Patrick Atkinson - President and Founder
After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 1983 he joined C.P.S., a large recruiting firm in Westchester, Illinois. After three years of recruiting for manufacturing related positions, he left as a section manager. He then joined a start-up firm called Search Centre Inc. in Downers Grove, Illinois as Director of recruiting. He hired, trained and managed a staff of recruiters working in the fields of Actuarial, Benefits and Compensation. Clients consisted of insurance companies, big 8 accounting firms, multinational corporations and consulting firms. He maintained his own desk and continued to work as a recruiter throughout his tenure there.
In July of 1990 Patrick and his brother Neil opened Waterford Executive Group in St. Charles, Illinois. The firm specialized in benefits and compensation openings, both in corporate as well as consulting firms. Patrick became sole owner in January of 1992 and relocated the firm to the current location in Winfield, Illinois. While he does manage the overall functions of the firm and its associates, he actively recruits on client assignments and continually looks for new client opportunities. In addition to his several speaking engagements he has produced and marketed an instructional video on interviewing tips for job seekers. The video, "Power Interviewing- A Headhunter's guide to getting hired in the 90's", has sold several thousand copies in North America and Europe.
Ted Tomei - Principal
Ted has been recruiting since 1983. At that time he learned the search industry as a recruiter in the high tech manufacturing field, filling positions with professional staff ranging from BSEE's to PhD's on a nationwide basis. Starting in 1988 Ted applied his recruiting skills to the employee compensation and benefits area filling positions in major benefits consulting firms along with major insurance companies. His search experience consists of contingency, exclusive and retained assignments. Ted provides a thorough and effective service and value to clients and candidates, utilizing his knowledge and experience in the business. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. After graduating college he spent nine years as a member of management in a large corporate environment before entering the search industry.
