The First Agency Inducted into the Top Echelon HOF
Only one more month to go in summer, and you know what that means, right? Yes, it means that we at Top Echelon are sad.
However, it also means that we’re coming down the homestretch in terms of our first-ever Hall of Fame induction announcements. And that makes us happy! (Boy, the mood swings with us, right?)
Anyway, this is a special week because we’re inducting our first Top Echelon Network agency into the Hall of Fame. Which agency is that, you might be asking yourself right now?
Well, if we told you now, that would take the fun out of it, don’t you think? As well as the surprise. And I think we can all agree that we need more fun and more surprises in our lives. Or fun surprises.
(Remember, there are some surprises that are decidedly NOT fun.)
But enough of that . . . onward and upward! Below are the Top Echelon Hall of Fame inductees for this week:
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NO KNOCK ON WOOD: Many of the recruiters that we’ve inducted into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame so far joined Top Echelon early in their recruiting careers, and their business grew right along with their Network membership.
You can count David Wood, CPC of The David Wood Company in Vancouver, Washington among that contingent.
That’s because David started in the recruiting profession in 1987 with a firm that worked primarily in nuclear power. Specifically, he was hired to start recruiting in the independent or non-utility power generation segment. In 1992, he moved from San Diego, California to Vancouver to open a new branch office. Ultimately, he left that firm in 1993 to start his own agency, and one year later, he became a member of Nationwide Interchange Service (NIS).
By now, you know that NIS was the original name of Top Echelon Network. Specializing in the Power industry, David has made 115 TE placements during his 30 years as a Network member. According to Top Echelon President and CEO Mark Demaree, David’s loyalty to Top Echelon and his commitment to split placements have been integral to his long-standing success.
“David has been one of the most consistent producers in the history of Top Echelon Network,” said Mark. “Year in and year out, he maximizes the value of his membership by fully leveraging the tools and services that we offer. He is, without a doubt, a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
We at Top Echelon are pleased to announce the induction of David Wood into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class!
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COMPANY MAN: There have been a lot of recruiters who have been committed to Top Echelon as Network members.
But Jim Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick & Associates married an employee of Top Echelon. Well, to be fair, the name of the company was Nationwide Interchange Service (NIS) when Fitzpatrick joined as a member in 1992. And to be even fairer, Jim—who met his future wife at a NIS conference—called Canton, Ohio home. And Canton, of course, was and always has been the location of Top Echelon headquarters.
But enough about how Top Echelon has enriched Jim’s personal life. Let’s move on to his professional life.
That’s because Jim, who specialized in the Semiconductor industry, made 180 TE placements during his 28 years as a Network member. Not only did he reach multiple milestones in his Top Echelon career, but he also became one of the Network’s all-time cash-in leaders.
Of course, his belief in the power of networking was certainly a factor in his success, as he continued to attend TE events and build relationships with trading partners even after meeting his bride-to-be.
According to Top Echelon President and CEO Mark Demaree, Jim made Top Echelon Network a part of his business model early in his recruiting career and his commitment to making split placements helped fuel his agency’s growth and success.
“Jim Fitzpatrick embraced Top Echelon Network like few recruiters have,” said Mark. “His dedication was evident during nearly three decades of membership, as were his contributions to his trading partners and other TE members.”
We at Top Echelon are pleased to announce the induction of Jim Fitzpatrick into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class!
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NEXT LEVEL: There are recruiters who are successful using Top Echelon’s tools and services, including its recruiting network. Then there are those who are “next level.”
Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC in Tiffin, Ohio is on that elite level.
Maria joined Top Echelon Network in August of 2005 with business partner Joanna Spaun shortly after they formed MJ Recruiters. Since that time, Maria has made 248 TE placements, placing her among the all-time leaders in the Network in terms of cash-in.
Although many Top Echelon members are passionate about TE, Maria is once again “next level” in her commitment to the Network’s philosophies and applying them to fuel MJ Recruiters’ business growth during the past two decades.
“I’m passionate about TEN, and everyone who knows me can attest to that,” said Maria, who specializes in the Manufacturing industry. “In 2022 and 2023, 37% of our placements were splits with other recruiters. This network has expanded our business by territory and niche. We confidently take job orders outside of our usual disciplines and geography, knowing that our TEN partners will help us fill them.”
In addition to her production, Maria has served as a model of success for other members of Top Echelon Network. A big believer in face-to-face networking, she and Joanna have attended nearly every TE conference and convention since joining the Network nearly two decades ago.
So if there is anybody who knows how to unlock the power and potential of Top Echelon Network, it’s Maria Hemminger.
“To new recruiters [in Top Echelon], I say this: Don’t wait to see the value of TEN. Dive in, attend conferences, and connect with others,” she said. “This network is about more than just making splits. It’s about the knowledge you gain, the partnerships you form, and the support you receive. You are never alone in TEN—there’s always someone who has your back and can offer tactical and strategic advice. The value goes beyond just filling placements and making money.”
We at Top Echelon are pleased to announce the induction of Maria Hemminger into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class!
“I am beyond thrilled to share that I have been inducted into the TEN Hall of Fame!” said Maria.
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TEAM EFFORT: The recruiting agency MJ Recruiters, LLC was founded on August 1, 2005 in Tiffin, Ohio. Three weeks later, on August 22 of that year, MJ Recruiters joined Top Echelon Network as a member agency.
Nineteen years later to that very day, MJ Recruiters is the first recruiting agency to be inducted into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame!
Since August 22, 2005, MJ Recruiters has accounted for 290 placements within Top Echelon Network. According to partner and owner Maria Hemminger, the Network has been integral to the agency’s growth over the years.
“Joanna [Spaun] and I started this adventure back in August 2005, and one of the best decisions we ever made was joining Top Echelon Network,” said Maria. “With nearly 300 split placements, it’s clear that joining TEN was pivotal for our success. Working with this network has not only helped us fill more placements, but it’s has also enriched us professionally with invaluable lessons, camaraderie, and growth.”
“We started our recruiting business 19 years ago, and in 2005, we made the strategic choice to join Top Echelon—one of our best decisions,” added Joanna. “Since then, we’ve made over 290 placements through Top Echelon and look forward to many more in the future.”
According to Maria, the success of MJ Recruiters—both within TE Network and overall—has been and continues to be a team effort.
“This incredible honor is truly a group effort,” she said. “I want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing women who make up our MJR team and share this accomplishment with them.
“First, a huge shoutout to Joanna Spaun, my business partner of 19 years and co-worker for 23 years. Together, we’ve built something special. Lisa Reinbolt, our very own Wizard, has been with MJR for 15 years, and Clare Brickner, our social media and recruitment expert, has been rocking it with us for seven years. Together, we bring over 70 years of Manufacturing recruitment experience to the table!”
In addition to thanking her team, Maria also wanted to thank the many Network trading partners who have helped MJ Recruiters enjoy runaway success in TE since 2005.
“MJR primarily operates as an importer, with 86% of our placements since joining TEN being where we have the job order,” she said. “Thank you to all the exporters who have supplied us with candidates and helped us fill our clients’ positions faster. I have total respect and appreciation for your hard work.
Now, time to make another split!”
We at Top Echelon are pleased to announce the induction of MJ Recruiters, LLC into the Top Echelon Hall of Fame as a member agency of the 2024 class!
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Be sure to check The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog—as well as Top Echelon’s official LinkedIn account—for future announcements regarding 2024 inductees into Top Echelon’s Hall of Fame!