Kaye/Bassman International, the largest single-site executive search firm in the United States, has named Lee Martin as Managing Director and Practice Leader of the North Division within its Construction and Real Estate practice, effective July 6, 2026. The promotion elevates Martin to lead expansion of the firm's Commercial Real Estate, Building Construction, and Construction Technology practices across the Northern United States, signaling a strategic push to integrate siloed recruitment services across the built environment sector.
Martin's expanded leadership role comes after a year of divisional groundwork in which he has already extended the Construction North Division beyond its historical Midwest foundation, building relationships and delivering senior-level talent across the Northern United States. Kaye/Bassman did not engage an external search firm for the role, instead promoting from within its existing executive ranks. The announcement follows strategic integrations within the division, including the September 2025 acquisition of boutique firm Huey Enterprises, led by industry veteran Scott Huey, which significantly expanded the firm's Midwest commercial real estate presence. The firm has also integrated Chris Rose, who brings Commercial Real Estate experience in advisory and investment services, and Alex Gillespie, who leads construction technology offerings.
Martin joined Kaye/Bassman in 2004 and has specialized in Construction and Real Estate markets for more than 17 years. He became Managing Director in 2014, notably the youngest professional to achieve that title within the firm. He holds a double major in Marketing and Organizational Management from Abilene Christian University and spent his formative years doing mission work in South Africa, where he was born and partly raised. Beyond recruitment, Martin serves on the Board of Directors for the Kaye/Bassman Foundation and has been instrumental in its efforts to donate over $2 million since inception. His professional achievements include consistent Pacesetter status and a track record of C-suite placements with ENR Top 400 Commercial General Contractors and consulting engineering firms.
Kaye/Bassman International, headquartered in Plano, Texas, was founded in 1981 and has grown to become the largest single-site executive search firm in the nation with annual revenue of approximately $109.3 million and 170 employees. The firm is ranked among the top ten U.S. search firms by Hunt Scanlon Media and maintains extensive practice specialization across over 30 industry verticals, including healthcare, energy, insurance, banking, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and construction. The firm is currently owned through Starfish Partners, an investment platform that acquired Kaye/Bassman as part of its portfolio of specialized executive search companies.
Martin's appointment reflects broader consolidation and integration trends within construction and real estate recruitment markets. The firm's decision to promote internally and simultaneously expand divisional scope through acquisitions and team integration suggests a strategy focused on deepening vertical expertise while addressing client demands for integrated talent solutions across construction, real estate, and emerging construction technology verticals. The appointment positions Martin to capitalize on the 2025 Huey acquisition and recent talent additions, potentially positioning the firm to compete more effectively for mid-to-senior-level placements with major real estate investors and construction enterprises seeking coordinated recruitment across multiple disciplines.
