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"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."

-Henry Ford

Business iPad

- retained executive search - contingency recruiting services -

- contract staffing services - management consulting -

- CONFIDENTIAL SEARCHES -

Our Philosophy
our process
our obligation

We believe that one of the best ways to improve your life is to surround yourself with a better team.

That's our motto: 

    Better Teams. Better Lives. 

The best  candidates aren't looking.  That's why we combine state-of-the-art data mining with old-school headhunting techniques to deliver targeted talent quickly.   

Our reputation and integrity are our greatest assets. We pride ourselves on delivering our services with the utmost professionalism, honesty and candor. Our goal is to earn your business by improving your bottom line.

PRACTICE AREAS

"Our mission is to feel more like an extension of your team rather than a vendor."

Executives
Documents and Blurred Business Men
  • Board Positions
  • C-Suite
  • Attorneys
  • Sales/Marketing
  • Senior Management 
  • Non-Profits
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Manufacturing
Engineer Working on Machinery
  • Operations
  • Automation
  • Robotics
  • Supply Chain
  • Quality
  • Industrial
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Construction
Industrial Worker
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • Schools
  • Senior  Living Facilities
  • Project Execs/Mgrs
  • Architectural
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Technology
Touchscreen Computer
  • Software Engineering
  • DevOps
  • Data Science /AI 
  • CyberSecurity
  • Cloud / Data Warehousing
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Engineering
Engineering Plans
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Civil
  • Energy
  • Chemical
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Finance
Stock Market Graph
  • CFO
  • Sr. Finance Mgr.
  • Controller
  • CPA
  • Accounting
  • Crypto/
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The ASCEND Executive Search LEADERSHIP Team
Scott Whipkey
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Charlie Laurer
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  • LinkedIn Social Icon
Cathy White
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D. Scott Whipkey, C.P.C.
C.E.O
scott@ascendsearch.com
Rochester, NY, Boston, Pittsburgh, Houston
Charlie Laurer
Vice President
charlie@ascendsearch.com
Upstate, New York
Dave Feligno
Director
david@ascendsearch.com
Upstate, New York
Cathy White
Director, Executive Search
cathy@ascendsearch.com
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With nearly thirty years in executive search, Mr. Whipkey has placed hundreds of executives and professionals around the world. He founded Headhounds, Inc, and Career Concepts, building both into million-dollar firms.

Prior to his executive search career, Mr. Whipkey was a Cybersecurity expert with IBM Corporation, leading security audit teams around the world. 

Mr. Whipkey is a sought-after public speaker at colleges, corporations, and media events.

Charlie Laurer leads the Rochester New York Ascend Team as Vice President. Charlie is a graduate of Mercyhurst University, where he majored in Hospitality and Food/Beverage Management. Charlie brings a strong background in sales and it has not taken our clients very long to see why he has earned a reputation for 'over-the-top' customer service. We are thrilled to have Charlie help serve the NY and PA markets.  

David Feligno brings over a decade of executive search experience. Prior to Ascend, David managed the talent acquisition team at Carestream Health. His experience with venture capital and private equity backed portfolio companies gives David a reputation as a strong performer who delivers top talent against very aggressive timelines nationwide. David is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges and lives in Hilton NY with his domestic partner Jodi and their dog Toby. 

Prior to joining Ascend, Cathy was a partner with PSC Recruiting in Pittsburgh.​

Cathy's recruiting specialties include Energy, Health Care, Sales, HR, and Finance. She brings to the team 10 years of recruiting experience in the Finance and Health sectors. 

A  Word From Our CEO:

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Rochester, New York

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