Success leaves clues . . . and in this issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, several TE Network recruiters are giving us powerful ones to follow.

Matthew Deutsch

First, congratulations to Larry Basilone of Basilone Executive Search and Jeff Crowley of JobFormance, LLC on their recent split placement success. Together, they placed a Plant Manager and earned a $35,000 fee at 25%.

That’s the power of partnership inside the Network: combining relationships, reach, and recruiting expertise to create win-win results for clients, candidates, and both sides of the split.

A $35,000 placement doesn’t just happen. It reflects trust between trading partners, clear communication, aligned expectations, and a shared commitment to getting the job done. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration that fuels consistent production.

We also want to highlight an equally exciting milestone.

Please join us in congratulating Claire Monte of Data Search Network, Division of DSN Ventures, Inc. and Subhashree Sekar of Verus Recruiting Consultants, Inc. on making their first split placements in the Network.

There’s nothing quite like that first Network deal. It represents momentum, belief in the process, and the beginning of new long-term trading partner relationships.

Whether it’s a five-figure split or a first placement milestone, these wins showcase what’s possible when recruiters leverage the strength of the Network and work together with intention.

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 February 9 through February 22, 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

— — —

Amy Chapman

Michael Agen

Job recruiter: Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing

Candidate recruiter: Michael Agen of New Solutions Group, LLC

Job title: MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $15,600

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Bob Millman

Sara Alexandroff

Job recruiter: Bob Millman of AutoPro Technical Recruiting

Candidate recruiter: Sara Alexandroff of Sterling St. James, Inc.

Job title: DISTRICT PROPERTY MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $16,200

Fee percentage: 18%

— — —

Larry Basilone

Jeff Crowley

Job recruiter: Larry Basilone of Basilone Executive Search

Candidate recruiter: Jeff Crowley of JobFormance, LLC

Job title: PLANT MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $35,000

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

James R. Gettys

Rich Grunenwald

Job recruiter: Rich Grunenwald of Advisory and Consulting Services, LLC

Candidate recruiter: James R. Gettys of International Staffing Consultants, Inc.

Job title: SENIOR AUDITOR

Overall placement fee: $20,375

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

David Manns

Amy Marshall

Job recruiter: David Manns of Access Staffing

Candidate recruiter: Amy Marshall of Management Business Solutions, Inc.

Job title: QUALITY MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $20,090

Fee percentage: 24.5%

— — —

Larry Prior

Philip Ringrow

Job recruiter: Larry Prior of LFP Associates

Candidate recruiter: Philip Ringrow of Human Capital Ventures

Job title: MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $15,808

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Nathan Gruen

Subhashree Sekar

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

Candidate recruiter: Subhashree Sekar of Verus Recruiting Consultants, Inc.

Job title: TECHNICAL DESIGNER – WOMEN’S WOVENS

Overall placement fee: $18,000

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Krishonna Williams

Claire Monte

Job recruiter: Claire Monte of Data Search Network, Division of DSN Ventures, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Krishonna Williams of She Recruits, LLC

Job title: Z/OS AUTOMATION SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER

Overall placement fee: $29,696

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

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.

Last week in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, I asked you to “save the date.”

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

Which date, you may be asking yourself?

On April 23, 2026, TE recruiters from across the country will gather at Hotel Haya in Ybor City, Florida (near Tampa) for a focused, high-impact day designed to help you increase placements, strengthen partnerships, and grow your recruiting business.

And that day is TE Connect Spring 2026!

With a special $219 room rate (limited availability) and a networking icebreaker the evening before, TE Connect Spring 2026 can be a production accelerator on your desk for the rest of this year and beyond.

Still not convinced? Here are 10 reasons you need to be there:

1. High-Value Networking (Starting Night One)

The event kicks off Wednesday, April 22, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. with a Networking Icebreaker.

This is your opportunity to:

• Connect with fellow TE recruiters in a relaxed setting
• Share what you specialize in
• Talk through active searches
• Identify potential split partners before the formal sessions begin

Strong trading relationships start with real conversations — not cold outreach.

2. Direct Industry and Network Updates from Leadership

I, as well as Top Echelon President and CEO Mark Demaree will provide insights on:

• Current industry trends
• The status of TE Software
• Upcoming tools and enhancements
• What to expect from your TE Connect experience

Understanding where the Network is headed allows you to position your desk for growth.

3. Learn How to Bill $2.4M and Make 270+ Placements

Maria Hemminger will break down exactly how she generated $2.4M in TE Network billings and more than 270 placements.

You’ll learn:

• How to create highly marketable jobs
• How to identify and secure quality trading partners
• The power of mass emails done correctly
• How to manage your pipeline daily for consistent production

This is real-world strategy from someone doing it at a high level.

4. Lightning Rounds That Create Real Opportunities

The fast-paced Lightning Rounds Networking Session is structured to maximize meaningful connections in a short amount of time.

Participants rotate through focused, 20-minute group conversations where you:

• Share your niche
• Present current searches
• Quickly identify alignment
• Set up deeper conversations later in the day

It’s efficient. Intentional. And built to spark deals.

5. Stop Underutilizing TE Software

Todd Bossler, Top Echelon’s Training and Support Manager with 28 years of experience, leads:

“Turning Tools into Placements: TE Software Tools You’re Underutilizing”

You’ll walk away with:

• Step-by-step workflows
• Features you may not even realize exist
• Practical applications you can implement immediately
• Strategies to increase speed, organization, and results

If you’re not maximizing the platform, you’re leaving money on the table.

6. Work Smarter, Not Harder

Todd returns in the afternoon with:

“The Most Powerful Tools You Have to Make Placements and Grow Your Business”

This session focuses on:

• Automation strategies that save time
• Leveraging technology to eliminate busywork
• Smarter execution habits
• Maximizing output without increasing hours

In recruiting, efficiency drives revenue.

7. BBDG Focused on What Matters Now

The Business-Building Discussion Groups are designed to help you tackle real challenges facing your desk.

Topics are based on feedback from recruiters across the country, ensuring conversations are:

• Relevant
• Timely
• Practical
• Growth-oriented

You’ll collaborate with peers to exchange ideas, solve problems, and strengthen your business strategy.

8. Inside the Minds of TE Network’s Highest Billers

The TE Network Producer Panel delivers candid insight from top-performing recruiters.

You’ll hear directly from consistent split-placement producers about:

• The specific tools that impact their agencies most
• What a true “core group” looks like
• How they evaluate jobs and choose partners
• When and why they stop working with a job or recruiter
• The mindset that separates top billers from the rest

If you want to think — and bill — like a top producer, this is the session you cannot miss.

9. Build a Stronger Core Group of Trading Partners

Successful recruiters inside TE Network don’t operate alone. Instead, they build intentional core groups.

At TE Connect, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Identify recruiters who complement your niche
• Strengthen importer/exporter relationships
• Establish consistent communication rhythms
• Move from transactional splits to long-term partnerships

One strong core group can transform your year.

10. Momentum You Can Feel Immediately

TE Connect isn’t passive learning. You’ll leave Florida with:

• Actionable tactics
• New relationships
• Renewed motivation
• Clear next steps

Many attendees see immediate activity, and that includes new searches shared, partnerships formed, and placements initiated within days of the event.

The Setting Matters

Hotel Haya, located in Tampa’s historic Ybor City district, offers an elevated boutique atmosphere that makes this a focused, distraction-free environment for growth.

Room Rate: $219 (limited availability)

Secure your stay by clicking this link.

The Bottom Line

TE Connect Spring 2026 is a partnership accelerator and production multiplier.

If you’re serious about:

• Increasing split placements
• Strengthening trading relationships
• Leveraging TE tools more effectively
• Growing your billings in 2026

Then April 23 in Tampa needs to be on your calendar.

Click HERE to register for TE Connect!

We’ll see you there!

We’re continuously updating both the Top Echelon recruiting software and our split placement network software.

So we’re pleased to announce the following software updates!

1. [PRO] TE Recruit API Access

TE Recruit’s new Open API enables deeper connectivity between TE Recruit and other third-party systems, making it easier to build custom integrations, automate data sharing, and adapt the platform to support evolving workflows.

2. Advanced Search Layout Update

The People, Company, and Job advanced search pages have been redesigned to improve usability on smaller screens. For screens under 1280px wide, fields now display in a vertical layout instead of horizontal. This update improves readability, optimizes available space, and allows for clearer display of validation and error messages.

3. Settings UI Updates

We’re updating Settings pages to align with our newest design styles, improving layouts, readability, and navigation. This work is rolling out over the coming weeks, with sections like My Account already updated. As more pages are converted, you’ll notice fewer “pardon our dust” banners across Settings.

— — —

Remember, you can always stay informed about software updates by visiting the official Top Echelon Product Updates page. You can see current and past updates, as well as which updates and upgrades are next.

If you have questions about these updates or about any other aspect of your TE Network and/or TE Recruit™ account, you can:

→ Send an email to support@topechelon.com.

→ Visit our Help Center for answers to your questions or start a live chat by clicking the “Contact” link in the navigation bar.

If you’ve been playing along, then you know that this is the third and final part of my “Proven Protocols for Working a Job in TE” series of blog posts.

Click HERE to read the first blog post in the series, and click HERE to read the second.

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

In my previous blog post, I addressed the questions that the candidate recruiter should ask the job order recruiter during the initial phone conversation in the building of their split recruiting partnership. In this blog post, I’m going to address best practices for the follow-up.

Once the initial phone call occurs, let the job order recruiter know whether you’re going to continue working the job or if you’re moving on to something else. This will help them have clarification on who is actually working their job and who is not.

If you are recruiting on their job, continually update them, even if you have found nothing. This lets them know where you are in the search and that you’re still working for them.

When submitting candidates to the job order recruiter, be sure to submit them directly through the Top Echelon software. This will ensure that your name is tied to the candidate as the pipeline source for that particular job.

In addition, keep your eye on your notifications within the software. If the job order recruiter is interested in your candidate, then that candidate will be moved to the Qualifying Stage. If the job order recruiter is not interested, then the recruiter will delete your candidate or give the candidate a “thumbs down” and save them for another job on a rainy day.

When the job order recruiter creates activities with your candidate, they are encouraged to use the Top Echelon system and “Share Activity Details” functionality. This is the most efficient way for them to update you on the candidate and their status with the job.

If you do not hear anything from the job order recruiter regarding your submission, then they’re probably not interested. It is not a reasonable request to be told why each candidate is not a fit. Time is best spent on the candidates who are a fit and not on those who do not meet the qualifications for the role.

Remember, trust your partners’ relationship and understanding of their clients’ needs. After all, they want to make placements just as badly as you do.

Thank you for joining me for this special series of blog posts in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog. I hope this clears up any confusion you may have had regarding how to work another TE Network member’s job order.

If you have any questions about this blog post (or this series) or if you want to be more successful in our recruiting network right NOW, then please contact me.

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

I’m pleased to announce the Virtual Core Group (VCG) meeting schedule for the month of March!

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

For those of you who don’t know, TE Network recruiters share the following information during Virtual Core Group teleconference call meetings:

• Hot job orders and candidates
• Information about the activity they’re seeing in the marketplace and/or in their niche
• Ideas for increased production on their desks and within their agencies

These are the activities that lead most directly to making more split placements in TE Network.

So that is why I’m inviting—or in other words, strongly encouraging—you to attend one of March’s Virtual Core Group meetings. Below is the complete VCG schedule for March, including the industries involved and the time that each meeting will be held. (Note: all times are Eastern.)

Wednesday, March 11:

• 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Manufacturing & Engineering
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Accounting & Finance

Thursday, March 12:

• 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. — Law & Legal Services
• 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Sales & Marketing

You can join the meeting to which you belong by accessing the information listed below.

Google Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/qba-qdic-kou

Below is the agenda for each Virtual Core Group meeting:

1. Welcome
2. Roll call of the members
3. I will share the latest software updates for both TE Network and the Top Echelon recruiting software (also known as TE Recruit).
4. Members will share their hot jobs with corresponding group discussion.
5. I will direct a software and Network protocol Q&A session to close the call.

It is my goal that this agenda will help you take away more from the meeting than just hot jobs and/or candidates. Hopefully, it will help make you more knowledgeable in terms of the Top Echelon community.

If you’d like to join one of the groups listed above or if you’d like to start a new group, please contact me.

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