Connie Kreft - Founding Partner
Originally from Michigan, Connie currently enjoys living the (wild)life on the Front Range of Colorado. Her formal education includes a degree in forestry and a master’s degree in business administration.
She formed HDG in 2017 to create a more relationship-oriented approach to helping both clients and candidates than she had previously experienced. She has developed many long-term relationships with both clients and candidates that extend nationwide and include several U.S. markets, and supports a mix of clients from multibillion-dollar international firms to smaller boutique-type firms.
Connie finds a strong calling to give back and in doing so, HDG has adopted a philanthropic practice for Heller DeLand of tithing.
Connie has the tenacity and ability to advise organizations throughout the entire talent management process to ensure they are recruiting the right leaders for their needs. Her work is also defined by her network of diverse, high-quality candidates, allowing her to provide clients with exceptional slates of executives to consider. Connie and her team focus on recruiting a variety of functional areas from director to vice president.
Connie is known to be an honest, direct, and transparent professional. Both Candidates and Clients have shared their appreciation for her approach to communication and dedication to learning about them and their professional needs. The Heller DeLand Team does not simply collect resumes – quality, targeted time is spent with every person. Sometime there isn’t a fit with either candidate or client and if that is the case, she’ll tell you. She doesn’t waste anyone’s time.
When she’s not in the office - you’ll find her (most often) outside exploring the mountains of Colorado!
Arthur Hughes - Executive Client Partner
Arthur has been an Executive Client Partner at Heller DeLand Group since early 2019. He also works with high-potential individuals seeking to enhance their leadership skills to reach new levels in their careers, as well as providing job search coaching and development for those who wish to grow in their respective profession and/or transition to other industries.
As a value-oriented leader, he leverages his strong background to approach businesses as a problem solver. He bridges the gap between company, candidate, and recruiter because of his varied roles and extensive experience in all aspects of job search and recruitment. He understands what works and what does not, and uses these skills to create value for his clients.
Prior to joining Heller DeLand, he had a successful career as a global executive in Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Business Development with over 30 years of experience accelerating growth and implementing transformational change across a wide range of companies, primarily in the automotive industry, delivering positive results straight to the P&L.
Arthur holds an MBA from the University of Findlay, specializing in Organizational Development, and a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky – and is a true Blue Kentucky Wildcats fan!
He is an active member of the Career Thought Leaders as a Career Industry Authority, and is a certified Digital Brand Strategist, helping individuals create their stories and establish their online presence. He also offers career and job search strategies through speaking engagements.
Happily married and proud father of two children, Arthur also shares his time teaching and mentoring students at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is actively involved in several local advisory committees. Perhaps most importantly, Arthur is a budding actor, working on multiple productions of television movies and series as a background actor, hoping to claim his 15 minutes of fame!