Celebrating More Deals, First Splits, and Big Fees

There’s more good news to share from Top Echelon Network (TE Network) as members continue to demonstrate the value of recruiter collaboration through successful split placements!

First, congratulations to Pam Petitpren of PRA USA and David M. Sgro of True North Consultants, Inc. on their recent split placement of an IT – Infrastructure Manager. The placement generated a $34,000 split placement fee at 20%, highlighting the opportunities that can arise when recruiting professionals combine their expertise, candidate relationships, and industry connections.

This accomplishment is another example of how TE Network helps recruiters work together to fill critical positions, expand their reach, and generate additional revenue through split placements.

We’re also excited to recognize Maggie Duckstad of SmartTech Staffing Partners, who recently celebrated her first placement in TE Network! Reaching this milestone is an exciting achievement and an important step in building a successful track record of Network participation.

Congratulations to Pam, David, and Maggie on their accomplishments! Their success reflects the collaborative spirit of TE Network and the opportunities available when recruiters connect, share resources, and work toward a common goal.

These achievements showcase the power of collaboration and the incredible opportunities available when recruiters combine their expertise, resources, and connections to make more placements together.

As a friendly neighborhood reminder, here is the information that we publish with our split placements:

• Names of the trading partners involved (with their profile photos, when available)
• Job title
• Overall placement fee (before TE Network’s 6% brokerage fee, of course)
• Fee percentage

Please note that the placements listed below reflect deals finalized in TE Network for the period from October 26 through November 1, 2026.

Remember, if you don’t want information related to your split placements published in The Pinnacle, please send an email to marketing@topechelon.com to that effect.

Once again, congratulations to everybody below for the split placements they made in TE Network!

This Week’s Split Placements

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Job recruiter: Nathan Gruen of Gruen Search Consultants, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Overall placement fee: $14,760

Fee percentage: 18%

— — —

Job recruiter: Brendan Smith of Southern Staffing Group

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $16,016

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Anthony Ferrara of Twelve09 Executive Placement

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: PROJECT ENGINEER

Overall placement fee: $27,500

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Wayne Miller of THR Partners

Candidate recruiter: Maggie Duckstad of SmartTech Staffing Partners

Job title: PROJECT ENGINEER – VENTILATION HOOD

Overall placement fee: $27,500

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Brian Gruen of Gruen Search Consultants, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Christopher Hollinger of Elevate Direct

Job title: WAREHOUSE MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $26,250

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc.

Job title: PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Overall placement fee: $14,040

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Pam Petitpren of PRA USA

Candidate recruiter: David M. Sgro of True North Consultants, Inc.

Job title: IT – INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $34,000

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Brendan Smith of Southern Staffing Group

Candidate recruiter: Thomas Trese of Tom Trese Networking LLC

Job title: FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $14,144

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Brendan Smith of Southern Staffing Group

Candidate recruiter: Thomas Trese of Tom Trese Networking LLC

Job title: FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $22,048

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Clint Martz of A to Z Search Group

Candidate recruiter: Lisa Vella Puff of L.V. Enterprises

Job title: INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST

Overall placement fee: $28,750

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Nathan Gruen of Gruen Search Consultants, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Lisa Vella Puff of L.V. Enterprises

Job title: SENIOR DESIGNER – CHARACTER LICENSED CHILDRENSWEAR

Overall placement fee: $23,400

Fee percentage: 18%

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If you’re a newer TE Network member and you’d like to enjoy more success in our recruiter network, then I encourage you to contact Top Echelon Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can do so by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.