GNR has developed an innovative, unique and strategically dedicated team approach. Our collaborative team effort and constant communication ensure we’re recruiting the best-qualified talent for you. Our recruiting team is comprised of industry experts who are well-established in their fields.
Meet the key leaders of our company, that guide GNR to find the talent you are not able to find on your own:
CEO and Co-Founder of GNR, Mike brings his entrepreneurial spirit, along with an extraordinary level of customer service to GNR. Mike’s integrity and high standards have built GNR to be the success that it is today. With over 24 years of recruiting experience, he has a proven history of success, which is demonstrated in two distinct ways:
First, GNR's success has been driven by Mike's ability to consult with our clients on strategic hiring solutions and the current market trends to deliver on critical key hires for clients worldwide. One reason why our clients keep coming back!
Second, he is a pivotal part of GNR's Account Management Team, mentoring team members on the newest and most innovative ways to gather details of any assignment and build lasting partnerships with our applicants and clientele. He’s built and developed a recruiting team that brings a degree of expertise and professionalism unseen in the recruiting industry.
As a degreed BSEE engineer with “hands-on” engineering and manufacturing experience, coupled with his operational expertise and knowledge, Mike is not just someone who delivers qualified individuals; but also advises companies and applicants throughout the search process to ensure there’s a good match for both parties.
Personal Interest & Fun Stuff: Family and two teenage kids. Fitness/High Intensity training, Hiking/Kayaking, Skiing, Cycling, Photography, Sports Cars which include High Performance Driving (HPDE)!!!
Board Member/Advisor positions include: Director of Personnel – Pittsford Crew and Advisor – Phello, LLC
Kurt Phelps
President & Co-Founder
Having attended one of the most prestigious engineering universities in the country, followed by working for a renowned engineering company and then a high-tech recruiting firm, Kurt soon realized that his true passion was to use his understanding of engineering and technology to support industry leaders in reaching their professional and personal goals. He founded GNR with business partner, Mike DeLaney, and 20 years later, it continues to be one of the most successful high-tech recruiting firms in the country.
Kurt’s drive to continuously improve and refine the recruiting process is one of the fundamental reasons for the GNR’s success. His innovative thinking has streamlined the way recruitment is done, resulting in the creation of world-class teams in companies throughout the high-tech arena. He believes in providing his recruiters with essential administrative support so they may focus on what they do best—recruiting. This approach allows for more calls into clients’ competitors to find parallel talent, while at the same time expanding GNR’s immense candidate database for future needs. Kurt’s strong relationships with his clients, coupled with his focus on understanding a candidate’s unique needs and qualifications, continually results in unparalleled success in providing the best candidate at the precise time.
Personal Interest & Fun Stuff: Family Sport Junkie, Coach Youth Basketball, Classic Cars Enthusiast, Fitness, Big Time Yankee Fan!
Nick Thompson
Executive VP of Recruiting
As a key member of GNR’s Executive Team, Nick is instrumental in the development of recruiting processes and innovative search techniques. Nick has been with GNR since 2005 and as the EVP of Recruiting, he oversees all GNR’s recruiting activities and is actively involved with Critical, Executive level and Retained searches. Nick brings an in-depth industry experience across various industries.
He has built long-standing relationships with many GNR candidates so much so that they frequently refer friends and colleagues to him. Nick’s exacting science behind his searches and stringent processes in pre-qualifying candidates is spot on!
Previously, Nick was a successful Sales Engineer for York International, and is a proud graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Krystle Zenner
Director of Client Relations & Project Coordinator
Krystle is a seasoned Administrator, with a diverse background which is an added benefit for GNR. She has been with GNR since 2011 running everything from overseeing new client development, managing candidate and client communications, tracking and monitoring KPIs and data analytics, coordinating and managing the research group and sourcing activities, organizational management, process improvements and much more.
Previously, Krystle was employed as the Surgical Recruitment Coordinator at the University of Rochester Medical Center / Strong Memorial Hospital reporting directly to the Chief of Surgery.
