Mike Starich grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended college at Marquette University on an NROTC scholarship. After graduating, Mike served seven years in the US Marine Corps, separating as a Captain in 1992, at which time he joined Orion International as a JMO Recruiter. Within Orion, Mike has served as Operations Manager, Chief Operations Officer, and Vice President of JMO Operations and was promoted to President effective January 1, 2006.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years and their three children. They are active in their church and with the local Boy Scout Troop in Austin, Texas.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Be humble, work hard, and be honest.
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
Since I was hired in 1992, I have been afforded great freedom of action, responsibility, and opportunity. Further, having the opportunity to continue to make a difference for transitioning veterans is very rewarding. Though this can be a lucrative career choice for successful people, the job satisfaction goes beyond the paycheck.
Steve Bjerke
Chief Financial Officer, Orion ICG, LLC
Steve Bjerke is originally from Michigan, and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Accounting. After graduation, he joined the audit department of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Detroit
and became a CPA; following his time at PWC, he served in several finance and administrative positions at Ryder System, Inc. (transportation).
Steve moved on to become the Chief Financial Officer of LNR Property Corporation, a manager/investor in commercial real estate based in Miami Beach, FL, before joining the Orion
team as Chief Financial Officer in January of 2008. Steve, his wife and children currently reside in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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If you could give just one piece of advice to a transitioning military professional, what would it be?
In any business relationship, there is nothing more important than honesty or integrity.
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What is the one thing you like most about working at Orion?
It’s great to be part of an organization that provides rewarding opportunities to those that have served our country.
Tim Isacco
Vice President of Sales, Orion International
After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1988, Tim served as an Infantry Officer on assignments including Germany and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Tim joined the Orion team after separating from the Army, and was initially hired as an Account Executive. Throughout his Orion career, Tim has served in many different roles including Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Vice President of Operations, and now Vice President of Sales and Senior Partner. Tim is married and has three children, Madeline, Rachel, and Jack. Outside of work, Tim is President of the Triangle Area (Raleigh, North Carolina) West Point Society.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Think long term, and focus on how your next job will influence and prepare you to meet your
ultimate career goals.
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
I like the people that I work with at Orion, as well as our clients and candidates. Together we can solve almost all obstacles and find the right job for the right person.
Brian Henry
Vice President of Operations (Officer Recruiting), Orion International
Brian's journey with Orion has taken him from Account Executive to Candidate Recruiter to Operations Manager and Regional Manager, to his current position of Vice President of Operations (Officer Recruiting). Brian came to Orion with a BS from Pennsylvania State University and 11 years of service in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer. He is also a Ranger School, Airborne School, and Amphibious Warfare School Graduate. Aside from spending time at Orion and with his wife, this sports enthusiast also manages his kids' little league team and serves on the San Carlos Little League Board of Directors.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Be as open minded as possible as you start the transition process. There are countless opportunities and career paths out there to consider, most to which you may have had no exposure. So get yourself prepared to interview, talk with your recruiter, and try to figure out what you are looking for in your next career. Be realistic and take a "big picture" look at where you want to be five and ten years from now. Realize that your first job is just getting your foot in the door. Your hard work, leadership abilities, energy, and commitment will drive your success!
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
There are many things I have enjoyed about my time at Orion. First, it is the people. Nearly everyone in the company is former military. One of the things I loved most about the Marine Corps was the people I worked with and for, and the same holds true here. Secondly, it is the competitive environment. There are new challenges and new goals to hit every month. The team works hard and keeps setting the bar higher year after year. Lastly, it is our Purpose. We are in the business of creating opportunities for our fellow service members. We all sacrificed and served our country, and we take pride in knowing that we can help others like us make a smooth transition into new careers when their time in the military is up. Our business perpetuates itself. Every person we place into a company carries the torch for the next group of people entering the service. When they do well, they further the strong reputation of the types of candidates that leave the military each year.
Bill Key
Vice President of Technical Recruiting, Orion International
Bill graduated from Little Cypress Mauriceville High School in Orange, Texas, and joined the Navy in 1977. After attending Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, Bill was assigned to the navigation division on the USS Gato and then went to the Operations Department of Submarine Squadron 4 in Charleston, South Carolina, for several years. Bill served as Assistant Navigator onboard USS Batfish and then completed another tour with Submarine Squadron 4, followed by an assignment to NROTC Texas A&M University until his retirement from the Navy in 1997.
After retiring, Bill immediately started with Orion International as a Candidate Recruiter and has moved up the ranks within Orion serving as Recruiting Manager and Operations Manager. Bill is now the Vice President of Technical Recruiting. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and golf.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Go after the "Opportunity", whatever it may be, with a Passion. Don't hamstring yourself with unrealistic salary expectations or geographic restrictions.
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
Working with Orion has given me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands of service members leaving the Armed Services. I believe they will have a positive impact in Corporate America.
Vearl Williams
Senior Partner, Orion Engineering Solutions
Vearl joined the Army in Texas in December of 1972, serving in Air Defense from PVT to Brigade level CSM, earning his college degree from the University of Central Texas in the process. In November 1995, Vearl retired after 23 years of service. He joined the Orion Team in October 1995 to start the Career Network Division as a Technical Field Recruiter. Career Network was the very first service to find careers in corporate America for enlisted leaders and technicians. Vearl moved up through the company working in the positions of Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Vice President of Technical Recruiting, and now running Orion’s Engineering Solutions division, which provides Engineer recruiting services to a variety of industries.
Vearl resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife Sun of over 30 years. They have two sons, Melvin and Raymond, both of whom are proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces as young officers.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Make sure you check out the market early and use the many resources at your disposal, from the transition centers and job placement centers to recruiting firms. Build a solid foundation for your next career move. Do not get locked into the cliché of feeling you must return home, making emotional decisions that you may later regret. As your career beyond the military gets started, move to where you and your family have the greatest opportunity to thrive in the marketplace. Those early decisions can mean the difference between success and failure.
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
The great thing about working at Orion is the tremendous opportunity that is available if you reach out and take it. That, coupled with the fact that we help veterans start their second career in corporate America, delivers great job satisfaction!
Dave Bakkeby
Western Regional Sales Manager, Senior Partner, Orion International
Dave put his MSA in Business from Central Michigan University to work both in his five years as a Marine Corps Ground Supply Officer and in his twelve years with the Orion team. He spent five of those years with Orion as an Account Executive and the last seven as a Regional Sales Manager and Senior Partner. Dave's family includes his wife Jami, a school teacher, and their two sons, Chase and Alec. Aside from golfing and snowboarding, Dave enjoys coaching and playing baseball and soccer with
his boys.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Prepare! This is one of your greatest transitions in life. What you end up doing next will shape and form the rest of your career. Do your homework, know yourself, including strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments; and most of all bring your "A" game to the interview.
Steve Casey
South Central Regional Sales Manager, Senior Partner, Orion International
Steve graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1989 and served as an Army Infantry Officer with the 101st Airborne Division, including service in the Gulf War. After experience with a medical device manufacturer in Michigan, Steve joined the Orion team at the end of 1994 as one of the first Account Executives in the West. He has held a variety of positions at Orion, including Director of National Accounts, and he also created and ran Orion's first Strategic Account Management Program, and led all sales training for several years at Orion. In 2002, Steve and two of Orion's Senior Partners created a new company-NStar Global Services-an international technical contracting company. Steve has managed Orion's largest region for the past six years and is now a Senior Partner.
Steve is an avid scuba diver and is active in Veterans' organizations. He helped start the Joint Service Academy Networking Organization in Central Texas and serves on the boards of that organization and the West Point Society of Central Texas. Steve and his wife, Susan, have two kids.
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If you could give just one piece of career advice to a transitioning military professional,
what would it be?
Read and write out answers to questions from books such as The Interviewing Handbook for Military Leaders and Knock 'Em Dead. Practice your main interview answers out loud, and, most importantly, time yourself and look in mirror as you answer the most important question -"Tell me about yourself." Don't underestimate the importance of preparation. Prepare for interviews as you would prepare for a very important test or promotion.
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What do you like most about working at Orion?
The opportunity to learn about and consult with all kinds of companies in America, while helping veterans make an important life transition. I enjoy doing all of that, while working for the top company in our business, in an entrepreneurial, fast-growth company environment. At Orion, you have the ability to create success for yourself every day while helping others like yourself. Orion is also the place where you can learn how to grow and run new businesses. This is something you will not find in any other company in our business.
