I’m excited to share an exclusive opportunity with all TE Network members: You can take the Certified Split Placement Partner Program test before it officially launches on July 23!

That’s right—while the full launch (including a dedicated page in the TE Network software) is set for July 23, we’re inviting early adopters and high achievers to get a head start.

If you’re eager to sharpen your skills, boost your credibility, and elevate your performance within the Network, this is your chance.

Welcome to the Program!

This certification is designed to help you thrive in our split placement environment by mastering the Four Pillars of the TE Network:

1. Quality
2. Communication
3. Trust
4. Active Participation

In addition to these pillars, a strong understanding of the TE Network Policies is essential. These guidelines form the foundation for how we work together effectively and respectfully.

Review the TE Network Policies here!

By aligning with both the Four Pillars and the Network Policies, you’ll be well-equipped to build trust, deliver results, and grow lasting partnerships across the TE community.

How It Works

The training is divided into key learning sections:

Section 1 (Parts 1–3): TE Network Policies
Section 2: Partnership
Section 3: Active Participation
Section 4: Trust
Section 5: Communication
Section 6: Quality

Each section ends with a short quiz to reinforce learning. Score 80% or higher on all quizzes and you’ll earn your Certified Split Placement Partner badge—which comes with more than just bragging rights.

All certified members will receive a special “Certified Split Placement Partner” designation directly below their photo on their Recruiter Profile within the TE Network. This visible marker signals to other members that you’re a trusted, committed, and knowledgeable partner—ready to collaborate at a high level.

What Happens on July 23?

On launch day, a new page within the TE Network software will go live, featuring full program details and a direct link to the training and test.

However, you don’t officially have to wait until July 23 to take the test (and hopefully pass it). Instead, you can take the test right now and reap the benefits of doing so. To start, click the link below and follow the instructions:

Get Certified today!

Several TE Network members have already taken the test and passed with flying colors! Please join me in congratulating:

• Ann Boland of The Boland Group
• Christina Boudreaux of Connectly Recruiting
• Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing
• Donna Coleman of Donna Coleman and Associates
• Deborah Davis of Ashford Connex, LLC
• Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting
• Gary Kaufman of ExcelliSearch
• Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc.
• Adam Krueger of Sun Recruiting, Inc.
• Amylyn Kyler of Kyler Professional Search
• Debbi Reiger of Reiger Technical Search
• John Ricciardi of Afton Consulting Group
• Dave M. Sgro of True North Consultants, Inc.
• Kristy Staggs of Byrnes & Rupkey, Inc.
• Ron Sunshine of Ron Sunshine Associates, LLC

These members are now officially Certified Split Placement Partners and are setting the bar for professionalism and collaboration in the Network.

Get a Head Start!

Want to join them before the program officially launches? Click the link above to receive early access and take the test. You’ll be among the first to earn your badge—and proudly display your designation on your TE Network profile for all to see.

Good luck . . . and I look forward to seeing your name added to the list!

We’ve just turned the corner into the second half of 2025, and for many recruiters in TE Network, the first six months have brought more than their fair share of challenges.

Between economic shifts, hesitant hiring managers, longer decision-making cycles, and inconsistent job orders, it’s been a time that’s tested even the most seasoned search professionals. If you’ve felt some of that pressure this year, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

But I also want you to hear this clearly—this is not the time to retreat. This is the time to refocus, re-engage, and fully leverage the tools and relationships available to you through your TE Network membership.

A Shared Network Is a Stronger Network

One of the greatest advantages of TE Network is that it was built for times like these. The idea is simple, but powerful: no recruiter is an island. When individual members connect, collaborate, and share—their jobs, their candidates, their insights—everyone benefits.

That’s why I want to start this message with a clear call to action:

Share all of your job orders with the Network.

Why? Because when you share jobs with other TE recruiters, you’re tapping into the collective horsepower of the Network. You’re inviting dozens, even hundreds, of other professionals to help you find the right candidate, faster.

In markets where time-to-fill is critical, where clients are fickle, and where speed matters more than ever, this simple step could mean the difference between a filled placement and a lost opportunity.

Let’s take a closer look at how you can turn your membership into momentum for the rest of the year.

Sharing Jobs: Why It’s the #1 Way to Increase Revenue

We track trends here at Top Echelon, and one thing is consistently clear: the recruiters who routinely share their job orders generate more placements and higher billings.

Why? Because shared jobs mean:

• Increased exposure: Other recruiters may have candidates on deck that match your job perfectly, but they’ll never know unless they see your opening.

• Faster sourcing: Rather than waiting for your internal database or outreach to catch up, you can access a wider talent pool immediately.

• Win-win partnerships: A recruiter who brings the candidate for your job earns a split. You earn a filled placement. Everyone wins, and your client gets the talent they need.

There’s no downside to sharing. It doesn’t dilute your business; it amplifies it.

Build and Nurture Split Relationships

Sharing jobs is only one part of the equation. Building solid split relationships is the other.

Take the time to identify who in the Network works in your niche. Who has the kinds of candidates your jobs require? Who’s actively placing? Start conversations. Reach out with specifics. Ask about their candidates, and offer yours in return.

Some of the most successful recruiters in our Network aren’t just posting jobs. they’re cultivating partnerships. They know who they trust. They follow up. They communicate. And because of that, they close deals together consistently.

If you’ve been flying solo this year, it might be time to start flying with a partner.

Use the Tools to Your Advantage

TE Network isn’t just a community; it’s a system built for results. And if you haven’t explored all the tools available to you recently, now is the time to dive in . . .

• Job Alerts: Get real-time updates when new jobs match your candidates.

• Network Candidates Database: Access millions of candidate profiles.

• Pipeline: Match and manage candidates more efficiently within shared searches.

• Discussion Forum: Ask for help, share advice, and learn from your peers.

• Alerts and Messaging: Stay connected to your Network partners and get notified of new opportunities instantly.

Every tool was designed to help you reduce time-to-fill and increase placements. But they only work if you work them.

Be Transparent, Be Prompt, Be Professional

One of the most underrated best practices in the Network is professional courtesy. It’s also one of the most powerful ways to build long-term value.

When you share a job, include all the details your partners need to succeed: must-have qualifications, interview timelines, client preferences, compensation ranges. This transparency helps your partners send better-matched candidates and helps you fill the job more quickly.

Likewise, respond to submittals quickly. Communicate candidate feedback. Let your split partners know where they stand in the process. These small things build trust, encourage more collaboration, and set you up for repeated success.

Don’t Wait for the Market—Go After It

It’s easy to become reactive when things slow down. But in recruiting, passivity is costly. The top producers in the Network didn’t get there by waiting for ideal conditions. They act. They connect. They stay visible.

If your clients aren’t sending you as many orders, go deeper. Ask them what’s changed. Offer solutions, even if it means taking a different approach. Use the time to expand your network, sharpen your candidate pipelines, and partner with other recruiters who are still getting jobs in your niche.

Even if you’re not placing today, you’re planting seeds for tomorrow.

2025 Is Still Yours to Win

Yes, the first half of 2025 may have been tough. But the second half? That’s unwritten. There are still clients to serve, placements to make, commissions to earn, and partnerships to build.

But here’s the key: you don’t have to do it alone.

TE Network exists for one reason: to help you succeed with others. Every shared job, every placed candidate, every new relationship strengthens the collective. And the more you give to the Network, the more you get back.

So if you’re ready to make the second half of 2025 your strongest yet, start with this simple step . . .

Share your jobs. Leverage the Network. And let’s finish the year strong—together.

This is the quarterly issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, and one of the things we like to celebrate in the quarterly issue is big fees. Specifically, the largest fees that TE Network members have shared during a specific quarter.

The quarter in question? The second quarter of 2025. And what was the largest split fee of the second quarter in TE Network? Good question!

The answer is the placement made by Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing and Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc. Amy and Steve placed a Senior Director of Operations to earn a fee of $63,250 at 25%.

But as you can see below, there were plenty of big fees in TE Network during the second quarter. So don’t be shy . . . dig in and enjoy the success of your fellow Network members!

As a reminder, Top Echelon determines the monthly and quarterly winners of its Network split fee recruiting awards in four distinct categories:

1.) Recruiter of the Month
2.) Largest Split Fee of the Month
3.) Recruiter of the Quarter
4.) Largest Split Fee of the Quarter

We only announce the winners of these awards in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog. We do so usually (but not always) in the issue following the conclusion of each month and/or quarter.

Congratulations to everybody who made the largest split fees in TE Network during the quarter!

Largest Split Fees of the Second Quarter – 2025

— — —

First Place:

Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing and Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc.

The position for this split placement was a Senior Director of Operations and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Amy was the job order recruiter and Steve was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $63,250.

— — —

Second Place:

Bruce Widnes of The Recruiting Group, Inc. and Paul Danowski of Grace Search Service Inc.

The position for this split placement was a Manufacturing Site Director and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Bruce was the job order recruiter and Paul was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $51,875.

— — —

Third Place:

Jeff Katz of JSK Recruiting and Rebecca Lucas of CPG Talent Management, LLC

The position for this split placement was a Director of Sales and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Jeff was the job order recruiter and Rebecca was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $50,000.

— — —

Fourth Place:

Christina Boudreaux of Connectly Recruiting and Ann Boland of The Boland Group

The position for this split placement was a Chief Executive Officer and the fee percentage associated with this placement was Flat.

Christina was the job order recruiter and Ann was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $49,000.

— — —

Fifth Place:

Tom Christensen of C. H. Thomas Search, LLC and Hani Mussa of Knowhirematch, LLC

The position for this split placement was a General Manager – Manufacturing and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Tom was the job order recruiter and Hani was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $46,250.

— — —

Sixth Place:

James Grayem of Jamie Grayem and Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

The position for this split placement was a Nurse Manager of Urology and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 15%.

James was the job order recruiter and Brad was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $36,995.25.

— — —

Seventh Place:

Kristy Staggs of Byrnes & Rupkey, Inc. and Les Jones of Mosaic Partners

The position for this split placement was a Customer Service Director and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Kristy was the job order recruiter and Les was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $36,250.

— — —

Eighth Place:

Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing and Butch Sweedar of Omega Point Partners

The position for this split placement was a Maintenance Manager and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Amy was the job order recruiter and Butch was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $35,000.

— — —

Ninth Place:

Jon Missirlian of Orion Placement and Teresa Pernini of Pernini Legal, LLC

The position for this split placement was an Attorney – Municipal Law and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 20%.

Jon was the job order recruiter and Teresa was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $33,000.

— — —

Tenth Place:

Carol McBride of RCC Group, LLC and Brad Dodge of iLocatum

The position for this split placement was a Controller and the fee percentage associated with this placement was 25%.

Carol was the job order recruiter and Brad was the candidate recruiter.

The fee for this split placement was $32,750.

— — —

If YOU want to make more money through Top Echelon’s recruiter network, then contact Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can reach Drea by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

We have the top recruiters of Q2 in TE Network, and they include some of the most successful recruiters in the history of the Network!

Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting claimed top honors with 10 split placements totaling $106,776.64 in cash-in, while Amy Chapman of Key People Staffing was a close second. Amy was part of seven split placements, which brought her nearly $100K in cash-in for the quarter.

And, as you can see below, there are some other big names on our list, like former Recruiter of the Year Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group; Sara Alexandroff of Sterling St. James; Bruce Widnes of The Recruiting Group, Inc.; and Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search.

Below is the information that we include with the Recruiters of the Quarter feature in TE Network:

1. The top 10 recruiters for the quarter
2. The “cash-in” total for each recruiter during the quarter. (We base the order of the recruiters on their amount of “cash-in” dollars, as opposed to the number of split placements they made during the quarter.)
3. The number of splits that the recruiters made during the quarter
4. The date that each recruiter’s agency joined TE Network
5. The number of splits each recruiter has made during their TE Network career
6. Each recruiter’s cash-in total for their TE Network career

Congratulations to the recruiters listed below . . . and congratulations to every TE Network member who made a split placement (or multiple splits) during the quarter!

Recruiters of the Second Quarter – 2025

— — —

First Place:

Recruiter: Brad Dodge
Agency: iLocatum Recruiting
Placements: Ten (10)
Cash-in total: $106,776.64
Career Top Echelon placements: 215
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $1,768,725.79

— — —

Second Place:

Recruiter: Amy Chapman
Agency: Key People Staffing
Placements: Seven (7)
Cash-in total: $99,405.00
Career Top Echelon placements: 102
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $1,269,565.41

— — —

Third Place:

Recruiter: Michael Stuck
Agency: Gables Search Group
Placements: Ten (10)
Cash-in total: $54,839.52
Career Top Echelon placements: 603
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $4,310,879.74

— — —

Fourth Place:

Recruiter: Sara Alexandroff
Agency: Sterling St. James
Placements: Six (6)
Cash-in total: $52,315.99
Career Top Echelon placements: 92
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $798,778.10

— — —

Fifth Place:

Recruiter: Bruce Widnes
Agency: The Recruiting Group, Inc.
Placements: Three (3)
Cash-in total: $49,291.25
Career Top Echelon placements: 61
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $542,144.92

— — —

Sixth Place:

Recruiter: Steve Kohn
Agency: Affinity Executive Search, Inc.
Placements: Three (3)
Cash-in total: $46,859.00
Career Top Echelon placements: 576
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $5,155,128.20

— — —

Seventh Place:

Recruiter: Christina Boudreaux 
Agency: Connectly Recruiting
Placements: Three (3)
Cash-in total: $42,958.00
Career Top Echelon placements: 19
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $196,789.00

— — —

Eighth Place:

Recruiter: James Grayem 
Agency: Jamie Graham
Placements: Two (2)
Cash-in total: $29,137.81
Career Top Echelon placements: 40
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $239,057.44

— — —

Ninth Place:

Recruiter: Hani Mussa
Agency: Knowhirematch, LLC
Placements: Two (2)
Cash-in total: $27,934.45
Career Top Echelon placements: 82
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $782,457.04

— — —

Tenth Place:

Recruiter: Debbi Reiger 
Agency: Reiger Technical Search
Placements: Two (2)
Cash-in total: $27,730.00
Career Top Echelon placements: 71
Career Top Echelon cash-in: $614,250.69

— — —

If YOU want to make more money through Top Echelon’s recruiting network, then contact Director of Network Operations, Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can reach Drea by calling 330.595.1742 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, “Maximize Your Efficiency with Activities in TE Recruit.”

You may have attended this free webinar on Tuesday, July 1. 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:

— — —

Are you getting the most out of TE Recruit’s powerful Activities feature? Whether your answer is “No” or “I’m not sure,” the next Training Tuesday webinar video is for you!

Join Top Echelon Training and Support Manager Todd Bossler for an information-packed webinar video focused on perfecting your digital “paper trail” by managing and recording your daily workflow with Activities. Learn how to turn simple logging into a strategic advantage with features designed to help you stay organized, save time, and collaborate effectively.

During this training video, Todd will cover:

• The what and why of Activities and how they drive productivity
• Using the Timeline to quickly review all past and future actions
• Planning your day with the Planner and Daily Agenda
• Saving time with Quick Notes and Mentions for team collaboration
• Leveraging Activity Reports for visibility and accountability
• Setting Notifications to stay on top of key tasks
• Automating follow-up with the Recurring Activity option
• Best practices for Open vs. Completed Activities

Don’t just use TE Recruit—master it. See how Activities can take your recruiting game to the next level. Watch this video and “Maximize Your Efficiency with Activities 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.