The WBCP Team

Personable and Professional
Meet our outstanding team members

Wendi Brown, President

Wendi is the President of WBCP, an executive search and human resources consultancy serving clients in 10 states and expanding. Wendi is passionate about serving our clients’ needs while also fostering a positive work culture where WBCP staff can develop their careers and feel eager to provide exemplary customer service. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising and combines this with her background in recruiting to successfully place hard-to-fill, management, and executive-level positions. She has worked in various industries — advertising and public relations, real estate, and global manufacturing – and has experience working with nonprofit and public sector organizations since 1999. Formerly, she was an internal Human Resources Consultant for the County of Orange, California, providing countywide communications, human resources, executive search and recruiter training services to the Assistant Chief Executive Office/Human Resources Director and, at that time, 25 decentralized departments, with 17,000 employees, serving a community of 300,000. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Colorado Technical University; has earned several certificates in Project Management, Global Business, Marketing and Human Resources; and is working toward a Master’s in Management at Southern Oregon University.

Richard Kuhns, Vice President of Recruiting & Organizational Culture

Richard Kuhns is a retired County Administrative Officer with over 28 years of experience in the Public Sector. He is currently the VP of Recruiting and Organizational Culture for WBPC. Richard began his career in Law Enforcement, transferring his focus to Administration where he served as the Director of Housing and Community Action, Behavioral Health, General Services, and Solid Waste. Richard has a “find a way, to find a way” mentality. With his vast knowledge and experience in the Public Sector he has an intuitive understanding of working with government leaders, policy makers, and the public. Richard achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Conflict Resolution and Negotiations, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. For the past three years Richard has worked as an Executive Recruiter and Behavioral Health Consultant. As a Consultant, he worked with several Northern California Counties creating and implementing the newly state mandated 24/7 Mobile Crisis. He has now focused his time and efforts on assisting WBCP clients in finding and securing the top candidate for your organization.

Heather Jack, Director of Finance & Operations

Heather Jack is WBCP’s Director of Finance & Operations and lead Project Manager. Since starting at WBCP in 2015, she has grown into an integral part of the business. Heather uses her strong organizational skills and attention to detail to support all recruitments from start to finish, coordinate timelines, and oversee the team’s productivity. Meeting clients’ deadlines and major milestones is one of Heather’s top priorities, making her our go-to person for all things calendar and project management-related. Heather also assists with projects in human resources with several municipalities in Oregon and California. Other aspects of her role include supporting employee engagement, salary and benchmark studies, and business operations. During her time at WBCP, Heather has modernized processes and scaled technology systems for the company. Prior to working with WBCP, Heather worked at Hannon Library, developing organizational, research, and interpersonal skills. Heather has a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology and a double minor in Environmental Studies and French from Southern Oregon University.

Lauren Gerson, Executive Recruiter

Lauren Gerson is a seasoned Executive Recruiter at WBCP, where she draws on over 15 years of experience in career services, customer relations, and operations. Her recruiting expertise extends across various industries, with notable success in health and human services, human resources, ports, utilities, police oversight and reform, information technology, and finance. Lauren has partnered with organizations across multiple states including California, Oregon, and Arizona, expertly filling hard-to-hire positions at every level, from individual contributors to executives. Lauren’s diverse professional journey began in operations and events management, where she honed her expertise in human resources, business management, and regulatory compliance. She later transitioned to career services. Prior to joining WBCP, she worked with a career coaching company helping job-seekers better leverage their skills and overcome barriers to employment. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Whittier College. She brings a unique perspective to her role, and is committed to making a positive impact both professionally and personally. With her unwavering dedication and client-centric focus, Lauren continues to drive success and excellence in executive recruitment at WBCP.

Levi Kuhlman, Executive Recruiter

Levi Kuhlman is an Executive Recruiter at WBCP, and an experienced professional with a multifaceted career spanning across executive recruitment, real estate, and entrepreneurship. He has worked extensively with local municipalities, special districts, and not-for-profit organizations across the Western region, with a focus in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Levi has conducted many successful recruitments in various industries including planning, rent stabilization and housing, engineering, finance, city management, transportation and transit, community development, building and safety, public safety, risk management, and information technology. Levi serves as a skilled and diplomatic liaison, earning a reputation for his personalized approach to recruiting. Before joining the ranks of WBCP, he advocated on behalf of tenants, landlord, and clients. With a diverse skill set and a commitment to excellence, Levi continues to make significant contributions to WBCP, his clients, and broadening the professional community one recruitment at a time.

Josette Reina-Luken, Executive Recruiter

Josette, an Executive Recruiter at WBCP, specializes in government finance and the water industry with nearly 30 years of experience. Her career began in IT, managing software implementations and leading training and sales teams. After earning her MBA, she transitioned to municipal agencies, holding various management positions, including Administrative Manager and Financial Manager. With expertise in budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational development, Josette has made significant contributions to the agencies she’s served. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of South Florida, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and certificates in Human Resources from the California State University and Leadership from the University of Davis.

Adam Oppegaard, Executive Recruiter

Adam is an Executive Recruiter at WBCP with nearly 10 years of recruitment experience and a strong foundation in HR. He began his career in education and employee training, transitioning to HR where he held roles such as Team Coordinator and Foreign HR Advisor, managing recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations for international employees. Adam also worked as a Project Office/Communication Specialist for a foreign government agency, managing international projects and designing training workshops. He served as a Learning and Development Specialist for a national diplomatic training institution, developing training for senior diplomats. Recently, Adam was a Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist for an HR consulting organization and the Director of Recruitment and Employee Development for a financial services company, overseeing full-cycle recruitment, employee engagement initiatives, and leadership development. Adam brings his expertise in talent acquisition, project management, stakeholder engagement, employee relations, and HR consultation to WBCP, helping clients secure top candidates for their organizations.

Maggie Alexandre, Executive Search and Class and Compensation Associate

Maggie Alexandre is a Human Resources professional with over 30 years of experience, and is WBCP’s key consultant performing all classification and compensation studies. Prior to working at WBCP, Maggie was a Human Resources Director in the San Francisco Financial District and led an 80 person team of human resource professionals. She began her career in HR at Robertson, Stephens & Company, a boutique investment bank, and continued in the HR Director role at other investment banks and private equity firms until 2016. Maggie has worked in all areas of HR as a generalist with a focus in employee relations, recruitment and classification and compensation. She has been working as an Executive Search Associate and Classification and Compensation Specialist for WBCP since 2018. Maggie studied Anthropology at California State University, Long Beach and received her Human Resources Management Certificate from California State University, San Francisco.

DD Grissom, Talent Acquisition Manager

DD Grissom serves as the Talent Acquisition Manager at WBCP, bringing over 25 years of full-cycle recruiting expertise across diverse industries, including water treatment, environmental planning, civil engineering, utilities, IT, finance, and government relations in both the public and private sectors. Her experience includes developing recruitment campaigns, conducting classification and compensation analyses, creating job descriptions, screening and interviewing candidates, and supervising talent acquisition teams. Before joining WBCP, DD worked as a senior recruiter and classification/compensation analyst for a large Bay Area Water District, where she honed her skills in operations and maintenance-focused recruitments and led competency-based employee development strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Sociology from San Jose State University, along with certifications in Program and Project Management and Inside Out Development Coaching. DD’s leadership, collaborative approach, and dedication to excellence are integral to the success of WBCP’s Talent Acquisition Specialists and executive recruitment services.

Stephanie Lawson, Recruitment Manager

Stephanie started working for WBCP in 2019. She acts as support for all facets of the recruitment process, as well as any other tasks to assist the WBCP team. Some of her core responsibilities include candidate and panel coordination, candidate review, calendar and timeline management, and interview material preparation. Prior to working for WBCP, Stephanie had several roles in hospitality where she further developed her client relations, communications, and clerical skills. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Hospitality from Southern Oregon University.

Karlee Beckstead, Marketing & Communications Manager

Karlee Beckstead is WBCP’s Marketing & Communications Manager. Karlee is instrumental in planning WBCP’s conferences and events, while also forming valuable connections with clients and consultants alike. Using her natural leadership abilities, Karlee serves as a mentor to junior-level staff while presenting insights to the entire WBCP team. She works diligently to promote the WBCP brand through proposals, social media posts, and email marketing campaigns. She is always looking to the future and integrating herself with our community, serving as a Board Member on the Rogue River Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the WBCP team, Karlee worked in customer service and social media management, where she sharpened her skills in customer relations, communications, and marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University in Communication Studies, with minors in Political Science and International Studies.

Naomi Orr, Project Manager

Naomi is one of WBCP’s Project Managers and is part of WBCP’s support team. She has project management experience in report writing coupled with data entry and client relations experience. She directly supports the executive leadership team with operations, project management, candidate coordination, and rigorous attention to detail. Prior to joining the WBCP team, she spent three years working at an environmental research laboratory where she aided clients in regulatory compliance, sample collection, and report production. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Southern Oregon University.

Leah Murphy, Project Manager

Leah serves as one of WBCP’s project managers, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to her role. Her professional journey began within a residential facility program for “at-risk” youth in the Portland area, where she discovered her passion for fostering connections within communities and families. This realization inspired Leah to embark on a teaching career. In parallel with pursuing her degree, Leah took on the challenge of working and managing a local brewery in Portland, acquiring invaluable insights into the intricacies of running a small business. Following the completion of her degree, she ventured to South Carolina, dedicating several years to teaching minority and underserved populations. Holding a Master’s degree in Teaching and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lewis and Clark College, she brings a strong academic foundation to her multifaceted role at WBCP, where some of her primary duties include meeting with clients, screening candidates, preparing for interviews, and overseeing candidate coordination. Her diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to education and community engagement make her an invaluable asset to the WBCP team.

Mykayla Pagels, Project Manager/ Executive Assistant

Mykayla Pagels is a Project Manager/Executive Assistant at WBCP, where she brings a strong background in quality improvement, training, and project management. She began her career as a medical assistant at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s), where she developed a passion for improving workflows and implementing effective processes. At the Women’s Health Center in Grants Pass, she spent six years managing high-volume OB/GYN workflows and later advanced to Training Manager, where she developed training curricula, updated protocols, conducted individual and group trainings, and monitored performance improvements. Mykayla’s certifications in Agile Project Management and as a Six Sigma Black Belt enhance her ability to streamline processes and achieve measurable results, making her an invaluable asset to the WBCP team.

Sofia Quraishi, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Sofia Quraishi is one of WBCP’s Sourcing & Outreach Specialists, bringing a diverse background from executive assistance to C-level executives and a transition into recruitment. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Jose State University, Sofia combines a deep understanding of human behavior with expertise in full-cycle agency recruitment, candidate relationship building, and HR policy compliance. With proficiency in applicant tracking systems like Lever, Greenhouse, Bullhorn, Salesforce, and LinkedIn Recruiter, as well as HRIS knowledge in Rippling and Workday, Sofia is adept at leveraging technology for seamless talent acquisition. Her commitment to exceptional candidate experiences and a passion for career development make Sofia an invaluable asset in connecting individuals with their ideal roles.

Anna Brown, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Anna Brown brings over a decade of expertise in Recruiting and Talent Acquisition to the WBCP team, complemented by a distinguished 10-year military service across diverse global locations. Currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Horry Georgetown Technical College, Anna demonstrates a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Anna’s core competencies encompass change management, administration support, staff training & leadership, benefits & compensation, performance management, stakeholder communication, sourcing/full cycle recruiting, client relations, and project management. This diverse skill set, combined with her keen eye for talent, positions Anna as an instrumental force in optimizing recruitment processes and cultivating meaningful connections with stakeholders, contributing significantly to WBCP’s success.

Angela Edwards, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Angela Edwards brings a dynamic and multifaceted background to her role as a Talent Acquisition Specialist with WBCP. Her experience spans client engagement, health and wellness coaching, practice management in medical settings, and technical support for talent management software. Angela excels at sourcing top talent, building strong relationships, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology to enhance recruitment strategies. Her ability to adapt quickly, implement innovative solutions, and connect with stakeholders ensures she plays a pivotal role in identifying and attracting exceptional candidates. Angela’s dedication to excellence and her passion for creating meaningful connections make her an integral part of WBCP’s success.

Alex Le, Copywriter

Alex Le is a Copywriter at WBCP, known for her passion for storytelling and her ability to craft compelling marketing content. As a key member of the Marketing Team, Alex creates engaging materials across multiple platforms, including recruitment brochures, email campaigns, and website copy. Her keen attention to detail and skill in adapting her writing to diverse audiences ensure that every piece resonates and delivers measurable results. Before joining WBCP, Alex gained valuable experience in the nonprofit and entertainment industries, as well as through collaborative work with the public sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California Lutheran University and a Master of Arts in Sport and Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University. Alex’s unique blend of creativity, precision, and cross-industry expertise makes her an invaluable asset to the team.

Maddy Schwarz, Marketing & Events Coordinator

Maddy Schwarz serves as the Marketing & Events Coordinator at WBCP. She seamlessly combines her analytical mindset with a profound passion for marketing and events. Working closely with the Marketing & Communications Manager, Maddy assumes a pivotal role in crafting and executing strategic social media and marketing initiatives. Her innate organizational skills and unwavering commitment to efficiency ensure projects run seamlessly, significantly contributing to WBCP’s overall success. Maddy’s dedication and expertise establish her as an asset to WBCP’s marketing endeavors. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Managerial Economics from UC Davis in California.

Ryan Brown, IT Technician II

Ryan Brown holds the position of IT Technician II at WBCP, overseeing the company’s technological infrastructure and driving innovation. He is at the forefront of implementing advanced IT solutions – including daily technical support for both in-office and remote staff, researching technology solutions, and long-range planning for a growing team. Ryan brings a wealth of experience from his service as an Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class in the Navy, where he honed his technical and analytical abilities. This, combined with his background in customer service, contributed to the diplomacy, resilience, and flexible thinking he demonstrates in his role. Ryan’s skills as a strategist and analyst are immensely beneficial to the growth and advancement of WBCP.

Aimee Kuhlman, Operations Assistant

Aimee Kuhlman is an Operations Assistant at WBCP with a rich background in the retail industry, followed by invaluable experience as a Reception/Office Assistant in various healthcare settings, including two general dentists, an oral surgeon clinic, and a primary care/OB doctor. In her previous role spanning two decades, Aimee excelled in overseeing financial arrangements, collections, insurance billing and follow-ups, accounts receivable, and appointment scheduling. Her expertise lies in clerical and customer service skills, complemented by a keen eye for detail and a passion for organizational efficiency. With a track record of driving operational excellence, Aimee is an asset to the operations of WBCP.

Jami Gilman, Marketing Assistant

Jami serves as WBCP’s Marketing Assistant, bringing with her 7 years of experience in social media management and marketing. She plays a crucial role in enhancing WBCP’s social media presence and supports our marketing and procurement department with her expertise. Jami is responsible for developing and executing social media strategies, creating engaging content, campaign coordination, and maintaining brand consistency across all platforms. Known for her dedication to the community, positive attitude, and proactive approach, Jami is committed to providing exceptional support to the entire WBCP Team.

Lane Nolan, Recruitment Assistant

Lane serves as one of WBCP’s Recruitment Assistants, bringing with him over eight years of experience in customer service, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His experience in the hospitality sector to WBCP reflects his dedication to serving others. In his role, Lane provides invaluable support to the leadership team, meticulously reviewing resumes, coordinating with candidates, and ensuring a seamless recruitment process. His proficiency in customer service, enables him to navigate complexities with ease, fostering efficiency and excellence. Lane’s dedication to understanding both candidate and organizational needs establishes him as an asset to the WBCP team.

Jayce Herbold, Recruitment Assistant

Jayce is a Recruitment Assistant at WBCP, where he leverages his extensive background in customer service and operational efficiency to support recruitment processes. With experience across hospitality, banking, and agriculture, Jayce excels in managing high-volume environments and fostering positive client relationships. His administrative expertise includes managing detailed records, facilitating onboarding processes, resolving customer inquiries efficiently, and streamlining workflows using various software tools. Known for his adaptability, strong communication skills, and collaborative approach, Jayce is dedicated to contributing to WBCP’s recruitment success and delivering exceptional results.

Dee Larez, Recruitment Assistant

Dee brings over 25 years of administrative and customer service experience to her role as Recruitment Assistant at WBCP, with a background spanning the private and public sectors. As an Escrow Officer and Assistant, she developed expertise in escrow processes, legal documents, and real estate transactions, excelling in commercial, residential, foreclosure, and short-sale dealings. Dee’s administrative career includes managing front-office operations, providing HR and accounting support, serving as an executive assistant, and planning corporate events. In the public sector, she played a key role in handling accounts receivable/payable, utility billing audits, record-keeping, business licenses, payroll, and HR functions. Known for her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality, Dee is an adaptable professional who delivers exceptional support and efficiency, making her a valuable asset to the WBCP team.

Katie Garrotto, Recruitment Assistant

Katie is one of WBCP’s talented Recruitment Assistants. She brings a wealth of customer service expertise garnered from years in retail and property management roles. With a knack for problem-solving and a positive attitude, she thrives in dynamic environments where adaptability is key. Katie’s passion for helping others shines through in her dedication to assisting both clients and colleagues alike. Katie approaches each day with a willingness to learn and grow, establishing her as a vital contributor to the WBCP team.

Organizational Leadership

Christy Wurster, City Manager Consultant

Christy Wurster is a consultant aiding in the recruitment of city managers and other organizational leaders. She has worked in local government in Oregon since 1995 and has served in various positions up to and including City Manager. She also helps cities going through leadership transitions and works as an interim city manager until they can recruit a new manager. Christy holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree from Western Baptist College (now Corban University). She has served as president for the Oregon City/County Management Association, the Oregon Public Purchasing Association, and the Silverton Rotary Club. She also held one of three city manager positions on the League of Oregon Cities Board of Directors between 2015 and 2018. Christy is known for her work in budget development and oversite as well as project management of infrastructure projects. She loves traveling and helping cities secure excellent leaders!

Alan Rosen, Executive Recruiter/ Senior Advisor

Alan Rosen, MPA, ICMA-CM, is a seasoned public sector professional, with nearly two decades of management experience and a commitment to enhancing organizational effectiveness. An ICMA Credentialed Manager and doctoral candidate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Alan has held leadership roles including County Manager for Lake County, FL, and Assistant City Manager for Port Orange, FL. His expertise spans executive recruitment, process improvement, performance measurement, and organizational analysis. A certified coach in LeAD Labs, EQi-2.0, and Five Archetypes frameworks, Alan is a sought-after facilitator and trainer, delivering impactful sessions on emotional intelligence, leadership development, and customer service for governments nationwide. His educational credentials include a Master of Public Administration from Rockefeller College and certifications in LEAN Process Improvement, Advanced Facilitation, and Six Sigma. Alan’s dynamic approach and dedication to professional development make him a valuable asset to local government organizations.

Public Safety & Fire

Chief William O. Landis, Public Safety Consultant

Chief Landis specializes in public safety searches including police, EMS, medical examiner, 911 dispatch, and fire leadership positions. With over 30 years of law enforcement and Fire experience, he has served in multiple roles including Police Officer, Firefighter, School Resource Officer, Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective, Detective Sergeant, SWAT Team Member/ Commander, Negotiations Team Member, Operations Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, Police Chief, and Public Safety Director. Chief Landis was certified as a Firefighter I, Deputy Medical Examiner and holds an Executive Management Certification from DPSST (highest police certification in Oregon). He is a former member of the International Association of Police (IACP), Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), and served as an adjunct criminology professor at Rogue Community College for 10 years.

While serving as Public Safety Director, he created programs such as a “Sobering Center” which required changes in legislation but was an alternative to arrests, mobile food kitchens which served food to the homeless without impacting specific neighborhoods, a Nuisance Intervention Team which addressed nuisance issues affecting the community, and created a “School Marshal Program” which utilizes retired police officers to assist with school safety at an affordable price.

He served 25 years in the United States Navy (6 years active and 19 in the Reserves). He retired from the Navy in 2008 as a Navy Chief Submariner having served in the Navy’s nuclear submarine service.

He holds a Master’s degree in Justice Administration and Crime Management from Bellevue University, a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from Eastern Oregon University, and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Rogue Community College.

William Racowschi, Fire Consultant

William Racowschi is one of WBCP’s Fire and Public Safety Consultants, bringing over 35 years of public sector experience. William served as the Fire Chief, and previously the Administrative Division Chief, for the City of Torrance before his retirement in 2015. As the Department’s Administrative Division Chief, William was responsible for its Direction, Control and Communications programs. In that capacity, he was responsible for the administrative and communication functions of the Torrance Fire Department. He oversaw the directing, testing, and hiring of personnel as well as integrating the Department’s dispatching function with the Police Department’s public safety communication center. As a Shift Battalion Chief, he directed the Department’s Fire Suppression and Technical Rescue programs, overseeing training, budget, inventory, and implementation of new systems that brought efficiency to departmental operations. During his time as Fire Captain, he served as a Station Supervisor for an area responsible for a 150,000 barrels-per-day production refinery. While serving as the Department’s Training Coordinator, he was responsible for training several fire recruits classes. William holds a bachelor’s degree in vocational studies from California State University, Long Beach.

Library

Rivkah Sass, Library Consultant

Rivkah Sass received her master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington and spent 40 years working in public and state library environments throughout the country as well as in the private sector as a product manager. For the past 12 years, Rivkah has been the Library Director & CEO of Sacramento Public Library, the first library to receive the Gerald M. Kline Community Impact Prize (2019). Rivkah was also Library Journal’s 2006 Librarian of the Year, the 2018 University of Washington iSchool Distinguished Alumna, and the 2020 recipient of the Public Library Association’s Charlie Robinson Award.

 

In loving memory of a great friend and mentor:

Carl Crown, Human Resources, IT & Facilitation Consultant

Carl had over 35 years of experience in Human Resources and Training. He served as Director of Human Resources for the County of Orange (retired), where he supported 25 decentralized departments in all human resource capacities. His many accomplishments include redesigning and implementing the County’s new selection rules (a comprehensive approach to marketing open positions), streamlining the selection process, recruiter assessment, and overall improvement in the efficiencies and effectiveness of recruiting throughout the County. During his time with the U.S. Coast Guard, Carl served as the Commanding Officer for Coast Guard bases in Honolulu, HI and Southern California, before ultimately retiring as the Director of Training and Development.

Throughout his career, Carl worked on various initiatives including agency and department reorganizations, comprehensive classification and compensation reviews, job redesign efforts and decentralization of Human Resources functions. He also oversaw application development and support and business development, and was responsible for day-to-day operations of the Orange County Data Center and delivery of all Wide Area Network services across the County.

He held a Master’s of Arts, Organizational and Human Resource Development from George Washington University; a Bachelor’s of Science, Biology, University of Florida.