MICHAEL FORTNER
House Springs,MO
Summary
Talent acquisition leader with extensive experience in corporate recruiting strategy and workforce planning at GardaWorld. Skilled in optimizing hiring processes and enhancing candidate experiences through data-driven decision-making. Proven ability to build strong partnerships with hiring managers to meet organizational objectives. Dedicated to delivering high-quality talent solutions.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Talent Leader
BEST Crowd Management
03.2023 - 02.2026
- Developed regional talent acquisition strategy for complex, multi-state organization, enhancing support for large enterprise clients and high-visibility partners.
- Led end-to-end recruiting strategy across multiple states, supporting corporate operations and client delivery teams.
- Partnered with senior operations leaders to forecast hiring demand and align recruiting capacity with business objectives.
- Standardized hiring practices and interview processes, improving consistency and quality of candidate communication.
- Built sustainable talent pipelines to support both planned growth and surge hiring needs.
- Acted as trusted TA advisor to leadership during rapid expansion and operational change, providing strategic insights for effective talent management.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with HR, operations, and compliance to ensure aligned hiring decisions.
- Onboarded non-profit organizations to volunteer with BEST in market venues to raise money for their organizations.
- GardaWorld Company
National FLEX Recruiter
GardaWorld Security Services U.S.
05.2021 - 03.2023
- Managed full-cycle recruiting for national enterprise clients, including Amazon, Bloomberg, and Google, ensuring alignment with client expectations.
- Delivered corporate recruiting support across U.S. for high-priority, high-impact roles, enhancing talent acquisition strategy.
- Provided centralized recruiting support for business units facing high turnover or aggressive growth, streamlining hiring processes.
- Partnered with hiring managers to define role requirements, interview criteria, and hiring timelines.
- Improved hiring speed while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
- Supported both corporate office and field-based roles across multiple markets.
Midwest Regional Recruiter
Champion National Security
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Managed full-cycle recruiting across multiple states in a corporate, multi-location environment.
- Streamlined candidate pipelines to align with ongoing hiring needs and enhance time-to-fill efficiency.
- Guided hiring managers on market conditions, compensation strategies, and candidate availability to optimize recruitment outcomes.
Owner – Consultant
Fortner Benefits Consulting
07.2014 - 10.2019
- Developed consultative relationships with executives and small-business owners, facilitating tailored solutions to meet specific business needs.
- Developed customized employee benefits packages for diverse client needs.
- Advised business leaders on employee benefits strategy, aligning offerings with company goals to improve talent attraction and retention.
- Analyzed market trends to identify optimal benefits solutions for clients.
- Conducted compliance audits to ensure adherence to regulations and best practices.
Locums Recruiter / Consultant
KPS Locums
05.2017 - 03.2019
- Partnered with medical directors and executives to align talent needs with patient care goals.
- Recruited physicians and healthcare professionals in highly regulated, relationship-driven environment, enhancing talent acquisition strategy.
- Built long-term pipelines through networking, direct sourcing, and campus relationships.
- Coordinated interviews, credentialing, and offer processes, streamlining hiring operations and ensuring compliance.
Executive Chef / Owner
Global Culinary Designs
06.2007 - 06.2014
- Redesigned menu and trained staff to enhance dining experience.
- Equipped staff and management with essential tools for operational success.
- Offer guidance on designing spaces for proper flow & efficiency.
- Developed tailored service packages for clients.
- Supplied resources enabling restaurant owners to expand their business.
Education
Advanced Culinary Arts -
Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Arts -
Oregon Gold Coast Culinary
Diploma -
Christian Brothers College High School
Skills
- Talent acquisition strategy
- Full-cycle recruiting
- Hiring manager partnership
- Candidate experience design
- Candidate relationship management
- Workforce planning
- ATS optimization
- Process improvement
- Process optimization
- Data-driven decisions
- Team leadership and mentorship
- Strategic planning
Timeline
Regional Talent Leader
BEST Crowd Management
03.2023 - 02.2026
National FLEX Recruiter
GardaWorld Security Services U.S.
05.2021 - 03.2023
Midwest Regional Recruiter
Champion National Security
04.2019 - 04.2020
Locums Recruiter / Consultant
KPS Locums
05.2017 - 03.2019
Owner – Consultant
Fortner Benefits Consulting
07.2014 - 10.2019
Executive Chef / Owner
Global Culinary Designs
06.2007 - 06.2014
Advanced Culinary Arts -
Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Arts -
Oregon Gold Coast Culinary
Diploma -
Christian Brothers College High School