Our Leadership
Kathy VanderHouwen: Kathy is VHA’s CEO and Business Manager. She brings over 25 years of Business Management experience. Prior to VHA, Kathy held management positions at Boeing and founded and ran her own successful business where she managed a team providing large publications consulting, graphic design, and desktop publishing services to both private and public sectors.
Eric VanderHouwen: VHA’s President, Eric, has been in the technology staffing industry since 1989. Currently he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of VHA. He also has extensive background in Technical Recruiting and Account Management.
Cynthia VanderHouwen: Cynthia has been with VHA since 1989 and has been involved in the technology industry in Portland since 1992. She has expertise as a Sr. Recruiter and Account Manager. Cynthia currently manages several key accounts and recruits for senior positions.
Brian Hathaway: Brian began recruiting in 1990 for the United States Navy and its Officer Recruiting Programs. After a nine-year Naval career, he spent five years in the professional services industry. He has been a Sr. Recruiter for VHA since 2003, and has since moved into the role of General Manager.
Our Portland Division
IT Sales Team
Geoff Smith: Geoff has been in the staffing industry since 1994. His background includes recruiting, staff management, and account development. He has served major clients in the Portland and Seattle markets. Geoff is the Sales Manager for VHA.
Brad Fisch: Brad has been in the staffing industry since 1997. He is currently a member of the SAO Development Forum, a member of the Portland Human Resources Management Association, and serves on the Advisory Board for the International Air and Hospitality Academy. Brad’s background includes recruiting, staff management, and account development. Brad is a VP of Business Development for VHA.
John Niemer: A long-time veteran of the services industry, John has been in the technical staffing business since 1989. He has performed as a Recruiter, Account Manager, and Branch Manager while serving and supporting client companies of all sizes throughout Washington and Oregon. He brings his extensive experience to clients seeking staffing solutions for their unique needs. John is a Sr. Account Manager for VHA.
IT Recruiting Team
Brett Kadz: Brett has been a staffing and human resources professional since 1998. His background includes work as a Technical Recruiter, Staffing Specialist, and Account Manager for companies in the Portland Metro area and the Washington DC Metro area. Brett is the Recruiting Manager for VHA.
Andrew Elder: Andrew joined VHA in 2006 as a Recruiting Assistant. He became extremely knowledgeable on the technical market of the Pacific Northwest. He has developed a honed sense for locating top talent to satisfy VHA’s client needs. Andrew is now a Recruiter for VHA.
Charlie Phillips: Charlie has been a part of the technical staffing agency community in Portland since 1999. His recruiting expertise has contributed to his ability to build a team of the finest engineers and support personnel available in the Pacific Northwest. Charlie is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Mike Mitchell: Mike has been in the staffing industry since 1995 focusing in the technical arena. His background includes strong technical staffing agency experience along with Corporate/HR recruiting in several different industries around the Portland Metro area. Mike is a Sr. Recruiter and Account Manager for VHA.
Andrew Owen: Andrew began his recruiting career with a large firm where he was a top-ranked Technical Recruiter. He has experience in both direct-hire and contract staffing, and is skilled in locating top talent for a variety of roles including Software Development, Quality Assurance, Systems Analysis, Network/Infrastructure, and Project Management. Andrew is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Andrea Peer: Andrea has been in the technical staffing industry since 2000. She was a Recruiting Coordinator for over eight years. She joined VHA in 2009 as a Recruiting Assistant and became extremely knowledgeable on the technical career market across the Pacific Northwest. She has since transitioned into sourcing top talent for an expansive client base throughout Oregon and Washington. Andrea is a Recruiter for VHA.
Joe Hammond: Joe is an accomplished recruiting professional with over ten years of experience in the field. His ability to balance the goals and needs of both individual candidates and VHA’s clients sets him apart from the competition. Joe is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Stephanie Meldrum: Stephanie has worked in the staffing industry since 2000 as a Recruiter and Partnered Staffing Account Manager. She has recruited for a multitude of companies throughout the Pacific Northwest. Many of those were large Fortune 500 corporations as well as privately owned local businesses. Stephanie is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Chris Solsby: Chris began his recruiting career in the IT staffing industry in 1998 working for both large and small firms in the San Francisco area. He also brings a wealth of sales experience from the real estate industry having worked as both a real estate broker and company owner. Chris is a Recruiter for VHA.
Ben Newbill: Ben has been in the technical staffing industry since 2005. He has experience with large and small firms as a top-ranked Recruiter. His recruiting expertise includes IT, Software Development, and Engineering positions as well as direct-hire and contract staffing. Ben enjoys working with people throughout the interview process, understanding motivations, values, and finding the right match for clients and candidates. He is a believer in keeping things straight-forward in the recruiting process. Ben is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Our Engineering Division
Dan Kirsch: Dan has been helping businesses in the Pacific Northwest find technical talent since 2000. He has experience as a Recruiter, Account Manager, and Business Owner. His business philosophy is to always put people first. Dan is a Sr. Account Manager for VHA.
Andrew Woodle: Andrew began his career in HR in 1999, and then transitioned to technical recruiting in 2006. Having cut his teeth in Silicon Valley, he has successfully served clients in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Boston, and the Pacific Northwest. Andrew is committed to industry integrity and excellence, and he currently serves on both the Mentorship and Membership committees for the Portland Human Resources Management Association. Andrew is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Our Accounting and Finance Division
Vada Zedlar: Vada has been in the staffing industry since 1997. Her background includes recruiting, staffing, and business development with a focus in the Accounting and Finance area. Vada is a board member and past President of the Portland Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). She is dedicated to building lasting business partnerships while providing creative hiring solutions to achieve her client’s goals. Vada is a Sr. Account Manager for VHA.
Kerry Carter: Kerry has been in the staffing industry since 1999. She brings a wealth of experience to VHA in both recruitment and placement of Accounting and Finance professionals. Kerry’s strong commitment to developing long-term relationships with both clients and candidates has resulted in her ability to consistently deliver top-quality service to companies in the Pacific Northwest. Kerry is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
Sheila Trumbo: Sheila has been in recruiting since 1998. Her career began in benefits administration and human resources. She later transitioned to recruiting and developed a true passion for sourcing key talent for her customers’ needs. Sheila is a Recruiter for VHA.
Our Seattle Division
John Kelley: John has been recruiting in the technology and accounting and finance industry since 1989. He has corporate recruiting, direct placement and professional services experience for medium to large companies as well as a broad base of startup companies in the Puget Sound. Prior to joining VHA, John was a Senior Recruiter for Microsoft, Philips, Internap Network Services, and a Recruiting Lead with Resources Global Professionals. John is an Account Manager and Recruiting Lead for VHA.
Joe Watts: Joe has been providing business development and account management services to the IT staffing and placement industry since 1995. He is experienced in both the public and private sectors, and has served national firms as well as small-to medium-sized businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Joe’s commitment to customer service and his firm knowledge of the industry make him a valuable partner for his clients. Joe is a Sr. Account Manager for VHA.
Greg Scott: Greg has been recruiting for over ten years in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on the technology industry. He has done direct-hire and contract placements for mid- to large-sized companies all across the country. Greg draws off his technical sales background to find the perfect fit for his candidates and clients. Greg is a Recruiter for VHA.
Theresa Hebert: Theresa has over 15 years recruiting experience in agency and corporate settings. She specializes in Information Technology and Medical Device professionals. Theresa is diligent in matching top talent, both technically and culturally, to client needs, thereby providing candidates that are well suited and excited in their new roles. Theresa is a Sr. Recruiter for VHA.
