Mission

Our mission is to work closely with clients that have a passion for excellence and a values-driven leadership culture, increasing their human capital retention and growing their profits by recruiting high-performance candidates aligned by character, competency, and cultural chemistry.

Vision

Our vision is to be the preeminent recruiting services provider for the hospitality industry by living out our core values of caring, faith, initiative, responsibility, and ethical practice into everything we do.

Value Propositions

Our passion is to put all of our focus and energy into our clients’ human capital needs, fully carrying that burden so they can focus on operational excellence. Through trustful client relationships, we create and deliver solutions that attract, retain, and sustain exceptional executive and management leaders.

We build long-term respectful relationships with the highest quality candidates who consistently demonstrate character, competency, and strong work ethic to strengthen the organizations for which they work.

Team

Quality Service. Exceptional Insight.

With years of experience in high quality service operations and exceptional insight into your company’s staffing needs and cultural challenges, our team will help lead your company into a new stage of success.

Joseph D’Alessandro
Founder

Experience Overview
Joseph spent 15 years in leadership positions in hospitality operations before becoming a full-time executive recruiter in 2000. Joseph founded SHS in 2002 and has grown the business from a one-person outfit to a full team of dedicated experts. Along the way, he co-founded a private-label manufacturing company, became the Career Services Director at an elite culinary school, and made significant contributions to his community through non-profit ministry and trade organizations. Joseph studied Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Full Bio

Role
As Founder and CEO of SHS, Joseph is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the agency run smoothly and efficiently. He guides his team of experts in empowering their clients achieve higher levels of success.

First Job
Runner at the Chicago Board of Trade, age 14

Trade Associations
American Culinary Federation (ACF), Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFE), Christian Business Fellowship (CBF), Research Chefs Association (RCA), Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA), Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

John Swanson

Bio

Role
As executive recruiter, John thoughtfully places senior-level professionals in a variety of successful companies throughout the United States while ensuring that both clients and candidates achieve greater success and more fulfilled lives.

Experience Overview
John began his career at then start-up company Levy Restaurants, where he managed multiple full-service concepts prior to spearheading the development of the Sports & Entertainment division, for which they have become world renowned. Beginning with one venue, John rose to Senior Vice President with P&L responsibility over 80 venues with $400 Million in annual revenues. Other leadership experience includes eight years as Vice President with Aramark Business Dining, and COO of a boutique restaurant company serving major metro airports.

First Job
Butcher Assistant, age 12

Laurie Daughton

Administration

Bio

Role
Laurie cares for our clients and candidates by ensuring that our office and systems function at full capacity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Experience Overview
Laurie spent 10 years in the Marketing Research and Client Service sectors with leading, multi-million dollar companies. Her specialties are in communication, strategy analysis and logistics. In addition to her BA in Marketing and Arts, Laurie gained culinary and hospitality experience while pursuing her Associate Degree in Culinary Arts at Elgin Community College.

First Job
Waitress at the first full-service Chick-Fil-A in Rome, Georgia, age 16

Trade Associations
American Culinary Federation (ACF), Research Chefs Association (RCA), and Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (CSIFT)

Julie Caruso

Accounting

Bio

Role
Julie oversees all accounting and financial functions to ensure that SHS operates with integrity and efficiency.

Experience Overview
Julie has extensive experience in all aspects of small business accounting and financial analysis. She has overseen accounting departments in high volume restaurants, manufacturers, and distributors, making her a perfect fit for SHS.

First Job
Host at Little Sicily Pizza, age 14

COMMUNITY

Our expert staff remains consistently connected through trade associations and SHS supports several charitable organizations. Through these connections we give back to our communities and grow relationships with like-minded leaders throughout the United States.