Quick Contact
DefensePlacements, Inc.2656 White Sulphur Rd
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (678) 343-2742
Fax: (678) 343-2746
Info@DefensePlacements.com
Team Bios
Ken Selzer - Founder
ken@defenseplacements.com
Ken brings a wealth of experience to his clients and candidates to match not only skills and responsibilities, but also culture and chemistry. With over 26 years of recruiting top talent Ken knows and understands business issues and the unique defense sector. As a former senior executive (CEO) in industry and Air Force fighter pilot, Ken has knowledge and empathy for the 'change process' that affects both the client and candidate when a critical position is filled.
Ken's commercial career spans several continents in positions such as CEO, VP Technical Sales, General Manager and Director of International Operations. He firmly believes the one key attribute of all successful businesses is the desire and ability to have effective and proactive systems to attract and retain the very best (top) talent. Ken also developed and promoted the popular 4-F framework for business success: FAST, FOCUSED, FLEXIBLE, and FRIENDLY.
Ken received a B.S. in Engineering Sciences from Purdue University and a M.S. in Industrial Administration from the Krannert Business School at Purdue.
After graduating with honors from USAF flight training and advanced fighter school, Ken was stationed in New Mexico, Tripoli, Libya, and Vietnam. He completed his active duty service with 235 combat missions in Vietnam and received the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross.
Ken has been married for 35 years and has two grown married children. When Ken is not recruiting top talent he has a passion for his family, fine food, and fly-fishing.
Roger Nixon – Owner/General Manager
roger@defenseplacements.com
Roger Nixon is a native of Covington, Georgia currently serving as General Manager. As of January 2008, he assumed owership of DefensePlacements, Inc. With his enthusiastic and initiative-driven approach throughout the placement process, you can expect only the best results from his staff. His ability of having served in higher echelon areas of the Department of Defense gives candidates a favored approached when being recruited and placed with defense contracting companies.
He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at North Georgia College in and was commissioned into the United States Army Quartermaster Corps. While at North Georgia College (NGC), Roger was a member of the Mountain Order of Colombo and Sigma Chi Fraternity. He later earned his Masters Degree in Public Administration at Piedmont College. Roger served in and around the military for 14 years with conventional and non-conventional units. He served on active duty as an enlisted infantryman in support of the Gulf War.
Roger and his family attend Lakewood Baptist Church and is a lifetime member of NGC's Alumni Association. He serves his community through coaching his children in various sports, volunteering time with children of special needs, serving on the Alumni Council at North Georgia College, as well as, the Board of Directors for North Hall Junior Football Association. In his spare time, which is rare, he likes to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fish, and hunt with college friends. He is married to LeeAnn Pinson Nixon, NGC class of '96. They have three children, Nick, Natalie, and Nathaniel, and reside in Murrayville, Georgia.
Andrew Beccue – Vice President / Executive Recruiter
andrew@defenseplacements.com
“If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become giants.” - David Ogilvy
Andrew is the Vice President of DefensePlacements, and works with a number of leading companies, with a specific focus and expertise in Defense / Aerospace and Homeland Security. Since joining DefensePlacements in 2005, Andrew has completed numerous domestic and international searches up to the highest levels, including President and COO. His search experience includes a variety of functions within the aerospace and defense sectors, including operations, business development, manufacturing and program management. His attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and communication abilities are assets that enable Andrew to identify top talent.
Andrew gained his search and leadership experience as an Operations Manager working for a large staffing firm, and provided strategic direction for their recruiting efforts. He is known for bringing first class customer service to his clients, and is adept at developing new business.
Andrew holds a B.S. degree in Ministry Leadership from Toccoa Falls College, where he also participated in collegiate athletics as a member of the varsity soccer team. He is dedicated to community service, and making a difference in the lives of others. Andrew is a member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), ASIS, and NDIA.
He lives in Gainesville, GA with his wife Rebekah and their three children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, comedy, reading, and fine food. In addition, Andrew is an avid cyclist, and motorcyclist... or anything with two wheels!
Esther Duff - Project Coordinator
esther@defenseplacements.com
Esther started her career in sales and customer service. She had the opportunity to work with a DoD contractor, where she started as a Technical writer. Within the following year, the company grew rapidly and she assumed the position as the Lead Technical writer, and also assisted the CEO with day to day planning and contract administration. Eventually, she became certified as a Trainer for the DoD through the U.S. Army ITC School and assisted the training team with hands on training of all services.
Esther quickly took on increased responsibilities in ILS Management, contract writing and presentations. Eventually she became the Human Resource Manager. Esther then moved on to develop her HR skills as a HR Manager for a widely known executive recruitment firm.
She joined the Defense Placements team because she enjoys working with the Defense Sector and also enjoys the ‘human element’ of Human Resources and Recruiting. She says, “…the best part of my job is that at the end of the day we helped someone find that perfect opportunity, that step up in their career.”
Esther is originally from
Brian Spaulding - Project Coordinator
brian@defenseplacements.com
Brian comes to DefensePlacements, Inc. with management experience in the Service sector identifying, recruiting, and developing professionals in the fields of Sales, Operations and Management. With over 6 years of real-world business experience, he understands the importance of hiring only the best for an organization. It is his same goal to recruit the most qualified candidates that will become vital and value-added members for our client’s organizations, and the satisfaction to his candidate’s to provide opportunities that will allow them to excel in their careers.
After leaving the service sector, Brian was a consultant responsible for process improvement and change management at a manufacturing facility for military and commercial aircraft to include the C-130, GlobalHawk, 787, and other relative programs. Coming from a Fortune 500 recruiting firm, it is the small firm approach that Brian appreciates in helping client’s and candidate’s make strategic hiring decisions that improve the performance and personal lives of those involved.
Originally from
Danielle Faal - Project Coordinator
danielle@defenseplacements.com
Danielle Faal is a Project Coordinator who is people-oriented, determined, friendly, and dedicated to building and maintaining a relationship of trust and honesty between her clients and candidates. Danielle has several years of experience in recruiting, staffing, training and sales. Throughout her career she has been responsible for sourcing and recruiting clients and candidates in a variety of positions and industries.
Before she began her career in recruiting and staffing, Danielle worked as a technology trainer and helpdesk specialist. She assisted in organizing and implementing employee training programs that met company standards and fulfilled department needs. In addition to teaching classes on basis computer applications, Danielle worked as a helpdesk specialist. She received “hands-on” training and experience that helped her to resolve complex hardware and software problems in a timely manner.
Danielle proudly served 10 years in the United States Air Force as a Security Specialist in various locations around the world. In addition to performing duties as a Security Specialist, she was the Base Crime Prevention Specialist and a D.A.R.E. Instructor in both the elementary and middle schools while stationed in Japan. Throughout her career, she was constantly recognized by her superior officers, supervisors, and peers for outstanding performance, ethics, dedication and the ability to develop relationships with all people she came in contact with on a daily basis.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia and is currently in the process of obtaining a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, fine dining, traveling, and living life to the fullest.
Danielle adds that her motivation, dedication and desire to help others comes from being around those who share the same philosophy towards hard work for maximum achievement. Her favorite quote is by John F. Kennedy which says “Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life."