virginia
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Carolinas and Virginia (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Carolinas and Virginia hold almost no wealth firm that passes size, ownership and control at once. Fee-only RIA rosters by state (Financial Planning 2025, mirrored on hbwealth.com) show NC- and SC-headquartered independents at 8 to 33 staff (Veratis, Salem, Colony, Bragg, Permcap); the large local names are PE-controlled (Captrust under GTCR, Cary Street Partners under CIVC since April 2025), absorbed (Parsec into Modera, 2023), networks (Visionary Square) or out-of-region firms with a branch. Evidence
Route 114: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in New England and New York
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in New England and New York (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The New England and New York slice of the freight and 3PL universe is too thin to yield Marty-profile leaders. The Transport Topics 2025 Top 100 Logistics and Top 100 Freight Brokerage rankings (the only public rosters with headcount) hold four firms headquartered in the region, and all four fail control: Odyssey Logistics (Danbury, CT) is private-equity owned, Lily Transportation (Needham, MA) was bought by the ZS Fund and merged under Transervice's hired CEO, ROAR Logistics (Buffalo, NY) is a subsidiary of Rich Products Corp. Evidence
Route 115: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Mid-Atlantic (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 116: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Southeast (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 117: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 118: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the South and Southeast (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 119: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Midwest and Plains (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 120: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the West and Mountain states (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 121: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 122: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the South and Southeast (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 123: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A Midwest and Plains cut of privately held staffing firms gave 0 Marty-profile names from 9 searches and 20 logged fetches. The rosters behind the route are closed to fetch.mjs (staffingindustry.com Staffing 100, 40 Under 40 and SI 100 Women pages are 403 direct and via --jina), and the firms that do surface each fail one test. Evidence
Route 124: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the West and Mountain states (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The sources are public and fetchable, but the West and Mountain slice of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies gave no person who passes all four tests. The rosters are thin: O'Dwyer's 2025 West ranking has four firms with 50+ staff, and two of them are already in candidates.json (Hoffman, Bospar). Evidence
Route 125: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 126: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the South and Southeast (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 127: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Midwest and Plains (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Midwest and Plains wealth firms that pass size, ownership and control at once are few, and none of them shows a dated change to how the work is done voiced by the leader who controls it. The fit firms found (Johnson Investment Counsel, Cincinnati, 100% employee-owned, about 158 staff; Moneta, St. Evidence
Route 128: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 129: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 130: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the South and Southeast (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 131: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the West and Mountain states (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 132: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 133: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the South and Southeast (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 134: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the Midwest and Plains (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 135: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the West and Mountain states (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The West and Mountain slice of the privately held broker roster is too thin to support a route. The Insurance Journal Top 100 2025 lists about 30 firms with an office in the 13 western states, but after removing PE platforms (Alliant, EPIC, ALKEME, Inszone, Trucordia), carrier-owned AIS, IMA (already in candidates) and firms since sold (Atlas Hawaii, Bolton to IMA, Van Gilder to USI), about 12 private firms remain. Evidence
Route 136: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 137: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the South and Southeast (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 138: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the Midwest and Plains (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 139: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 140: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 141: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the South and Southeast (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A South and Southeast cut of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth firms repeats the S-85, S-86, S-113 and S-127 result. The regional roster (FINTRX Southeast spotlight) gives three firms in the 50 to 5,000 staff band outside the Carolinas and Virginia: Homrich Berg (Atlanta, 171 staff) has New Mountain and TPG minority stakes and a hired CEO who replaced the founder; Waverly Advisors (Birmingham) runs on Wealth Partners Capital and HGGC Aspire equity; SignatureFD (Atlanta, 99 staff) is partner-owned but its news is owner promotions. Evidence
Route 142: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 143: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the West and Mountain states (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 144: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 145: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Midwest and Plains (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 146: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the West and Mountain states (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. West and Mountain law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers are already harvested: the regional firms that announced a leader-voiced change in 2023-2026 (Holland & Hart, Fennemore, Davis Wright Tremaine, Gunderson Dettmer, Manatt, Phillips Law Group) are in output/candidates.json from S-139, S-111 and earlier routes. On this attempt 25 web searches and 19 logged fetches (10 firm newsrooms, vendor customer indexes, regional legal press) returned no new firm leader with a dated change in their own words. Evidence
Route 147: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 148: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the South and Southeast (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 149: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Midwest and Plains (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 150: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the West and Mountain states (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 151: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 152: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the South and Southeast (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 153: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 154: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the West and Mountain states (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 155: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 156: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the South and Southeast (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Attempt 1 checked about 20 privately held South and Southeast freight, 3PL and logistics firms from the Transport Topics 2025 Top 100 Logistics and Freight Brokerage lists plus per-firm searches (Axle, MegaCorp, Steam, Syfan, Trident, Cornerstone, Magellan, CargoBarn, Kenco, Saddle Creek, Dupre, Bennett, Southeastern Freight Lines, AJC, Lane One). None produced a controlling leader with a dated 2023-2026 change to how the work is done voiced in their own words on two pages. Evidence
Route 157: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Midwest and Plains (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 158: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the West and Mountain states (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 159: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the South and Southeast (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fifth Southern or region-cut wealth route to return 0 (after S-113, S-127, S-141 and the national S-85 and S-86), and it repeats S-141 almost word for word. With the roster widened to Census South (adding Maryland, Arkansas and Louisiana) and to private trust companies and family-owned broker-dealers, every firm in the 50 to 5,000 band failed before or at the change question. Evidence
Route 160: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-160 repeats S-142 (Midwest and Plains owner-led freight, 3PL and logistics), which three attempts declared harvested after about 30 firms and one name (John Ness, ODW, already a candidate). This attempt tried only angles S-142 did not: Midwest ESOP carrier stories, the BizTimes Milwaukee Notable Leaders in Supply Chain and Logistics roster, and Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines and Chicago 3PL sweeps. Evidence
Route 161: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the West and Mountain states (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 162: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 163: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the South and Southeast (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 164: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Midwest and Plains (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 165: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the West and Mountain states (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 166: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 167: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the South and Southeast (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A roster of southern privately held insurance agencies and brokers is easy to build (IJ Top 100 2026 gives 35 rows in the 13 southern states; IJ Best Agencies to Work For 2026 adds 9 regional winners), but after removing PE platforms, PE-backed firms (IOA took Madison Dearborn and Navacord in November 2025), banks and people already in candidates (INSURICA's Ross), the remaining owner-controlled firms publish culture, award, succession and acquisition news, not dated redesigns in the leader's own words. The only 2023-2026 work change found (Houchens Insurance Group absorbing staff departures without rehiring after an AI rollout) is a vendor case study with no leader voice, at a subsidiary of Houchens Industries, so control fails. Evidence
Route 168: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Midwest and Plains employee-owned and family-owned AEC universe has already been mined by S-26, S-69, S-95, S-108 and S-157. S-108 covered the Upper Midwest and Plains states. Evidence
Route 169: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 170: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 171: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the South and Southeast (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 172: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 173: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the West and Mountain states (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. West and Mountain employee-owned and founder-owned wealth firms that pass size, ownership and control at once (Aspiriant, Los Angeles, 100% employee-owned; Coldstream, Bellevue, 230 staff, employee- and director-owned; Ferguson Wellman, Portland, 67 staff, no outside investors; Bailard, Foster City, majority employee-owned; TCI Wealth Advisors, Tucson; D.A. Davidson, Great Falls, about 1,600 staff, employee-owned) publish partner classes, awards, hires, CEO transitions and acquisitions, not a dated change to how the work is done voiced by the leader who controls the firm. Evidence
Route 174: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Northeast and Mid-Atlantic owner-led freight, 3PL and logistics is the fifth regional freight slice tested, after S-114, S-128, S-142 and S-156, and it repeats the result. The Transport Topics 2026 Top 100 Logistics and Freight Brokerage lists hold only a handful of firms based in the region. Evidence
Route 175: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the South and Southeast (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 176: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Midwest and Plains (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 177: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the West and Mountain states (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route repeats S-131 (same West and Mountain partner-owned CPA roster, same sources), which stalled at 2 of 3 after three attempts, and both of its names (Bullock at Squire, Erickson at Tanner) are already taken. Fresh angles in this attempt (Orange County, LA and San Diego business journals, Utah Business release mirrors, Accounting Today Top 100 2026 and BPM pages, an IPA AI-adoption recap, and change-first searches across all Western states for AI rollouts, pricing changes and owned technology arms) gave 0 new firm leaders who pass size, independence, control and a dated costly change. Evidence
Route 178: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 179: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Midwest and Plains (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Three attempts and about 30 fetches across trade press (Medical Economics, Behavioral Health Business, Becker's), the AMGA independent group track, firm newsrooms, state medical society news and congressional hearing transcripts produced no qualifying owner-led behavioral health, therapy or physician group in the Midwest and Plains. Every roster lead failed control (hired CEOs at Wichita Urology, Revo Health, Ortho groups), ownership (PrairieCare to PE-backed Newport, behavioral platforms VC or PE backed) or voice (Clarity Clinic's service line voiced by its COO, MNGI Health 360 voiced by its program physician, not CEO Scott Ketover). Evidence
Route 180: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the West and Mountain states (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 181: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. After real attempts the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic slice of privately held insurance brokers yields no person who passes control plus a dated, leader-voiced change. The IJ Top 100 2026 (fetched via insurancejournal.com/?p=881636) has about 20 rows with an office in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland or Virginia. Evidence
Route 182: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the South and Southeast (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 183: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 184: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the West and Mountain states (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 185: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 186: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the South and Southeast (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 187: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Midwest and Plains (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route is a re-promotion of S-127 (same region, same roster, invalidated 2026-10-06) and change-first searches did not rescue it. Every Midwest and Plains wealth firm that turned up failed one gate: Plancorp (St. Evidence
Route 188: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-188 repeats S-128 word for word (West and Mountain owner-led freight, 3PL and logistics). S-128 spent three attempts here: it used up the Transport Topics Logistics and Brokerage lists and the AI angle, and it found three names (Ryan Petersen, David Duncan, Andrew Flynn), all already in output/candidates.json. Evidence
Route 189: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at the same segment and region after S-115 and S-129, both of which reported that family-owned HVAC, cleaning and home services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic give 0 owner-voiced changes and only cleared by widening to trade contractors and movers. This attempt tried new source families only: Hartford Business Journal Connecticut Family Business Award rosters for 2022, 2024 and 2025 (about 60 honorees, 7 profiles fetched), Worcester Business Journal Best of Business honorees, ServiceTitan customer stories, Lawn & Landscape (Incapsula 403, also via --jina), cleanlink and ISSA building service contractor news, and change-first searches for in-house training centers, four-day weeks, robots and new divisions. Evidence
Route 190: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the South and Southeast (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 191: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Midwest and Plains (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route re-promotes S-145 (Midwest and Plains partner-owned CPA firms), which already harvested the one seam that worked here, the Accounting Today MP Elite pages (Cook, Minkler, Rammes, all now in candidates). A fresh roster of in-band independent Midwest firms from the AT 2026 Best Midsized Firms to Work For list (KerberRose, Porte Brown, Hungerford, Maner Costerisan, HBE, Vesta, Mahoney, Varney, Global Tax Network, Packer Thomas: HQ, staff and chief executive per row) gave no leader-voiced, dated change to how the work is done in searches or newsrooms. Evidence
Route 192: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the West and Mountain states (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-192 repeats S-146 (West and Mountain law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers, invalidated 2026-10-06). The region is harvested: Holland & Hart, Fennemore, Davis Wright Tremaine, Gunderson Dettmer, Manatt, Phillips Law Group, Bay Legal and Aprio Legal are already in output/candidates.json. Evidence
Route 193: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 194: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the South and Southeast (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 195: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Midwest and Plains (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Midwest and Plains privately held insurance brokers are already harvested by S-107 (Victorson, Bill, Appel) and S-149 (Keough, Powers, Kapnick), and Camargo (Mueller) and INSURICA are also in candidates. The IJ Top 100 2026 (insurancejournal.com/?p=881636) has about 30 rows with a Midwest or Plains office; after PE platforms (HUB, BroadStreet, Alera, Highstreet, Relation, Superior, Robertson Ryan), Lockton (over 5,000 staff), banks (Huntington), the Unison perpetuation platform and names already found, about 12 private firms remain. Evidence
Route 196: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the West and Mountain states (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 197: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 198: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the South and Southeast (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Southern and Southeast roster of founder-owned agencies at roughly 50+ staff is already harvested. S-152 took Hahn and Herzog, and S-34 and S-66 took Popstefanov (PMG) and Kerner (Mighty & True). Evidence
Route 199: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 200: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 201: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the South and Southeast (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the third time the same route has run (S-141, S-159, now S-201) and the seventh owner-led wealth region cut to return 0. Firms not tried before were checked this time and each fails a filter before the change question. Evidence
Route 202: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 203: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the West and Mountain states (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at West and Mountain family-owned HVAC, cleaning and home services after S-143 and S-161, which both reported 0 names roster-first and cleared only by widening to trade contractors. This attempt tried four new source kinds: Orange County Business Journal Family-Owned Business Awards (landing page has no nominee text; wp-json search for janitorial, family-owned HVAC and plumbing returns only PE deals and expansions), Association of Washington Business award winners (one in-segment family firm, Sprague Pest Solutions; MacCoy Home Solutions is a small Lynnwood contractor), Family Business Magazine CEOs to Watch 2024-2026 (only Sprague is a West service firm), and CleanLink BSCAI leader profiles (Canadian). Evidence
Route 204: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 205: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the South and Southeast (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route duplicates S-163 (Southern partner-owned CPA firms), which took three attempts to reach 3 names (Forbes, Meade, Mackel), and LESSONS (S-191) says not to promote another region-titled CPA route. A new roster S-163 never used, the Accounting Today 2026 Best Midsized and Large Firms to Work For list, gives about 11 in-band Southern independents with HQ, staff and chief executive (BMSS, Hannis T. Evidence
Route 206: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Midwest and Plains (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 207: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the West and Mountain states (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A fifth cut of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician groups, and the second of the West and Mountain states after S-165 (3 names, which harvested the AMGA track, IKS and PELTO seams). It gave 0 passing names from 11 searches and 7 fetches. Evidence
Route 208: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 209: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the South and Southeast (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route repeats S-167 (same region, same sector, invalidated earlier on 2026-10-07). This attempt tried only the sources S-167 did not use: the Big I Best Practices Agencies roster (independentagent.com, about 120 southern agencies across 2024 and 2025), Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, the Big I Agency AI Labs programme page, and AI vendor customer stories as a lead list. Evidence
Route 210: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts and a third pass at Midwest and Plains owner-led AEC (after S-108 and S-168) gave 1 name, Brian Moran of F.E. Moran. Evidence
Route 211: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 212: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-212 re-promotes S-170 (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic founder-owned agencies) with the same roster sources, and the region is harvested: Ruder Finn, Horizon, MWW, FINN, 5W, Gregory, Known, Butler/Till, Crossmedia, Coyne, /prompt and January Digital are already in candidates. This attempt changed the source kind (indieagency.news WP API and op-eds, firm newsrooms) and logged 25 fetches. Evidence
Route 213: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the South and Southeast (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 214: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route repeats S-172 (same title, same region), which ran three attempts and already took the three names this roster yields (Steve Bruere, Scott Steffes, Steve Baird, all now in output/candidates.json, as is Mike Kaeding of Norhart). With those skipped, 14 fetches and 12 searches across land brokerage and auction rosters (Land Report Midwest 2026, Great Plains 2025, Great Lakes 2025), property managers, title agencies, commercial firms and family brokerages found no new leader who passes all four tests. Evidence
Route 215: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the West and Mountain states (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-215 re-promotes S-173 (West and Mountain employee-owned and founder-owned wealth firms, invalidated 2026-10-07 with 0 names) and is the eighth wealth region cut after S-113, S-127, S-141, S-155, S-159, S-173, S-187 and S-201. A disjoint firm list was tested change-first (in-house tax, own trust company, flat fee, in-house AI). Evidence
Route 216: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 217: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the South and Southeast (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at South and Southeast family-owned HVAC, cleaning, pest and home services (after S-175, which already harvested Hiller, Richardson and Stalvey). Sixteen searches and nine logged fetches across academy launches, robot cleaning, autonomous mowing, four-day week, no-commission pay, owned software arms, ENR Southeast specialty contractors and anti-PE stories gave 0 people who pass size, control and a dated 2023 to 2026 change in the leader's own words. Evidence
Route 218: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Midwest and Plains (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 219: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 220: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the South and Southeast (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 221: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Midwest and Plains (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth cut of Midwest and Plains independent behavioral health, therapy and physician groups (after S-119 and S-179 x3) and none of the leads passed. Six WebSearch query variants and five fetch.mjs fetches (four 200, one 403) gave no leader who met all four tests: owner control, a size of 50 to 5,000, no PE, and a dated costly change in their own words. Evidence
Route 222: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the West and Mountain states (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 223: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third run of the same regional slice after S-121 (3 names, all now in candidates) and S-181 (invalidated). This attempt used only sources the earlier runs skipped: Independent Agent magazine, the IJ July 2026 account-manager AI feature, the IJ AI viewpoint, Big I state association pages, Agency Checklists' current index, and per-firm searches for private brokers neither run reached (Graham Company, Conner Strong & Buckelew, Smith Brothers). Evidence
Route 224: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the South and Southeast (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 225: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 226: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the West and Mountain states (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. West and Mountain founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies are too thin a pool for an owner-led route, repeating S-124. Three rosters were pulled: indieagency.news WordPress API by city (Denver, Boulder, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Salt Lake, Boise; about 170 posts, almost all under 50 staff), Adweek Fastest Growing Agencies 2026 (only two West rows at 50+ staff: New Engen, PE-backed per S-124, and MAS, which is New York and Madrid), and S-124's O'Dwyer's West ranking. Evidence
Route 227: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third cut of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic owner-led consulting, research and professional services (after S-125 and S-185, which harvested law, PR, research and CPA names now in output/candidates.json). The roster that still fetches (O'Dwyer 2025 independents and New York rankings) gives about 20 in-band Northeast independents not yet in candidates.json, but the dated changes they announced in 2025 and 2026 (PAN AI Optimization service line, Nov 2025; PAN web service line, Dec 2025; Matter AI Brand Discovery and GEO service, Sept 2025) are voiced by staff (a chief of integrated marketing, a head of AI innovation, a VP, a general manager), never by the founder who controls the firm. Evidence
Route 228: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the South and Southeast (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at South and Southeast owner-led real estate services (after S-112, S-126 x3 and S-186 x2). Seven web searches and six receipts gave no new person who passes size, private control, leader voice and a dated 2023-2026 change. Evidence
Route 229: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Midwest and Plains (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the third promotion of the Midwest and Plains employee-owned and founder-owned wealth route (S-127, S-187, now S-229) and the ninth wealth region cut. A firm list disjoint from S-127 and S-187 still gave 0 owner-led names. Evidence
Route 230: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 231: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (after S-115, S-129 and S-189; S-189 already asked that this pair not be promoted again). Only new kinds of source were tried: the ACHR News story on Nexstar Network dropping its PE-backed members (suggested by S-217 as a roster of independents, but it names no member firms), a Contracting Business 2025 feature on AI in HVAC firms, a PR Newswire release from a family-owned Brooklyn plumber, the NJBIZ In the Lead 2025 family-owned business pages (403 direct and via --jina) and an NJBIA member news item. Evidence
Route 232: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the South and Southeast (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at Southern founder-owned IT services, managed services and tech consulting (after S-116, S-130 and S-190), so the core is already harvested and the remaining firms fail. The CRN SP500 and MSP 501 rosters were used up earlier; the ENX 2025 Elite Dealers list gives about 40 Southern dealer-MSPs, but their tag pages show only awards, successions and dealer-for-dealer acquisitions. Evidence
Route 233: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Midwest and Plains (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the third run of the Midwest and Plains partner-owned CPA pair (S-145 took Cook, Minkler and Rammes; S-191 was invalidated with zero). The one source kind earlier runs had not read as a leader roster, IPA's 2026 Best of the Best page (CEO or MP and net revenue per row), lists 13 Midwest independents not yet in candidates (Abdo, Blue & Co., Boulay, Doeren Mayhew, GBQ, Global Tax Network, Lutz, Meaden & Moore, Miller Cooper, Pease Bell, Porte Brown, Wegner, William Vaughan). Evidence
Route 234: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the West and Mountain states (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-234 is the fourth pass at West and Mountain law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers (after S-139, S-146 and S-192, the last two invalidated). This attempt tried only angles the earlier passes had not: plaintiff and personal injury firms in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and California through vendor webinars (EvenUp), Hanson Bridgett managing partner Kristina Lawson's own words on the June 2026 Claude rollout, Law Week Colorado coverage after 2024, firm subsidiaries and AI platforms in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho, and Legora or Harvey firmwide deals in Mountain cities. Evidence
Route 235: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third cut of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic independent behavioral health, therapy and physician groups (after S-147 and S-193, which took Trumble, Carlan, Kryder and the Grosso MSO cluster). Five WebSearch variants and nine fetch.mjs attempts (four 200, five 403) gave no new leader who passed control, size, no-PE and a dated owner-voiced change. Evidence
Route 236: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the South and Southeast (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Three attempts over South and Southeast privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators (about 45 WebSearches, 30 receipts) gave 1 counted owner-led name: David Ammons of Retirement Living Associates (Raleigh), whose full equity CCRC broke ground in 2025. Every other lead failed control, region, size or change. Evidence
Route 237: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Midwest and Plains (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Sixth run of the Midwest and Plains privately held insurance slice, after S-107 and S-149 (six names taken) and S-195 (invalidated). This attempt used only sources S-195 did not: the Business Insurance agents and brokers ranking and privately owned list (the directory page is a frame; the ranking and officer data are sold as a PDF or Excel, so it is paywalled), Independent Agent magazine and Big I state association news (searches return partner booklets and Best Practices rosters, no dated owner-voiced redesigns), and agency-system vendor stories in Insurance Journal sponsored blogs. Evidence
Route 238: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the West and Mountain states (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at West and Mountain owner-led AEC (after S-150 and S-196, which took the visible names: Hensel Phelps, BZI, Salas O'Brien, Harder, MKA, ESI, RK Industries). Fourteen searches and 12 receipts gave 0 new fit people. Evidence
Route 239: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the South and Southeast (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 240: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the Midwest and Plains (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This re-promotes S-138 (Midwest and Plains founder-owned agencies, three attempts, three names now in candidates.json: BarkleyOKRP, Signal Theory, Meyocks), and with those skipped the pool is mined out. A roster S-138 used only once, the AMIN Worldwide Americas network page (aminworldwide.com/network/americas, 200 with --text), lists eight further Midwest members, and every one fails a gate: Fusion92 (Chicago, 275 staff) took investment partners, True Media (Columbia, MO, 175+) joined Meet The People, Hoffman York got a new CEO in 2025, Simantel's owners are principals with no dated change, Paradowski and Bailey Lauerman are run by hired presidents or CEOs (Bailey Lauerman 51-100 staff, CEO Greg Andersen joined in 2016), and CVR and Six Speed are small. Evidence
Route 241: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. West and Mountain founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms gave 0 Marty-profile names from 17 searches and 12 fetches. The Consulting magazine roster is blocked (consultingmag.com 403, winners rendered as images, per S-111, S-125 and S-139), and every firm the open web surfaced failed one test before the change question: outside control (Point B with Endeavour, Crucial Learning under Leeds Equity Partners since 2019, Cicero Group now part of MGT), too small (Human Design and Universal Mind, 11 to 50 staff), or a real firmwide AI change voiced by staff rather than the leader (SWCA's AI Augmentation Initiative, June 2026, announced through a Director of Practice Innovation promotion with no CEO words). Evidence
Route 242: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 243: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the South and Southeast (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fifth South or Southeast cut of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth firms (after S-113, S-141, S-159 and the national S-85/S-86). The regional rosters fetched this run (FINTRX Southeast spotlight, Financial Planning Top Fee-Only RIAs with a Tennessee office) list the same in-band firms, and each fails before the change question: Homrich Berg/HB Wealth (171 to 215 staff) has PE minority stakes and a hired CEO, Waverly (83 staff) has outside equity, SignatureFD (99 staff) is partner-owned with only promotion news, and the largest Tennessee-office firms are headquartered out of region. Evidence
Route 244: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-244 is the sixth pass at Midwest and Plains owner-led freight, 3PL and logistics (after S-142 x3, S-160 and S-202 x3, which stalled at 2 names and asked the controller not to promote the slice again). Per LESSONS, this attempt tested only seams those routes had not read for the Midwest: the AI-dispatch vendor customer press lists that gave S-216 its third Northeast name, and owner-voiced cold searches. Evidence
Route 245: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the West and Mountain states (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fourth pass at West and Mountain family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services firms (after S-143, S-161 and S-203). Prior passes harvested the few working leads (Eaton, Chas Roberts, Canyon State Electric, DeSantis, Harder). Evidence
Route 246: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 247: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the South and Southeast (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 248: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the Midwest and Plains (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at Midwest and Plains law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers (after S-88, S-153, S-164 and S-206). The in-band firms with a leader-voiced change are already in candidates.json (Benesch, Tucker Ellis, Vorys, Thompson Hine, Husch Blackwell, Polsinelli, Spencer Fane, Stinson, Koley Jessen, von Briesen, Clark Hill). Evidence
Route 249: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the West and Mountain states (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third cut of West and Mountain independent behavioral health, therapy and physician groups (after S-165, which took the region's 3 passing names, and S-207, invalidated with 0). Four Behavioral Health Business wp-json searches by state (Utah, Arizona-based, Colorado-based, Washington-based; 2024-2026, about 110 story titles) plus 3 web searches and 3 article fetches gave 0 passing names. Evidence
Route 250: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 251: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the South and Southeast (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third run of the South and Southeast privately held insurance slice, after S-167 and S-209, both invalidated. This attempt used only seams those runs left open: AI vendor customer case studies (outmarket.ai) as a lead list, the employee-owned Higginbotham newsroom and its CEO interview, and Insurance Journal 2025 and 2026 AI features. Evidence
Route 252: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at Midwest and Plains owner-led AEC (after S-108 x2, S-168, S-210 x2), run on the same kinds of roster the earlier passes showed dead (ENR, Zweig, NCEO, firm newsrooms). Five web searches and twelve fetches gave one borderline name, Kate Harris of Stanley Consultants (Muscatine IA, 100% employee-owned, 1,000+ staff), whose only dated move is the May 2022 purchase of Resilient Analytics as a climate-science arm, a growth acquisition before the 2023 to 2026 window rather than a redesign of how the work is done. Evidence
Route 253: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 254: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-254 is the third Northeast and Mid-Atlantic founder-owned agency route (after S-170 and S-212, which said not to promote another). The region's obvious owner-led agencies are already in candidates (Ruder Finn, Horizon, MWW, FINN, 5W, Gregory, Known, Butler/Till, Crossmedia, /prompt, Mindgrub). Evidence
Route 255: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the South and Southeast (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 256: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at Midwest and Plains owner-led real estate services (after S-172 x3 and S-214, which already took Bruere, Steffes, Baird and Norhart's Kaeding). Twelve searches and eight fetch attempts gave no fit person. Evidence
Route 257: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the West and Mountain states (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-257 is the third copy of the West and Mountain employee-owned and founder-owned wealth route (after S-173 and S-215, both invalidated with 0 names) and roughly the twelfth wealth region cut. This attempt tested the one seam the earlier West passes had not tried, the S-155 lesson that founder-owned AI-first and flat-fee RIAs announce changes to the advice work itself, plus a disjoint firm list. Evidence
Route 258: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 259: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Midwest and Plains (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 260: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the West and Mountain states (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 261: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the third run of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic partner-owned CPA slice (S-117 and S-219 both stalled; S-103 covered the Mid-Atlantic) and the region is mined out. Eight in-band independents from this region are already in candidates (Whittlesey, Wiss, YHB, Withum, Grassi, AAFCPAs, GRF, Bookkeeper360). Evidence
Route 262: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the South and Southeast (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 263: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Midwest and Plains (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Sixth cut of Midwest and Plains independent behavioral health, therapy and physician groups (after S-119, S-179 x3 and S-221). New seams were tried: the BHB WordPress API searched by Midwest state term (Minnesota-, Ohio-, Missouri-, Wisconsin-, Indiana-based, 2024 on, about 200 dated titles), agilon health partner releases and a physician-owned plus AI or new model search. Evidence
Route 264: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the West and Mountain states (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at West and Mountain owner-led aging services (after S-120, S-180 and S-222, which took 9 names between them). 12 change-first and roster searches across HHCN, Hospice News, SHN, SNN, PR Newswire, Utah Business and Washington family-business awards, plus 11 fetches, gave 0 people who pass all four tests. Evidence
Route 265: Owner-led service firms: privately held insurance agencies and brokers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held insurance agencies and brokers based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal and Business Insurance privately held broker rankings, Independent Agent magazine, state agent association news, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fourth run of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic privately held insurance slice (after S-121, S-181 and S-223), and the ninth regional insurance invalidation. S-121 already took the fit owner-led agencies here (Mackoul, United Insurance, Paradiso, Deland Gibson, Foresight). Evidence
Route 266: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned or family-owned engineering, architecture and construction services firms based in the South and Southeast (ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR Top 500 Design Firms and regional ENR editions, Zweig Group Hot Firm lists, NCEO employee-owned firm stories, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at South and Southeast owner-led AEC (after S-122, S-182 x3 and S-224) gave 0 new names in 12 searches and 9 fetches. The route's own rosters do not reach an owner's voice: the ENR Texas & Southeast 2026 design-firm narrative quotes only hired executives on markets (Kimley-Horn SVPs, Pape-Dawson, already on file), the Zweig 2026 Hot Firm list (99 rows) was worked by S-224 with 0 yield, and the NCEO site search renders by script (no results in the saved page). Evidence
Route 267: Owner-led service firms: privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held staffing, recruiting and workforce services firms based in the Midwest and Plains (Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Staffing Industry Analysts lists, ClearlyRated Best of Staffing, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth cut of Midwest and Plains owner-led staffing (after S-123, S-183 x2, S-225). A new kind of roster (ClearlyRated 2026 Best of Staffing state pages for IL, OH, MN, WI, IA) is open but lists mostly national brands and franchises; the few private Midwest firms on it failed on control (Palmer Group: hired CEO at an employee-owned firm, no dated change found; Swoon: founder stepped back, hired president), on change (Medix: only a 2021 acquisition; The Reserves Network: acquisitions only) or are already in candidates.json (Horizontal Talent). Evidence
Route 268: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies based in the West and Mountain states (Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age independent agency coverage, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's rankings, regional ad clubs, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at West and Mountain founder-owned marketing, PR and creative agencies (after S-124 and S-226, both 0, and S-184, whose 3 names Ayzenberg, Huberman and Mehrguth are already in output/candidates.json alongside Hoffman, Sparrer and Trowbridge). New sources still gave no one who passes all four tests. Evidence
Route 269: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned consulting, research and professional services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine Best Firms, Inc. 5000 service companies, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth cut of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic owner-led consulting, research and professional services (after S-125, S-185 and S-227). 18 searches and 10 fetch attempts gave no new person who passes all four tests. Evidence
Route 270: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the South and Southeast (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at South and Southeast owner-led real estate services (after S-112, S-126 x3, S-186 x2 and S-228, which said to retire the pair). The one untried free roster, the RISMedia WordPress API searched by Southern state plus broker/owner (four state queries, about 160 dated 2023-2026 posts), lists franchise affiliations, mergers and broker Q&As. Evidence
Route 271: Owner-led service firms: employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of employee-owned and founder-owned wealth management firms based in the Midwest and Plains (employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- employee-owned RIA rosters, InvestmentNews and Barron's RIA rankings, RIABiz, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fourth copy of the Midwest and Plains employee-owned and founder-owned wealth route (S-127, S-187, S-229 all returned 0). A disjoint firm list gave 0 again. Evidence
Route 272: Owner-led service firms: privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held freight brokerage, 3PL and logistics services firms based in the West and Mountain states (Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Transport Topics rankings, FreightWaves, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth pass at West and Mountain owner-led freight, 3PL and logistics (after S-128 x3, S-188 and S-230). I tested the only two seams S-230 left open. Evidence
Route 273: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (after S-115, S-129, S-189 and S-231; S-189 and S-231 both asked that this pair not be promoted again). Only angles those passes did not use were tried: owned training academies (the change that worked for the Midwest in S-157), salaried or four-day technician pay, tree care, moving, pest control, fire and security service firms, New England business journals, and BSC people news. Evidence
Route 274: Owner-led service firms: founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting firms based in the South and Southeast (CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- CRN Solution Provider 500 (private firms), Channel Futures MSP 501, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fifth pass at Southern founder-owned IT services, managed services and technology consulting (after S-116, S-130, S-190 and S-232, which said not to promote it again). Six WebSearch queries and three logged fetches, including a new employee-owned roster (certifiedeo.com/companies), surfaced no new fitting leader. Evidence
Route 275: Owner-led service firms: partner-owned CPA and advisory firms in the Midwest and Plains
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of partner-owned CPA and advisory firms based in the Midwest and Plains (INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 and Best of the Best, Accounting Today regional leaders, state CPA society news, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fourth run of the Midwest and Plains partner-owned CPA pair (S-145 took Cook, Minkler and Rammes; S-191 and S-233 were invalidated with zero), and LESSONS.md already said to retire it. The one seam earlier Midwest runs had not read, the Accounting Today Top 100 2026 roundup that made the South yield in S-247, holds three Midwest quotes: Wipfli (New Mountain Capital money), Doeren Mayhew (Audax partnership, M&A plan) and Lutz, whose managing shareholder Ryan Cook took office May 2025 and describes a cloud migration of the practice management platform, which is internal IT, not a costly change to the client work. Evidence
Route 276: Owner-led service firms: law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers in the West and Mountain states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of law firms with 50 to 600 lawyers based in the West and Mountain states (state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- state and regional legal press, Law.com regional headlines where fetchable, LawSites, ABA Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. S-276 is the fifth pass at West and Mountain law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers (after S-139, S-146, S-192 and S-234, the last three invalidated). This attempt tried only angles the earlier passes had not: mid-size Los Angeles and Bay Area independents by name (Allen Matkins, Ervin Cohen & Jessup, Greenberg Glusker, Coblentz, Wendel, Cooper White), Pacific Northwest and Mountain independents by name (Sherman & Howard, Foster Garvey, Tonkon Torp, Gallagher & Kennedy, Jennings Strouss, Cairncross, Ray Quinney), Hawaii, New Mexico, Montana and Idaho firms, first chief AI or innovation officer roles in Seattle, Portland, Denver and Phoenix, and owned subsidiaries or subscription pricing in California. Evidence
Route 277: Owner-led service firms: independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of independent behavioral health, therapy and physician practice groups based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, Becker's, Medical Economics, state health association news, practice newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth Northeast and Mid-Atlantic cut of behavioral health, therapy and physician groups (after S-147, S-193 and S-235). Five WebSearches and 10 fetch attempts on seams the earlier runs had not used gave 0 owner-led names. Evidence
Route 278: Owner-led service firms: privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators in the South and Southeast
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held home care, senior living and hospice operators based in the South and Southeast (Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms), keep firms with roughly 50 to 5,000 people that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, McKnight's, Hospice News, state association awards, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Fourth South and Southeast aging-services pass (after S-148, S-194 and S-236, which together found 5 names) gave 0 new owner-led names from 16 fetches and about 22 searches. Every lead failed before or at the change question: PE-backed platforms (Team Select: Court Square 2023; Compassus), franchisors (Caring Senior Service is already in candidates; BrightStar, Home Halo, Griswold, Comfort Keepers), hired CEOs under a controlling family or partners (12 Oaks: Blaylock family chairman; Harbor Retirement Associates; Retirement Unlimited, founded by the Fralin and Waldron families), growth with no change to how the work is done (Claiborne, Aspenwood, Sagora's 2024-2025 third-party management growth), nonprofits (Southern Care Collaborative members), and out of region (Solenvia in Connecticut, Stellar in Utah, Silverado in California). Evidence
Route 279: Independent service firms: Employee-owned firms: NCEO and ESOP Association stories
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from NCEO (nceo.org) employee ownership stories and Employee Ownership Foundation case studies, ESOP Association award winners and member spotlights; keep professional and field service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- nceo.org, esopassociation.org, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The NCEO and ESOP Association starting lists name firms but never a leader voicing a dated change to how the work is done. In 25 fetches and about 20 searches: the NCEO blog index (nceo.org/employee-ownership-blog) is policy, research and webinar news, and its one AI post is anonymised CEO-network highlights; ESOP Association chapter award pages and the 2026 chapter winners article list about 40 Company of the Year firms (Design Workshop, BL Companies, Lochmueller, Ramaker, Bowers + Kubota, Avion, CFD Research, McCownGordon and others) with no leader quote; its articles are association news. Evidence
Route 280: Independent service firms: Employee-owned firms: regional ESOP news
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from regional business journal and trade stories about employee-owned (ESOP or EOT) engineering, accounting, insurance, staffing and care firms from 2023 to 2026, excluding stories that are only about the sale to employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- regional business journals, ENR, Accounting Today, Insurance Journal, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 281: Independent service firms: Inc. 5000 service firms: professional services and consulting
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Inc. 5000 2024 and 2025 lists, Business Products and Services, Consulting and Engineering categories, privately held firms with 50 or more employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- inc.com/inc5000 company profiles, firm newsrooms, regional press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 282: Independent service firms: Inc. 5000 service firms: health, care and human services
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Inc. 5000 2024 and 2025 lists, Health Services and Human Resources categories, privately held operators with 50 or more employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- inc.com/inc5000 company profiles, Home Health Care News, Behavioral Health Business, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 283: Independent service firms: Inc. 5000 service firms: marketing, logistics and IT services
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Inc. 5000 2024 and 2025 lists, Advertising and Marketing, Logistics and Transportation, IT Services categories, privately held firms with 50 or more employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- inc.com/inc5000 company profiles, Ad Age, FreightWaves, CRN, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The spine is pullable: api.inc.com/rest/i5list/2024 returns the full 2024 Inc. 5000 as JSON (5,001 rows, 1,086 in Advertising and Marketing, IT Services and Logistics and Transportation) with company, city, state, founded, website and a one-line business model, but no employee count, owner or leader name, and the 2025 list returned 418 twice while www.inc.com is 403. Evidence
Route 284: Independent service firms: Family business awards
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from family business award winners 2023 to 2026: university family business center awards, regional Family Business Awards run by business journals, Family Business Magazine coverage; keep service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- familybusinessmagazine.com, university family business centers, regional business journals
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Regional and university family business award rosters for 2023 to 2026 (TCB Minnesota Family Business Awards 2025 and 2026, Hartford Business Journal 2025, UofL, Business NC, Seattle Business) give 0 new owner-led service firms with a dated, leader-voiced change to how the work is done. Each in-band service honoree failed one test: Plunkett's (825 staff) is already a candidate via S-259; New Horizon Academy (3,081 staff, CEO Chad Dunkley) shows growth and values but no dated redesign; Celarity (157) has only a 2020 Covid pivot; Cox Insurance has 35 staff; Saisystems (201+) took Serent Capital money in March 2026. Evidence
Route 285: Independent service firms: Kitces podcast and Financial Advisor Success guests
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from guests on Michael Kitces Financial Advisor Success podcast and similar wealth-firm founder interviews 2023 to 2026 who founded or control independent wealth or tax firms of 50 or more people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- kitces.com podcast transcripts, RIABiz, Citywire RIA, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 286: Independent service firms: Accounting firm leader podcasts and interviews
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from CPA Trendlines, Accounting Today "Accounting Tomorrow", The Boomer Consulting and Rightworks podcasts, INSIDE Public Accounting interviews 2023 to 2026 with managing partners of firms of 50 or more people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- podcast transcript pages, accountingtoday.com, cpatrendlines.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Accounting podcasts and interview series do not work as a discovery spine for owner-led service firms. Seven full-history episode feeds were pulled from the iTunes lookup API: Accounting Voices, INSIDE Public Accounting, the Accounting Today Podcast, CPA Trendlines, Boomer Briefing, Rightworks Modern Firm and The Independent CPA Firm Podcast. Evidence
Route 287: Independent service firms: Law firm managing partner interviews
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from interviews with managing partners and chairs of independent US law firms of 50 to 600 lawyers about changing how legal work is done (Law.com where fetchable, Legaltech News, LawSites, Above the Law, ABA Journal, legal innovation podcasts) 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- lawsites.com, abajournal.com, abovethelaw.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 288: Independent service firms: Agency owner podcasts
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from guests on Build a Better Agency (Agency Management Institute), the 2Bobs podcast and similar agency-owner shows 2023 to 2026 who own independent marketing, PR or creative agencies of 50 or more people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- podcast transcript pages, agencymanagementinstitute.com, Ad Age, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 289: Independent service firms: Home care and behavioral health operator podcasts
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Home Health Care News, Senior Housing News, Behavioral Health Business and Hospice News podcasts and executive interviews 2023 to 2026 with founders or owners of private operators.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- podcast pages and articles on those sites, operator newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 290: Independent service firms: Staffing and workforce firm founder interviews
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from The Staffing Show, Staffing Industry Analysts interviews and ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner profiles 2023 to 2026, founder or owner-led staffing firms of 50 or more internal staff.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- staffingindustry.com, podcast transcript pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The sources are open (the Staffing Show Castos RSS feed lists 163 episodes back to 2018 and staffinghub.com episode pages have full transcripts, 200 with --text; the wurknow Humans of Staffing index is 200), but after 29 logged fetches and 11 searches the route yields 0 new people who fit the profile. Episode guests from 2023 to 2026 are mostly vendors (Ringover, Leoforce, Staffing Engine), franchisors and franchise staff (Express, NEXTAFF, AtWork), consultants, or leaders of sub-50-staff boutiques (Wayward Medical, CareTeam Solutions, First Staffing Group, TLC Nursing). Evidence
Route 291: Independent service firms: Best workplaces in professional services
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Fortune and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services and Best Small and Medium Workplaces 2023 to 2026, privately held US service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- greatplacetowork.com list profiles, firm newsrooms, regional press
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The spine is public and pullable: greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/consulting/<year> returns 200 with fetch.mjs --text for 2024, 2025 and 2026, about 75 rows per year (top large firms plus the 50 small and medium firms) with name, industry and city, linked to certified-company profiles. The guessed paths /consulting-and-professional-services/<year> and /small-and-medium/2025 return 404. Evidence
Route 292: Independent service firms: B Corp service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the B Lab directory of certified B Corporations in the US, professional services, consulting, marketing, staffing and care categories, firms of 50 or more people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bcorporation.net directory, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 293: Independent service firms: AI vendor customer stories from mid-size service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from customer stories on Microsoft (Copilot), Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Cloud, Harvey, Thomson Reuters CoCounsel, Karbon and Canopy sites that name a privately held US service firm of 50 to 5,000 people and quote its leader.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- vendor customer-story pages, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Thirteen vendor index and story fetches (Harvey, Thomson Reuters legal and tax, Karbon, Canopy, Microsoft, Claude, OpenAI) and 17 vendor-restricted searches gave no new US independent service firm leader who passes the profile. Vendor stories fail in four repeating ways. Evidence
Route 294: Independent service firms: Vistage and EO member CEO stories
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Vistage, Entrepreneurs Organization and YPO public member stories, CEO of the year awards and chapter spotlights 2023 to 2026, owner-led service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- vistage.com, eonetwork.org, regional press, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Second test of peer-group member stories (after S-90, invalidated 2026-10-06) using seams S-90 did not try: Vistage Impact and Leadership Award press releases on firm newsrooms and wire reprints, the YPO 2025 year-in-review member stories, EO chapter spotlights and the Vistage A Life of Climb podcast feed via the iTunes lookup API. Ten receipts and seven searches gave 0 people who fit the independent service firm profile. Evidence
Route 295: Independent service firms: Business journal innovation and Fast 50 awards
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from regional business journal Fast 50, Innovation Awards and Best of Business winners 2023 to 2026 across US metros, privately held service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com where fetchable, regional business press, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Award lists as the starting hop do not find independent service firms with a leader-voiced redesign. Across four attempts, about 300 honorees on 9 fetchable lists were screened: Utah Business Fast 50 2024 and 2025, Crain's Cleveland Fast 50 2025 PDF, BizTimes Future 50 2026, Smart Business Smart 50 (Pittsburgh 2024, NE Ohio 2024 and 2025, Columbus 2025 and 2026), plus firm honoree releases from bizjournals Fast 50 lists, which are 403. Evidence
Route 296: Independent service firms: Accounting firm innovation lists
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Accounting Today Firms to Watch, Best Firms to Work For, INSIDE Public Accounting Best of the Best and CPA Practice Advisor innovation awards 2023 to 2026, firms of 50 or more people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- accountingtoday.com, cpapracticeadvisor.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The named starting lists do not surface leader-voiced redesigns at independent US accounting firms. Accounting Today's 'Firms to Watch' page is a 2010 article with no firm names in its text and no current edition. Evidence
Route 297: Independent service firms: Engineering and AEC innovation awards
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Zweig Group Best Firms to Work For and Hot Firm, ACEC Engineering Excellence and ENR regional Top Design Firms innovation stories 2023 to 2026, employee or family owned firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- zweiggroup.com, acec.org, enr.com regional editions, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 298: Independent service firms: Insurance agency innovation awards
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Insurance Journal and Insurance Business America innovation and agency awards, IIABA Best Practices agencies and Reagan Consulting coverage 2023 to 2026, privately held agencies and brokers.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- insurancejournal.com, ibamag.com, independentagent.com, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Insurance agency innovation awards and IJ/IBA agency coverage 2023-2026 yield no new person who fits the independent service firm profile. Award winners are either too small (Valor, BluePrint Risk, McClain, Beacon, Lennox: under 50 staff), already in candidates.json (RIGHTSURE's Jeff Arnold, Foresight's Michael Cruz), subsidiaries without a controlling leader (Rate Insurance under its mortgage parent), PE platforms (High Street) or networks and carriers (Affordable American, Auto-Owners). Evidence
Route 299: Independent service firms: Credit unions and member-owned financial co-ops
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from credit unions and other member-owned financial cooperatives with 50 to 5,000 staff whose chief executive announced a change to how members are served (AI in lending or service, branches or roles redesigned) 2023 to 2026, from CUToday, Credit Union Journal and CU Times.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cutoday.info, cutimes.com, credit union newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 300: Independent service firms: Mutual and reciprocal insurers
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from policyholder-owned mutual and reciprocal insurers with 50 to 5,000 staff (not stock companies) whose chief executive changed how claims, underwriting or service work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Best's News, insurer newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 301: Independent service firms: Translation and language service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Slator LSP Index and Nimdzi 100 US-based privately held language service providers with 50 or more staff that rebuilt their work around AI 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- slator.com, nimdzi.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 302: Independent service firms: Security and facility services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from SIA and Security Magazine rankings of privately held US guarding and integration firms, and BSCAI building service contractors, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- securitymagazine.com, bscai.org, sdmmag.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 303: Independent service firms: Independent veterinary and dental groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held, doctor-owned veterinary and dental practice groups that are NOT private-equity backed, with 50 or more staff, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Today's Veterinary Business, Dental Economics, Becker's Dental, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 304: Independent service firms: Independent physician groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from physician-owned independent medical groups (not hospital or PE owned) with 50 to 5,000 staff, from AMGA, MGMA and Becker's coverage 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- beckersasc.com, beckershospitalreview.com, amga.org, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 305: Independent service firms: Architecture and interiors firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Architect 50, Interior Design Giants and BD+C Giants 400 employee or partner owned US firms that changed how design work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- architectmagazine.com, interiordesign.net, bdcnetwork.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 306: Independent service firms: Home services and remodeling contractors
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Qualified Remodeler Top 500, ACHR News Top Contractors and Plumbing and Mechanical lists, family or founder owned, not PE backed, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- qualifiedremodeler.com, achrnews.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 307: Independent service firms: Forbes and FT company lists, private service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Forbes America's Best Midsize Employers and Best Small Companies, and Financial Times The Americas Fastest Growing Companies, privately held US service firms, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com list pages, ft.com list pages where fetchable, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 308: Independent service firms: Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential: firm leaders
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from managing partners and CEOs named in Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People 2023 to 2026 who lead firms of 50 to 5,000 people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- accountingtoday.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People (2023 full list, 2024 and 2025 list and survey pages, 11 receipts, about 150 distinct named people) is a list of association heads, regulators, standard setters, consultants to the profession, software vendors, Big Four and Top 10 chiefs and PE-backed platform CEOs. Only two named leaders run a US service firm of 50 to 5,000 people without a controlling sponsor: Jeff Call (Bennett Thrasher), already in output/candidates.json, and Reyes Florez (Platform Accounting Group), a founder-CEO whose firm grows by acquisition with outside minority capital. Evidence
Route 309: Independent service firms: Legal innovation awards: midsize firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from ILTA Innovative Law Firm, Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law and American Legal Technology Awards winners 2023 to 2026 that are US firms of 50 to 600 lawyers.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- iltanet.org, law.com where fetchable, lawsites.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 310: Independent service firms: Event, hospitality and food service contractors
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held US event, catering, hospitality management and contract food service firms with 50 to 5,000 staff whose leader changed how the work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Food Management, Hotel Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts, 0 qualifying names. The open spines work but have no owner-voiced, dated 2023-2026 redesigns at private firms of 50 to 5,000 staff. Evidence
Route 311: Independent service firms: Employee-owned firm podcasts and conferences
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from speakers and guests at NCEO and ESOP Association conferences and employee-ownership podcasts 2023 to 2026 who lead employee-owned service firms.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- nceo.org, esopassociation.org, podcast pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Employee-ownership podcasts and conferences do not surface leaders who redesigned how their firm does the work. Eight US EO podcast feeds (about 450 episodes, 2023 to 2026) were saved and read: guests are advisers, trustees, lenders, bankers and policy people, and the firm leaders who appear talk about the ESOP transaction, succession and culture, which the standing decisions say is not a redesign. Evidence
Route 312: Independent service firms: Regional Best Places to Work, service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from business journal Best Places to Work winners in ten large US metros 2024 and 2025, privately held service firms with 50 or more staff.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- regional business journals and their award pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The route's spine, business journal Best Places to Work lists in ten large metros, is closed: bizjournals.com list pages return 403 direct and via --jina (Dallas, Atlanta), and WebSearch refuses bizjournals.com as a domain. The fetchable regional substitutes (Hartford Business Journal 2025 and 2026 honoree pages, San Diego Business Journal and Los Angeles Business Journal 2025 PDFs) give a good roster with headcount and top executive, but every write-up is benefits and culture copy written by a company representative. Evidence
Route 313: Independent service firms: Engineering and environmental consultancies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Zweig Group Hot Firm and ENR Top 200 Environmental Firms that are employee or family owned with 50 to 5,000 staff and changed how project work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- zweiggroup.com, enr.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 314: Independent service firms: Credit unions and member-owned financial co-ops, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from credit unions and other member-owned financial cooperatives with 50 to 5,000 staff whose chief executive announced a change to how members are served (AI in lending or service, branches or roles redesigned) 2023 to 2026, from CUToday, Credit Union Journal and CU Times.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cutoday.info, cutimes.com, credit union newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 315: Independent service firms: Mutual and reciprocal insurers, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from policyholder-owned mutual and reciprocal insurers with 50 to 5,000 staff (not stock companies) whose chief executive changed how claims, underwriting or service work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Best's News, insurer newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 316: Independent service firms: Translation and language service firms, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from the Slator LSP Index and Nimdzi 100 US-based privately held language service providers with 50 or more staff that rebuilt their work around AI 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- slator.com, nimdzi.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 317: Independent service firms: Independent veterinary and dental groups, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from privately held, doctor-owned veterinary and dental practice groups that are NOT private-equity backed, with 50 or more staff, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Today's Veterinary Business, Dental Economics, Becker's Dental, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 318: Independent service firms: Independent physician groups, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from physician-owned independent medical groups (not hospital or PE owned) with 50 to 5,000 staff, from AMGA, MGMA and Becker's coverage 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- beckersasc.com, beckershospitalreview.com, amga.org, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 319: Independent service firms: Architecture and interiors firms, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from Architect 50, Interior Design Giants and BD+C Giants 400 employee or partner owned US firms that changed how design work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- architectmagazine.com, interiordesign.net, bdcnetwork.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 320: Independent service firms: Legal innovation awards: midsize firms, second pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from ILTA Innovative Law Firm, Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law and American Legal Technology Awards winners 2023 to 2026 that are US firms of 50 to 600 lawyers.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- iltanet.org, law.com where fetchable, lawsites.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 321: Independent service firms: Rural electric and telecom cooperatives
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from member-owned rural electric and broadband cooperatives with 50 to 5,000 staff whose chief executive changed how field and member service work is done 2023 to 2026 (NRECA and NRTC news, Cooperative.com).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cooperative.com, electric.coop, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 322: Independent service firms: Farm credit and cooperative banks
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Farm Credit System associations and cooperative banks with 50 to 5,000 staff whose CEO changed how lending or member service work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- farmcredit.com, ag lender trade press, association newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 323: Independent service firms: Independent pharmacy and home medical groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from independently owned (not PE-backed) pharmacy chains, infusion and home medical equipment providers with 50 or more staff that changed how care is delivered 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Drug Topics, HME News, NCPA news, company newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 324: Independent service firms: Independent title, escrow and appraisal firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held title, escrow, settlement and appraisal firms with 50 or more staff that rebuilt their work around automation 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- HousingWire, Title News (ALTA), Inman, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Across two attempts and more than 55 logged fetches, no owner or controlling CEO of a US title, escrow or appraisal firm with 50 to 5,000 staff was found voicing a dated 2023 to 2026 redesign of the work. The named trade press (HousingWire, ALTA news, The Title Report) quotes vendors, underwriter executives, WFG staff, COOs and chief appraisers. Evidence
Route 325: Independent service firms: Independent research and survey firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held market research, survey and data collection firms with 50 or more staff (Insights Association, GreenBook GRIT lists, Quirks) that rebuilt their work around AI 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- greenbook.org, quirks.com, insightsassociation.org, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Trade-press rosters for US market research and survey firms (Greenbook CEO Series, Greenbook IIEX speaker pages, MRWeb Daily Research News, Quirks and Insights Association results via search) fetch fine but surface the wrong population for the Independent service firms profile. Greenbook CEO Series guests in 2026 are founders of AI-native or software platforms (AddMaple, NewtonX, OG Insights, Enlightn, Knowledge Hound, Cint) or staff of large groups (Accenture Song). Evidence
Route 326: Independent service firms: Credit unions and member-owned financial co-ops, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from credit unions and other member-owned financial cooperatives with 50 to 5,000 staff whose chief executive announced a change to how members are served (AI in lending or service, branches or roles redesigned) 2023 to 2026, from CUToday, Credit Union Journal and CU Times.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cutoday.info, cutimes.com, credit union newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 327: Independent service firms: Mutual and reciprocal insurers, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from policyholder-owned mutual and reciprocal insurers with 50 to 5,000 staff (not stock companies) whose chief executive changed how claims, underwriting or service work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Best's News, insurer newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at US mutual and reciprocal insurers is exhausted. Across three attempts (about 40 fetches and 30 searches) only one leader qualified (Jeanette Ward, Texas Mutual). Evidence
Route 328: Independent service firms: Independent veterinary and dental groups, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from privately held, doctor-owned veterinary and dental practice groups that are NOT private-equity backed, with 50 or more staff, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Today's Veterinary Business, Dental Economics, Becker's Dental, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at privately held, doctor-owned US veterinary and dental groups for the Independent service firms profile. S-303 and S-317 already took the six countable people this pool holds (Willis, White, Hughes, Thomas, Nelsen, Spencer), and candidates.json also holds Swenson, Becknell, Leonetti, Patel and Hoe. Evidence
Route 329: Independent service firms: Independent physician groups, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from physician-owned independent medical groups (not hospital or PE owned) with 50 to 5,000 staff, from AMGA, MGMA and Becker's coverage 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- beckersasc.com, beckershospitalreview.com, amga.org, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at independent physician groups gave 0 qualifying new names from 8 searches and 15 fetches. Becker's ASC and Crain's are 403. Evidence
Route 330: Independent service firms: Legal innovation awards: midsize firms, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. SECOND PASS: the first pass already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from ILTA Innovative Law Firm, Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law and American Legal Technology Awards winners 2023 to 2026 that are US firms of 50 to 600 lawyers.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- iltanet.org, law.com where fetchable, lawsites.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 331: Independent service firms: Rural electric and telecom cooperatives, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from member-owned rural electric and broadband cooperatives with 50 to 5,000 staff whose chief executive changed how field and member service work is done 2023 to 2026 (NRECA and NRTC news, Cooperative.com).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cooperative.com, electric.coop, co-op newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 332: Independent service firms: Farm credit and cooperative banks, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from Farm Credit System associations and cooperative banks with 50 to 5,000 staff whose CEO changed how lending or member service work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- farmcredit.com, ag lender trade press, association newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at Farm Credit associations and cooperative banks. The sources are open (association newsrooms, cobank.com/news, agcountry.com, fcsamerica.com, agweb.com all 200 with --text) but, after skipping Reynolds, Norte and Harris (already in candidates.json from S-322) and the many credit union CEOs already found, no further leader passes the own-words test. Evidence
Route 333: Independent service firms: Independent pharmacy and home medical groups, third pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of roughly 50 to 5,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders; go further down the same list (smaller, newer or less covered firms, other states). Start from independently owned (not PE-backed) pharmacy chains, infusion and home medical equipment providers with 50 or more staff that changed how care is delivered 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Drug Topics, HME News, NCPA news, company newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Third pass at independent pharmacy, infusion and HME groups found no new person who fits after 22 logged fetches and 15 searches. The Chain Drug Review April regional-chain roster is a closed set of about eight US chains (Kinney, Lewis, Hartig, CARE, Thrifty White, Fruth, Hy-Vee, Discount Drug Mart) that earlier passes already worked; the remaining ones show growth, ESOP ownership or pre-2023 moves (Discount Drug Mart central fill 2018 and MetroHealth clinics 2015, Hayat nurses 2021) and no dated 2023-2026 redesign voiced by the controlling leader. Evidence
Route 334: Large independent service firms: Am Law 200 law firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 law firms with 1,000 to 10,000 total staff, led by an elected chair or managing partner who has changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026 (firm-built AI, new delivery or pricing models, redesigned associate or staff roles).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, Bloomberg Law, Legaltech News, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 335: Large independent service firms: Top 100 accounting and advisory firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Accounting Today Top 100 and INSIDE Public Accounting Top 100 firms with 1,000 to 10,000 staff that are still partner-owned (skip the private-equity-backed ones).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- accountingtoday.com, ipa-inc.com, CPA Trendlines, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Over two attempts the route screened every partner-owned firm of 1,000 to 10,000 people in the IPA Top 500 (about 25 firms) and found one countable leader, Steven Strammello of Crowe. The pool is too small: CLA, Withum, Weaver, BPM and LBMC leaders are already candidates; Eide Bailly took Reverence Capital private equity in 2026; Andersen is now public; Wipfli, Aprio, Cherry Bekaert, EisnerAmper, CohnReznick, Citrin, Armanino, Sikich, PKF, UHY, Doeren Mayhew, Elliott Davis, Frazier & Deeter, Schellman, Richey May and Springline are PE-backed; BDO, RSM, Baker Tilly and CBIZ are over 10,000 people or public. Evidence
Route 336: Large independent service firms: Employee-owned engineering and design firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from ENR Top 500 Design Firms and ENR Top 400 Contractors that are employee-owned or family-owned with 1,000 to 10,000 staff.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, BD+C Giants 400, NCEO, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Three attempts and about 70 firm and mechanism searches gave one countable name (Jordan Goldstein, Gensler). The roster hop works: the NCEO Employee Ownership 100 gives headcount and ESOP status for about 25 in-band AEC firms. Evidence
Route 337: Large independent service firms: Employee Ownership 100
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the NCEO Employee Ownership 100 list of the largest majority employee-owned US companies, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- nceo.org, ESOP Association, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 338: Large independent service firms: Forbes largest private companies, service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Forbes America's Largest Private Companies list, service businesses (consulting, staffing, healthcare services, engineering, insurance brokerage, facilities and field services) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com/largest-private-companies, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 339: Large independent service firms: Partner-owned consulting and IT services firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held, partner- or founder-owned management consulting, IT services and professional services firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees (Vault and Consulting Magazine rankings, Inc. 5000 alumni that grew past 1,000).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- consultingmag.com, vault.com, inc.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 340: Large independent service firms: Mutual insurers and large credit unions
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from US mutual insurance companies and credit unions with 1,000 to 10,000 employees whose chief executive changed how claims, underwriting or member service work is done.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Best's Review, CU Times, Credit Union Journal, newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 5 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 341: Large independent service firms: Independent insurance brokers and wealth firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held, employee- or family-owned insurance brokerages, benefits consultancies and wealth management firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees (Business Insurance top brokers, Barron's and InvestmentNews rankings; skip PE-backed roll-ups).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- businessinsurance.com, investmentnews.com, wealthmanagement.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 342: Large independent service firms: Physician-owned and independent care groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from physician-owned medical groups, independent dental, veterinary, therapy and home care organizations with 1,000 to 10,000 employees that are not PE-controlled and not nonprofit health systems.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Becker's, MGMA, Modern Healthcare, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 343: Large independent service firms: Independent agencies and marketing services
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from independent (not holding-company owned) advertising, media, PR and marketing services agencies with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age Agency Report, Adweek, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 344: Large independent service firms: Employee-owned and family construction services
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from employee-owned or family-owned general contractors, specialty contractors and facilities services firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees that changed how field work is done (prefab, robotics, AI in estimating or scheduling).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, Construction Dive, Facilities Dive, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 345: Large independent service firms: Large independent staffing and outsourcing firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held staffing, recruiting, BPO and outsourced services firms with 1,000 to 10,000 internal employees (Staffing Industry Analysts largest staffing firms lists; skip PE-owned).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- staffingindustry.com, SIA lists, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 346: Trade press sweep: US construction contractors and engineering firms that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of construction and engineering trade press (ENR, Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Civil + Structural Engineer, Zweig Group news, Architect's Newspaper) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US general contractor, specialty contractor, engineering or architecture-engineering firm announces a firm-wide change to how the work gets done (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide (owner, founder, chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ENR (enr.com), Construction Dive, For Construction Pros, Building Design+Construction, Zweig Group, press wires, firm newsrooms, ESOP announcements (NCEO)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The 5,000 to 10,000 slice of privately owned US construction and engineering firms holds about 15 firms, and trade press gives no new countable leader. Hensel Phelps, Gensler, HNTB, Suffolk, Faith Technologies, Barton Malow, Clayco and Gilbane are already in output/candidates.json. Evidence
Route 347: Trade press sweep: US independent marketing, advertising and communications agencies that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of agency trade press (Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek US, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, 4A's news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US independent advertising, marketing, PR or media agency announces a firm-wide change to how the work gets done (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide (owner, founder, chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age, Adweek, Digiday, The Drum, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's, MediaPost, press wires, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. At 5,000 to 10,000 employees the US independent agency universe is about five firms, and none yields a new countable person. O'Dwyer's 2025 independents ranking has exactly one US firm in the band (Edelman, 5,964 FT staff), and Richard Edelman is already in candidates.json. Evidence
Route 348: Another sweep of Route 46: US senior living, home care and post-acute operators that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. ANOTHER SWEEP of S-46: read specs/S-46/spec.md first and do NOT repeat its queries, outlets or years; use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates across 2023 to 2026. US people only. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of aging-services trade press (Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, Home Care Magazine, Argentum news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US senior living operator, home care agency, skilled nursing or post-acute operator changes how the work gets done across the firm (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide now (owner, founder, or chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive, and is more than an ownership deal.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Senior Housing News, Skilled Nursing News, McKnight's Senior Living, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts screened about 25 US private aging-services operators in the 5,000 to 10,000 staff band. Only Tom Grape (Benchmark Senior Living) passes all four checks. Evidence
Route 349: Owner-led service firms: privately held property management and real estate services firms, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of privately held property management and real estate services firms based in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with 5,000 to 10,000 employees that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- NMHC and NARPM rankings, Inman, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The 5,000 to 10,000 band for privately held US property management and real estate services firms holds almost no one who fits. Associa states 15,000+ team members (over band), Asset Living has about 13,000 staff and passed from Roark Capital to New Mountain Capital in June 2026 (PE), Lincoln Property took Stone Point Capital money with a co-CEO succession in 2023, RPM Living (about 4,500), Bozzuto (about 2,800) and WinnCompanies (3,000 to 4,300) sit under 5,000, Hines (about 5,000) and Hunt show no leader-voiced dated change to the work in 2023 to 2026, and Bozzuto's CEO frames AI as early innings, not a redesign. Evidence
Route 350: Second sweep: US law firms and legal services businesses led by a chair or founder who redesigned the firm, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of US legal trade press (LawSites, Legaltech News headlines, ABA Journal, Bloomberg Law news headlines, Texas Lawyer, Law360 Pulse headlines, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS directory) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business announces a firm-wide change to how the work gets done (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide (owner, founder, chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Legaltech News, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS Directory, Utah Office of Legal Services Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 351: Third sweep of Route 41: US mid-market chief executives describing in their own words how they rebuilt the firm, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. ANOTHER SWEEP of S-41: read specs/S-41/spec.md and specs/S-57/spec.md first and do NOT repeat their queries, outlets or years; use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates across 2023 to 2026. US people only. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of long-form interviews and transcribed podcasts with chief executives (Inc. and Fast Company features, Forbes and Fortune interviews, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review case interviews, McKinsey and BCG interview transcripts, company podcasts with published transcripts) where the chief executive describes a dated change to how the work gets done for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US mid-sized or private company (roughly 50 million to 5 billion dollars revenue) changes how the work gets done across the firm (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide now (owner, founder, or chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive, and is more than an ownership deal.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Inc., Fast Company, Chief Executive magazine, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey and BCG interview pages, podcast transcript pages, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. At 5,000 to 10,000 employees, the US private, mutual or partner-owned service firms that show a dated, costly redesign (Guardian Life's seven-year HCLTech deal moving Guardian India's nearly 2,000 staff, July 2026; Northwestern Mutual's new COO; Mutual of Omaha's COO for AI enablement; TQL's automation program) voice it through staff officers such as the chief digital officer, COO or CIO, never through the controlling chief executive. The firms whose leaders do speak in their own words (Crowe, ZS, HNTB, SHI, Greenberg Traurig, Kirkland, Thrivent, SECU, Pacific Life) are already in candidates.json. Evidence
Route 352: Marty profile: privately held freight brokerage and logistics services firms, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. MARTY PROFILE (count only people who fit all of it): leads a US service business (the firm sells work done by people for clients) with 5,000 to 10,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or cooperative; NOT public and NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them). Each person needs a dated costly change to how the firm works AND a quote in their own words showing a transformation or first-principles mindset (record it as a stated intent citation). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Search privately held freight brokerages and logistics services firms (Transport Topics top freight brokerages, FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, firm newsrooms) for stories from 2023 to 2026 in which the leader of such a firm changed how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm and the leader.
- Find the leader's own words on why the old model had a limit.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, private ownership and the person's control from the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- privately held freight brokerages and logistics services firms (Transport Topics top freight brokerages, FreightWaves, Supply Chain Dive, firm newsrooms)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. At 5,000 to 10,000 employees the privately held US freight brokerage and logistics universe is about ten firms, and none yields a new countable leader. The TT 2026 Top 100 Logistics list has one private brokerage in the band: Total Quality Logistics (9,000 staff). Evidence
Route 353: Owner-led service firms: family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed), firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is preferred, not required. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from a roster of family-owned facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services companies (not PE-backed) based in the Midwest and Plains (Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms), keep firms with 5,000 to 10,000 employees that are privately, family or employee owned.
- For each firm, search its newsroom and the trade and regional press from 2023 to 2026 for a change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm).
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Contracting Business, ACHR News, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, regional business journals, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The 5,000 to 10,000 band for private US facility, HVAC, cleaning and home services firms is thin. Forbes largest private companies has no facility or HVAC rows in the band (their revenue is below the Forbes cut). Evidence
Route 354: Another sweep of Route 43: US boutique consulting, research and advisory firms that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. ANOTHER SWEEP of S-43: read specs/S-43/spec.md first and do NOT repeat its queries, outlets or years; use different outlets, different phrasings, other US states and sub-sectors, and dates across 2023 to 2026. US people only. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of consulting and research trade press (Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org US, Source Global Research, Quirk's, Greenbook, Research Live, Insights Association news) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US boutique management consulting, market research, economic consulting or advisory firm (not the Big Four, Accenture or MBB) changes how the work gets done across the firm (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new pricing or service model, a new owned arm).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide now (owner, founder, or chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive, and is more than an ownership deal.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Consulting magazine, Consultancy.org, Quirk's Media, Greenbook, Insights Association, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. US private consulting, research and advisory firms of 5,000 to 10,000 staff are a near-empty band, and none of the in-band firms put a leader-voiced redesign on a page. Forvis Mazars US (7,000 team members, partner-owned) shows firmwide AI tools and thousands of team-built agents, but CEO Tom Watson's quotes are about stewardship, not the change. Evidence
Route 355: Independent service firms: Security and facility services firms, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. OWNER-LED SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, privately owned (private, family, employee-owned or co-op; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from SIA and Security Magazine rankings of privately held US guarding and integration firms, and BSCAI building service contractors, 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount, ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- securitymagazine.com, bscai.org, sdmmag.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The 5,000 to 10,000 band of privately owned US guard and building service firms is close to empty and the few firms in it do not have a leader-voiced dated change. Walden Security (8,000+ staff, family-owned, Amy Walden chair and CEO per waldensecurity.com/our-company/about-us) launched online training in Sept 2023 with no quote from her. Evidence
Route 356: Trade press sweep: US real estate brokerages, property managers and mortgage lenders that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of real estate and mortgage trade press (Inman, HousingWire, Real Estate News, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Multifamily Dive, National Mortgage News) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US real estate brokerage, property manager, commercial real estate services firm or independent mortgage lender announces a firm-wide change to how the work gets done (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide (owner, founder, chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Inman, HousingWire, Real Estate News, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Multifamily Dive, National Mortgage News, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The 5,000 to 10,000 band of privately owned, leader-controlled US real estate and mortgage service firms holds only two people who pass every check (Victor Ciardelli of Rate and Ron Leonhardt of CrossCountry Mortgage, both verified and kept below), short of the three-name minimum. Attempt 2 checked every remaining in-band lender: Freedom Mortgage has no dated 2024 to 2026 headcount and its Moder and Palantir AI build is voiced by the founder's son Michael Middleman, not Stan Middleman (the April 2025 LEADERS interview names no change); Fairway's enterprise AI rollout to 600 branches is voiced by an EVP and an SVP at The Gathering, April 2026; New American Funding sits near 4,100 staff; Movement Mortgage near 4,400; Veterans United states more than 5,000 staff but its CEO Nate Long voices no 2024 to 2026 change. Evidence
Route 357: Trade press and wire announcements: firms that changed how the work gets done, firms of 5,000 to 10,000
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Weekly sweep of vertical trade press and press wires for a firm announcing a firm-wide change to how work is done (an AI workforce contract, a restructure into new layers, a new owned law, tax or trust arm, a new pricing or service model).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the vendor newsroom behind the deal, for other firms on the same model.
- Check control: through Form ADV owner schedules, the firm's own capital releases or the Arizona ABS register.
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive (contract value, licence granted, restructure).
- Back-search for the earliest redesign move to set the signal year.
- Sources
- InvestmentNews, Transformation section (https://www.investmentnews.com/transformation), RIABiz (https://riabiz.com/), WealthManagement.com (Informa) (https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ria-news/neuberger-berman-buys-minority-stake-in-mariner), Business Wire releases via the Morningstar news mirror (https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260714748378/mariner-and-humanity-labs-announce-five-year-partnership-to-leverage-an-ai-workforce-of-700-ftes), American Banker (https://www.americanbanker.com/news/mariners-ai-splits-firm-into-experience-and-execution), Financial Advisor magazine (FA-Mag) (https://www.fa-mag.com/news/mariner-adds-a-digital-workforce-to-its-staff-87812.html?section=126), Accounting Today (https://www.accountingtoday.com/), CPA Practice Advisor (https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/), LawSites (LawNext) (https://www.lawnext.com/), Arizona Supreme Court ABS Directory (https://www.azcourts.gov/cld/Alternative-Business-Structure/Directory)
- Result so far
- Ruled out. At 5,000 to 10,000 employees the route's wealth, accounting, law and insurance beat yields no new qualifying leader. The vendor-newsroom hop has one customer (Mariner, already a candidate). Evidence
Route 358: Large independent service firms: Am Law 200 law firms, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 law firms with 1,000 to 10,000 total staff, led by an elected chair or managing partner who has changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026 (firm-built AI, new delivery or pricing models, redesigned associate or staff roles).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, Bloomberg Law, Legaltech News, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 359: Large independent service firms: Employee Ownership 100, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from the NCEO Employee Ownership 100 list of the largest majority employee-owned US companies, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- nceo.org, ESOP Association, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A fourth pass at the NCEO Employee Ownership 100 (after S-280, S-336, S-337 and S-344) gave 0 qualifying names in about 30 firm searches and 17 fetches. Every 5,000 to 10,000 service row was already worked or fails (HNTB in candidates; ACT, Wright Service, Acadian, Austin Industries tried; Parsons is public; Schweitzer and Davey Tree are a manufacturer and over band). Evidence
Route 360: Large independent service firms: Forbes largest private companies, service firms, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from the Forbes America's Largest Private Companies list, service businesses (consulting, staffing, healthcare services, engineering, insurance brokerage, facilities and field services) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com/largest-private-companies, firm newsrooms, trade press
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The later pass on the Forbes America's Largest Private Companies list found no new qualifying leader. Four years of the open Forbes API (2022 to 2025, 200 to 275 rows each) hold about 90 service-type rows at 1,000 to 10,000 staff. Evidence
Route 361: Large independent service firms: Partner-owned consulting and IT services firms, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from privately held, partner- or founder-owned management consulting, IT services and professional services firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees (Vault and Consulting Magazine rankings, Inc. 5000 alumni that grew past 1,000).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- consultingmag.com, vault.com, inc.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Later pass at private US consulting and IT services firms of 1,000 to 10,000 staff, after S-339 and S-354. The remaining in-band firms fail on control, voice or novelty, not on access. Evidence
Route 362: Large independent service firms: Mutual insurers and large credit unions, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from US mutual insurance companies and credit unions with 1,000 to 10,000 employees whose chief executive changed how claims, underwriting or member service work is done.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Insurance Journal, Best's Review, CU Times, Credit Union Journal, newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A fourth pass at US mutual insurers and large credit unions of 1,000 to 10,000 staff gave 0 new names after 13 logged fetches and about 16 web queries. Every in-window change found is voiced by a staff officer (Hudson Valley CU's two chief AI officers, BCU's chief data officer, SECU's loan-automation SVP, Golden 1's chief digital officer, Suncoast's VP of loan fulfillment, Ameritas's chief AI officer), predates 2023 (PSECU 2020 and Coastal 2021 restructures, SELCO 2021), or is an ownership event (DCU and First Tech merger 2026, GECU bank purchase). Evidence
Route 363: Large independent service firms: Independent insurance brokers and wealth firms, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from privately held, employee- or family-owned insurance brokerages, benefits consultancies and wealth management firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees (Business Insurance top brokers, Barron's and InvestmentNews rankings; skip PE-backed roll-ups).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- businessinsurance.com, investmentnews.com, wealthmanagement.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Later pass on private US insurance brokers, benefits consultancies and wealth firms of 1,000 to 10,000 found no new leader who passes all screens. Every in-band private firm with a dated 2023 to 2026 change speaks through a staff officer (Leavitt Group: Chief Project Officer on the FurtherAI case study; Milliman AI Solutions: practice leader, with the new CEO taking office two days after launch; BBH fund accounting AI: a managing director, 2021). Evidence
Route 364: Large independent service firms: Physician-owned and independent care groups, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from physician-owned medical groups, independent dental, veterinary, therapy and home care organizations with 1,000 to 10,000 employees that are not PE-controlled and not nonprofit health systems.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Becker's, MGMA, Modern Healthcare, group newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A second pass over US physician-owned, dental, veterinary, therapy and home care organizations of 1,000 to 10,000 people gave no new leader who passes every test. 14 searches and 8 fetches covered firms the first pass (S-342) skipped. Evidence
Route 365: Large independent service firms: Independent agencies and marketing services, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from independent (not holding-company owned) advertising, media, PR and marketing services agencies with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Ad Age Agency Report, Adweek, PRWeek, O'Dwyer's, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A second pass over US independent advertising, media, PR and marketing services firms of 1,000 to 10,000 staff found no new person who clears every gate. The 1,000+ pool is small and the first pass (S-343) plus earlier routes already hold its owner-led members (Edelman, Project Worldwide, VaynerX, Horizon Media, PMG, Known, Finn Partners, Ruder Finn, Aquent). Evidence
Route 366: Large independent service firms: Employee-owned and family construction services, later pass
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from employee-owned or family-owned general contractors, specialty contractors and facilities services firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees that changed how field work is done (prefab, robotics, AI in estimating or scheduling).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, Construction Dive, Facilities Dive, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 367: Large independent service firms: Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, private service firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and Fortune Best Workplaces lists (2023 to 2026), privately held service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- fortune.com/best-companies, greatplacetowork.com
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 368: Large independent service firms: US Best Managed Companies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Deloitte and Wall Street Journal US Best Managed Companies program (privately held winners 2022 to 2026), service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- deloitte.com best managed companies, wsj.com
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Deloitte and WSJ US Best Managed Companies honoree PDFs for 2025 (61 firms) and 2026 (63 firms) are public and fetchable, but the list is mostly manufacturers, distributors, grocers and consumer brands. Only about a dozen honorees are service firms, and every one screened fails a hard condition. Evidence
Route 369: Large independent service firms: Crain's largest private companies: Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Crain's Chicago, Crain's Detroit and Crain's Cleveland largest privately held companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- chicagobusiness.com, crainsdetroit.com, crainscleveland.com
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Only one of the three Crain's lists is public. Crain's Detroit's Private 200 (2026 edition, ranked by 2025 revenue) is an open PDF on data.crainsdetroit.com with worldwide headcount, top executives and type of business. Evidence
Route 370: Large independent service firms: Crain's New York and the Northeast business journals
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Crain's New York Business largest private companies and the Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey business journals' largest private companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- crainsnewyork.com, bizjournals.com
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 371: Large independent service firms: Southern business journals' largest private companies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Tampa, Miami and Birmingham business journals' largest private companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com, houstonchronicle.com, dallasnews.com
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Southern business journals' largest private companies lists are closed: bizjournals.com list pages for Houston and Atlanta return 403 both direct and via --jina, as earlier routes found for Dallas, Atlanta and other ACBJ lists. The only fetchable copies are a firm-hosted PDF of the South Florida 2025 list (189 rows, local employees only), the Business Alabama 2025 statewide PDF, the Florida Trend top 50 preview (names and cities only) and firm releases that cite the Houston list. Evidence
Route 372: Large independent service firms: Western and Midwestern business journals' largest private companies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus and Indianapolis business journals' largest private companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com, startribune.com
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 373: Large independent service firms: California business journals' largest private companies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sacramento, San Diego and Orange County business journals' largest private companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com, latimes.com, ocbj.com
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 374: Large independent service firms: Largest physician-owned medical groups
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Modern Healthcare and Becker's rankings of the largest physician-owned and independent medical groups, groups with 1,000 to 10,000 employees that are not PE-controlled and not owned by a health system.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- modernhealthcare.com, beckershospitalreview.com, mgma.com
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The route's spine, the Modern Healthcare and Becker's rankings of the largest physician-owned and independent medical groups, is not pullable. beckersphysicianleadership.com (The 15 largest independent physician groups) and beckershospitalreview.com return 403 directly and through --jina. Evidence
Route 375: Large independent service firms: ENR Top 600 Specialty Contractors and Top 100 Construction Management firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from ENR Top 600 Specialty Contractors and ENR Top Construction Management-for-Fee firms that are family-, employee- or management-owned with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts gave one verified leader (Bill Dean, M.C. Dean). Evidence
Route 376: Large independent service firms: Largest independent architecture and interiors firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Building Design+Construction Giants 400 and Architect 50 rankings, independent or employee-owned architecture, engineering and interiors firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bdcnetwork.com, architectmagazine.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The BD+C Giants 400 architecture and A/E rankings fetch cleanly (revenue table embedded as CSV in the page HTML) and give about 15 in-band US firms, but the route yields no new person who passes every gate. Gensler, CannonDesign, Gresham Smith, SSOE, Thornton Tomasetti and KCI are already in output/candidates.json. Evidence
Route 377: Large independent service firms: Largest independent IT services and digital agencies
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from privately held IT services, digital engineering and systems integration firms with 1,000 to 10,000 US-led employees (CRN Solution Provider 500, Inc. 5000 alumni, Clutch leaders; skip PE-owned).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- crn.com, inc.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 378: Large independent service firms: Largest family-owned service businesses
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Family Business magazine and Forbes lists of the largest family-owned US companies, service businesses (home services, healthcare services, transportation services, hospitality services, education services) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- familybusinessmagazine.com, forbes.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The largest-family-owned spine has almost no private US service firms of 1,000 to 10,000 people, and those it has are already listed or fail the screens. The Forbes America's Largest Family Businesses 2026 list (open API, 100 rows) has 26 private in-band rows: 15 are distributors, retailers, makers or energy firms, not service businesses. Evidence
Route 379: Second sweep: US law firms and legal services businesses led by a chair or founder who redesigned the firm, firms of 5,000 to 10,000, pass 2
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGER-FIRM RERUN (count only people who fit): earlier passes of this route looked only at firms under 5,000 people. Now look ONLY at US service firms of 5,000 to 10,000 employees, nationwide; this size rule and nationwide scope override any size or region in the text below. Privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor); the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them); a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced; a transformation quote in the leader's own words (not a staff officer). Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Sweep of US legal trade press (LawSites, Legaltech News headlines, ABA Journal, Bloomberg Law news headlines, Texas Lawyer, Law360 Pulse headlines, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS directory) for stories from 2024 to 2026 in which a US law firm, alternative legal services provider, or Arizona or Utah licensed legal business announces a firm-wide change to how the work gets done (an AI workforce or agent deployment across the firm's core work, a restructure into new layers or roles, a new owned arm, a new pricing or service model, an ownership or capital change taken to fund a redesign).
- Find the firm named in the story.
- Find the chief executive, founder, owner or managing partner quoted on why the old model has a limit.
- Find the firm's own announcement or a second outlet as the second source.
- Check control: that this person can decide (owner, founder, chief executive of a private or mid-sized firm, named in a dated 2025-2026 source).
- Check cost: that the change is dated and expensive.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- LawSites (lawnext.com), ABA Journal, Legaltech News, Attorney at Work, Arizona ABS Directory, Utah Office of Legal Services Innovation, press wires, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Second pass on US law firms and legal services businesses of 5,000 to 10,000 people found no new countable leader. The band is about a dozen Am Law 25 partnerships; S-350 already took White & Case, Sidley and Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, and Kirkland, Greenberg Traurig, Goodwin, Ropes, Cooley, Morgan & Morgan and Reed Smith are in candidates.json. Evidence
Route 380: Large independent service firms: Am Law 200 law firms, pass 3
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS: an earlier pass already found the most visible leaders on this list; go further down it (less covered firms, other states), 5,000 to 10,000 first. LATER PASS 3: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders on this list (all in output/candidates.json); go further down it, 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 law firms with 1,000 to 10,000 total staff, led by an elected chair or managing partner who has changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026 (firm-built AI, new delivery or pricing models, redesigned associate or staff roles).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, Bloomberg Law, Legaltech News, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 381: Large independent service firms: Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, private service firms, pass 2
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS 2: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders on this list (all in output/candidates.json); go further down it, 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and Fortune Best Workplaces lists (2023 to 2026), privately held service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- fortune.com/best-companies, greatplacetowork.com
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 382: Large independent service firms: Crain's New York and the Northeast business journals, pass 2
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS 2: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders on this list (all in output/candidates.json); go further down it, 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from Crain's New York Business largest private companies and the Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey business journals' largest private companies lists, service firms with 1,000 to 10,000 employees.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- crainsnewyork.com, bizjournals.com
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Pass 2 of S-370 gives no new names. The named lists are not pullable: the Crain's NY privately held table is 403 on prod.crainsnewyork.com/businessdata/209/privately-held-209 (All Access on the main host), NJBIZ Top 250 pages are 403 and the firm repost (coleschotz.com) only links back to NJBIZ, and no open Philadelphia Business Journal private list was found. Evidence
Route 383: Large independent service firms: Largest independent IT services and digital agencies, pass 2
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. LATER PASS 2: earlier passes already found the most visible leaders on this list (all in output/candidates.json); go further down it, 5,000 to 10,000 first. Start from privately held IT services, digital engineering and systems integration firms with 1,000 to 10,000 US-led employees (CRN Solution Provider 500, Inc. 5000 alumni, Clutch leaders; skip PE-owned).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- crn.com, inc.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Second pass on privately held US IT services, digital engineering and systems integration firms of 1,000 to 10,000 people found no new countable leader. The seam is harvested: candidates.json already holds the visible founder-owners (Thai Lee at SHI, Eugene Goland at DataArt, Phil Friedman at CGS, Nacho De Marco at BairesDev, Rajesh Sinha at Fulcrum Digital, Sidd Ahmed at VDart, Sree Balaji at iLink, Larry English at Centric, Gil Mermelstein at West Monroe, plus agency owners Koenigsberg and Popstefanov). Evidence
Route 384: Large independent service firms: Am Law 100, firms ranked 1 to 25, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law 100 law firms ranked 1 to 25 by revenue (2025 or 2026 list). Work through EVERY firm in that range one by one: check total staff (1,000 to 10,000), that it is partner-owned, and whether its elected chair or managing partner changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, firm newsrooms, Legaltech News, Bloomberg Law
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The universe is closed: the 25 US firms ranked 1 to 25 by revenue (Kirkland through Weil on the AmLaw Global 200 table). Worked firm by firm, 9 leaders are already in output/candidates.json (Kirkland, Sidley, Ropes, White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Goodwin, Greenberg Traurig, Cooley, Sullivan & Cromwell), DLA Piper and Baker McKenzie are above 10,000 staff, and at the other 13 the AI or model change is voiced by an AI head, CIO, innovation officer or practice leader, or the leader who made it has stepped down. Evidence
Route 385: Large independent service firms: Am Law 100, firms ranked 26 to 50, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law 100 law firms ranked 26 to 50 by revenue. Work through EVERY firm in that range one by one: total staff 1,000 to 10,000, partner-owned, and whether its elected chair or managing partner changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, firm newsrooms, Legaltech News
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 386: Large independent service firms: Am Law 100, firms ranked 51 to 75, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law 100 law firms ranked 51 to 75 by revenue. Work through EVERY firm in that range one by one: total staff 1,000 to 10,000, partner-owned, and whether its elected chair or managing partner changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, firm newsrooms, Legaltech News
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 4 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 387: Large independent service firms: Am Law 100, firms ranked 76 to 100, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law 100 law firms ranked 76 to 100 by revenue. Work through EVERY firm in that range one by one: total staff 1,000 to 10,000, partner-owned, and whether its elected chair or managing partner changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, firm newsrooms, Legaltech News
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Two attempts screened every firm in the 2026 Am Law 100 band 76 to 100 (counselcontacts.com mirror, plus Fish & Richardson as the likely rank 97 missing from it) and the band holds only two new leaders who voiced a dated change: ArentFox Schiff chairman Anthony Lupo (FoxAI, Aug 2026) and Bradley chairman and managing partner Jonathan Skeeters (firmwide Legora, Sep 2026). Seven band leaders are already in candidates.json. Evidence
Route 388: Large independent service firms: Am Law Second Hundred, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Am Law Second Hundred (firms ranked 101 to 200). Work through EVERY firm with 1,000 or more total staff one by one: partner-owned, and whether its elected chair or managing partner changed how legal work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- law.com/americanlawyer, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Am Law Second Hundred, worked firm by firm, gives no new countable leader of a 1,000 to 10,000 person firm. The roster itself is closed: law.com tables are paywalled and David Lat's 2025 and 2026 Second Hundred posts (fetched, 200) stop at 'for the full list, check out The American Lawyer'. Evidence
Route 389: Large independent service firms: Forbes largest private companies, service firms ranked in the top 125, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Forbes America's Largest Private Companies list, the service businesses (consulting, staffing, healthcare services, engineering, insurance brokerage, asset and wealth management, IT services, facilities) among the top 125. Work through EVERY such firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com/largest-private-companies, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Forbes America's Largest Private Companies top 125 holds only 28 rows that sit in a service industry with 1,000 to 10,000 staff in 2025, plus 2 more in 2024 (AmTrust, Transportation Insight). Every one was already worked: it is in output/candidates.json (SHI, Kirkland, HITT, Capital Group, Gilbane, Walsh, Clayco, Suffolk, Mortenson, Yates, Arco, Stripe and others) or was screened out by S-338, S-360, S-375, S-377, S-352 and S-378. Evidence
Route 390: Large independent service firms: Forbes largest private companies, service firms ranked 126 to 250, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Forbes America's Largest Private Companies list, the service businesses ranked 126 to 250. Work through EVERY such firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com/largest-private-companies, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Forbes America's Largest Private Companies ranks 126 to 250 (2025 list ends at 200, so ranks 201 to 250 come from the 2024 list of 275) hold 87 rows at 1,000 to 10,000 employees, but only about 35 are service firms, and every one of those is already in output/candidates.json (Swinerton, Barton Malow, Gray, Consigli, Rosendin, Ropes & Gray, Sidley, White & Case, Greenberg Traurig, Hogan Lovells) or was screened out by S-338, S-345, S-350, S-352, S-360, S-366, S-375, S-379, S-380 and S-384. They failed on leader voice (Skadden, Gibson Dunn, Jones Day, Moss, Crowley, Austin Industries, Alberici, Sundt, Saltchuk, Michels, R+L, Yates), control (Ryan Companies, Kokosing, Holder; Zones founder stepped down as CEO 2025; Skadden executive partner Friedman retired in 2026), private equity (Echo, Convergint, Covetrus, Blackhawk) or size (Baker McKenzie over 10,000). Evidence
Route 391: Large independent service firms: Largest independent wealth and asset managers by headcount, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the largest independent (not PE-controlled, not bank-owned) US wealth managers, RIAs and asset managers with 1,000 to 10,000 employees (Barron's top RIA firms, InvestmentNews, P&I largest managers). Work through EVERY such firm one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- barrons.com, investmentnews.com, pionline.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 392: Large independent service firms: Top 100 insurance brokers, privately held, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Business Insurance and Insurance Journal top 100 US brokers. Work through EVERY privately held, employee- or family-owned broker (skip PE-backed and public) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- businessinsurance.com, insurancejournal.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Insurance Journal 2026 Top 100 P/C agencies (insurancejournal.com/?p=881636) is the only free roster; the Business Insurance 100 with officers and headcount is sold as PDF or Excel. Only about 30 rows are large enough for 1,000 to 10,000 staff, and every private, non-PE row was already worked or fails a test. Evidence
Route 393: Large independent service firms: Largest independent agencies and PR firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Ad Age and PRWeek rankings of the largest independent (not holding-company owned) US agencies and PR firms. Work through EVERY such firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- adage.com, prweek.com, odwyerpr.com, agency newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This is the fourth pass over large US independent agencies and PR firms of 1,000 to 10,000 staff (after S-343, S-347 and S-365), and it found no new person who clears every gate. The Ad Age Agency Report 2026 independent rankings are paywalled (adage.com body stripped, agency-report URL 404; the ATDb mirror holds only the headline) and PRWeek is 403 to scripts, so the roster came from O'Dwyer's 2025 independents table (the 2026 URL is 404) and the Everything-PR 2026 US index. Evidence
Route 394: Large independent service firms: ENR Top 500 Design Firms, employee-owned and private, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the ENR Top 500 Design Firms ranked 1 to 150. Work through EVERY employee-owned, partner-owned or family-owned firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one (skip public and PE-owned).
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, firm newsrooms, BD+C
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The ENR 2026 Top 500 Design Firms list is open (enr.com/toplists/2026-Top-500-Design-Firms-1 and -2, rank, firm, city, type) and ranks 1 to 150 hold about 45 US private firms of 1,000 to 10,000 staff, but the route yields no new leader who passes every gate. Twelve in-band firms are already in output/candidates.json (Gensler, HNTB, CDM Smith, Salas O'Brien, CannonDesign, Gresham Smith, SSOE, KCI, VHB, Thornton Tomasetti, Ulteig, Woodard & Curran), and earlier routes (S-336, S-346, S-376) cleared Kimley-Horn, HKS, Corgan, DLR, Langan, Moffatt & Nichol, Haley & Aldrich, Terracon and Walter P Moore. Evidence
Route 395: Large independent service firms: Largest management consulting firms, partner-owned, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Vault and Consulting Magazine rankings of US management, strategy, economics and specialty consulting firms. Work through EVERY partner- or employee-owned firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- vault.com, consultingmag.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The spine is closed and the band is harvested. Vault's Consulting 50 table is withheld ('Ranking data is not available at the moment'); its 2026 announcement names only the top 5 per region, and consultingmag.com returns 403. Evidence
Route 396: Large independent service firms: Largest mutual insurers and fraternal benefit societies, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the largest US mutual life and property-casualty insurers and fraternal benefit societies (by assets or premium). Work through EVERY one with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one: the CEO and whether they changed how claims, underwriting or member service work is done.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ambest.com, Insurance Journal, NAIC, newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. A fourth pass over US mutual and fraternal insurers at 1,000 to 10,000 staff (after S-300, S-315, S-327, S-340, S-351 and S-362) gives 0 new names. The in-band carriers whose CEO voices a dated change are already candidates: Thrivent (Rasmussen), Pacific Life (Button), EMC (Jean), Church Mutual (Ogilvie), MagMutual (Morrell), Boston Mutual (Ward), Mutual of Enumclaw (Otis), Indiana Farmers (Sprinkle). Evidence
Route 397: Large independent service firms: Largest credit unions, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the 60 largest US credit unions by assets. Work through EVERY one with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one: the CEO and whether they changed how member service or lending work is done 2023 to 2026.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- cutimes.com, cuna.org, ncua.gov, credit union newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Three attempts, about 55 firm-by-firm CEO searches across the top 60 US credit unions by assets (MX list from March 2025 NCUA data), gave one CEO-voiced name that passes every check (Mike Wilson, Members 1st FCU). The gate is 3. Evidence
Route 398: Large independent service firms: Black Enterprise BE100s, service firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Black Enterprise BE100s and Black Enterprise industrial/service company rankings (2022 to 2026). Work through EVERY privately held service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- blackenterprise.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Stalled. It did not meet the checks after three attempts.
Route 399: Large independent service firms: Largest Hispanic-owned firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Hispanic Business, Latino Leaders and USHCC rankings of the largest Hispanic-owned US companies. Work through EVERY privately held service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- latinoleaders.com, ushcc.com, hispanicbusiness.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Invalidated after two attempts: the Latino Leaders Index 500 full table is not pullable (Issuu flipbooks for 2025 and 2026 have no text layer; the BMO Index500 page has no roster), and the open top 20 (voz.us) holds only one in-band, privately held, leader-voiced service firm, Independent Living Systems (Nestor Plana). Attempt 2 rebuilt ranks 21 to 500 from firm releases and the Hispanic Executive top-10 lists: Source Logistics is majority-owned by Palladium Equity since Nov 2023, Inter-Con has over 40,000 staff, COLSA (3,000) and OneSupport (3,000) publish no leader-voiced change in 2023 to 2026, and dealers, developers and food makers are not service firms. Evidence
Route 400: Large independent service firms: Largest women-owned and women-led private firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Women Presidents' Organization 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies, Forbes and Fortune lists of the largest women-owned and women-led private companies, and WBENC top corporations' suppliers. Work through EVERY privately held service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- womenpresidentsorg.com, forbes.com, wbenc.org, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 401: Large independent service firms: Largest Asian American-founded private service firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from rankings and features on the largest Asian American-founded and -led private US companies (Forbes, Asian American Business Development Center Outstanding 50, Gold House). Work through EVERY privately held service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- forbes.com, aabdc.com, goldhouse.org, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Asian American spines do not list in-band private service firms. The AABDC Outstanding 50 (2016 to 2026 classes on aabdc.com/event/outstanding-50-award) honors staff executives at public companies (FedEx, Accenture, Church & Dwight, Selective) and a few small founders. Evidence
Route 402: Large independent service firms: Native American and tribally owned service enterprises
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from tribally owned and Alaska Native corporation service businesses (government services, engineering, healthcare, IT) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees whose CEO changed how the work is done 2023 to 2026; count only firms where the CEO, not a parent holding board, controls the operating decisions.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ncaied.org, Alaska Native corporation newsrooms, Washington Technology
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Over two attempts the route screened all 15 Alaska Native corporation parents of 1,000 to 10,000 staff on the Alaska Business Top 49ers 2025 list, plus Lower 48 tribal enterprises (Ho-Chunk Inc., Chickasaw Nation Industries, Cherokee Nation Businesses, Dine Development Corporation). Only Koniag's Ron Unger voiced a dated change to how the work is done (Koniag AI Solutions and Koniag Cyber, 2025). Evidence
Route 403: Large independent service firms: Largest home health, hospice and home care operators, independent, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Home Health Care News and Hospice News rankings of the largest US home health, hospice and personal care operators. Work through EVERY independently owned (not public, not PE-controlled, not health-system owned) operator with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- homehealthcarenews.com, hospicenews.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The spine is not pullable and the band it would name is already harvested. The Hospice News 50 (2025) names its operators only inside a gated download behind a business-email lead form (raw/hn50-flagship.txt); the public announcement (raw/hn-top50-2025.txt) gives only aggregates. Evidence
Route 404: Large independent service firms: Largest dental, veterinary and therapy groups that are dentist-, vet- or clinician-owned
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from rankings of the largest US dental support, veterinary and physical therapy groups. Work through EVERY clinician-owned or founder-owned (not PE-controlled) group with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Group Dentistry Now, Today's Veterinary Business, WebPT, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Rankings of the largest US dental, veterinary and physical therapy groups hold no clinician- or founder-controlled firm of 1,000 to 10,000 people whose leader voiced a dated 2023 to 2026 redesign. Each firm fails one test. Evidence
Route 405: Large independent service firms: Largest behavioral health and autism services providers, independent
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from rankings of the largest US behavioral health, addiction treatment and autism/ABA services providers. Work through EVERY founder-owned or employee-owned (not PE-controlled, not public) provider with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Behavioral Health Business, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The route's universe is empty in practice. Every US behavioral health, addiction or autism provider of 1,000 to 10,000 staff that the BHB rosters and searches surfaced is PE-controlled (Centria under Thomas H. Evidence
Route 406: Large independent service firms: Largest independent senior living operators, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Argentum and ASHA 50 largest US senior living operators. Work through EVERY family-, founder- or employee-owned operator (not REIT-owned operating companies, not PE-controlled) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- argentum.org, seniorhousingnews.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 407: Large independent service firms: Largest education and childcare service providers, private
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from rankings of the largest US private K-12 operators, tutoring, early childhood and childcare providers. Work through EVERY founder- or family-owned (not PE-controlled) provider with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- Child Care Exchange top 50, EdWeek Market Brief, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 408: Large independent service firms: Largest government services and federal contractors, employee- or founder-owned
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Washington Technology Top 100 and Bloomberg Government BGOV200 federal contractors. Work through EVERY employee-owned or founder-owned (not public, not PE-owned) services firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- washingtontechnology.com, about.bgov.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Washington Technology Top 100 (2025 and 2026, open, one fetch per company page) is the only pullable spine; the Bloomberg Government BGOV200 is a 2023 lead-form PDF behind reCAPTCHA. After removing public companies, PE platforms (SMX is OceanSound and Apollo S3 controlled; Guidehouse, Peraton, GovCIO, Everforth ECS, Astrion, Kentro), Alaska Native and tribal parents (S-402), resellers (Carahsoft, FCN, Minburn, Thundercat, V3Gate, Four Points, Iron Bow, DLT, Sterling, GAI), firms over 10,000 and rows already in candidates.json or failed by S-377 and S-383 (AMERICAN SYSTEMS, Chemonics, LMI, Westat, Kearney & Company, TechFlow, Credence, Torch), about 15 in-band private rows remain: Noblis, MITRE, Battelle, Aerospace Corp, RTI, IDA, RAND (not-for-profit), DCS, MTSI, ARA, DAI, Abt Global (employee-owned), SRC, Odyssey, Loyal Source, Applied Research Solutions, Sierra Nevada (privately held). Evidence
Route 409: Large independent service firms: Largest environmental, engineering and water services firms, employee-owned
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from ENR Top 200 Environmental Firms and water/wastewater services rankings. Work through EVERY employee-owned or family-owned firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- enr.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The ENR 2026 Top 200 Environmental Firms table is open (enr.com/toplists/2026-Top-200-Environmental-Firms-1, 200 with --text, all 200 rows with rank, firm, city and type), but its US private, non-PE firms of 1,000 to 10,000 people are already worked. Woodard & Curran (Alyson Watson) is a candidate, and S-280, S-313, S-336, S-346, S-366, S-375 and S-394 failed Brown and Caldwell, Carollo, Hazen, Garney, CDM Smith, Terracon, Haley & Aldrich, SWCA, SCS Engineers, Langan, Barr, Freese and Nichols, Kokosing, Alberici, Sundt, Haskell, Mortenson, Walsh and Kimley-Horn. Evidence
Route 410: Large independent service firms: Largest accounting firms still partner- or employee-owned, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the Accounting Today Top 100 and INSIDE Public Accounting Top 100 firms ranked 1 to 60. Work through EVERY firm one by one, keep only those still partner- or employee-owned (no private-equity investment) with 1,000 to 10,000 people.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- accountingtoday.com, ipa-inc.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. This route repeats S-335 (invalidated 2026-10-08) on the same roster: the 2026 IPA Top 500 ranks 1 to 60. Screened firm by firm, the pool of partner- or employee-owned US accounting firms with 1,000 to 10,000 people is now down to about Forvis Mazars, Plante Moran, Kearney & Company and RubinBrown. Evidence
Route 411: Large independent service firms: Largest family-owned hospitality and food service management firms
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from rankings of the largest US food service management, hospitality management and catering companies (Food Management top 50, Hotel Management top management companies). Work through EVERY family- or founder-owned firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- food-management.com, hotelmanagement.net, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The two rankings are open and give a clean firm list, but the in-band, family- or founder-controlled firms on them yield no leader with a dated 2023 to 2026 costly change voiced in their own words. Whitsons' Berkeley production center (July 2025) is real but the board is chaired by a GenNx360 managing partner, so it is PE-controlled. Evidence
Route 412: Large independent service firms: Largest private trucking, logistics and transportation services firms, family-owned
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Transport Topics Top 100 For-Hire Carriers and Top 100 Logistics companies. Work through EVERY family-, founder- or employee-owned firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ttnews.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 413: Large independent service firms: Largest private real estate services and property managers, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the NMHC 50 Largest Apartment Managers and commercial property services rankings. Work through EVERY family- or founder-owned manager (not public, not PE-controlled) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- nmhc.org, multihousingnews.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Working the 2026 NMHC Top 10 managers and three large commercial real estate services firms one by one gave no leader who meets every condition. Greystar is over 10,000 staff; Asset Living is PE-owned; Willow Bridge was bought by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in 2023 and its AI work is voiced by a property management president; Cushman & Wakefield is public; Bozzuto is already on the list; ZRS has a hired successor CEO since January 2025 and its AI move is a Funnel vendor deal; AMC's CEO describes a first CFO, a Microsoft 365 move and an invoice system, not a redesign, and ownership is not stated; Avenue5's co-founder CEO speaks only in general terms while its AI leasing story is vendor-voiced; WinnCompanies' CEO statements in 2024 to 2026 are about promotions; RPM Living yields no leader voice. Evidence
Route 414: Large independent service firms: Largest cooperatives in the US, service co-ops, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the NCB Co-op 100 list of the largest US cooperatives. Work through EVERY service cooperative (financial, insurance, health, utility services, purchasing and shared services) with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- ncb.coop, cooperative newsrooms
- Result so far
- Working. Found 0 of 8 held-back known people and named 3 new people. Timing could not be measured. Evidence
Route 415: Large independent service firms: Largest privately held staffing, healthcare staffing and PEO firms, firm by firm
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from Staffing Industry Analysts' largest US staffing firms and largest healthcare staffing firms lists. Work through EVERY family-, founder- or employee-owned firm (not PE-owned, not public) with 1,000 to 10,000 internal employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- staffingindustry.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. Staffing Industry Analysts is closed to scripts and to non-members: the largest US staffing firms and largest healthcare staffing firms report pages return 403 to fetch.mjs (logged twice here, as in S-35 and S-345), and the full firm-by-firm tables are members-only. The only open roster is firms' own 'we made the SIA list' releases (Favorite, Supplemental Health Care, Judge Group, Medical Solutions, all 200 with --text). Evidence
Route 416: Large independent service firms: Largest business journals' private companies: Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the business journal and Crain's lists of the largest private companies in Texas, Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio. Work through EVERY service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com, crainscleveland.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The route's spine, the business journal and Crain's largest private companies lists for Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio, cannot be pulled. bizjournals.com list pages return 403 (Nashville tested here; Houston and Atlanta in S-371), businessnc.com Top 125 returns 403 direct and via jina, and the Crain's Cleveland 2025 list page loads its rows through a gated MYTHYR widget with an empty recs array. Evidence
Route 417: Large independent service firms: Largest business journals' private companies: Mountain, Plains and Pacific Northwest states
Looks for: Leaders rebuilding their own firm
- Steps we take
- LARGE INDEPENDENT SERVICE FIRM PROFILE (count only people who fit): leads a US service business (people doing the work for clients) of 1,000 to 10,000 employees (NEVER under 1,000; work the 5,000 to 10,000 firms on the list first), privately owned (private, family, employee-owned, partner-owned or co-op/mutual; NOT public, NOT controlled by a private-equity sponsor), and the person controls it (founder, owner, chair, elected managing partner, or CEO with no controlling owner above them), with a dated costly change to how the work gets done that the leader voiced or announced. A transformation quote in their own words is required: the leader, not a staff officer such as a chief AI or innovation officer. Skip everyone already in output/candidates.json. Start from the business journal lists of the largest private companies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and the Dakotas. Work through EVERY service firm with 1,000 to 10,000 employees one by one.
- For each firm, the change to how the work gets done (AI or automation in the core work, roles or layers redesigned, a new service or pricing model, a new owned arm) from 2023 to 2026.
- Find the leader who controls the firm and their own words on why.
- Find a second, different page confirming the change.
- Confirm headcount (1,000 to 10,000), ownership and control on the firm site or a dated 2025-2026 source.
- Find the earliest redesign move, to set the signal year.
- Sources
- bizjournals.com, firm newsrooms
- Result so far
- Ruled out. The Mountain, Plains and Pacific Northwest largest-private lists cannot be pulled: bizjournals.com list pages (Denver, Seattle) return 403 direct and via Jina, and ColoradoBiz's Top 200 page and its 2015 PDF return 403 to fetch.mjs. The ColoradoBiz 2024 Top 200, read for screening only, has 13 rows at 1,000 to 10,000 people. Evidence
What this cannot see
Five limits to keep in mind
- Firms that change quietly. A leader who rebuilds a private firm and says nothing in public leaves no trace. Marty Bicknell himself was missed by the first 19 research paths and needed one built from his pattern.
- Anything not written down. A quote shows a statement exists. It does not show what someone is like to work with, or whether they would welcome an approach.
- Headcount and ownership are public estimates. Private firms rarely publish either, so a leader can miss test 2 or 3 only because no credible number was found.
- Small tests. Each route was tested on 8 known people. Treat the timing figures as direction, not measurement, unless they rest on three or more cases.
- Connections to Humanity Labs. Steps removed are counted only where each link is documented in public. Public records on the three anchors are thin, so most people show no documented path. Exported contact lists from the three would answer this properly.