LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Fackler
President and Managing Partner
All Practice Areas
Chris Fackler
Chris Fackler is the founder and President of Ringside Talent, a leading staffing and recruiting firm that has received recognition as a top performer in their specialty areas. Ringside has been named a top employer in Ohio and has earned a reputation as a “Best Place to Work” in the Columbus region.
Chris’s passion lies in coaching, training, and developing the future leaders of Ringside Talent. He works closely with his team of Practice Leaders to support the growth initiatives of the company, centered around Ringside’s core purpose of “Impacting Careers and Building Businesses.”
In addition to his professional pursuits, Chris is also an active philanthropist and regularly volunteers his time to various organizations. He collaborates with local universities to establish internship programs that equip students with the necessary leadership and business skills for post-graduation success.
Chris received his bachelor of science degree in entrepreneurship from the University of Dayton and was a proud member of the Flyer Football team while there. He was born in Newark, Ohio and now resides in German Village in Columbus.
Joe Gress
Practice Leader and Managing Partner
Finance & Accounting
Joe Gress
Joe is a seasoned recruiter and Managing Partner at Ringside Talent, leading the Accounting and Finance direct hire practice in Ohio. He is a highly regarded producer, consistently ranked among the top 25 in a network of over 5000 recruiters.
Joe joined Ringside in 2008 and has since established a strong client base across various industries in Central Ohio. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Kent State University and lives in Westerville, OH with his wife Colleen and their two sons, Whalen and Theodore.
Malorie Holbert
Practice Leader and Managing Partner
Information Technology and Training
Malorie Holbert
Malorie is the Chief of Staff to Ringside’s President, and oversees new hire training, onboarding, and the Technology Practice. Her charismatic approach to recruitment, training, and sales, along with her focus on building lasting relationships, supports Ringside’s core purpose of impacting careers and building businesses.
Malorie joined Ringside in 2014 and has held several leadership positions. She is a native of Columbus, Ohio and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University. When not working, she enjoys running, fine dining, and spending time with her husband Ryan and her beloved Pomeranian, Cannoli.
Jarred Huey
Practice Leader and Managing Partner
Finance & Accounting
Jarred Huey
Jarred Huey is the Managing Partner and Practice Leader at Ringside Talent, where he specializes in accounting and finance recruitment for clients in Midwest. Jarred has been with Ringside Talent since 2013 and has been ranked as a Top-15 Recruiter nationally multiple times.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Accounting from the University of Dayton, Jarred brings a unique perspective to his work in the recruitment industry. His success is built upon the establishment of long-term relationships with both candidates and clients, and his proven track record of success during his tenure at Ringside Talent.
Outside of work, Jarred lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Cassandra, their two children Noah and Elena, and their English bulldog Frank. Jarred is committed to giving back to the community and is involved in several philanthropic endeavors.
Overall, Jarred’s expertise, commitment to building lasting relationships, and passion for helping both candidates and clients achieve their goals make him a valuable asset to the Ringside Talent team.
Patrick Gardner
Practice Leader and Managing Partner
Finance & Accounting
Patrick Gardner
Pat Gardner is a Managing Partner at Ringside Talent, where he leads the Accounting and Finance direct hire and consulting practice in Columbus, Ohio. With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Recruiting, he has made a significant impact on hundreds of Central Ohio companies and candidates, helping them hire top talent and advance their careers.
Pat joined Ringside in 2014 with a focus on Accounting and Finance recruitment and has quickly established himself as one of Ohio’s top search consultants. He delivers top talent in all industries and provides executive leaders with valuable market insights, industry knowledge, and a direct approach.
Pat holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and has worked in Human Resources at companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Retail Ventures, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Pacer Logistics. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, traveling, camping, and supporting Ohio State athletics.
Shane Paynter
Practice Leader and Managing Partner
Information Technology
Shane Paynter
As a Managing Partner at Ringside Talent, Shane leads the Technology recruitment practice. With his focus and dedication, he has helped launch this division in 2017. Known for his ability to build strong relationships with clients and make the recruitment process enjoyable, Shane has established himself as a the top IT Recruiter in Ohio.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Urbana University where he was a letterman in football for three years. In his free time, Shane enjoys spending time with his family and supporting the Cleveland Browns. When not working, Shane enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children.
Spencer Preston
Team Leader and Managing Partner
Finance & Accounting
Spencer Preston
Spencer leads the Greater Chicago Area finance and accounting recruiting practice for Ringside Talent’s Midwest Division. He joined the organization in 2018 and was quickly promoted to Recruiting Manager and then Partner within three years. He has a niche for supporting large privately and publicly held companies, and he places emphasis on building relationships with both hiring teams and candidates.
Spencer studied Business with a minor in Economics at Malone University, where he played on the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. In his free time, he enjoys anything sports-related and cheering on THE Ohio State Buckeyes.
Jimmy Duffy
Team Leader and Managing Partner
Information Technology
Jimmy Duffy
As a Managing Partner and Team Leader in the Technology Recruiting Division at Ringside, Jimmy specializes in recruiting the most in-demand and hard-to-find technical skillsets for his clients. He has a reputation for building strong relationships with clients and successfully placing the right people in the right positions.
Jimmy received his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Miami University and was a member of the university’s Rugby Team. When he’s not working, Jimmy can be found in the gym, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, or indulging in some chicken wings. He is originally from Bexley, Ohio and resides in Columbus.
Melvin Shuler II
Team Leader and Managing Partner
Information Technology
Melvin Shuler II
As a Managing Partner and Team Leader at Ringside Talent, Melvin is responsible for the success of the Technology Recruiting Division. With expertise in staffing for positions within the Software Development Life Cycle, he and his team have a proven track record of providing top talent to their clients. Melvin is also a leader of Ringside’s Diversity & Inclusion Division, and has helped implement programs aimed at promoting the health and wellness of employees.
Melvin is a recipient of several awards for his top-notch performance and attributes his success to the leaders around him and the teamwork within the IT team. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Marietta College and was a 4-year varsity basketball letter winner, 4-time OAC Champion, and made appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in his college career. He currently resides in Columbus, OH with his family.
Jessica Frank
Team Leader and Partner
Finance & Accounting
Jessica Frank
As a Partner and Team Leader at Ringside Talent, Jess excels in identifying and placing talented professionals with mid-sized to Fortune 100 companies across the Midwest Region. Her ability to connect clients to the right professionals, combined with her expertise in data analysis, marketing, and communication, has earned her multiple Golden Gloves awards for being a top performer.
With a degree in microbiology from Ohio State University and a degree in computer science from Columbus State, Jess has a unique skill set that sets her apart in the recruitment industry. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and three kids, and giving back to her local community by volunteering and donating resources to schools, charities, and underserved families.
Hannah Strevell
Team Leader and Partner
Finance & Accounting
Hannah Strevell
Hannah Strevell specializes in accounting and finance recruitment for Ringside’s Midwest Division. She joined Ringside Talent in 2020 and has since achieved the role of Partner – one of the company’s highest levels. She is committed to providing her clients with top-tier service, candidates, and market intel, as well as building relationships with new clients to support Ringside’s expansion. In addition to helping grow her recruiting team, she is also the Culture Club President at Ringside, directing internal activities and philanthropy involvement in the community.
Hannah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications from The Ohio State University and places a strong emphasis on connecting with people, both personally and professionally, to make them feel important. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with her German shepherd, Maverick.
Eric Sakon
Chief Operating Officer
All Practice Areas
Eric Sakon
Eric Sakon joined Ringside Talent in June 2024 as Chief Operations Officer, overseeing key operational areas and driving company performance through strategic execution.
After graduating from the University of Dayton, Eric ventured to Denver, Colorado, and kicked off his career in copier sales—a humble start that taught him the value of persistence. Seeking adventure, he traded office life for the slopes as a full-time snowboarder. His journey then took him into medical device sales, a path that eventually led him to Columbus, where he opened offices across the Midwest. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, Eric later founded and grew his own medical device company over a decade, culminating in a successful acquisition. Originally from Indianapolis and a former high school state wrestling champion, Eric now calls Bexley home, where he lives with his wife, Sara, and their four children.
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