Michael is the Director of the UGA Search Group and leads a team of talented professionals who comprise this premier organization at the University of Georgia. The UGA Search Group is one of the academy’s first internal executive search units and Michael has served as a senior member of this team for more than ten years. He specializes in executive recruitment strategies and overall search process facilitation. His experience in recruitment and consultation has spanned multiple industries including Finance, Information Technology, Health Care, and Academia. Michael and his team partner with hiring authorities and search committee members to identify and attract the most talented leaders in the field to choose the University of Georgia.
The Search Group has conducted more than 175 senior leadership searches since inception and has delivered more than a 90% successful placement rate. This success is built on strategic recruitment methodologies which deliver the highest caliber professionals to successfully fulfill senior leadership needs. Michael is an Athens native and a proud alumnus of UGA. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Matthew Reiter (Assistant Director)
Matthew is the Assistant Director of the UGA Search Group and has worked in Human Resources at the University of Georgia since 2008. Matthew started as part of the process management team in the UGA Search Group, where some of his responsibilities included sourcing highly qualified prospective candidates for recruitment, document preparation, advertising, applicant tracking system administration, and assisting candidates, hiring authorities, search committee members and other stakeholders throughout the search process. As Assistant Director, Matthew supervises a team of talented individuals supporting both the recruitment and process management functions of the Search Group to coordinate the executive search process and facilitate the successful recruitment of top talent to UGA. Matthew is also contributing to the USG Unified ERP Project through 2028 where he will be serving as an Analyst for Recruiting.
Prior to joining UGA, Matthew worked at a local branch of an e-Commerce retail company where he gained experience in operations, scheduling and payroll. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tiffin University in Ohio.
Hannah Brannen (Senior Executive Process Consultant)
Hannah is the Senior Executive Process Consultant and has been a member of the UGA Search Group since 2017. Her work focuses on managing the processes required to facilitate every search, such as organizing meetings with committee members and key stakeholders, developing timelines and schedules, and communicating information regarding the search to the University community. Prior to her time with the Search Group, Hannah held positions in sales and support, always with a focus on providing exceptional service. She is an alumna of the University of Georgia with undergraduate degrees in International Affairs and Fine Arts and a master’s degree in organizational development with UGA’s College of Education.
Michelle Browning (Executive Process Consultant)
Michelle joined the UGA Search Group in March 2025 as an Executive Process Consultant. In this role, her primary responsibilities within the Search Group include the creation and management of materials, meeting organization, and communications between multiple departments. Prior to joining the search group, Michelle worked as a CRM data specialist for two years. She graduated from the University of Georgia in December of 2021 with a B.A. in English with honors and a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Writing from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Zane Dockweiler (Senior Executive Recruiting Consultant)
Zane Dockweiler joined the UGA Search Group in June 2024 as an Executive Recruiting Consultant and is currently a Senior Executive Recruiting Consultant. In this role, he is responsible for reaching out to and assisting potential candidates throughout the entire search process, communicating with senior level faculty, and facilitating candidate interviews. Prior to joining the UGA Search Group, Zane had multiple recruiting/sales positions. In December 2019 he graduated from the University of Georgia with his B.S. in Sport Management and values the opportunity to contribute to UGA.
Paige Gates (Senior Executive Recruiting Consultant)
Paige Gates joined the UGA Search group in Spring 2025 as a Senior Executive Recruiting Consultant. In this role, she focuses on candidate outreach to secure exceptional executive talent that supports UGA’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and community impact. Paige collaborates closely with both prospective candidates and university stakeholders, guiding and coordinating them throughout the search process. Prior to joining the UGA Search Group, Paige gained valuable experience in private sector recruitment and sales. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Valdosta State University. Paige is enthusiastic about contributing to the continued success of this esteemed institution while fostering meaningful, long-term relationships.
Caleb Harrington (Executive Process Consultant)
Caleb Harrington joined the UGA Search Group in the Fall of 2023 as an Executive Process Consultant. In this position, his responsibilities include creating and managing timelines and materials while supporting and communicating with search committee members and stakeholders. Before joining the search group, Caleb was a member of the Men’s Swimming and Diving team at the University of Georgia and graduated with a B.S. in Genetics in May of 2022. Caleb is excited to bring his talents to UGA Search Group and give back to his UGA family by helping to maintain the exceptional standard of leadership the university is known for.