Tired of the long timelines and high costs of hiring? 

As the Founder/CEO of Think Evolutionary, I provide on-demand access to top-tier talent leadership, giving your business the expertise it needs, without the wait or expense.

From leading talent teams in high-stakes environments like government contracting, consulting firms, and competitive tech companies, I’ve seen firsthand how the right leadership and strategy can transform a company’s trajectory. After 25 years in talent acquisition, I realized many businesses need an alternative to traditional executive hires—something flexible, efficient, and tailored to their unique challenges.

At Think Evolutionary, we provide access to top-tier talent flexible pricing options built for each company. Our approach is centered on understanding your organization’s unique needs and challenges, offering:

Fractional Executives Placements
Executive Search 
Contractor and Direct Hiring Placements
Embedded Recruitment Services 

Ready to transform your talent strategy? Let’s discuss how Think Evolutionary can give your company the agility and expertise it needs to succeed.

* Connect with me here on LinkedIn

Together, let's elevate your talent game and position your business for sustainable growth.

James Jr

"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., these words ring with a prophetic clarity. In today’s globalized economy and interconnected society, his declaration is more than a moral sentiment; it is a fundamental business truth.

No organization exists in a vacuum. Our success is intrinsically tied to the health of our communities, the fairness of our systems, and the dignity we afford to every individual. Dr. King challenged us to look beyond "individualistic concerns" toward the "broader concerns of all humanity."

Today, we at Think Evolutionary honor him not just with words, but by reaffirming our commitment to doing business with integrity, fostering equity in our partnerships, and remembering that "time is always right to do what is right."

Let us continue to weave a "garment of destiny" that offers opportunity and justice for all.

#MLKDay #Leadership #SocialResponsibility #Legacy #EquityInAction

James Dyson Jr

CEO/Managing Partner of Think Evolutionary | Human Capital & Talent Strategist | Executive Growth Partner

Headline: New Year. Strong 2025. Ready for 2026

As I look back on a strong 2025 at Think Evolutionary, I’m proud of the diverse challenges we tackled, from securing niche international leadership to driving a 5% headcount increase with 9 net new hires in just 10 months for a single client.

Beyond the hires, a major focus this past year was partnering with organizations to optimize their internal talent infrastructure. By refining their operations and maximizing existing networks, we helped these teams build the foundation they needed to grow sustainably and confidently.

For me, it’s about more than just filling a seat; it’s about building a resilient talent culture.

As we head into 2026, I have immediate availability for new projects and clients who need:

🔹 Fractional TA Leadership
🔹 Contract Recruiting or Sourcers
🔹 Contractor Placement & TTP
🔹 Executive Search & Direct Hire Placements
🔹 Fed and SLED Recruiting Support

I bring 25+ years of experience in high-stakes sectors: GovCon, Intel, IT/Tech, Engineering/AEC, Utilities, and Finance.

I am currently open to fractional contract, remote, or part-time opportunities where I can solve complex talent problems and help your organization evolve.

Ready to move beyond transactional hiring? Let’s connect and see how I can help you achieve your goals!

DM or email me: james.dyson@thinkevolutionary.com

🔗 www.thinkevolutionary.com

The only difference between "Contacts" and "Contracts" is the "R."

My colleague Darryl E. Peek II says it best: That the "R" stands for Relationships.

In 2026, the era of the "Black Book" is over. You know the model, the sales rep who guards their Rolodex like a secret, only to have the value vanish the moment they leave the firm.

At Think Evolutionary, we’ve traded the black book for a different blueprint.

We don't rely on transactional "gatekeepers." Instead, we’ve built a collaborative ecosystem of BD experts, proposal architects, and fractional leaders who move the needle for our clients in IT, GovCon, Engineering/AEC, and Utilities.

But here is the real shift: We don't just "fish" for you. We’re in the business of teaching our clients how to fish—building your internal systems so you can scale independently.

In my latest article, I explore:
1.  Why the traditional "Sales Rep" model is failing in specialized industries.
2.  The data behind why the "Relationship Imperative" is the #1 driver of ROI in 2026.
3.  How to turn a network of "contacts" into a pipeline of "contracts" through trust and value.

Are you building a database, or are you building a legacy??

👇 Click below to read the full analysis on why the "R" is your most valuable asset this year.

#Networking #RelationshipCapital #GovCon #AEC #ThinkEvolutionary #StrategicPartnership #BusinessGrowth

In the fast-paced, digital-first landscape of 2026, many businesses operate under the illusion that transactions drive success. A quick handshake, a s

Open article: Beyond the Black Book: The Relationship Imperative in 2026 Talent Strategy by James Dyson Jr • 5 min read

Beyond the Black Book: The Relationship Imperative in 2026 Talent Strategy

Stop hiring for yesterday's roles.

In 2026, the "wait and see" approach to talent isn’t just slow—it’s expensive. Between the "Missing Middle" gap in Engineering and the $1T federal defense pipeline, the math of just-in-time hiring simply doesn't add up anymore.

I’ve spent 20+ years watching firms win massive contracts only to realize they didn’t have the architecture to execute. That’s why I just published a deep dive on why Strategic Workforce Planning is no longer an HR task; it’s an executive’s most critical financial lever.

In this article, I break down:
1.  The "Silver Tsunami" threatening AEC and Utilities.
2.  Why the cost of a "bad hire" in 2026 is eclipsing 150% of their salary.
3.  The Audit, Forecast, Architect framework we use at Think Evolutionary to   bridge the Gap.

Is your 2026 growth plan based on data, or just hope?

I’d love to hear from my fellow Execs and Ops leaders: What is the single biggest "skills gap" keeping you up at night right now?

👇 Read the full analysis below and let’s discuss in the comments.

In the boardroom of 2026, a shift has occurred. The era of "reactive hiring"—the practice of posting a job description only after a resignation letter

Open article: The Efficiency Mandate: Why Strategic Workforce Planning is the CEO’s Most Critical Lever in 2026 by James Dyson Jr • 4 min read

The Efficiency Mandate: Why Strategic Workforce Planning is the CEO’s Most Critical Lever in 2026

Are you looking for a resume-sender or a Strategic Partner?

In my 25+ years in Talent Acquisition, I’ve seen the difference between the two. One sends you a pile of paper and hopes for a fee; the other engineers a system that makes your business more valuable.

In industries like GovCon, AEC, and Utilities, "just-in-time" hiring is a recipe for missed milestones. You need an architecture, not just a search.

At Think Evolutionary, we don’t just "recruit." We embed ourselves in your growth.

A recent client came to us needing 10 critical hires in 11 months. We delivered the talent, but then we stayed to fix the engine:
1.  The Tech: Overhauled their ATS and automated their sourcing and candidate engagement.
2.  The Process: Built a "Hiring Manager Toolkit" to turn interviews into a data-driven science.
3.  The Results: Transformed a reactive hiring process into an effective Talent Machine.

Whether you are a Federal Contractor needing a winning staffing plan for a massive RFP or an Engineering firm architecting a succession plan, we bring 25 years of "how-to" to your team.

That is the Think Evo RaaS (Recruiting as a Service) advantage: Elite, project-based talent leadership that fits your budget and your timeline.

Stop settling for "transactional" recruitment. Let’s build your legacy.

Reach out to me directly here or at: 📧 james.dyson@thinkevolutionary.com

#TalentAcquisition #GovCon #AEC #Engineering #ThinkEvolutionary #TeamBuilding #RecruitingAsAService

No one scales alone. Your network is your net worth, especially in specialized talent.

The complex demands of IT/Tech, GovCon, Engineering/AEC, and Utilities require more than just in-house expertise. It demands an ecosystem.

At Think Evolutionary, we've cultivated a robust network of strategic partners to deliver high-end, comprehensive services to our clients. We bring the "best of the best" to your toughest challenges.

Our trusted partners include:
1.  Business Development & Proposal Experts: To help you strategize and win major bids (especially crucial in GovCon).
2.  Change Management Consultants: Ensuring smooth transitions and adoption of new strategies.
3.  Fractional Executives: Providing top-tier leadership on demand for specific projects or interim roles.

This means you get a seamless, integrated solution, from winning a federal contract to implementing new tech, to optimizing your workforce for long-term growth. It's not just about us; it's about the comprehensive value we unlock through our collective expertise.

Who's in your corner when the stakes are high?

Let's discuss how our ecosystem can power your next leap forward.

📧 james.dyson@thinkevolutionary.com

#StrategicPartnerships #BusinessGrowth #ThinkEvolutionary #IT #GovCon #AEC #Utilities #FractionalLeadership

Hiring hasn’t broken.
But it probably feels heavier than it used to.

Roles take longer to fill.
Decision making drags because everyone needs to weigh in.
Strong candidates disappear quietly while you are still aligning internally.

This is not because people stopped wanting to work for you.
It is because your hiring system never evolved past early-stage growth.

As companies scale, a few patterns show up fast:

• Time to fill increases because the entire company interviews every candidate
• Decisions slow because ownership is unclear
• Quality of hire declines because good candidates do not wait through long processes
• Managers improvise interviews instead of evaluating consistently
• Hiring becomes reactive instead of intentional

This is not a recruiter problem.
It is a system maturity problem.

A quick note on inclusion and culture, because this often gets misunderstood.

Early interview panels are usually founders and senior leaders. That is normal.
What changes outcomes is not who is in the room. It is who is in the candidate slate.

When sourcing happens through the same few networks, the results look the same.
Expanding access upstream creates better options downstream.

This is where Talent Acquisition leadership matters earlier than most companies expect.

Not just to fill roles, but to design:
• Clear hiring processes
• Faster, more confident decisions
• Diverse candidate slates sourced intentionally
• A hiring experience that scales with the business

This is the gap fractional TA leadership is built to fill.

Every company’s growth story is different. If you are curious how Think Evolutionary’s fractional TA leadership model could work for your specific stage and goals, feel free to reach out.

You can DM me on LinkedIn or email me directly at james.dyson@thinkevolutionary.com 


#ThinkEvolutionary #FractionalTA #TalentAcquisition #StartupLeadership #HiringStrategy #WorkforceOptimization

Your "Hiring Delay" is a $6,000-A-Day Revenue Leak!

Most CEOs look at recruitment as a tactical expense. I look at it as Capital Preservation.

In 2026, the "Ugly Math" of an empty seat is a boardroom crisis. When a Program Director, Construction PM, or Systems Engineer role sits vacant, you aren't saving on salary; you are hemorrhaging billable margin and project velocity.

According to verified industry benchmarks and SHRM research: 
🔴 Senior Engineer: ~$1,250/day in lost profit & drag 
🔴 Construction PM: ~$3,000/day in schedule slip & rework 
🔴 Program Director: ~$6,000/day in portfolio-level risk

If that seat stays empty for 30 days, you haven't "saved" a budget; you've potentially leaked $180,000 in total economic value.

At Think Evolutionary, we don't just "recruit." We are strategic partners with 25+ years of experience who help you calculate, forecast, and plug these leaks before they hit your year-end EBITDA.

Are you watching the "fee," or are you watching the "burn rate"?

👇 I’ve broken down the deep-research math of the Revenue Leak in my latest article. Read how to protect your margins.

#ForwardThinking #GovCon #AEC #TalentStrategy #ThinkEvolutionary #RevenueLeak #WorkforcePlanning #EngineeringLeadership #EBITDA

In the executive suite, we are disciplined in managing what is visible. We hedge against fluctuating material costs, optimize tax strategies, and scru

Open article: The Revenue Leak: Architecting Capital Preservation in the Face of the $6,000-A-Day Vacancy by James Dyson Jr • 5 min read

The Revenue Leak: Architecting Capital Preservation in the Face of the $6,000-A-Day Vacancy

Are you hiring for where you are, or where you’re going?

Most companies hire to solve a problem that happened yesterday. They have a vacancy, they feel the pain, and they hunt for a "plug-and-play" replacement.

But in IT, Engineering, and GovCon, hiring for the status quo is a recipe for stagnation.

At Think Evolutionary, we take a different approach. We don't just "fill roles." We look at your 3-year roadmap and architect your team to meet it. This means:

1.  Identifying the "Successor" roles before you need them.
2.  Evaluating candidates not just on their past resume, but on their ability to scale with your vision.
3.  Ensuring every hire is a brick in the foundation of your long-term legacy.

Stop firefighting and start building. We help you find the talent that doesn't just do the job, they evolve the company.

How far ahead is your current talent strategy looking? Let's bridge the gap.

#StrategicHiring #GrowthMindset #ThinkEvolutionary #TeamBuilding #TalentSolutions

Winning a GovCon bid is only half the battle. Executing it is where most firms fail.

You just poured months into an RFP. You won!!!  But now... do you have the cleared talent, the key personnel, and the compliant staffing plan to actually deliver?

The "Proposal-to-Performance" gap is where GovCons lose millions, compromise their reputation, and jeopardize future awards.

At Think Evolutionary, we don't just understand this; we've lived it for over 20 years across Federal, SLED, and Utility sectors. We partner with BD and Proposal experts, bringing large agency value at smaller firm costs.

We help you: ✅ Write Winning Staffing Solutions: Aligning talent directly to your technical approach. ✅ Navigate Contract Lifecycle: Understanding the nuances from bid submission to contract close-out. ✅ Secure Key Personnel: Ensuring Day 1 readiness with cleared mission-critical talent.

Don't let talent be your weakest link after a monumental win. Let's make it your strongest.

Ready to turn bids into executed contracts? Connect with me.

📧 james.dyson@thinkevolutionary.com

The "Missing Middle" is the invisible ceiling on your company's growth.

In the IT, Engineering/AEC, Utilities, and GovCon sectors, we are facing a demographic crisis. We have a brilliant senior class retiring and a hungry junior class rising.

But the "Middle", the Project Managers and Directors who turn vision into reality, is empty.

If you are a company spending your time firefighting internal workflows because you don't have a mid-level leadership layer you can trust, you aren't scaling. You’re just treading water.

In my latest article, I explore:
🔴 Why the "Silver Tsunami" is draining tribal knowledge from your firm
🔴 The 200% cost of failing to bridge the "Competency Chasm" 
🔴 How Think Evolutionary uses Fractional Mentors to upskill your juniors into the leaders you need tomorrow

Stop fishing in an overfished pond. Start growing your own leadership engine.

👇 Read the full blueprint for solving the "Missing Middle" here:

#LeadershipGap #SuccessionPlanning #GovCon #AEC #ThinkEvolutionary #WorkforcePlanning #CEOStrategy

In the executive suites of Engineering/AEC, Government Contracting (GovCon), and the Utilities sector, a demographic "perfect storm" is no longer on t

Open article: The Talent Gap: Solving the "Missing Middle" Crisis in Engineering/AEC, GovCon, and Utilities by James Dyson Jr • 5 min read

The Talent Gap: Solving the "Missing Middle" Crisis in Engineering/AEC, GovCon, and Utilities

Marksman Security Corporation

Director of Talent Acquisition

IQTalent Partners

Drive growth and excellence in the Health and Life Sciences vertical by implementing data-driven recruitment strategies, optimizing hiring processes, and building strong client partnerships.
🔹 Expanded Revenue by 50%: Grew the vertical's revenue contribution through targeted recruitment strategies and client engagement.
🔹Reduced Time-to-Fill by 30%: Streamlined hiring processes to accelerate placements while maintaining candidate quality.
🔹Filled critical roles from entry-level to executive positions, enhancing client teams and business outcomes.
🔹Managed and developed a team of recruiters, improving performance and promoting internal growth.

Director, Talent Acquisition

Led and developed a high-performing team of talent acquisition professionals, ensuring client success through data-driven recruitment strategies and strong client partnerships across diverse industrie
🔹 Managed a team of 25 recruiters, from early-career to senior levels, fostering professional growth and achieving organizational goals.
🔹Led multiple client engagements, including stealth-mode tech startups and Fortune 200 companies, to meet and exceed recruitment targets.
🔹Drove recruitment success across various sectors, ensuring quality hires and efficient processes.
🔹Promoted four times for exceptional performance and recognized by peers as "SPIRIT of IQTalent."

Practice Leader 

Improved client recruitment capabilities by providing expert consulting services, leading full-cycle recruiting for technical and non-technical roles, and mentoring junior associates to foster growth and development.
🔹Served as a trusted consultant to clients, improved internal recruiting functions, and drove strategic hiring outcomes.
🔹Contributed to designing and launching a new employee recognition program that remained successful and ongoing.
🔹 Trained and mentored junior associates, resulting in the promotion of 2 team members to Senior Associates.
🔹 Managed full-cycle recruitment for diverse roles across global locations (Palo Alto, Stockholm, London, New York), successfully closed positions from IC to director level.

Senior Technical Recruiter

KUBOTA MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA CORP

Improved talent acquisition and HR operations at Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp by managing recruitment, employee relations, and HR processes to support organizational growth and efficiency.
🔹Managed a team of 5 HR professionals and administrators, overseeing employee relations, hiring, and HR operations.
🔹Developed and launched the "Catch Them Doing Good" morale program and a new Employee of the Month initiative to boost employee engagement and recognition.
🔹 Directed all hiring processes, including full-time employees, contract hires, and conversions, ensuring smooth onboarding and integration.
🔹Led investigations and resolved issues related to employee disputes, sexual harassment, theft, and performance concerns.

Human Resources Manager

WIKA Instrument, LP

Built a high-impact TA function by establishing an internal recruiting department, implementing strategic processes, and optimizing staffing operations to support organizational growth.
🔹Established and led a new internal recruiting department for WIKA Americas, managing staffing plans and recruitment across all departments for a $200 million manufacturer.
🔹 Spearheaded the introduction of a new Applicant Tracking System (Cornerstone), the first ATS for WIKA, enhancing recruitment efficiency and tracking.
🔹 Negotiated vendor contracts with platforms like LinkedIn and CareerBuilder, achieving significant cost savings and reducing staffing expenses by over $250,000 in the first year.
🔹 Served as a subject matter expert for business leaders on staffing trends, hiring strategies, and compensation packages, improving hiring decisions and aligning with market standards.

Manager Talent Acquisition

First Data Corporation

Managed recruitment efforts for key roles to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
🔹Led the staffing of Accounting and Finance roles, ensuring timely and efficient hiring across departments.
🔹 Acted as the main point of contact for business leaders during the consolidation of accounting and finance roles to Omaha, NE, supporting a smooth transition.
🔹 Streamlined recruitment processes to enhance candidate quality and reduce time-to-fill, contributing to overall organizational efficiency.

Senior Recruiter

Aptean

Directed all aspects of talent acquisition for North America, managing a team of 2 recruiters and reducing global open requisitions from 200 to 40 in just 6 months.
🔹Implemented process changes and unified global recruiting teams, enhancing recruitment efficiency across regions.
🔹 Managed vendor agreements and relationships, reducing staffing spend by over $2,000,000 in the first year.
🔹 Worked closely with all levels of the organization to fill open positions strategically and in a timely manner, supporting business goals and growth.

Recruiting Manager

Sava Senior Care

Led recruitment efforts focused on critical roles across multiple facilities.
🔹Managed the hiring of key facility roles, including Nursing Home Administrators, Directors of Nursing, and other essential positions across Texas.
🔹 Served as the administrator for the applicant tracking system, enhancing recruitment efficiency by creating and maintaining workflows, offer letters, and mappings to the career site.
🔹 Developed and improved recruitment processes to ensure a seamless experience for candidates and hiring managers, aligning with organizational goals.

Regional Recruitment Manager

Comverge

Corporate Recruiter

Newell Rubbermaid

Contract Talent Acquisition Specialist

FANMATS

Telesales Manager

Recruitment is more than just filling roles—it's about finding the RIGHT people and getting them on board FAST and EFFICIENTLY. That's where this 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 & 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀 "𝗚𝗲𝗲𝗸" comes in. 🤓Numbers don’t lie, and they show exactly where to improve and optimize.

With over a decade of experience, my success spans across multiple industries:  
🤖 Tech Startups to Fortune 200 Companies 🏢
🧬 Healthcare, Biotech, Med Device, and Traditional Tech⚕️🧪
🔹 Filled all levels of nursing, medical doctors, specialists, and nurse practitioners
🔹Hired Tech talent from Software Engineers to Principal Software Engineers to VPs of Software Engineering & Product Management  
🔹 Built out Manufacturing teams from line workers and supervisors to General Managers; staffed a new site, filled 80 roles in 6 months.
🔹 Successfully filled a Chief Scientific Officer role in 3 weeks!  
🔹 Secured $1.8M in revenue in 2024 through long-term contracts and on-demand recruiting services.

From 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 to 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, the journey has been about leveraging data to optimize recruitment processes, cutting down time-to-fill, and improving candidate quality—all while driving significant growth and revenue.

Some notable achievements:
🔹Grew a health sciences vertical from 10% to 60%  in 12 months.
🔹 Reduced global open requisitions from 200 to 40 in six months.
🔹 Built recruitment processes that reduced time-to-fill and cost-per-hire while boosting candidate quality.

Beyond the data, there’s 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥—developing teams to find their own solutions and drive continuous improvement. Experienced in leading and mentoring recruiters of all levels, from brand-new talent to seasoned professionals, with a focus on turning data into actionable insights for the teams I lead. 

Always looking to dive deeper into recruitment data, optimize processes, and build high-performing teams that deliver real, measurable impact. 

📬 Ready to connect? Let’s talk!

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