Rust Search was founded by Laura Rust to provide highly specialized talent solutions. Laura brings 10 years of direct experience leading executive talent acquisition within private equity-backed organizations, with a significant background in veterinary medicine. This firsthand knowledge gives us a unique edge: we know the operational profiles, the growth metrics, and the type of leader required to deliver on an investor's thesis. We commit to a focused, agile search process led directly by Laura, ensuring a fast, precise fit for your critical roles.
Laura offers clients a perspective that most external recruiters cannot: she has been in your shoes.
For over a decade, Laura operated inside rapidly scaling, private equity-backed healthcare MSOs within the veterinary sector—the industry that pioneered the consolidation model now reshaping human healthcare. She understands the unique pressure of balancing aggressive growth targets with clinical quality. Unlike generalist recruiters, Laura recruits with a deep understanding of EBITDA and operational margins. She knows that a "bad hire" isn't just a cultural headache; it is a direct hit to the bottom line.
Her expertise lies in the trenches of clinical and operational recruitment. She specializes in partnering with physician owners who have recently sold to Private Equity and are navigating the volatile "post-transaction" landscape. Laura acts as a stabilizer during this critical phase, helping founders recruit the professional leadership needed to bridge the gap between their legacy culture and their new corporate requirements.
Originally from New England, Laura gained valuable West Coast market experience during her time in Southern California before making her home in North Carolina. Her national footprint allows her to advise clients across the country, bringing an insider’s playbook to every search.