Nick has executive search experience since 2008 recruiting for mid-market private equity funds, their portfolio companies, and corporate development and finance teams. Nick has advised numerous investment banking, strategy consulting, and principal investing candidates and clients over his career. He has advised on: interview preparation, resume construction, interview cycle and process timing, compensation trends, and overall recruiting market conditions. Over his career Nick has executed hundreds of searches across the United States.
Prior to Nick's executive search career, he was an investment banking Analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and graduated from The Citadel, summa cum laude, with a BBA and concentration in Accounting. Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and being outdoors. He is an avid runner, climber, and armchair alpinist.
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Derek has spent the last ten years of his career within corporate strategy and finance. Most recently, Derek was the Director of Finance for a speech analytics technology company acquired by a strategic buyer for $135MM. The bulk of his experience has been with closely held and private equity backed companies. Throughout his career Derek has built out FP&A teams, ran multiple due diligence processes, raised capital, and interfaced with an array of different private equity funds.
Derek has his MBA from The Simon School of Business and graduated with a BBA from Gonzaga University with a minor in Law and Public Policy. He enjoys just about anything outdoors and is currently studying Outdoor Emergency Care as a member of the Loveland Ski Patrol. Derek, his wife, and son reside in Golden, CO.
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Prior to joining Variner, Casey was an Associate Consultant for a boutique management consulting firm, specializing in performance management, training and development, employee engagement and retention. During her time there, Casey was responsible for supporting client development by planning and implementing strategic change to drive performance.
Casey’s unrivaled passion for developing people and organizations is what fuels her work as a recruiter.
Although she’s a native of Maryland, Casey resides in Denver, CO which suits her love of the outdoors. Casey is an adventurer at heart and embraces an active lifestyle that includes skiing, rock climbing, hiking, and exploring new cities.
Before joining Variner, Ryan worked for a global technical recruitment firm where he specialized in AWS recruitment and consultation in Colorado and along the West Coast. Ryan received his Master's Degree in French at Miami University (Ohio) where he also completed his undergraduate studies in International Relations, Political Science, and French. Rise up Redhawks!
Ryan's move to Denver was sparked by his passion for skiing and the outdoors; he is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a proud Hoosier. He's a die-hard Indiana sports fan: Pacers, Colts, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish!
Ryan is a passionate lifelong learner, excellent communicator, and great networker on our team!
Before joining Variner, Sara Grace worked in the healthcare industry as a Human Resources Coordinator where she played a pivotal role in the employee experience. With knowledge of HR policies, HRIS systems, and project management, Sara Grace found opportunities to enhance processes and foster positive relationships in the workplace.
Sara Grace was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Go Dawgs! At her core, she cares about people. She's a passionate advocate for your growth and success!
When she's not working, Sara Grace can be found snowboarding on the ski slopes, catching up on the latest film at the movie theatre, or trying a new restaurant in Denver. She loves to travel and is always looking forward to her next adventure!
Austin joined Variner with eight years of technology sales and customer success work experience. His experience spanned a variety of company sizes and markets, from being the first employee at a startup to a mature software business.
Austin's passion for people stems from a six-year career as a professional cyclist, where he served as a road captain. Learning to maximize a teammate's potential and focusing it on a collective win brought Austin success in cycling and attracted him to recruiting where he can take a holistic approach to developing and managing high-caliber candidates and clients.
With roots in Southern California, Austin traded the ocean for the mountains and now resides in the foothills of the Rockies outside of Denver. When not in the office, he can be found skiing or training for his next ultra-endurance endeavor.