Watching a Boston Celtics NBA Finals game courtside, running a marathon, and learning Spanish are all items on Kerry Burns’ bucket list. The Director of Consulting has already done a lot.

He’s served in the US Army, including three years stationed in Germany; earned Microsoft network certifications; joined LRS and rose to manager of the former network consulting practice. When LRS Consulting Services adopted its current focus on IT staffing, Kerry and his family relocated to Kansas City where Kerry began managing the branch. These days his duties include helping new branch offices grow.

"I enjoy watching the hard work of staff pay off and celebrating the small wins along the way."

Kerry doesn’t sit back and chill away from work. He spends a lot of time working out at a CrossFit box, where he enjoys both the comradery and competition. He also enjoys building things, like the vintage arcade cabinet he’s working on for his favorite 80’s and 90’s classic arcade games.

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.

Chris Jordan, Branch Manager in Chicago, has 10 years of experience in the technology staffing industry. He began his career working for a large international, global staffing firm in which he started off as a Account Executive. Throughout his career, he has won numerous company awards by taking pride in building strong relationships and understanding his client’s point-of-view. His greatest joy comes from growing new markets and loves the challenge of introducing the LRS story to Chicago. Chris has groomed and trained over a dozen Account Managers and Recruiters during his tenure. He is actively involved with IC STARS and SIM Chicago.

As an avid runner and golfer, it only makes sense that his bucket list consists of playing Augusta National, running the Boston Marathon, and traveling to Europe. He is also a guitar junkie (often playing at open mic nights) and enjoys hanging out with his family including his twin boys, Colton and Lucas, and wife, Maria.

Chris says his favorite part about IT Staffing is...

"every win helps a person advance their career and helps a customer build their technology platform."

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."

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.

Cory Seidelman is a Chicago native and joined the IT Staffing business over ten years ago.

“A friend noticed my outgoing personality and helped me get into an Internship opportunity with CareerBuilder. From there I moved into Engineering staffing and more recently the IT world.  As someone who has always been interested in technology, I find that speaking to innovators and leaders in the industry fuels my curiosity.”

When not placing candidates, Cory can be found drumming with local bands and brewing beer (one day he WILL create the perfect IPA). He also enjoys discovering new music, watching b-movies, cycling, hiking, and studying string theory.

His bucket list includes visiting all the MLB ballparks with my son, traveling to New Zealand and to through-hike the Appalachian Trail.

Cory joined the LRS team in 2020 and works with all of our offices as a Direct Hire specialist. “As a direct hire recruiter there is nothing more rewarding than developing relationships and knowing you found a long-lasting match for a client and candidate.”

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.

Account Executive Zach Thibodeau was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Potomac, MD. He then moved south to Texas and attended Southern Methodist University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics with Financial Applications.

After graduating, Zach moved to Dallas and joined the LRS team! He loves to travel internationally, play golf, and watch sports.

Technical Recruiter Jamie Dexter joined LRS after graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Communications Studies specializing in Public Relations. Starting in our Chicago office, she now works in our Dallas office. 

Being from Crescent City, IL, Jamie spends her off hours exploring Miami and is often found FaceTiming with her family. She loves listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and eating and drinking at new places around the city.

Her favorite part of working in IT staffing is finding the right candidate for a position and tackling any obstacles that come along with the process.

As a Denver transplant, this Chicagoan is a fan of all Chicago sports teams. Not only does Shelby love the Cubs, she also enjoys drinking wine, hiking in the Rockies, traveling to new places, and dressing her cat Mango in cute outfits.

Since she enjoys traveling to new places, it’s no surprise that her bucket list includes camping under the Northern Lights and visiting Thailand.

When deciding on a career after graduation, this technical recruiter was drawn to the new adventure and unknown territory that LRS was able to provide.

Now in Denver, CO, Paul Draper is originally from Cleveland, OH and graduated from Kent State University. Shortly after graduating, he moved to San Francisco where he lived for about 4 years. Taking a brief hiatus from his career, he spent 9 months traveling and has officially landed with LRS Consulting Services.

With his love for travel, it’s no wonder his bucket list includes some great adventures that consist of backpacking the Pacific Crest trail, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and scuba diving in the Maldives. Paul also enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and going to brunch.

Kansas City Branch Manager Matt Cellar has been with LRS since 2008 but started in IT Staffing long before. When asked how he got into the industry, he said...

"I got into IT Staffing so long ago I can’t really remember why or how I got in."

Matt is a die hard Mizzou and Kansas City Chiefs fan, and also likes St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals baseball. He plays golf occasionally and can sometimes be found making loud noises on a guitar, so it’s only fitting that his bucket list includes playing St. Andrews in Scotland and seeing Pearl Jam in concert.

Being from a small town in Iowa, attending college in Nebraska, and a current resident of Overland Park, Kansas, our Recruiting Supervisor is a true Midwesterner!

Her bucket list includes traveling to some of the most beautiful places in the world – Tahiti (and staying in an overwater bungalow), the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Until then, she enjoys spending time with her kids, shopping, and watching movies.

Jolene has been with LRS since 2010 and started in the Associate Recruiter program. When asked her favorite part of working in IT Staffing, she says...

"I like being able to talk to a variety of people every day and helping them find the right positions for their career goals."

Attending either a Bundesliga or EPL match, attending a World Cup Futbol match, and driving his Jeep across the Rubicon Trail are all on Senior Technical Recruiter Job Criger’s bucket list.

Born and raised in Southern Colorado, Job began his college education in Phoenix, AZ, but later finished his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Southern Missouri. He played collegiate soccer and then became a head coach and assistant coach for two men’s collegiate soccer programs where he won 2 national championships.

After applying for a position with LRS when he moved to Kansas City, he interviewed with “The Great Kerry Burns” and the rest is history.

"My favorite part is that I get a chance to work with so many different people.  From there it is about building a relationship with them.  Taking the time to actually listen to a candidate to find out what they are seeking and then being able to have a chance to get them into role that meshes up with their goals.  When they land a role that makes them happy and it is exactly what they were seeking, that is my favorite part."

Our Office Administrator Michelle Norman has traveled to 30 states in the US, but we sure are glad that she calls Kansas City home! After a high school friend raved about their experience working at LRS, Michelle jumped at the opportunity to join the company. “My favorite part about working in IT Staffing – Always new things to learn!”

Since she only has 20 left to go, her bucket list includes traveling to visit all 50 states. Her travels aren’t only domestic, but also international with the hopes of climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Another bucket list item? To write a book.

When not in the office, you can find Michelle reading, traveling, cooking, learning about wine (and drinking it), hanging out with family, and living the Green Acres adventure with her husband on their 6-acre oasis in the country.

Jami Moore hails from Wichita, KS and now lives in Kansas City with her husband, 2 kids, and 2 dogs. After receiving her bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Finance, then her Master’s in Business Law, she decided not to be a lawyer and is now saving the world one candidate at a time.

Why did she enter the staffing world?

"Staffing is awesome! I get to pretend to speak a language (tech) that I don’t really know, though I don’t think I fool anyone. I learn something new and interesting about technology every day, and I get to meet exceptionally talented people from all walks of life."

When not placing candidates, Jami is being entertained by her family and watching Royals Baseball. She only has one thing on her bucket list – to win the lottery.

Sara Roth graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in Education – while she’s still passionate about education, she got a job in sales soon after graduating and can’t imagine being anywhere else! Sara joined the LRS team in August 2020, but started her career in IT Staffing in 2018. 

“IT Staffing is a people’s business and people are the heart of what we do. I love the value that we get to offer to both clients and candidates. No day is the same and every challenge you face leads to a reward in the long run! Not only do we get to essentially play “match maker” through innovative means, but we also get to learn new things every day from each connection we make.  Finding opportunities that leverage our candidate’s strengths and helping our clients meet their business needs and objectives is always a win-win. Being able to celebrate on those successes together in a partnership is what it is all about!”

Sara is a foodie and loves cooking! She’s always trying out new restaurants and spots around Kansas City. She also loves traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Lexi grew up in Clinton, MO and graduated from Clinton High School. After high school, she continued her education at Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in HR and Organizational Management.

She joined LRS as a technical recruiter in 2020 and now lives in Kansas City. Her favorite part of KC? All of the country concerts!

When not seeking IT experts, Lexi enjoys going to K-State football and basketball games. She also enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.  

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."

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.

Born and raised in Lincoln, IL., Michael moved all over Central Illinois throughout the years. After attending MacMurray for two years where he played soccer, he then moved to Nashville, TN for a year for work. He has now made his way back to Central Illinois and is finishing his Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Michael has a wife, Megan, and two German shepherds (Zeus & Athena) who are just over a year old.

His hobbies include golfing, fishing, camping, boating… pretty much anything outdoors! His bucket list includes a trip to Italy, to get a hole in one, and to visit every MLB ballpark.

"Coming over from running an AT&T store, my wife previously worked with LRS and raved about it and what a great place to work it was, so I took a chance, applied, and got the job!"

His favorite part about IT staffing? The freedom to go to different clients and that the harder you work, the more successful you will be.

Kendra Jones-Lee, a Senior Technical Recruiter, is from Decatur, IL aka "The Soybean Capital of the World." This Ovarian Cancer survivor is the mother of two wonderful children who she obviously adores. She is an avid basketball fan and is often on the road with her son’s AAU team. She also enjoys writing short stories and poems.

Kendra’s bucket list includes being a contestant on The Wheel of Fortune, winning the lottery, and learning how to swim.... If only she can get over her fear of being the oldest person in class.

"Recruited to recruit," Kendra had no IT background, but her dazzling personality sparked a lasting career in the industry. "My favorite part of recruiting is just seeing a deal come together from start to finish."

Born and raised in Springfield, IL, Rachael Francis would pass by LRS headquarters and dream of working here and play in the fountain. She officially joined as a Technical Recruiter in 2009 and has enjoyed helping people find work that makes them happy. Sadly, she still hasn’t played in the fountain.

Artist and active – Rachael enjoys painting, decorating/redecorating, crafting, working out with HIIT and yoga, and singing and dancing in her car therefore entertaining other commuters.

Seeing her kids live happy, wonderful lives well into old age is at the top of her bucket list. She would also love to travel the globe, with Greece as her first stop, and to own an Airstream.

The Office Administrator in our Springfield office, Sue Harvey says having an open mind makes her successful in dealing with her responsibilities. She’s a creative, loyal, and caring person who was drawn to the recruiting industry by happenstance.

Everyone in the Springfield office as well as consultants who placed through the office are happy about that happenstance. Family is Sue’s top priority away from work, and she enjoys camping and sewing. She recommends that her friends read the Dr. Seuss book Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Hailing from the home of famous “throwed rolls” in Sikeston, MO is our St. Louis Branch Manager, Matt Crouthers. He got his start in IT Staffing when he sold software training to consulting companies – he then got recruiter by one of those consulting companies.

As an avid fisherman and hunter, Matt’s bucket list includes catching a Blue Marlin, shooting a 200-inch Whitetail buck, and to hunt King Eider Ducks in Alaska.

His favorite part of IT Staffing is that there is always something new to deal with every day.

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!

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.

Finding the right fit for the candidate as well as the client is Kevin Jovanovic’s favorite part of being a Technical Recruiter.

"The sense of accomplishment is fantastic."

He discovered IT staffing at a career fair while he was attending Southern Illinois University. Kevin was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and moved to Lockport, Illinois, at the age of 7.

Swimming with sharks and owning a yacht are both items on Kevin’s bucket list. So is running with the bulls of Pamplona. Until he checks those off his list, he enjoys playing drums, fishing, spending time with friends and family, and watching the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack Go).

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!

Before joining LRS, Cynthia Williams was living in Florida and working for Enjoy Your Face, Inc., the largest face painting company in the world, processing and onboarding for new hires, processing insurance, ordering product, and painting faces in the happiest place in the world – Walt Disney World.

Cynthia has since moved to Illinois and joined the LRS team. Her and her husband are enjoying all of the history and tourist locations in Missouri and Illinois. Her favorite part of IT Staffing is meeting new and interesting people.

Her bucket list includes a lot of traveling, dreaming of visits to Greece, Spain, and Island of Moorea.

Cynthia loves to create, paint, and cook.

Sofia Nestler is originally from Springfield, Illinois where LRS is headquartered.

After joining the Consulting team in January 2020, Sofia made the move to St. Louis.

During her off hours, she enjoys working out and hanging out with her dog.

Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Ryan grew up knowing of LRS – “LRS always had a reputation in Springfield as a great place to work so I applied and luckily got the job!”

Ryan’s favorite thing about working in IT staffing is that it’s “an ever-changing landscape and there’s always a new challenge on the horizon.”

The top 3 items on this Technical Recruiter’s bucket list include traveling to Asia or South America, skydiving, and learning Spanish.

During off hours, Ryan enjoys watching and training MMA and spending time outdoors.