Meet the Team...
Chris Johnson
CEO and Founder
Chris Johnson is the CEO and Founder of Ascend Associates Inc. Chris graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelors in Organizational Psychology and immediately became an Executive Recruiter. He has dedicated the last 25 years to becoming the most trusted partner to the people in Electrical Distribution as well as a respected leader among his team. He is considered an Electrical and Industrial Wholesale expert and enjoys most the profound influence that his team and firm have on the great people that they serve.
Shelby Wilkins
Director of Operations
Shelby is our multi-talented Office Mom. She handles Operations, Marketing, IT Support, Client Relations, Training, and Recruiting. Any challenge presented to her, she solves with speed and grace. Her favorite part of recruiting is communicating with the clients and ensuring their experience is as easy and smooth as possible. Every weekend during the winter, if there is snow in the mountains, Shelby is there with her two pups, husband, and best friends snowboarding.
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Alex Garwood is the Vice President of Sales at Ascend Associates, where he drives strategic growth and fosters lasting partnerships with our clients. A 2015 graduate of GCU with a Bachelor’s in Business Management, Alex began his career as a recruiter while earning his MBA, gaining expertise in talent acquisition and business development. Outside of work, Alex is passionate about community and leadership, coaching lacrosse at a local high school. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Megan.
Alex Garwood
VP of Sales
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Jenna began her career as a U.S Navy Veteran. Now, at Ascend, she is a huge asset to everyone on the team. If Jenna is on it, you know it will be done perfectly and in a timely manner. She gives the same care and attention to her five beautiful children and husband. When she's not spending time with her family and dogs, she loves traveling the world!
Jenna Zertuche
Outreach Coordinator
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Originally from Indiana, Maggie has called Arizona home for 13 years now. She received her B.A. from the University of Evansville where she also played on the women’s Division I golf team. She later moved to Arizona and received her J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. Maggie’s passion is being of service to others, and she thrives when connecting with people. She and her husband spend their free time trying to keep up with their two rambunctious boys.
Maggie Wood
Director of Client Development
Tyler moved here from New York after spending the last seven years starting and managing multiple coffee shops. Through this experience, he has become an expert in customer service and has a genuine desire to help others, so much, in fact, that Tyler operated as his local Chamber of Commerce's President in support of local small business owners. He now puts the same care into connecting candidates with the right opportunbity here at Ascend. Outside of Tyler's professional career, he enjoys playing hockey and staying active.
Tyler Sloboda
Director of Client Development
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Before joining Ascend, Dave established and managed teams with upward of 100 employees ranging from restaurants to gyms. His ability to build relationships, direct operations, and lead and develop employees has led him to Executive Recruiting. As a former athlete, Dave thrives in competitive environments which has allowed him to be immediately successful here at Ascend. In his free time, you can catch Dave spending time with his wife and kids, exploring the outdoors, and working out.
Dave Johnson
Director of Client Development
Libby is a native Oregonian who relocated to Phoenix to start a career in Recruitment after graduating from Western Oregon University with a BS in Psychology. She has spent her entire career working to provide exceptional and attentive service to her clients and has used this experience and strong interpersonal skills to grow her career as a successful Recruiter. Libby finds passion in helping talented people find opportunities. Outside of her professional career she loves making art, being "the fun aunt" and finding spots in nature to swim.
Libby Anderson
Executive Recruiter
Storm is an Arizona native through and through. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BS in Biology and a certificate in Wildlife Ecology and Management. She has been providing high quality customer service for 8 years. Her exceptional communication and problem-solving skills have made her an excellent recruiter that is capable of building strong working relationships that can change people's lives. Outside of her career, Storm enjoys shooting videos for rodeos, hiking, and spending time with her animals.
Storm Halstead-Kern
Executive Recruiter
Cody is a Long Island native who moved to Arizona after graduating from Hartwick College. He went on to earn his MBA at Grand Canyon University. Previously, Cody was the estimator and bookkeeper for a local restoration company. Cody's persistence and devotion to Ascend's client needs have resulted in his immediate success as a recruiter. In his free time, you can find him staying active at the gym, coaching lacrosse, or hanging out with friends and family.
Cody Petillo
Executive Recruiter
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Michael was born and raised in Phoenix and is a die hard Arizonan. Prior to joining Ascend, Michael was a Partner Affiliate with Grand Canyon University focusing on enrolling working professionals into higher education to radically change the students employment trajectory. It was there where he grew to value connections and providing a tailored customer service experience which has allowed him to become one of Ascend's top recruiters. Outside of working, Michael is a proud husband and father and loves spending time with his family and friends. You can often find him seeking out the new great local Phoenix hang out!
Michael Zaft
Executive Recruiter
Connor is a southern guy from South Carolina. He’s spent his years working in the blue collar work force and sales. Overall he strives on providing the best client/customer experience possible. He prides himself on honesty and integrity with a small touch of southern hospitality to build and maintain his professional and personal relationships. Outside of work, Connor loves to be in the gym, hiking, and hanging out in the country side.
Connor Nikses
Executive Recruiter
