New chief operating officer, business development leader and CertainPath partnership position the skilled trades search firm to meet rising demand for experienced technicians and leaders

HAYMARKET, Va., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Work With Your Handz, an executive search and recruiting firm dedicated exclusively to the skilled trades, today announced a year of growth that included two key leadership hires, an expanded executive search and skilled trades recruiting team and a new recruiting partnership with CertainPath. The momentum earned the company a spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.

The investments come as employers across the trades compete for a shrinking pool of experienced talent. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimates the construction industry must attract 349,000 net new workers in 2026 and another 456,000 in 2027, with retirements driving most of this year’s demand.

“As our clients grow, their hiring needs are becoming more complex, and we’re evolving alongside them. We’ve invested in experienced leadership, expanded our recruiting capabilities, and strengthened our strategic partnerships to better support that growth,” said Kelly Presgrave, president and CEO of Work With Your Handz. “Heading into 2027, we’re building on our foundation in residential services while expanding our reach in commercial and industrial markets and executive search. It’s an exciting next chapter for Work With Your Handz.”

That investment started with leadership. In January, Tyler Starr joined the company as business development leader, focused on growing the firm’s client base and building partnerships with companies that need skilled talent to grow. In July, Kateri O’Grady joined as chief operating officer. O’Grady has since led the expansion of the firm’s executive search and skilled trades team, hiring recruiters who pair search expertise with firsthand knowledge of the trades.

“A resume can tell you someone holds a license. It takes a recruiter who knows the trades to tell whether that person can lead a crew, troubleshoot a system or grow a service department,” said O’Grady. “Building a team with that firsthand knowledge has made a real difference for the companies we serve.”

The same focus on fit guides the clients Work With Your Handz chooses to work with. The firm partners with organizations that value skilled tradespeople and are committed to building strong teams for the long term, an approach that has deepened client relationships and kept results consistent as the business has grown.

That approach led to a new partnership in September 2026 with CertainPath, a coaching and business development organization that has helped HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roofing contractors grow their businesses for more than 25 years. Through the partnership, Work With Your Handz serves as a recruiting partner to CertainPath members, helping residential and commercial contractors find the technicians and leaders they need to grow.

“Contractors who invest in their people are the ones who keep growing, and those are the partners we look for,” said Starr. “Our partnership with CertainPath connects us with businesses that share that mindset, and those relationships will drive our growth in 2027.”

With industry demand projected to climb again next year, Work With Your Handz plans to continue expanding its executive search team in 2027, adding experienced recruiters with deep trades knowledge to meet growing demand for skilled leaders across the industry.

For more information, visit workwithyourhandz.com.

About Work With Your Handz
Work With Your Handz, a 2026 Inc. 5000 honoree, is an executive search and recruiting firm specializing in the skilled trades. Headquartered in Haymarket, Virginia, the firm’s recruiters combine search expertise with real-world trades knowledge to connect employers with the skilled professionals and leaders who keep their businesses running. The company partners with organizations that value the trades and are committed to building strong, lasting teams. Learn more at workwithyourhandz.com.

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SOURCE Work With Your Handz