Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. (NASD: HSII) announced today it named Richard Pehlke as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Based out of Chicago, he will also serve on the firm’s executive committee, reporting directly to CEO L. Kevin Kelly.

“As we continue to bring our leadership advisory platform to life in the marketplace, Rich will be an instrumental part of our executive team in positioning Heidrick & Struggles for the next phase of growth in a competitive global economy,” Kelly said.

Pehlke has 35 years’ experience in international business and global capital transactions. Most recently, Pehlke served as the executive vice president and CFO of Grubb & Ellis Co., a publicly held commercial real estate services and investment management company, from February 2007 until May 2010. Pehlke was executive VP and CFO and a member of the board of directors of Hudson Highland Group, a publicly-held global professional staffing and recruiting business, from 2003 to December 2005 and served as a consultant during 2006. He has held senior financial positions with companies in the business services, telecommunications, financial services, and food and consumer products industries.