While a number of recruiters made split placements in TE Network recently, only two were responsible for the largest split fee of the week.

Matthew Deutsch

Those recruiters are Teresa Pernini of Pernini Legal, LLC and Rob Sappenfield of Sappenfield Staffing. Teresa and Rob placed an Associate Attorney – Labor and Employment, earning a recruiting feel of $58,750 in the process.

In addition, we’d like to recognize Sherry Umpleby of Innovative Search Solutions. Sherri was part of not one, not two, but three split placements recently with three different trading partners. Congratulations, Sherry!

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 May 18 through May 24, 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

— — —

Brad Dodge

Sherry Umpleby

Job recruiter: Sherry Umpleby of Innovative Search Solutions

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: SAFETY & DOI COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $23,750

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Steve Kohn

Kristy Staggs

Job recruiter: Kristy Staggs of Byrnes & Rupkey, Inc.

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

Job title: MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN

Overall placement fee: $14,040

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Becky Mead

Joe Cresci

Job recruiter: Joe Cresci of Food Management Search

Candidate recruiter: Becky Mead of Your Talent Team

Job title: BEVERAGE SALES MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $9,792

Fee percentage: 12.24%

— — —

Anna Race

Sherry Umpleby

Job recruiter: Sherry Umpleby of Innovative Search Solutions

Candidate recruiter: Anna Race of Verus Recruiting Consultants, Inc.

Job title: QUALITY MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $20,000

Fee percentage: Flat

— — —

Rob Sappenfield

Teresa Pernini

Job recruiter: Teresa Pernini of Pernini Legal, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Rob Sappenfield of Sappenfield Staffing, Inc.

Job title: ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY – LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Overall placement fee: $58,750

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Michael Stuck

Amylyn Kyler

Job recruiter: Amylyn Kyler of Kyler Professional Search

Candidate recruiter: Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group

Job title: TITLE SPECIALIST

Overall placement fee: $12,000

Fee percentage: 15%

— — —

Thomas Trese

Kevin Russell

Job recruiter: Kevin Russell of 6 Degrees Search

Candidate recruiter: Thomas Trese of Tom Trese Networking LLC

Job title: CNC FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Overall placement fee: $22,000

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Krishonna Williams

Sherry Umpleby

Job recruiter: Sherry Umpleby of Innovative Search Solutions

Candidate recruiter: Krishonna Williams of She Recruits, LLC

Job title: SR HRBP

Overall placement fee: $22,750

Fee percentage: 17.50%

— — —

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.

In the TE Network, successful split placements are built on more than just recruiting skill. They’re built on trust, communication, professionalism, and consistency.

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

That’s exactly why the Certified Split Placement Partner Program (CSPP) was created.

Last year, we introduced the program to help TE Network members strengthen their collaboration skills, deepen their understanding of Network best practices, and stand out as reliable split partners within the Network. Since then, members who have completed the certification have demonstrated a higher level of commitment to the Four Pillars of the TE Network:

• Quality
• Communication
• Trust
• Active Participation

Now the question is simple: Have YOU taken the test yet?

Why Certification Matters

In today’s recruiting landscape, reputation matters more than ever.

When other TE Network members view your Recruiter Profile, they want to know they’re partnering with someone who understands the Network, follows through on commitments, communicates effectively, and values long-term relationships.

That’s where the Certified Split Placement Partner designation makes a difference.

Once certified, members receive a visible CSPP designation directly beneath their profile photo inside the TE Network software. That badge immediately signals to other recruiters that you’ve invested the time to understand how successful split partnerships work—and that you take those partnerships seriously.

In a competitive environment, credibility creates opportunity.

What the Program Covers

The CSPP program was designed to reinforce the principles that lead to successful split placements and stronger Network relationships.

Training and testing cover:

TE Network Policies

Understanding Network Policies is essential to becoming a trusted split partner. The certification ensures members understand the guidelines and expectations that help maintain professionalism and accountability throughout the Network.

Partnership Best Practices

Successful recruiters know that strong partnerships create stronger results. The program focuses on collaboration strategies that help members build productive, long-term working relationships.

Active Participation

The most successful TE Network members actively engage with the Network, communicate consistently, and contribute to opportunities. Active participation strengthens visibility and increases placement potential.

Trust

Trust is the foundation of every successful split placement. The CSPP program reinforces the behaviors and standards that help members establish and maintain trust with recruiting partners.

Communication

Clear and timely communication can make the difference between a successful placement and a missed opportunity. The certification highlights communication strategies that improve collaboration and reduce misunderstandings.

Quality

Delivering quality candidates, quality job orders, and quality interactions elevates the entire Network. The CSPP program reinforces the importance of maintaining high professional standards in every aspect of the recruiting process.

The Benefits of Becoming Certified

The CSPP designation offers more than simply a badge on your profile.

It demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and collaboration within the TE Network. It also positions you as a recruiter who values strong partnerships and understands the importance of following proven processes.

Certified members may benefit from:

• Increased visibility within the Network
• Greater credibility with split partners
• Stronger recruiting relationships
• Enhanced professional reputation
• More confidence in Network collaboration
• Better understanding of TE Network best practices

When recruiters know they can trust you, they’re often more willing to share opportunities, collaborate on searches, and build long-term partnerships.

That can directly impact your success within the Network.

Join Other Certified Members

A growing number of TE Network members have already earned their Certified Split Placement Partner designation and are helping raise the standard for professionalism throughout the Network.

These recruiters understand that investing in their knowledge and partnership skills is an investment in their long-term recruiting success.

The CSPP program is not about checking a box.

It’s about becoming a stronger recruiting partner.

Why Now Is the Right Time

The recruiting industry continues evolving rapidly. Competition is increasing, communication expectations are changing, and strong relationships matter more than ever.

Within the TE Network, recruiters who consistently communicate well, follow Network Policies, deliver quality work, and build trust are often the ones who experience the greatest long-term success.

The CSPP program helps reinforce those habits and skills.

Whether you are a newer member looking to establish yourself within the Network or a seasoned recruiter wanting to strengthen your credibility even further, certification can help you stand out.

Earning Your Certification

The process is straightforward.

Each section of the training includes quizzes designed to reinforce the material and ensure members understand the core principles of successful split placements. Members who score 80% or higher earn their Certified Split Placement Partner designation.

Get Certified Today!

The program was designed to be practical, valuable, and directly relevant to everyday recruiting activity within the TE Network.

Set Yourself Apart

At the end of the day, recruiting is still a relationship business.

The recruiters who succeed long-term are the ones who consistently demonstrate professionalism, reliability, responsiveness, and integrity.

The CSPP designation helps communicate those qualities to every member of the TE Network.

If you haven’t taken the test yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

Earn your certification, strengthen your Network relationships, and position yourself as a trusted split placement partner within the TE Network community.

Welcome to the third and final (?) installment about why you should be sharing all of your jobs with TE Network.

Actually, this blog post is a combination of posts from two different series. One series, of course, is the “Sharing ALL of Your Jobs with the Network” series. The other one is the “Recruiter Stories from Top Echelon Network Lore” series.

That’s because we have a Network story that involves sharing all of your job orders or search assignments with Top Echelon Network. The story in question involves TE member Keith Cornelison of Personnel Resources in Tipp City, Ohio. Keith shares his story below:

Keith Cornelison

“I was using the Top Echelon recruiting software for my database for years, and Drea [Codispoti] had talked to me a couple of times and said [I should] try the Network. So reluctantly, I put one of my jobs out there and made a split. Then he said, you need to put more jobs out there, so I put a couple more in the Network and filled both of those.

“Then Drea asked why I was not putting ALL of my jobs out there, and I’m glad that I took his advice. Things have gone great since then, and I’ve made several splits and met a lot of good people along the way.

“Thanks, Drea, for the nudge, and thanks to all the split partners who take time to look at my openings.”

Keith is being humble when he says that he’s made “several” splits in Top Echelon Network. In fact, since becoming a TE member, Keith has made 164 split placements. Those placements have generated a cash-in total of more than $975K and have helped him gain enshrinement into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame.

All because he took my advice and shared ALL of his jobs with Top Echelon Network. Right now, Keith has 50 jobs shared with the Network.

How many jobs are you sharing? One of them? Half of them? More than half?

How much more convincing do you need than the story about a recruiter who reluctantly shared all of his jobs and then made 164 placements and made it into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame?

Keith was skeptical, just like you. However, he pushed past the skepticism and did what was best for his recruiting business. And he reaped the rewards . . . and continues to reap them.

If you have questions and/or you’d like more information, I encourage you to contact me.

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

At Top Echelon, we’re always looking for ways to help recruiters make more placements. The good news for us is that those recruiters are the ones who show us HOW they make more placements!

Matthew Deutsch

We published our “‘Comments’ and Compliments” feature for years in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, namely because it was so popular.

Network recruiters love to be recognized for making placements. They also love to recognize their split recruiting partners for a job well done.

However, there was a dual benefit to this newsletter feature. When recruiters submit these comments and compliments, they also provide a blueprint for how to be successful in TE.

So not only have we been publishing this feature, but we’ve also been compiling these best practices. Ultimately, they serve as an excellent blueprint for all Network members.

Based on countless placements over the years, below are four things that absolutely lead to more placements in Top Echelon’s recruiting network:

#1—Accuracy

This refers to the accuracy of the candidates supplied by the candidate recruiter to the job order recruiter based upon the job description. The more accurate the candidates, the more likely that one of them will be a fit for the position.

Therein lies the true value of a split network. It’s the ability to source candidates that you aren’t able to source through other means.

#2—Timeliness

This refers to how quickly the candidate recruiter is able to provide help during the hiring process. So it’s not just about the quality of the candidates. It’s also about how quickly you can get access to those candidates.

A great candidate doesn’t do much good if you present them to a hiring manager after the position has already been filled. As everybody knows, “Time kills all deals.”

#3—Sharing

This refers to the “give-and-take” of a solid trading partner relationship in TE Network. In such a relationship, the recruiters not only like working with each other, but they also work well together.

One of the overlooked aspects of split placements is that recruiters can “tag-team” a placement. This means they share the duties and responsibilities, making the process easier for both parties.

#4—Professionalism

While this might be a foregone conclusion for some recruiters, it should not be overlooked. Striking a professional chord is integral to navigating the ups and downs of the placement process and arriving at a successful conclusion.

When you conduct business in a thoroughly professional manner, you overcome challenges and more easily eliminate obstacles to placement success.

If you have questions about how to maximize your TE Network membership and make more splits, I urge you to contact Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can do so by calling 330.455.1433, x156 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

Top Echelon Training and Support Manager Todd Bossler recently conducted a special TE Recruit Training Tuesday webinar titled, “How to Master Email Management in TE Recruit.”

Matthew Deutsch

You may have attended this free webinar on Tuesday, May 19. On the other hand, you may not have been in attendance.

Regardless, we have the recorded version of the webinar, which I am presenting to you now. (The recording is also located in the Top Echelon Help Center.)

If you are not a user of our recruiting software, TE Recruit, then check out the video, anyway, to see how the software could benefit your recruiting desk and agency.

We at Top Echelon are continually working to make the resources that we provide to our customers better, and this is yet more proof!

Below is the official description of this training video:

— — —

Managing email communication efficiently is essential for recruiters, and Top Echelon Training and Support Manager Todd Bossler will show you how to do just that during the next TE Recruit Training Tuesday webinar video!

Todd Bossler

In this free training video, you’ll get a comprehensive look at email logging within TE Recruit, including how to track and manage both inbound and outbound messages for better organization and visibility. Todd will walk through the different ways you can capture communication, including outbound email sync available to Standard and Professional Tier users, as well as manual logging options like the log address and Outlook add-in.

In addition, you’ll get a look at TE Recruit’s latest inbound email sync capabilities for Professional Tier users, which automatically capture incoming emails and attach them to candidate, contact, and company records. Todd will explain how this feature fits into the bigger picture of email management and why it represents the most efficient way to maintain a complete communication history.

You’ll also learn best practices for reducing duplicate work, improving data accuracy, and ensuring every interaction is properly documented. Todd will provide real world examples and practical tips so you can choose the right approach for your workflow and get the most out of your email tools.

So watch this training video and discover how to streamline your recruiting workflow with smarter email logging in TE Recruit!

Watch this TE Recruit training video!

— — —

Remember to check The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog every week for more updates regarding Top Echelon software improvements and upgrades.

If you have any questions about how you can maximize your TE Network membership, please contact 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.