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Our Mission
To cultivate and build an A-team of professionals to support our clients from corner office to household with a holistic, personalized approach and focus on results.
About Truex Métier
Welcome to Truex Métier, where the art of talent acquisition has been perfected by our four decades of experience, assisting clients and candidates alike in achieving their goals. As a full-service administrative, executive, and estate recruiting consultancy, we are not just seasoned professionals – we are architects of careers and builders of teams.
Our journey spans more than 40 years, a testament to our enduring passion for connecting exceptional talent and organizations. At Truex Métier, we view our history of success as a foundation upon which we continue to innovate and redefine the standards of excellence in the recruiting landscape. When you work with Truex Métier, you’ll benefit from the authenticity of our team and our Culture and Strengths Methodology. This unique approach is underpinned by research and refined to deliver positive, lasting outcomes.
Tenacity is our driving force. We approach each search with an unyielding commitment to uncovering the perfect match. Whether it's an administrative professional poised to streamline your operations or an executive leader ready to steer your organization towards new horizons, we work meticulously to find the needle in the haystack.
What truly sets us apart is our promise to have your back. In a world where talent acquisition can be a complex maze, we stand as your unwavering advocates. Your success is our priority, and we take pride in not only meeting but exceeding your expectations at every turn. Our focus is on a partnership where experience, tenacity, and dedication converge to create unparalleled wins for our clients and candidates alike. At Truex Métier, we go beyond talent acquisition; we shape careers and foster organizational success. Join us on a journey where the pursuit of excellence is not just a mission but a way of life.
The Principals
Mary Ann Truex
President
John Cullens
Chairman
Mary Ann Truex joined a well-known San Francisco based image and corporate design firm as Assistant to the President after receiving her dual BS degrees in Marketing and Finance from U.C. Berkeley. John Cullens spent 15 years in the high tech industry in positions ranging from Engineer to VP of Sales and Marketing for several companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies before entering the executive search industry.
In 1983, John and Mary Ann combined their expertise to start Truex Associates and Truex Temps. For the next 16 years, it was the fastest growing staffing company in San Francisco and on the Peninsula with over 500 contract and permanent employees throughout California. Truex Associates redefined the industry by focusing on matching each candidate’s strengths and personality with the client’s corporate culture.
After a successful exit in 1998, John and Mary Ann became involved in various venture capital and nonprofit endeavors including 6 years of research into Positive Psychology and its effect on corporate productivity. This culminated into a new model for the staffing industry after Mary Ann certified as a life coach by the Applied Neuroscience Institute. She now applies scientifically and empirically proven methods to finding and matching positive candidates and strength profiles to employers who can benefit from this talent pool. These new hires are more creative, more open to new ideas, more willing to take on new challenges; and apt to share their contagious energy.
Truex Métier, is the realization of these principles, uniquely matching candidates that possess high positivity, integrity and character strengths with corporate cultures that will benefit most from these talented employees.
The Talent Acquisition Team
Robert Behney
Robert has been a recruiter for over 30 years, with experience principally in financial services. He leads a practice with a focus on recruiting and evaluating candidates for companies throughout the US. Clients include buy-side investment management firms including famiily- and multi-family offices, endowments and foundations, venture capital and private equity, asset management and institutional asset managers. After three decades, Robert never tires of the thrill when a candidate gets a fantastic new job and a client gains an outstanding new associate. When not at work, Robert enjoys reading, international travel and fine wines.
Favorite Quote:
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
After work you'll find me...
Popping corks on fine wine.
Kristy Bella
Kristy, a native New Yorker, pursued her education at St. Joseph's University and later enjoyed three rewarding years at Fox Sports. The allure of San Francisco drew Kristy in 2016 when she found her calling at Truex Métier. Throughout the pandemic challenges, she stayed committed to connecting clients with top talent. Eight years strong with the company, she has witnessed its growth firsthand. In her free time, she finds solace by the beach and delights in exploring local culinary offerings. Her journey is a testament to embracing change and finding joy in professional and personal adventures.
Favorite Quote:
"You gotta keep on keepin’ on. Life’s a garden: dig it. You gotta make it work for you." - Joe Dirt
After work you'll find me...
Searching for the best martini in South Florida
Thuha Cao
Thuha is an ENFJ who has always been drawn to serving others. After earning her Bachelor's degree while leading the HR student organization in college, she spent several years in people operations before deciding she wanted a career change. She initially came to Truex Métier as a candidate, but as fate would have it, she met the company’s Founder, Mary Ann Truex, and was hired on the spot as her Executive Assistant. In 2019, Thuha was promoted to Recruiter and the rest is history. In her spare time, Thuha enjoys learning about psychology, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her favorite people and adorable cats.
Favorite Quote:
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."
After work you'll find me...
Taking a sunset walk, lifting weights at the gym, joining a dance class, enjoying good conversations with friends, savoring a delicious home-cooked meal, or catching up on the latest TV shows and movies.
Shelby Coletto Falvo
A Bay Area native and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, Shelby joined Truex Metier in 2013. After walking into the office as a candidate, she left 3 hours later with a job offer to join the team as a Recruiter and hasn't looked back since. A true introvert at heart, she embraces a unique approach to recruiting and prides herself on her ability to listen intently, ask the right questions and lead with compassion while developing meaningful relationships through trust and reliability. Shelby plans to spend the rest of her career in talent acquisition, but never fails to find time to strengthen her skills as an amateur chef.
Favorite Quote:
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." - John Muir
After work you'll find me...
Messing around in the kitchen (baking sourdough or creating a new sheet pan meal), inn-to-inn hiking in Europe, wine tasting, or spending time with my dogs, Benjamin and Bear.
Veronica Gabriel
Veronica has over 15 years of experience in relationship and project management, and has worked in a variety of settings ranging from Hollywood to the developing world. She most recently worked as an Executive Personal Assistant and House Manager in private households. Veronica started as a candidate of Truex Métier and is both passionate and talented when it comes to sparking the perfect match between client and candidate. She is grateful to have finally found her “métier” in recruiting. Veronica is also an avid foodie and loves whipping up delectable dishes in her kitchen with the assistance of her favorite sous chef, Kirby.
Favorite Quote:
"It always seems impossible until it's done."
After work you'll find me...
Hanging out with my dog, Kirby
Alex Huang
Alex is a recruiter and consultant who specializes in the financial services industry. He started his career as a wealth management professional in 2005 and joined the recruiting industry in 2016. Alex loves connecting candidates with top notch financial services firms, and helping people achieve their dreams and goals. He has assisted numerous clients in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston acquire the best talent in the market. Alex enjoys living in the Bay Area and spending family time with his wife, 2 children, a Great Pyrenees dog and a fat cat.
Favorite Quote:
"Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when others are fearful"
After work you'll find me...
Trying to find the best deal for the next vacation spot
Bonita Jung
A San Francisco native, Bonita started her career working in operations and management, honing her analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. A desire for change brought her to Truex Métier, where she took a leap of faith to tackle a fresh challenge as a recruiter. Her focus on integrity and straightforward approach has enabled her to build strong partnerships with both clients and candidates. Bonita has a BA from UC Berkeley and an MBA from USC. This former globetrotter can now be spotted shuttling her 5-year-old around town.
Favorite Quote:
"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
After work you'll find me...
Watching Netflix or napping
Natalie Laird
A graduate of Knox College, Natalie earned degrees in Neuroscience and Creative Writing. She believes that recruiting is the best way to assist people in focusing on their purpose and passions rather than sifting through endless job listings. Her goal has been to get people to spend more time on work that makes them happy. Natalie began recruiting for her sorority in college, and found that she had a knack for understanding how to fit people into organizations that share their values. Natalie’s recruiting practice emphasizes quality, fit, and values alignment. Outside of recruiting, she enjoys reading, running, and gardening.
Favorite Quote:
“Taking naps sounds so childish. I prefer to call them horizontal life pauses.”
After work you'll find me...
Hiking with my dog, baking or thrift shopping
Aisha Williams
Aisha is an avid athlete, driven by unyielding perseverance and high performance. She infuses boundless energy into every pursuit and enjoyed success as a Leasing Consultant matching people with their perfect homes. At Truex Métier, Aisha shifted her skills into the dynamic world of recruiting where she discovered a new passion that perfectly aligned with her aptitude for forging connections. Shaping careers and contributing to the growth of businesses has become Aisha's mission. When not immersed in the professional realm, Aisha frequently takes to the softball diamond, nurturing her lifelong love for the game.
Favorite Quote:
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
After work you'll find me...
At the gym or walking my dog, Teddy. And, though, I love all types of music, I love finance related podcasts.
Vivian Yeong Ford
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Vivian joined Truex Métier in 2017 after graduating from San Francisco State University. As an introvert, Vivian leverages her strength in active listening, deep industry knowledge, and empathy to connect the right talent with the right opportunities. Prior to starting her family, she enjoyed traveling and savoring different cuisines and cultures. Nowadays, she dedicates her free time to creating lasting memories with her husband and two kids, buying them new outfits, and discovering new recipes for mealtime.
Favorite Quote:
“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou
After work you'll find me...
At my other job where the real hard work begins as I answer to the 2 most demanding bosses ever - my kids.