We take the time to understand the why behind a hire, or a career move. That’s how we reduce poor hires, improve retention, and help people land in roles where they can thrive.
We’re not a national agency trying to learn the market from a distance. We’re part of it. and that local perspective helps us make smarter, more human connections every day.
Our team has deep, long-standing relationships with Phoenix-area employers, IT leaders, and technologists. We understand the nuances of the local market. As Phoenix continues to attract technology investment and innovation, we’re closely connected to the people driving that progress.
People first, always.
No ghosting. No scripts. No pressure.
Candor over comfort.
We set realistic expectations and say the hard things when needed.
Depth over volume.
We don’t flood inboxes with resumes or blast job openings.
Partnership, not placement.
Whether you’re hiring or job searching, our goal isn’t a one-time transaction. It’s long-term success.
Behind Phoenix Staff is a team of recruiters, partners, and leaders who care deeply about the work they do and the people they do it with. Click around below to get to know them.
Allen Plunkett
Founder
Allen Plunkett launched Phoenix Staff in 2002 with a simple belief: hiring should feel human. For more than two decades, he and his team have helped organizations ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 enterprises build stronger technology teams by focusing on relationships, integrity, and long-term fit.
Allen has built a reputation for finding exceptional talent and creating long-lasting client partnerships. He is also deeply committed to mentorship and community impact, serving on the boards of New Pathways for Youth, Foster Angels of Central Texas, and Nevada Child Seekers. Outside of work, he is a devoted husband to Angelica and proud dad to his son, Kenny, a lifelong dog lover, a boxer, and Boston Red Sox supporter.
Lauren Hauser
Director of Operations
Lauren Hauser is the Director of Operations at Phoenix Staff, where she supports the recruiting and sales teams, keeps internal processes running smoothly, and helps strengthen the experience for both candidates and clients. She joined the company in 2023 and loves building helpful systems, developing people, and making sure the way Phoenix Staff works always reflects its values.
Lauren lives in Washington state with her husband and their two quirky dogs, Kai and Millie. Outside of work, you can usually find her trail running, reading, crafting, or planning her next adventure.
Joy Zhang
Account Executive II
Joy Zhang graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Environmental Science and Technology and landed in Arizona post-grad.
She comes from a mortgage background and moved into the IT space 3 years ago. When she’s not working, Joy can be found at happy hour, shopping, or sculpting/painting ceramics.
Matt Owens
Senior Recruiter
A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Matt Owens has been in the recruiting industry for over 13 years. He joined Phoenix Staff in January 2006 and is tasked with helping develop the Technical side of the business. Matt is highly regarded for his ability to cultivate long-term relationships with candidates and his determination to identify the right fit for their background and career goals. The key to his success stems from considering the best results for the candidate and the client equally when looking at an opportunity.
Mitchell Stokes
Technical Recruiter
Mitchell Stokes graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2016 with a degree in Music Education, and a concentration in Clarinet Performance. He taught Middle School music for 6 years in the Charlotte area before deciding to pursue recruiting. He relocated to Raleigh, NC in 2023 to be closer to family where he now resides with his temperamental and noisy roommate, an orange tabby cat named Graham.
Mitchell loves to read, watch reality television, and hang out with friends at local breweries around town. He is an avid crafter with a particular love for crochet, typically having a project within reach of any call. He and his partner can usually be found cooking at home, exploring local markets, or catching a concert around town.
During Mitchell’s time with Phoenix Staff, he has excelled at connecting top technical talent with new opportunities in the Phoenix Area and beyond. He enjoys working within Software, Architecture, Data, and Project Management verticals of the tech space.
John Maher
Technical Recruiter
John Maher is a seasoned technical recruiter in Tempe, Arizona, with a 25-year track record in the field. A graduate of the University of Colorado Denver with a degree in Communications and the University of Phoenix where he studied Business, John brings a wealth of knowledge to Phoenix Staff.
When he’s not connecting top talent with innovative companies, John enjoys entertaining, travelling, exploring the culinary world, and embracing the great outdoors. His passion for recruitment stems from a genuine love for the profession and has shaped his collaborative and people-oriented approach to recruiting.
Kyara Smith
Technical Recruiter
Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Kyara Smith combines a background in IT and Human Services with a passion for helping people find their next great job. With experience in both tech and recruiting, she brings a well-rounded and energetic approach to every search. Whether she’s sourcing standout candidates or tackling new challenges, she brings her full effort – and a growth mindset – to the table. When she’s off the clock, you’ll find her exploring new food spots, catching a sci-fi flick, or planning her next getaway.
Olena Yerko
Technical Sourcer
Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Olena Yerko brings a global perspective and dual Master’s degrees in Psychology and International Business Management to her role at Phoenix Staff. Her background in psychology shapes her technical sourcing style, blending data-driven strategy with a fundamental understanding of people to connect the right talent with the right opportunities.
Olena specializes in sourcing and engaging in-demand technical professionals across competitive markets. She pairs thoughtful candidate outreach with innovative market research to create meaningful connections and deliver strong hiring results. Her work centers on clear communication, relationship building, and delivering a positive experience for candidates and the recruiting team. Known for her proactive mindset and passion for solving complex hiring challenges, Olena is driven by curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement. She actively explores new sourcing tools, refines her techniques, and seeks better ways to connect talented professionals with high-impact opportunities. She remains dedicated to professional growth and ongoing learning. Outside of work, Olena enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter, experimenting with new recipes, and hosting board game nights with family and friends.
Kyle Marker
Accountant
Kyle is a Controller with 15+ years of experience in accounting and finance, mainly in the IT staffing world. He’s all about keeping the numbers clean, the processes smooth, and the team supported. He has a knack for taking complex financial information and making it clear, usable, and stress-free for everyone around him.
When he’s not working, Kyle is usually outside. Boating, fishing, mountain biking, golfing—you name it—if it gets him outdoors, he’s in. He also loves spending quality time with his family, whether they’re out on an adventure or just relaxing together.. His dog, Marty, is often right there with him, always ready to join in on the fun, whether it’s a hike, a trip on the boat, or just hanging out at home. It’s his way of hitting reset and staying energized for whatever comes next.
Erin “Q” Broccolo
HR and Recruiting Administrator
Erin has been with Phoenix Staff since 2014 as a Presentation Specialist, Start Paperwork Wrangler, Recruiter Support Team, etc. She has become the office go-to for all things needing to be-done. Erin graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors in Broadcasting, which she utilized for several years in Los Angeles working in television and film, before realizing that L.A. just wasn’t home and returned to Arizona for many years before moving to Oregon with her husband, Paul, their young son Joe and their sweet and silly pit bull/chihuahua Eevee.
Matthew West
Recruiting Coordinator
Matthew first started with Phoenix Staff as a summer intern to help with our first-ever big data project. He’s also worked in sports radio and was quicker than Google on random sports stats as the “puter” for F1rst Row 60 talk show. He has a knack for social media promotion and has worked most recently on Allen’s Rewired Mind podcast as the Outreach Manager.
Matthew graduated from Grand Canyon University with a BA in English and is targeting a future career as a screenwriter. He enjoys learning about people and their journeys that got them to where they are today and has a passion for film and writing. He enjoys watching movies (crime and Sci-fi), sports (Packers, Red Sox, Suns), and listening to music (mostly film scores).
