Ask Brian Waller what his company does, and he’ll give you a lovely and accurate elevator pitch; ask him how Vaco does it and why, and prepare for an impassioned crash course in company culture. He’ll tell you right off the bat that he and his partners set out to build a company they’d actually want to work for, and create a business that helps contractors and talent find long-lasting matches along the way. In that order. Brian has poured his heart and soul into building an organization that recognizes company culture as the true deal-maker (and deal-breaker) that it is, both for Vacotians and for our talent and clients. As Vaco’s Chief Strategy Officer and one of the company’s founding partners, he focuses on the strategic growth of the company and oversees strategic IT initiatives, national practices and special projects. Like his fellow founders, Brian began his career in the audit division of Arthur Andersen, then moved into a senior role at an S&P 500 staffing and consulting firm in the late 1990s. As a Division Director, Brian’s leadership in placing and managing executive consultants consistently earned his team a coveted spot in the top five offices across the country. (Did someone say cake in the breakroom?) After several valuable learning years in the industry, Brian waved goodbye to his comfy corner office and fancy conference room to host shareholder meetings in a kitchen and occasionally sleep on an air mattress. He founded Continuum Search with his colleague and fellow adventurer, Jay Hollomon, in 2002; the company merged with Jerry Bostelman’s Vaco Resources in 2004 to become Vaco. Find that story here. Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he is passionate about startups of all shapes and sizes and is actively involved and invested in several early stage Nashville-based businesses; he sits on the board of the digital agency SnapShot Interactive and serves on the Advisory Board and Investment Committee of the Nashville Capital Network. He is deeply committed to local community and philanthropic organizations, serving on the the board of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and supporting organizations such as United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Woodmont Christian Church, Safe Haven Family Shelters, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and other local charities. As a proud Tennessee Vol, Brian also supports the UT College of Business Administration and even takes their dinner-hour pledge drive calls – he’s just a good guy like that. With the hectic life that comes with raising twin sons and a daughter, Brian spends much of his time shepherding his Nashville-based flock through adventures that range from hiking and snowboarding to navigating middle and high school.