Precision Placement for Professionals

Ryan founded Bluewater Hayes in 2015 following a life that initially took him to the U.S. Marine Corps after high school. After the Marines, Ryan attended Michigan State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management. He spent 4 years in manufacturing and then nearly 5 years with global staffing firms before establishing Bluewater Hayes as a premier executive search and staffing firm. Today, the company he founded serves clients ranging from up-and-coming to the most venerable Fortune 100 firms with talent acquisition search and support activities. The singular mission is Precision Placement with a culture of continuous improvement and professional development. Ryan resides in West Michigan with his wife Karley. Both are competitive Olympic weightlifters and enjoy their Crossfit community.

Joe hales from West Michigan and resides in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Joe graduated from Ionia High School then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following high school. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University while serving. Shortly after leaving the Marines, Joe founded PWT, a training and education firm focused on government agency clients. In 2015, Joe co-founded Bluewater Hayes and served in an advisor capacity for two years. In 2021, Joe rejoined the firm and is now Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of our Pittsburgh area market.

Beau joined Bluewater Hayes in 2019 after gaining valuable experience in the Waste and Recycling Industry, serving as a maintenance and operations leader. While there, he successfully implemented an internship program sparking his passion for recruitment. He learned how impactful a talent acquisition partner can be to an organization’s ability to level up its capabilities, growth, and success. These experiences led him to a career transition from operations management to agency recruiting. Beau is a United States Marine Corps veteran. His passions outside of work include fitness, the outdoors, and an odd obsession with sneakers. Beau resides in Cedar Springs, MI, with his wife, Allie, their son Nash and two big, lovable dogs.

Chad’s applies his chemistry education and experience plus many years as an executive search recruiter to finding and representing the best talent in challenging, technical roles. Chad focuses on Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales searches.  He enjoys the challenge of finding candidates that help his clients thrive and with almost two decades of recruiting experience, an incredibly resourceful and reliable producer. Chad was born and raised in West Michigan.  Chad, his wife Angela, and their 3 children love traveling. You can catch them in Boston or parts of Florida often.

Drew Crisan joined Bluewater Hayes in 2023 bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in Recruiting and Talent Acquisition. He earned his Degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan and started his career in sales and construction project management before transitioning into the recruitment industry. Drew has extensive experience helping organizations evaluate talent needs and pinpointing individuals with the potential to foster future business growth. Throughout his career, Drew has helped various organizations identify and recruit top talent in diverse industries. Having lived in both corporate and agency recruiting worlds, Drew understands the value a true talent partner can bring to organizations with challenging hiring needs. Drew is a proud father and husband who resides in Charlotte, NC.

Ashley, a California native, began her career in non-profit leadership, gaining insight into the critical role of effective hiring in organizational success. Transitioning to the staffing industry in 2020, she managed a boutique agency specializing in temporary workforce solutions for manufacturing and distribution sectors. Skilled in talent acquisition, she fostered dynamic collaborations, driving business growth. In 2024, Ashley joined Bluewater Hayes. Here, she continues to leverage her passion for collaboration to work closely with hiring managers to optimize their teams and drive organizational success. Ashley finds joy in family life, residing in Rockford, MI, with her husband and two teenage boys.

Alex is a former Chemical Engineer who transitioned into recruiting after nearly a decade in manufacturing and R&D. With a degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Leadership Certificate from Stanford, she blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of people and team dynamics.

Her passion lies in connecting engineering-driven companies with top talent—those who are not only technically strong but also the right cultural fit. Known for her strategic, thoughtful approach, Alex thrives on building strong relationships with hiring managers and guiding searches with precision and care.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors with her husband and daughter.