They say if you build it, they will come. Well, when Richard builds it, success is what comes. (Good thing he has the energy of 10 men!) The founder of Lock Search Group, Richard has led the company through nearly 30 years of exceptional growth. Today, Lock is the only professional Canadian search firm with offices from coast to coast, extending into the United States. Naturally, Richard invests a significant amount of time travelling to all branches of the company, including the Toronto office, where he works closely with Peter Zukow, his strategic partner on business development and management.

If you don't already know Peter, you should. Because Peter knows all the right people. As the "ringmaster" of all our offices, and with extensive recruitment experience in all industries, Peter knows exactly where to find exceptional talent and exceptional clients. He also plays a key role in providing strategic direction and business development for Lock, working closely with Richard Lock, the company founder. Didn't we say that Peter knows all the right people?

When you control the money, you control the world. At least that's the way it works around here. Meet Glen Blackwell, VPE. That's Vice President of Everything. Glen has been with the Toronto branch since its inception and as our Accountant is not only in charge but also our most valuable resource. As an integral part of our day-to-day operations, Glen does more than just make sure everybody gets paid — but that's really why we like him so much. Glen's responsibilities extend to all financial matters, our national database, computer network, troubleshooting, training and anything and everything that requires an immediate solution. He really is the brains behind our entire operation. And in some ways, you might even say he's the music behind the operation, with his favourite classic-rock station usually cranked to "eleven" in his office.

Is that the faint sound of tambourines you hear? It could be a sign that Dahlia Babic is near – and that’s a good thing. Dahlia’s the kind of person anyone wants around – she is up for anything, always has a joke or funny accent at hand – not sure why that’s helpful but she mentioned it – and plays a mean tambourine (watch your back, Mrs. Partridge!). And those are just some of the reasons we’re happy to have Dahlia at Lock. Her positive can-do attitude is a natural fit in her role as Recruitment Coordinator where she will help ensure the lines of communication between clients, candidates and recruiters are kept clear and open. As well as being a Recruitment Coordinator for Lock, Dahlia attends Seneca College and is fluent in English, French and Serbian. Her outside accomplishments also include winning the Kiwanis festival consecutively for six years for Best Folkloric Dance ensemble and representing Canada globally. Now if we can just get her certified to drive a tour bus we will literally be rocking.

When we were looking for an Office Coordinator and Receptionist, Julie’s confidence, wit and competence singled her out as the perfect fit. As Julie told us herself: with her friendly face, warm welcoming smile and her many years of experience at a reception desk, she had us at “Hello”. Being a devoted movie goer, Julie has a film quote for every occasion. Further to that, Julie claims her greatest personal triumph is being married with a child but then quickly will go on to talk at length about her meeting Keanu Reeves (“had to elbow a few 16 year olds out of the way for an autograph...”) and John Cusack (“dude was tall dark and handsome in his signature black trenchcoat...”). She even went to see Keanu’s band Dogstar (yeah, we know). There’s nothing she likes better than sitting in a matinee with a big bag of popcorn – hey, wait a minute, she does take long lunches and often comes back smelling like butter... As Keanu once said as Hamlet, “Whoa! Something totally stinks in the state of Denmark, dude.”

Olivia is very coordinated. Now, we mean that in a number of ways. First of all, as a dance enthusiast and former competitive gymnast she is clearly physically coordinated. Secondly, as Miss Woodbridge Italia 2004 and long time pageant-eer, she knows how to put the perfect ensemble together so that everything matches and thus she is fashionably coordinated. She also is a great ‘match’ here at Lock as a Recruitment Coordinator. With an undergraduate degree with honours from York in Sociology and Mass Communications, a number of years working at Mercedes-Benz and a post graduate certificate in Human Resources from the Humber Business School, she fits in perfectly with our team in Toronto. Whatever your job or client needs, Olivia will not only be able to help find the right match she likely also has a handbag that goes perfectly with it.

Vanessa will climb mountains, engage in lengthy and difficult negotiations, wander the streets for hours, and sit still in darkness for hours without making a sound in order to see something through to the end – all for fun. Imagine how this helps her in new role of Recruitment Coordinator – not that we make her sit in the dark. How do we know she is willing to do this? Well, she has climbed the second highest mountain in her home country of Venezuela; she won a diplomacy award at the Harvard model UN in Egypt; she loves wandering the streets of her new home in Toronto discovering what the city has to offer; and she loves foreign art films by such masters as Fellini and Wenders. Not only is she adventurous in mind and body, she has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has worked in the Pharmaceutical field for Grupo Farma and has experience in both Venezuela and Canada in executive search and staffing. Vanessa’s commitment and interest in learning from great professionals and helping them meet their goals makes her an exceptional fit at Lock.

There's nothing that Mike Davis likes more than a fixer-upper. We’re talking about houses not clients but hey that works too. Mike loves renovating and has recently redone his kitchen to his great satisfaction. Mike received a B.A. from Queen’s University in Economics and Japanese and decided to apply that degree to time spent living and working in Japan. Upon his return he worked in Marketing and Sales, ultimately as Vice President , Group Sales manager for News Marketing Canada. When not tearing apart his house and rebuilding it he likes to relax by training for the bar sports heptathlon: darts, billiards, salty snack munching, ping pong and sake drinking. Give Mike a call to see how he can apply his genuine love of helping people to what you need - or if you just need someone to play pool with.

One day Dave was minding his own business when he got a call. Come to the dark side the caller said – and he has. If there is a recruiter who understands consumer products it’s Dave Dureno. Helping to lead the CPG desk with Mike Davis, Dave has walked in your shoes and probably sat in the waiting rooms of buyers in both Retail and Food Service with you. Beginning in Food Service with Kraft Foods in Western Canada, moving to Retail with Evian, and most recently directing the Team of National Account Managers with Abbott Laboratories in his native Ontario, Dave really has been there and done that. Dave is passionate about a lot of things including his family, Michigan football, and long drives on the 403.

With a background as a trainer in the insurance industry, and many years working in human resources, Luba doesn't just know people, she knows what makes them tick. In the recruitment field, that's definitely a bonus. As a specialist in her field, Luba has a handful of "hidden contacts" you'll want to tap into. She also has energy to spare, which will help you get the right candidate no matter what.

Don’t be offended if Susan Hornsby tells you to take a hike. It’s probably not because you’re getting on her nerves; she’s generally very even keeled and good-humoured. Her instruction is actually a good thing, like a blessing almost. Susan loves to hike and encourages everyone to try it as a way of relaxing, reordering their thoughts and getting some exercise and fresh air. She herself has hiked for two weeks through the Himalayas up to 18,000 feet and even had a quick stop at the Everest Base Camp and grabbed a low fat soy double latte at the Starbucks that just recently opened there. They offer a delicious breakfast sandwich they call the Tenzing Norgay that’s out of this world. When not demanding people go for long arduous walks in nature, Susan holds down the fort as a Recruitment Consultant at our Toronto office. With a degree from the University of Western Ontario, she has over 15 years of Consumer Packaged Goods experience, having worked at Danone, Canada Bread and Hershey. She has worked with all the major CPG food retailers in Canada and understands their different styles and approaches. Consistently exceeding sales and market share growth and building solid and creative strategic growth plans, she has built strong customer relationships - always taking a fact-based, and collaborative business building approach. She has very strong communication skills and is very professional. So don’t be afraid to give her a call to see how she can help with your search. It’s not likely if she tells you to take a hike that you’re bugging her – but, hey, anything is possible.

An important member of the Consumer team, Joanne is a graduate of Queen's University who has recently worked in an entrepreneurial capacity to grow a successful business running several sales teams across Ontario. As a Consultant for Lock, Joanne specializes in facilitating searches and placements within the food and beverage industry for Lock USA. She follows up on client requests and ensures that communication flows between all parties. (She also likes parties, dinner parties in particular, where you'll find her cooking up one of her famous dishes.)

Can you really take a guy seriously when he's wearing a pink shirt with an orange tie? If his name is Mark, you most certainly can. Once you get past his questionable fashion sense, you'll find that after 12 years of service in the transportation and security industries, he does know a thing or two. After graduating from McMaster University, Mark joined Purolator Courier, where his "go hard or go home" work ethic garnered considerable success as he rose to National Account Executive. Moving to G4S Cash Services, Mark then applied his knowledge to the security industry, where he rose to National Sales Manager, directing a sales group across Canada and contributing to the overall operations and security departments. When he's not busy conquering new challenges in the recruitment industry, Mark enjoys long walks on the beach with his cat.

Lock is known for scooping the competition but that has nothing to do with us hiring Dana “The Scoop” Lamanna. The nickname actually comes from her legendary ice cream scooping skills (she has the right arm of a Jai Alai player!) honed by running a family ice-cream store for years. That said, having Dana at Lock is a scoop in itself. With a background in both Science and Business, Dana has an HBA in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business (UWO) and she brings her patented ringleader skills to her position as Project Manager. Dana’s a people person always willing to lend a hand and her role at Lock enables her to apply this quality. Give her a call anytime and she’d be pleased to help you (except when “So You Think You Can Dance” is on TV. Don’t call her then. No, really. It won’t be pretty if you do.)

A former drummer and crazed April Wine fan, Benoit spends most weekends behind the tour bus. But from Monday to Friday this groupie spends his time in our Toronto office, where he is known simply as Ben. With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations, a Master's of Science in Human Resource Management, and 10 years at Merck Frosst Canada, Ben works with Ed Mead, who specializes in the same sector. Ben brings extensive marketing, specialty sales and human resources experience to Lock.

It's not just what you know, it's who you know. And Ed knows both. With years of experience working in the United States and Canada for high-profile companies like Trudell Medical, US Surgical Corporation, GE Medical, Ingram and Bell/Source Medical, Ed is very well connected. Including his connection and partnership with Benoit Lamarche at Lock, who specializes in the same sector.

Kelly has a long history in the areas of Transportation, Logistics and Operations. As a competitive pool player (8 and 9 ball), Kelly had to Transport her own cue to various pool halls where she had deploy her Logistics skills to garner opponents, arrange some lucrative wagers and then escape with her winnings. She clearly knows how to Operate. She has also worked outside of these environs with major Canadian brands and managed multi-million dollar operations and accounts for both national and international organizations. Her most recent position was Director of Sales and Operations for a leading wholesale petroleum products company. She received her Master’s degree from Royal Roads University and a HBA with Distinction from the University of Toronto. She is a firm believer in continuous learning and has not only received numerous certifications post university, she has educated a few frat boys on the importance of a lightning break when a bar tab is on the line. Kelly demonstrates exceptional customer service skills and an intrinsic understanding of the operational needs of various industries. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to solve complex operational problems using innovative thinking. She is fluent in English, French and Pool Cue.

Michael brings 20 years of Sales, Operations and Management experience to Lock Search Group where he now leads the Hospitality/QSR/Food Service Practice. He is also likely to bring a Fairway wood with him – you never know when you can squeeze in a few practice swings. An avid student in the game of golf, Michael attended the University of Guelph School of Hotel and Food Administration as well as a graduate of Humber College with a focus in Business Administration and Hospitality Management. The good news for Mike is that even when the first 18 holes don’t go well, all those years in the hospitality sector ensure that he always succeeds on the 19th hole!

Jessica Tome is the classic cheerleader. There’s nothing she likes better than attending her friends’ dodge ball games and cheering them on. She claims that it isn’t the chance to see blood that draws her but, as she is an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) aficionado, we have our doubts. Besides her thirst for blood, she is very sociable, funny, and loves sharing celebrity gossip and telling jokes and making her co-workers laugh. Sure, she’s funny but we’re also a little scared of her so sometimes it’s more nervous laughter. She has over four years of industry experience and attended school for Business Administration with a focus in Human Resources and is working towards obtaining her CHRP. She began with us as a Front Office coordinator and has been promoted three times based on her hard work and accomplishments and not just because we’re kind of scared of her - and you certainly shouldn’t be; Jessica is bound to bring all of her skills to helping you with your recruitment needs. If that includes the occasional leg lock and eye gouge then who are we to complain? We suggest you don’t either.

Hailing from the Maritimes, Mark isn't a fisherman or a barman. Instead, this graduate of Acadia University (go Axemen!) has an extensive and progressive Industrial background. Transportation, Custom Millwork, Industrial HVAC and Commercial Fire Protection are where he's made his mark (get it?). With a proven track record, Mark is a results-oriented sales leader and business sector manager. Mark will be heading the Ontario Industrial Group from the Toronto office — that is, when he's not cruising the 400 Highway on his motorcycle or perfecting his putt on the golf course.