CRAIG Ascher
Cottonwood,CA
Summary
Dynamic Talent Acquisition, Military Talent, and Workforce Development Executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in cultivating high-performing recruiting organizations and leading large-scale workforce initiatives. Expertise in developing robust talent pipelines within military and corporate sectors, with a proven track record of transforming underperforming organizations and managing geographically dispersed teams. Skilled in forging strategic partnerships and aligning talent strategies with business objectives to drive operational excellence. Recognized for nurturing future leaders and consistently delivering measurable workforce results that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Corporate Recruiter / Sr. Military Specialist
Leaf Home
Remote
01.2021 - Current
- Successfully identified, recruited, and placed the first active-duty military spouse selected for a Department of War Career Accelerator Program internship within the company, establishing a scalable workforce development pathway and expanding access to an underutilized talent pool.
- Created a company-wide military talent pipeline through the Department of War Skillbridge and Career Accelerator Programs, reducing labor costs and improving retention across corporate, sales, and marketing functions.
- Recognized as the top-performing member of a five-person team for military talent initiatives that generated millions of dollars in workforce cost savings.
- Established strategic partnerships with military installations, transition programs, and community stakeholders to strengthen national recruiting pipelines.
- Led full-cycle recruitment processes for diverse roles, enhancing talent acquisition strategies.
- Developed and implemented innovative sourcing techniques to attract top-tier candidates.
- Collaborated with hiring managers to define job requirements and align candidate profiles.
Regional Recruiting Operations Manager
United States Army
San Diego, CA
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Directed operations across seven locations, leading 65 recruiters and 7 managers.
- Managed workforce planning, compliance, facilities, budgeting, and operational execution for geographically dispersed teams.
- Improved performance through strategic planning, accountability systems, and leadership development initiatives.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing mission-critical projects effectively.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
Regional Recruiting Operations Manager
United States Army
Hartford, CT
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Led statewide recruiting operations with responsibility for personnel, logistics, operational oversight, and fiscal accountability.
- Directed 45 recruiters and 7 managers across multiple locations.
- Transformed organizational performance from 48th of 50 to a sustained Top 5 ranking among 50 organizations in the Northeast Division.
- Developed training programs enhancing team efficiency and operational readiness.
- Oversaw daily operations ensuring compliance with Army standards and regulations.
Recruitment Manager
United States Army
Norwalk, CA
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Led a team of 22 full-cycle recruiters in a high-volume recruiting environment.
- Selected as one of Southern California's top-performing recruitment managers and invited to share recruiting and leadership strategies with senior brigade leadership and peer managers.
- Improved recruiting performance through coaching, talent development, and operational discipline.
- Developed recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent pools across various military roles.
- Streamlined hiring processes, reducing time-to-fill positions while maintaining quality of candidates.
Recruitment Manager
United States Army
Redding, CA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Led recruiting station operations and improved operational efficiency by 50%.
- Achieved the highest recruiting production levels in more than a decade.
- Developed six recruiters who were promoted into leadership positions and selected to improve performance across other Army organizations.
- Mentored junior recruiters, enhancing their skills in candidate evaluation and selection techniques.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to align recruitment goals with organizational objectives and mission needs.
Full-Cycle Recruiter
United States Army
Tucson, AZ
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Exceeded recruiting objectives while managing full-cycle recruiting operations for targeted Army career fields.
- Earned the Glenn E. Morrell Award for sustained recruiting excellence; only 1% ever achieve this.
- Coordinated onboarding programs to integrate new recruits into military culture effectively.
- Facilitated candidate screening processes to ensure alignment with Army values and standards.
- Developed recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent pools for military positions.
Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Combat Advisor, Fire Team Leader
United States Army
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Led teams of up to 40 personnel in operational environments.
- Managed training, readiness, accountability, and leadership development responsibilities across multiple assignments.
- Mentored junior soldiers, enhancing team cohesion and operational readiness.
Education
Master of Management - Human Resources Management
American Military University
Bachelor of Science - Sports & Health Science (Coaching Studies)
American Military University
Associate of General Studies - undefined
American Military University
Skills
- Talent acquisition strategy
- Recruitment analytics
- Global talent acquisition
- Candidate assessment
- Onboarding coordination
- Recruiter training
- Strategic sourcing
- Job offer negotiation
- Social media recruiting
- Applicant tracking systems
- Recruitment strategy development
- Full cycle recruiting
Certification
- Master's Certificate, Executive Coaching
- Master's Certificate, Human Capital Leadership
- Master's Certificate, Athletic Administration
- Master's Certificate, Organizational Leadership
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Head Youth Soccer Coach
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Led recruiting operations spanning seven locations while directing up to 65 recruiters and 7 recruitment managers.
- Transformed an organization from 48th of 50 to a sustained Top 5 performer among 50 organizations in the Northeast Division.
- Built a military talent pipeline program that generated millions of dollars in labor savings and improved retention.
- Developed multiple recruiters who advanced into leadership positions and improved performance across their organizations.
- Created enterprise military hiring partnerships supporting nationwide workforce growth.
- Recognized by Department of War leadership as a trusted advisor on military hiring, workforce development, and transition program strategy.
SELECTED HONORS & DISTINCTIONS
Glenn E. Morrell Award – Army Recruiting Command's highest recognition for sustained recruiting excellence; only 1% ever achieve this accolade., Benjamin Harrison Medal – Distinguished Graduate of the Army Senior Leadership Course, recognized as the top-performing leader among peers for excellence in leadership, organizational management, academic achievement, and mission execution., Honor Graduate, Army Recruiting Command Course - Recognized as the top-performing recruiting leader among peers for excellence in talent acquisition, leadership, and organizational performance., Best of the West Leadership Forum – Selected by senior Army leadership to share recruiting and organizational performance strategies with top-performing recruitment managers., Designed and launched Leaf Home's Military Spouse Career Accelerator Program partnership with the Department of War, facilitating the first active-duty military spouse internship placement in the nation and expanding access to an untapped talent pool supporting workforce growth and retention objectives.
Timeline
Sr. Corporate Recruiter / Sr. Military Specialist
Leaf Home
01.2021 - Current
Regional Recruiting Operations Manager
United States Army
01.2020 - 01.2021
Regional Recruiting Operations Manager
United States Army
01.2018 - 01.2020
Recruitment Manager
United States Army
01.2016 - 01.2018
Recruitment Manager
United States Army
01.2012 - 01.2016
Full-Cycle Recruiter
United States Army
01.2008 - 01.2012
Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Combat Advisor, Fire Team Leader
United States Army
01.2002 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Science - Sports & Health Science (Coaching Studies)
American Military University
Associate of General Studies - undefined
American Military University
Master of Management - Human Resources Management
American Military University