Client: Paulus Engineering, a wet utility construction and engineering firm in Anaheim, California
Partner since: 2023
Searches completed together: Five leadership roles
Paulus Engineering builds underground wet utility systems out of Anaheim, California. The company was growing fast, and President Jason Paulus knew that growth would stall without a stronger leadership team. The hard part was never filling seats. It was finding leaders who could do the work and fit the way Paulus Engineering runs.
Before Y Scouts, Jason ran the search process himself, on top of running the company. Other recruiting firms treated the job like a numbers game. Send a resume, let the client sort it out.
“I was so busy managing everything. I mean, literally I was in the business day in, day out. I had gone out to other recruiting companies and they would just send me a resume. I’d spend an hour, two hours interviewing people. It was so time consuming and I’m like, why did you put this person in front of me? It was such a waste of time.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
Paulus Engineering did not need more resumes. They needed a partner who knew the business well enough to know which candidates were worth Jason’s time.
It started in 2023 with a search for a Chief Operating Officer. A hire that senior leaves no room for a bad fit, so before anyone sourced a single candidate, the work was about understanding what leadership actually looks like inside Paulus Engineering.
“One of my most important criteria for finding a search partner was someone who understood the culture of us here at Paulus Engineering, understood what we were looking for as far as a leader goes. Also, getting the ability to talk with people here and how they’re gonna fit within our organization. The great thing about Y Scouts is it got out of me what I was really looking for, and that really helped.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
Jason’s biggest worry going in was time. He had sat through searches that dragged on and turned up the same recycled names.
“One of the things I was most apprehensive about before starting the process was just looking at the time it was going to take. And I didn’t wanna put in a bunch of time and just get back a lot of the same resumes, the same people that we had come across previously.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
That worry did not last long.
“Once the process got going and I understood and I see what happens in the backend and what it looks like, I was so happy about that. It was just so reaffirming that I made the right decision.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
The search produced a COO who matched on paper and matched in the room. Paulus Engineering had never gotten both from a search before.
“What we were looking for, locations, everything was just right on target. And the candidate came in and it was just, he felt the same way. He goes, this is what I was looking for. You met all the criteria.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
The candidate saw it the same way from his side of the table.
“When you know, you know, and I think it was awesome. It was a really good personality fit for me here, and the role is very exciting too. I think I can bring great value to the organization. It’s one thing to be aligned culturally, but my skills also match up perfectly with what they needed, and there’s going to be great synergy going forward. For me, it’s a perfect combo.”
The placed Chief Operating Officer, Paulus Engineering
One good search proves a point. Five proves a process. Since that first COO placement, Paulus Engineering has run four more leadership searches with Y Scouts: two HR Manager roles, a Project Manager, and one confidential executive search.
“I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this. It was so seamless. It was so easy. They made you feel welcome. It felt like you were just part of a team. I’d recommend Y Scouts to everyone I know. Absolutely.”
The first search solved an urgent problem: a COO who could lead inside the culture, not just on paper. What kept the relationship going was not one good hire. It was a process Jason Paulus trusted enough to use four more times.
“One of the recommendations that I would give to any business that’s looking to bring on somebody in the c-suite and working with Y Scouts is you couldn’t start soon enough on it. Go reach out if you really are looking for somebody.”
Jason Paulus, President, Paulus Engineering
Y Scouts has a proven track record of identifying leaders who not only meet the technical requirements but also align with the company’s mission and culture. If you’re facing a similar challenge, let us help you find the leader who can drive your company forward. Schedule a free consultation today.
Traditional recruiting is broken, but Y Scouts has the solution. We specialize in purpose-driven executive recruiting, ensuring your company connects with leaders who are not only highly qualified but also deeply committed to your mission, vision, and values.
