WHO WE ARE
At The Talent Shop, Dan Heltzel and his team provide methodical, thorough, and effective recruitment like no other. They get to know their clients and their needs, providing as close to in-house recruiting as possible, with the added wealth of years of recruitment expertise and a network of restaurant and hospitality industry contacts, restaurant staffing partners, and clients at all levels from across the nation.
With a proven track record, The Talent Shop works to recommend the candidates who will contribute to your company’s culture, develop in their roles, and have the dedication and ability to push your bottom line forward.
DAN HELTZEL
Owner
Specialty: High-Volume
Dan spent 20 years serving the Navy in a Recruiter role overseeing a large team that made significant placements within that division of the military.
He retired from the Navy and found that he had a knack for hospitality recruitment as he spent time working with high-volume restaurant groups in Washington, DC. Dan placed an extremely high number of managers with well known restaurant groups in the DC area over a few year period.
He took over as Owner of The Talent Shop in August 2023 and is looking forward to growing the brand into more markets, while concentrating on the continued success of our current Clients.
JILL GARDNER
President
Specialty: Michelin Rated and Executive Level Searches
Jill earned a degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology while working full time through college in the HR Department of Sodexo. She had the opportunity to learn all aspects of human resources where she found her own talent in recruitment. That strength led her to The Inn at Little Washington, where she was the first Recruiter for the (now) three Michelin star property. Many of her hires still remain in key positions with the world-renowned restaurant.
From Little Washington to Washington, DC - Jill wanted the opportunity to see if she could see the same success on a bigger scale and took a position that would gear her up to hire for 6 high volume restaurants in 3 states within a year and a half. She not only hired for them, but she moved into a Director of People & Culture role for the company where she had a hand in the full life cycle of an employee. While this was exciting, recruitment was always her specialty and she found a way back to it.
In 2018, Jill became a founding member of The Talent Shop and now has the ability to work with major restaurant and hospitality brands across the USA.
When she is not matchmaking, you can find her on the ski slopes, traveling with her teenagers, walking her dogs, antique shopping, or eating out far more often than she likes to admit.
GORDY MULL
Recruiter
Specialty: Full-Service and Fast Casual Management
Gordy was a top recruiter for the food service industry and earned his way into being the "recruiter of choice" for clients of a national recruiting agency. That recognition helped him earn the trust and respect of clients that would come to him knowing he would find someone quickly. Gordy has placed over 40 head coaches for Sweetgreen, many who have gone on to higher roles within the company. The ink is still drying on one offer letter when he is working on typing the next one. He loves the thrill of the search and the high that comes when you find the person you have been wanting. He is not sure how to communicate his excitement when gifs are no longer cool to send.
In his down time, you can find him at the gym, weekly lunches with friends who take Ohio State games very seriously, or dreaming about the next time he is back on the beach in Florida.
STACEY TESAVIS
Recruiting Coordinator
Specialty: Fine Dining Operators and "Unicorn" Management
As a former college athlete, Stacey has always had a competitive streak in her. The more difficult a search, the more determined she is to find the right person.
Her desire to work in the industry came long ago during a summer trip to Paris where her favorite memories stemmed from hours spent in cafes around the city. It would take 4 kids and many years later for her to finally step into a position that allowed her to remember all that she was attracted to within the hospitality industry. Her own high standards and keen eye, have given her the ability to make many of our clients' "unicorn candidate" dreams come true.
Her family is known to take a cross country road trip or two and have hiked in many of our country's national parks.