Meet the Team

Senior Leadership

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Chris Walters

Senior Vice President - LRS Consulting Services View Bio
Chris Walters Senior Vice President - LRS Consulting Services

Playing a round at Augusta National Golf Club and “breaking 80” are two items on Chris Walters’ bucket list. So it’s no surprise that he lists golf as one of his hobbies.

The Senior Vice President for LRS Consulting Services also dreams of traveling to Italy. In the meantime, he enjoys vacationing with his family in New York City or on the beach in Florida.

Chris firmly believes that relationships are vital in the IT staffing industry; it was a relationship that got him involved in staffing.

"I started my career in banking, and a friend who worked for an IT staffing firm introduced me to the firm’s owner and I became his banker. After knowing him for a year, he convinced me to change careers and join his firm."

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Vikki Whitefoot

Director of Recruiting, Consulting Services View Bio
Vikki Whitefoot Director of Recruiting, Consulting Services

Director of Recruiting Vikki Whitefoot may live in the St. Louis area, but you’re liable to find her in any Consulting branch. She travels to, and works in, all the branches.

She loves getting to meet interesting people who are passionate about technology, which describes so many who are involved in IT staffing. Vikki created the training program that all of our new recruiters complete before they become full-fledged recruiters.

Traveling, reading, and working out are her hobbies, and traveling is at the heart of her bucket list. She wants to visit Bora Bora, and she wants to see the musical "Hamilton" in as many cities as possible.

Chicago

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Tim Allen

Account Executive View Bio
Tim Allen Account Executive

Tim Allen is an Account Executive in Chicago, having more than 7 years of experience in the IT Staffing industry. He began his career in the US Navy, where he served honorably in support of Naval Air missions. He progressed on to business development roles in technology and is a recipient of awards for excellence in developing new markets.

Tim is an avid photographer, hiker, and traveler. He hopes his travels take him to New Zealand, to see the Northern Lights, and on an Adventure Cruise to Antarctica.

He takes pride in building strong client relationships and understanding and delivering to his customer’s needs. His greatest satisfaction comes from building new accounts into successful LRS partnerships. Tim is engaged in the local Chicago tech community and is actively involved with IC STARS and SIM Chicago.

"What I enjoy most about IT Staffing is helping motivated professionals accelerate their careers with customers who can most benefit from them."

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Desiree Smith

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Desiree Smith Technical Recruiter

After graduating from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale in Communication Studies, Desiree Smith made her way back north to Pleasant Hill, IL. She is now working as a Technical Recruiter in our Chicago office.

She dreams of traveling to Barcelona and the Grand Canyon and would love to swim with dolphins. Until then, she enjoys cooking and baking.

Desiree’s favorite part of IT Staffing is that she learns from every individual she speaks to.

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Karolina Zakrzewska

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Karolina Zakrzewska Technical Recruiter

Karolina Zakrzewska, a Technical Recruiter in our Chicago office, has had a passion for technology and psychology since she was young. In addition to speaking English, she is also fluent in Polish. Karolina loves reading, cooking, trying new types of food, and exploring sights in Chicago. When she isn’t in the city, she enjoys going out and getting lost in nature. Karolina’s bucket list includes visiting China and many other new places outside of the country! Additionally, she would also like to take the jump and try skydiving. Karolina enjoys working in IT staffing because she is able to learn about emerging technologies while getting to have conversations with all different types of people looking for work and finding the best possible fit for them.


Dallas

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Angela Truden

Branch Manager View Bio
Angela Truden Branch Manager

Originally from Detroit, MI, Angela Truden made the move to Dallas in 2012 and started working in outside sales. Two years later, she joined the technical staffing world and she hasn’t looked back! After 6 years in the industry, she joined our team in 2020 as a Branch Manager.

“I love meeting new people and having the opportunity to help both my clients and consultants on a daily basis.”

Angela enjoys traveling to new places, so it only makes sense that her bucket list includes traveling to Italy, Bora Bora, and Australia.

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Joe Barnes

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Joe Barnes Technical Recruiter

Joe Barnes, a Technical Recruiter in our Dallas office, has lived most of his life in The Lone Star State. During Joe’s off time he enjoys painting in multiple media, gaming online, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with his dog, Lola. Joe’s bucket list includes traveling out of the country to Japan and South Korea, having his artwork displayed in a gallery, and watching the Mavs, Cowboys, and Rangers win more championships. Prior to working for LRS, Joe began his career in real estate, before transitioning into software sales with Intuit. Joe’s favorite part of IT staffing has been learning the different roles in the ecosystem. He also enjoys watching people progress in their careers with the placement of LRS Consulting Services.


Kansas City

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Brooke Kimbrough

Account Executive View Bio
Brooke Kimbrough Account Executive

Brooke Kimbrough, Account Executive in our Kansas City office, is a recent graduate of University of Missouri. Brooke enjoys working out in her free time, as health and fitness are a huge part of her life. When she isn’t at the gym, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, spending Sundays at the City Market, and exploring Kansas City. Brooke would like to travel the world and one day open up a vegan bakery

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Logan Murphy

Account Executive View Bio
Logan Murphy Account Executive

Logan Murphy, an Account Executive based in Kansas City, MO, brings three years of dedicated experience in the field of IT staffing. Logan's passion for technology and connecting talented individuals with top companies has been the driving force behind her career.

When not in the office, you can find Logan exploring the great outdoors with her loyal companion, Benji, on the scenic trails around Kansas City. She thrives on being a "tourist" in her own city, constantly seeking out new and exciting spots to enjoy.

Logan loves adventure and exploring new things. Skiing down a tough Black Diamond Slope and seeing the amazing landscapes of New Zealand are at the top of her bucket list.

Being at the forefront of technological advances and actively shaping the workforce for leading companies is what drew Logan into IT staffing. She takes pride in not only filling positions but also guiding individuals toward fulfilling their professional aspirations.

As an Account Executive, Logan is excited to contribute her skills and industry expertise to drive success for both clients and candidates alike.

Minneapolis

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Jeff Schmitz

Branch Manager View Bio
Jeff Schmitz Branch Manager

Jeff Schmitz, Branch Manager, based in Minneapolis, brings his small-town charm and big dreams to our team.
A native of a small town, Jeff always aspired to achieve great things. His journey into IT Staffing began when he felt he had reached the right level of education. Seizing the opportunity, he applied to become a recruiter and was welcomed. Ever since, he has considered this career a blessing, driven by his love for people. As Jeff puts it, "Helping clients and people make their way through this world today takes everything you got."
When not working, Jeff immerses himself in various activities. He cherishes fun family moments, enjoys playing golf, strumming his guitar, and exercising his right to assemble. His bucket list is as eclectic as his interests, with dreams of joining a Reggae band, drinking from the fountain of youth, and beating Arthur Ashe in a tennis match.
Jeff's favorite part about working in IT Staffing is its unpredictability. He quotes a line from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," starring Clint Eastwood, to describe his perspective: "Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes the bar eats you... and that's fair."

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Danny Belkin

Business Development Executive View Bio
Danny Belkin Business Development Executive

Danny Belkin is a Business Development Executive in our Minneapolis office. He is a proud Minnesotan who loves spending time with his wife, 3-year-old son, and his 2 dogs, Henry and Walter.

Some of Danny’s hobbies include golfing, watching English Premier League soccer, and drinking wine.

Danny’s bucket list includes attending the Masters, touring the winemaking chateaux of France, and going to the Monaco Grand Prix.

His favorite part of IT Staffing is the genuine thrill he gets from helping people land their next big role.

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Sadie LaFrance

Business Development Executive View Bio
Sadie LaFrance Business Development Executive

Sadie LaFrance is a Business Development Executive in our Minneapolis office. She grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota, where she was a farm girl and a three-sport athlete. While attending college, she worked in the admissions office, which is where she discovered her passion for recruiting.

Some of Sadie’s bucket list items include traveling to Croatia, Hawaii, and Italy.

Sadie’s favorite part of IT Staffing is the amazing people that she has met throughout her 20 years of business development and recruiting experience. She loves to drive and build relationships; getting to know her clients professionally and personally.

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Justin Kuhnau

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Justin Kuhnau Technical Recruiter

Justin Kuhnau is a Technical Recruiter in our Minneapolis office. He was born and raised in Wisconsin Dells, WI, the waterpark capital of the world! 

Some of Justin’s Hobbies include spending time with his family, coaching his son’s basketball team, hunting, fishing, and attending concerts.

His bucket list includes going to more concerts, going on a safari, and traveling the world.

Justin has been a professional recruiter for over 16 years, starting when he was fresh out of college in 2006. He states that he has a true passion for finding talent and helping them build their careers.

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Mark Runyon

Recruiting Manager View Bio
Mark Runyon Recruiting Manager

Mark Runyon is a Senior Recruiter in our Minneapolis office. He was born and raised St. Paul, where he attended high school at Cretin-Derham Hall and graduated college from the University of St. Thomas.

Some of his hobbies include attending local sporting events, fishing in Northern Minnesota, and golfing.

Mark’s bucket list includes going to the Kentucky Derby, seeing the Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup, and witnessing the Minnesota Vikings win the Super Bowl.

His interest in IT Staffing began when he worked in IT in college, when he realized he wanted to begin a career in a sales or recruiting.

Mark’s Favorite part of IT Staffing is helping people find great opportunities, whether they are early in their career, or seasoned vets looking for the next big thing

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Ty Cousineau

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Ty Cousineau Technical Recruiter

Ty Cousineau, Technical Recruiter in our Minneapolis office, is a recent graduate from Concordia University in his native city of Montreal.

A few of Ty’s hobbies include playing and coaching hockey, attempting golf, and exploring new restaurants and breweries.

Three items on Ty’s bucket list are visiting as many professional sporting venues as possible, witnessing a Minnesota team win a championship, and riding in a fighter jet.

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Katie McLain

Office Administrator View Bio
Katie McLain Office Administrator

Katie McLain is the dedicated Office Administrator in our Minneapolis office, bringing with her an extensive background in providing top-notch administrative support. Known for her efficiency and organizational skills, Katie ensures the office runs seamlessly. When she's not at work, Katie loves spending quality time with her family and friends. She’s an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoys both cooking and baking, and loves exploring the vibrant city life in North Loop Minneapolis. With a passion for travel, a trip to Europe is high on her bucket list.

Nashville

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Shannon Wright

Account Executive View Bio
Shannon Wright Account Executive

Meet Shannon Wright, our Account Executive based in Nashville, TN. Originally from South Carolina, Shannon is a Clemson University alumna who recently relocated to Nashville. Outside the office, she loves discovering new restaurants, enjoying live music, and exploring the city. Shannon's bucket list includes traveling to Italy and running a half marathon. With six years of experience in staffing, she thrives on meeting new people and building connections. Whether she's networking or hitting the pavement for a run, Shannon brings enthusiasm and determination to the task.

Springfield

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Jeff Johnson

Branch Manager View Bio
Jeff Johnson Branch Manager

Being the second oldest of seven children, Recruiting Manager Jeff Johnson can handle anything. Jeff has lived in Central Illinois his entire life and grew up in a small town about an hour south of Springfield – he has enjoyed it for the most part, but could do without the winters.

He lives and dies with the Cubbies each and every season and would love to see the Cubs play in all 30 MLB stadiums. Jeff also dreams of visiting all 50 states and to get kicked out of a casino for winning too much money. When not in the office, he spends his time with his wife (Stephanie), stepson (Cooper), and his chocolate lab (Sammie). He enjoys playing softball, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and working with cars.

A close family friend of Jeff’s worked at LRS from the early 1980s to the mid 1990s and always had great things to say about the company... so the ball started rolling from there.

"My favorite thing about IT Staffing is at times my least favorite thing about IT Staffing: It is unpredictable. No 2 days are EVER the same."

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Jake Lohrenz

Sales Supervisor View Bio
Jake Lohrenz Sales Supervisor

Jake Lohrenz, Account Executive, loves building and woodworking, so it’s no surprise that building a home in the mountains is on his bucket list. He loves being active, so you’ll find him coaching youth sports, boating, fishing, or playing golf.

Sometimes he just hangs out with the family.

Jake had graduated from our Associate Recruiter training program when the chance to transition to Account Executive opened up.

"This opportunity fit my personality better as it is more face to face interaction and meeting directly with our clients to help them locate the best IT talent."

And that’s his favorite part about IT staffing. Jake gets to meet many clients, work on new challenges, and keep learning new things almost every day. He also gets to help people and organizations succeed, which he loves.

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Stephanie Johnson

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Stephanie Johnson Technical Recruiter

Stephanie Johnson, a Technical Recruiter in our Springfield office, resides in Rochester, IL with her family and her sweet yellow lab, Charlie.

During her off-time she enjoys watching true crime shows, doing home projects, sewing, and spending time with her family. She also loves camping and boating in the summer!

Stephanie’s bucket list includes living to celebrate her 100th birthday, having a perfect March Madness bracket, and taking an Alaskan cruise.

Her favorite part of working in IT staffing is the relationships she builds with candidates as they work through the process together. Stephanie states, “Matching candidates with jobs they’re excited about is very rewarding”.

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Cory Seidelman

Technical Recruiter View Bio
Cory Seidelman Technical Recruiter

Cory Seidelman, a Technical Recruiter in our Springfield office, is a Chicago native with over 15 years of Technical Staffing experience. During his off time, he enjoys brewing his own beer and is on the never-ending quest of creating a perfect IPA. When Cory isn’t brewing beer, he enjoys discovering new music, watching b-movies, cycling, hiking, and fishing. Cory’s bucket list includes visiting all the MLB ballparks with his two sons, traveling to New Zealand, and hiking the Appalachian Trail. Cory jumped into IT Staffing after attending Illinois State University when a friend noticed his outgoing personality and helped him land an internship opportunity with CareerBuilder. From there he moved into engineering staffing, and more recently the IT world. Cory states that there is nothing more rewarding than developing relationships and knowing you helped facilitate a match for a client and candidate.

St. Louis

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Hilary Hertenstein

Manager - Client Engagement View Bio
Hilary Hertenstein Manager - Client Engagement

A native of Morton, Illinois - The Pumpkin Capital of the World – Manager of Client Engagement Hilary Hertenstein loves pumpkin flavored everything. She also loves trying out new restaurants, because why eat the same food all the time?

Hilary’s favorite aspect of IT staffing is the fact that every single day is different, with a new set of challenges and things to do. She’s a bit of an LRS Consulting Services pioneer: Hilary was a member of the very first Associate Recruiter training class. She quickly moved into a sales role and enjoys amazing relationships with great clients. 

What’s in store for her? Sky diving, running a half marathon, and travel to Australia, Fiji and/or New Zealand are all on her bucket list. Stay tuned!

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Mark Johnson

Recruiting Manager View Bio
Mark Johnson Recruiting Manager

Hailing from the beautiful Village of Coalton, Illinois (where he claims to have been 10% of the population while growing up), Mark Johnson is Recruiting Manager in our St. Louis office.

But he’s a die-hard Cubs fan. Pitching for the Cubs is the top item on his bucket list, above racing a COPO Camaro and skydiving. He loves to race and play golf.

Mark joined LRS in 2012 after his brother Jeff, our Recruiting Manager, introduced him to the IT staffing industry, Before that, Mark had worked for Snap-On Tools.

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Maurie Plassmeyer

Consulting Administrative Supervisor View Bio
Maurie Plassmeyer Consulting Administrative Supervisor

As the Consulting Administrative Supervisor in our St. Louis office, she’s uber nice, she’s patient, and she’s a lot of fun. She started working for LRS in 2012, and we are sure glad she did!

Married with 4 children, Maurie enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and traveling. Winning the lottery is at the top of her bucket list!

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Rachel Elder

Account Executive View Bio
Rachel Elder Account Executive

Rachel has called St. Louis home since she was just a year old. She got her bachelor's degree from Truman State University, where she enjoyed participating in organizations ranging from a business fraternity to a backpacking club and everything in between.


Outside of work you can usually catch her outdoors hiking or playing volleyball or doing hobbies such as stained glass, home improvement projects, and hanging out playing board games with friends. She looks forward to eventually traveling to South America, seeing the seven wonders of the world, going to all the National Parks, and sky diving.


She got into the staffing industry as a candidate who ended up becoming a permanent employee. She has been grateful to be able to provide candidates their next opportunity with amazing clients. She loves meeting new people and always has time to get to know everyone she meets.