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JERICHO, N.Y., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm J.S. Held announces that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jonathon (Jon) Held intends to step down as Chief Executive Officer. J.S. Held President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Lee Spirer will succeed Jon Held as President and CEO. Jon Held will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. As part of a planned succession, the leadership transition will take effect at the start of the second quarter of 2025.
In his new role as Executive Chairman, Jon Held will continue to provide strategic guidance, ensuring the company optimizes value creation for continued growth. In addition, Jon will increase his client-facing role, providing strategic advisory and dispute resolution consulting, largely focused within the insurance industry.
Since assuming the role of Chief Executive in 1985, Jon has overseen the growth of J.S. Held, from a small regional firm to an internationally recognized global consulting company with more than 1500 professionals operating on six continents. Steve Dutton, Partner at Kelso & Company, J.S. Held's private equity partner, commenting on the executive transition, shares, "Working collaboratively with Jon and the executive team, Lee Spirer was recruited to make Jon's decision to transition to the Executive Chairman role seamlessly come to fruition."
"Lee Spirer's extensive experience and proven ability to drive strategy focused on financial results and operational excellence positions Lee as the ideal chief executive to lead our team through our next phase of growth," observed Jon Held. "As we enter our sixth decade of service to our clients, I am excited about this new period of growth for J.S. Held and I look forward to partnering with Lee to advance our mission and vision for the company in support of all J.S. Held stakeholders – our team members, clients, and investors."
Lee Spirer is a transformational leader with extensive experience creating value for investors in human capital-intensive businesses by focusing on developing innovative, high-impact services for clients and building platforms that attract world-class professionals to maximize their career success. Over his 30-year career, Lee Spirer has been known for keen strategic insight tightly tied to successful plan execution, developing teams, tapping into innovation, and leveraging technology. His teams have balanced organic and acquisition-based growth strategies while driving operational performance. He has operated in public and private companies, acquired and sold businesses, guided a company through an IPO, and interacted with a wide range of investors and boards.
"J.S. Held's mission for the last 50 years has been to serve as trusted, expert advisors to organizations around the world and to support the continued professional growth of our people," said Jonathon Held, who added, "Today, we reaffirm that commitment at the highest level of our organization for the benefit of clients and our more than 1500 scientific, technical, financial, and risk experts around the world."
Lee Spirer, commenting on his transition to President and CEO, shares, "Jon has led this company to an enviable position in its core markets. He has been a tremendous partner and has opted to apply his time to the highest value activity -- focusing on his unique abilities in advising our insurance clients. I consider myself fortunate and seek to build on this platform, evolving J.S. Held for the future, leading a talented team."
About J.S. Held
J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.
More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.
J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.
Contact
Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786 833 4864 | Kristi.Stathis@jsheld.com
Find Your Expert.®
JERICHO, N.Y., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm J.S. Held announces that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jonathon (Jon) Held intends to step down as Chief Executive Officer. J.S. Held President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Lee Spirer will succeed Jon Held as President and CEO. Jon Held will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. As part of a planned succession, the leadership transition will take effect at the start of the second quarter of 2025.
In his new role as Executive Chairman, Jon Held will continue to provide strategic guidance, ensuring the company optimizes value creation for continued growth. In addition, Jon will increase his client-facing role, providing strategic advisory and dispute resolution consulting, largely focused within the insurance industry.
Since assuming the role of Chief Executive in 1985, Jon has overseen the growth of J.S. Held, from a small regional firm to an internationally recognized global consulting company with more than 1500 professionals operating on six continents. Steve Dutton, Partner at Kelso & Company, J.S. Held's private equity partner, commenting on the executive transition, shares, "Working collaboratively with Jon and the executive team, Lee Spirer was recruited to make Jon's decision to transition to the Executive Chairman role seamlessly come to fruition."
"Lee Spirer's extensive experience and proven ability to drive strategy focused on financial results and operational excellence positions Lee as the ideal chief executive to lead our team through our next phase of growth," observed Jon Held. "As we enter our sixth decade of service to our clients, I am excited about this new period of growth for J.S. Held and I look forward to partnering with Lee to advance our mission and vision for the company in support of all J.S. Held stakeholders – our team members, clients, and investors."
Lee Spirer is a transformational leader with extensive experience creating value for investors in human capital-intensive businesses by focusing on developing innovative, high-impact services for clients and building platforms that attract world-class professionals to maximize their career success. Over his 30-year career, Lee Spirer has been known for keen strategic insight tightly tied to successful plan execution, developing teams, tapping into innovation, and leveraging technology. His teams have balanced organic and acquisition-based growth strategies while driving operational performance. He has operated in public and private companies, acquired and sold businesses, guided a company through an IPO, and interacted with a wide range of investors and boards.
"J.S. Held's mission for the last 50 years has been to serve as trusted, expert advisors to organizations around the world and to support the continued professional growth of our people," said Jonathon Held, who added, "Today, we reaffirm that commitment at the highest level of our organization for the benefit of clients and our more than 1500 scientific, technical, financial, and risk experts around the world."
Lee Spirer, commenting on his transition to President and CEO, shares, "Jon has led this company to an enviable position in its core markets. He has been a tremendous partner and has opted to apply his time to the highest value activity -- focusing on his unique abilities in advising our insurance clients. I consider myself fortunate and seek to build on this platform, evolving J.S. Held for the future, leading a talented team."
About J.S. Held
J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.
More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.
J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.
Contact
Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786 833 4864 | Kristi.Stathis@jsheld.com
Find Your Expert.®
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Global Consulting Company J.S. Held Announces CEO Succession
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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Agoda Data Shows Vietnam Rising as a Favorite End-of-Year Destination for Families Across Asia and Beyond
