Recruiting Five-Star Talent
that doesn’t just show up in your inbox.

Where hidden talent become hired talent.

Optimize Your Hiring Process with Our Expert Recruiting Firm

We are a recruiting firm that specializes in placing top talent in manufacturing, engineering, and other industrial settings. At Fivestar Talent Advisors, we understand that in high-stakes industrial environments, the right talent is pivotal. Our goal is to connect exemplary professionals with businesses that demand excellence, driving both personal and organizational growth.

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At Fivestar Talent Advisors, we specialize in permanent placements across critical sectors, including manufacturing, industrial, and corporate leadership roles. Our aim is to forge long-term partnerships between seasoned professionals and forward-thinking companies. Whether you require a transformative plant leader, a visionary engineer, or a strategic C-level executive, our placements are designed to enhance your team’s capabilities from day one.

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What Makes Us Stand Out

With decades of experience in multi-faceted businesses and roles, Fivestar Talent Advisors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the recruiting table. Our track record spans from operations to engineering and up to C-level positions, equipping us with the insights to place roles up and down the organizational chart.

We pride ourselves on our unique ability to find the right fit. Candidates who aren’t just placeholders but key players who integrate seamlessly into your culture. This tailored approach results in placements that often exceed industry standards for tenure and impact. Dependability, integrity, and precision are the cornerstones of our recruiting philosophy, ensuring we deliver talent built to last.

About Us
Elise Shepherd

Elise Shepherd

Senior Talent Advisor

I’m a Senior Talent Advisor with Fivestar Talent Advisors, where I specialize in recruiting talent across manufacturing, engineering, and industrial operations. I partner with companies that need more than a stack of resumes. They need someone who understands the people side of hiring, communicates honestly, and can identify talent that aligns with both the role and the long-term direction of the business. 

I take a relationship-driven and transparent approach to recruiting. Whether I’m partnering with a hiring manager on a critical search or helping a candidate navigate an important career move, my goal is always the same: create strong, lasting connections that make a meaningful impact for both sides.

Reach out to me today: [email protected] or by calling: (334) 442-9604

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Gabrielle Plutino

Senior Talent Advisor

I’ve always been passionate about people, relationships, and helping others find opportunities where they can truly grow and succeed. As a Senior Talent Advisor with Fivestar Recruit, I specialize in recruiting within manufacturing, aerospace, engineering, and industrial industries, partnering with companies to help them find exceptional talent while also helping candidates navigate important career decisions with confidence.

What I enjoy most about recruiting is that no two searches are ever the same. Every company has a different culture, every hiring manager has unique goals, and every candidate has their own story, motivations, and aspirations. I take pride in building genuine relationships and understanding the bigger picture behind each opportunity so I can create long-term, meaningful matches rather than simply filling positions.

My approach is relationship-driven and highly consultative. I believe communication, trust, and transparency are some of the most important parts of the hiring process. Whether I’m working with a company searching for specialized engineering talent or speaking with a candidate considering a life-changing career move, I strive to make the experience personal, professional, and thoughtful.

Reach out to me today at [email protected] or by calling (417) 768-9130.

Sheri Stephens

Sheri Stephens

Executive Technical Recruiter

Sheri specializes in recruiting for specialized and hard-to-fill positions across manufacturing, engineering, healthcare and professional leadership sectors. She is known for her relationship-driven approach, strategic outreach, and ability to build trust with both clients and candidates throughout the search process.

With a strong focus on communication and long-term partnership, Sheri works closely with organizations to identify talent aligned not only with technical requirements, but also with company culture and long-term goals. Her approach combines persistence, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow through the right people.

Reach out to me today: [email protected] or by calling: (417)680-4315

Nicholas Foligno

Nicholas Foligno

Senior Talent Advisor

Nick Foligno joined Fivestar Recruit after a successful 40 – years in the utility and energy sectors, most notably as a Senior Account Executive with Eversource Energy and Manager of Storm Support for Tempest Utility Consulting.

At Eversource, Nick served as the single point of contact for large commercial, industrial and municipal customers, acting as the liaison on complex service installations and infrastructural upgrades. His role required strong operational insight, customer advocacy and coordination across multiple stakeholders.

During his tenure at Tempest Utility Consulting, Nick developed and executed the firm’s marketing and recruiting strategy, helping recruit over 250 utility and first responder professionals to support nationwide storm restoration and project work. He also created training programs to ensure all personnel were fully prepared prior to deployment.

Nick is passionate about helping professionals advance their careers by identifying opportunities not typically found online, bringing decades of experience and a relationship-driven approach to every search.

Reach out to me today: [email protected] or by calling: (239)349-5473

Cory Calhoun

Cory Calhoun

Co-Owner

I’m the Co-Founder of Fivestar Talent Advisors, where I partner with companies that are looking for more than resumes — they want long-term solutions that strengthen their teams and culture. With over 18 years of experience in professional recruiting, I’ve helped organizations find the right fit while helping professionals take meaningful steps forward in their careers.

While the awards and recognition have been appreciated, my approach has been shaped most by feedback that comes long after the start date. A good recruiter’s role is to present opportunities, provide honest insight, and help people make the best decision for their situation.

Hidden talent becomes hired talent when you communicate with transparency and prioritize strong relationships. The result is life-changing connections between great companies and exceptional professionals who might never have found each other without our help.

Reach out to me today: [email protected] or by calling: (417) 990-5919

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Tim Scott

Principal Talent Advisor

I’m an experienced Principal Talent Advisor that is eager to partner with client companies that need me to strategically recruit and deliver 5-Star Recruits. I’m sourcing the best career professionals on the planet. Thankfully, I was introduced to Professional Recruiting over 14 years ago and have never looked back. This is my dream job, as I get to help people every day for a living. I’ve honed my skills working within organizations that are routinely ranked in the top twenty percent of offices in the MRINetwork, worldwide. Those organizations are a big part of the foundation that led me to launching Fivestar Talent Advisors. A company that will be built on showcasing 5-Star Talent!

My approach is simple; operate with complete integrity and treat people with respect. I highly value all my professional relationships and if given the opportunity to work with you, I’ll do my very best to earn your trust and always interact with total transparency on your behalf.

Reach out to me today: [email protected] or by calling: (417) 605-7169