Chris Fackler
CEO & Founder
Chris Fackler is the CEO and Founder of Ringside Talent, a recruitment and project solutions company specializing in delivering Information Technology, Finance & Accounting talent-when and how businesses need it. Through a combination of contract, direct hire, and project-based solutions, Chris and his team at Ringside partner with organizations across the U.S. to solve talent gaps, execute on critical initiatives, and accelerate business performance.
Since founding Ringside, Chris has built the company into a recognized leader in its markets, known for its performance-driven culture, high standards, and consistent results. Ringside has been recognized as a top employer in Ohio and a Best Place to Work in the Columbus region.
Chris’s passion lies in coaching, training, and developing future leaders within Ringside. He works closely with his leadership team to drive growth, implement scalable systems, and elevate performance across the organization.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship from the University of Dayton, where he was also a member of the Flyer Football team. He currently resides in Columbus with his family.

Malorie Holbert
Practice Leader
Information Technology and Training
Malorie Holbert
Practice Leader
Malorie Holbert is the Chief of Staff at Ringside Talent, where she leads new hire training, onboarding, and the continued growth of the Technology Division. She plays a key role in developing internal talent while driving performance and consistency across the organization.
Since joining Ringside in 2014, Malorie has held several leadership positions and has been instrumental in shaping the company’s culture and training infrastructure. Her work has helped develop top producers and scale Ringside’s sales and delivery model.
Malorie is a native of Columbus, Ohio and earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University. She resides in Columbus with her husband, Ryan, and their Pomeranian, Cannoli.
Eric Pothoven
VP, Information Technology Division
Eric Pothoven serves as Vice President of Sales at Ringside Talent, where he leads the firm’s Technology Division. He brings more than 20 years of experience building high-performing sales and recruiting teams within the technology industry.
Throughout his career, Eric has helped organizations navigate complex technology hiring needs by developing strategic partnerships and delivering talent solutions that support long-term growth. Known for his relationship-driven approach and industry expertise, he has built a reputation for driving results across a wide range of organizations.
Originally from Iowa and a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Finance, Eric now resides in Central Ohio, where he remains active in the region’s growing business and technology community.
Joe Gress
Practice Leader
Joe Gress partners closely with clients across Ringside’s Finance & Accounting – Central Ohio Division, helping organizations build strong teams by delivering trusted talent solutions and deep market insight.
Since joining Ringside in 2008, Joe has built long-standing relationships across a wide range of industries and is known for his commitment to supporting the growth of the Central Ohio business community through thoughtful, relationship-driven hiring.
Joe earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Kent State University and lives in Westerville, Ohio with his wife, Colleen, and their two sons, Whalen and Theodore.
Jarred Huey
Practice Leader
Jarred Huey partners with clients across Ringside’s Finance & Accounting – Northeast Ohio Division. Since joining Ringside in 2013, Jarred has built strong partnerships with organizations throughout both Central and Northeast Ohio, supporting their growth through strategic, relationship-driven talent solutions.
Jarred holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Accounting from the University of Dayton, bringing a unique analytical perspective to his work. His success is rooted in long-term relationships with both clients and candidates and a consistent focus on delivering value in competitive markets.
Outside of work, Jarred enjoys spending time with his two children, Noah and Elena, and his English bulldog, Frank.
Patrick Gardner
Practice Leader
Pat Gardner partners with clients across Ringside’s Finance & Accounting – Central Ohio Division. With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Recruiting, Pat has made a meaningful impact on hundreds of Central Ohio companies and professionals, helping organizations hire top talent and individuals advance their careers.
Pat joined Ringside in 2014 with a focus on Accounting and Finance recruitment. He works across a wide range of industries, delivering high-quality talent and providing executive leaders with valuable market insights, industry knowledge, and a direct, consultative approach.
Pat holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and has worked in Human Resources at organizations including J.P. Morgan Chase, Retail Ventures, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Pacer Logistics. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, traveling, camping, and supporting Ohio State athletics.
Shane Paynter
Practice Leader
Shane partners with clients across Ringside’s Technology – Central Ohio Division, where he focuses on delivering high-quality technology talent and supporting the continued growth of the practice. Since helping launch the division in 2017, Shane has built strong client relationships and is known for making the recruitment process both effective and enjoyable.
Shane holds a Bachelor’s degree from Urbana University, where he was a three-year football letterman. His background in teamwork and discipline continues to shape his relationship-driven approach to recruiting.
Outside of work, Shane enjoys spending time with his family, supporting the Cleveland Browns, and spending quality time with his two children.

Spencer Preston
Team Leader
Information Technology | Finance & Accounting
Spencer Preston
Team Leader
Spencer Preston partners with clients across Ringside’s Technology & Finance – Midwest Division. Since joining Ringside in 2018, he has quickly advanced into leadership, earning promotions to Recruiting Manager and Partner within his first three years. He specializes in supporting organizations across a range of industries, delivering high-impact talent solutions that align with evolving business needs.
Spencer earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Economics from Malone University, where he was a member of the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active, following sports, and cheering on THE Ohio State Buckeyes.
Jimmy Duffy
Team Leader
Jimmy Duffy partners with clients across Ringside’s Technology – Central Ohio Division, where he specializes in identifying and recruiting some of today’s most in-demand and hard-to-find technical skillsets. He is known for building strong, trusted relationships with clients and for consistently placing the right people in the right roles.
Jimmy earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Miami University, where he was also a member of the university’s Rugby Team. His recruiting approach is driven by a strong work ethic, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the technology talent market.
Outside of work, Jimmy enjoys spending time in the gym, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending time with his wife, Colleen. Originally from Bexley, Ohio, he currently resides in Columbus.
Melvin Shuler II
Team Leader
Melvin Shuler partners with clients across Ringside’s Technology – Central Ohio Division, where he focuses on delivering top technical talent across roles within the Software Development Life Cycle. He is responsible for the overall success of the division and works closely with his team to provide reliable, high-impact talent solutions to meet client needs.
Melvin has earned recognition throughout his career for his performance and leadership, crediting much of his success to the strength of the teams he works alongside and the collaborative culture within the organization. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Marietta College, where he was a four-year varsity basketball letter winner, a four-time OAC Champion, and made appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.
Melvin resides in Columbus, Ohio with his family and enjoys spending time with his wife, Genevieve, outside of work.
Jessica Frank
Team Leader
Jessica Frank partners with clients across Ringside’s Finance & Accounting – Central Ohio Division, where she focuses on identifying and placing talented professionals with mid-sized to Fortune 100 organizations. She is known for thoughtfully connecting clients with the right candidates while helping professionals navigate career moves that support long-term growth and advancement.
Jess brings a distinctive background to recruiting, holding a degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University as well as a degree in Computer Science from Columbus State.
In her free time, Jess enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and four children, and giving back to her local community by volunteering and donating resources to schools, charities, and underserved families.

Hannah Strevell
Team Leader
Information Technology | Finance & Accounting
Hannah Strevell
Team Leader
Hannah Strevell partners with clients across Ringside’s Technology & Finance – Midwest Division. She builds and expands those relationships by delivering high-quality talent and market insight to support hiring decisions.
In addition to her client work, Hannah serves as Culture Club President at Ringside, where she leads internal initiatives focused on employee engagement, team connectivity, and philanthropic involvement in the community.
Hannah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications from The Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with her German shepherd, Maverick.
Ready to hire talent? We’re in your corner.



