Company Timeline
Continental Search is America’s leading recruiting firm in animal sciences.
We specialize in animal nutrition recruiting, helping employers hire top dairy and beef nutritionists, swine nutritionists, poultry nutrition specialists, R&D, technical support professionals, and sales managers across the U.S. and Canada.
After five years as a recruiter with an employment agency in Baltimore, MD, Dan Simmons founded Continental Search. He hired two former colleagues, and the firm joined Top Echelon Network, then America’s leading split-placement network. At this time, Dan was already a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC), demonstrating a commitment to professional standards from the very start.
With demand for technology talent booming, Continental Search recruited computer programmers and expanded staff. After the Y2K rush and the 9/11 downturn, demand for programmers collapsed. Attrition reduced the team, and Dan and his wife, Deborah, kept the firm going. In 2002, by chance—and persistence—they partnered with a feed manufacturer to fill two dairy consultant roles, opening the door to animal nutrition recruiting.
Continental Search won numerous Top Echelon Network awards, reflecting consistent excellence in collaboration and placements. In 2009, Dan Simmons was named Placer of the Year, one of the network’s highest honors.
Dan and Deborah pivoted the business toward the feed manufacturing industry. In 2005, Dan partnered with fellow Top Echelon recruiter Don Hunter to launch The Animal Science Monitor, a newsletter still published today.
Continental Search filled its first Canadian search assignment.
A leading feed industry supplier engaged the firm for multiple searches, establishing Continental Search as a go-to partner for feed additives recruiting. That same year, Dan began speaking on careers in animal sciences, first at the University of Delaware, and later at University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, Penn State, the American Registry of Animal Sciences (Washington DC Chapter), Kalmbach Feeds Dealer Conference, ASAS and ADSA meetings, and in 2017 as keynote speaker for the Northeast Region Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. Dan still speaks at some of these events.
Don Hunter and fellow CPC Jim Hipskind joined the firm. With their expertise, Continental Search expanded further into pork production recruiting.
The team grew with the addition of Trish Valenzuela and Rick Pascual. That same year, Trish and Rick earned their Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) designations, continuing the firm’s tradition of professional certification. Don Hunter retired.
Maria Codilla joined the firm and revitalized recruiting for pork producers, later expanding into poultry live production.
Continental Search achieved National Accreditation from the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS), one of only four firms nationally to maintain accreditation for five or more years. Also completed its first Asian search with a placement in Thailand.
A year of both sorrow and growth. Dan’s wife, Deborah Simmons, who had worked beside him for many years, passed away. At the same time, Rick and Trish broadened the firm’s reach into the animal health industry.
Continental Search joined the Sanford Rose Associates franchise network, strengthening training, resources, and national reach.
The firm exited the Top Echelon Network as it prepared for further expansion.
Continental Search grew again with the addition of Cris Soronio. The firm also launched its first salary surveys, covering feed milling and animal health & nutrition.
Maria Codialla earns CPC accreditation.
Trish expanded into companion animal recruiting. Continental Search also added a salary survey for pork production.
Trish expanded into poultry production recruiting. Cris began managing pork producer client relationships. Continental Search mourned the loss of Maria Codilla, a respected colleague and friend whose leadership in pork and poultry recruiting left a lasting impact. In late 2025, the firm expanded its research with a salary survey for poultry production.
In December 2025, we signed on with a global technology firm as one of the first 10 US-based firms to use their fully integrated, state-of-the-art technology, which incorporates the latest AI search and communication tools. This system enables us to serve our clients faster and better.
Celebrations:
- Continental Search – 30 years serving clients
- Dan Simmons – 35th year as a recruiter
- Jim Hipskind – 40th year as a recruiter
Professional Standards & Recognition
Certifications
- Dan Simmons – Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) prior to founding Continental Search in 1996
- Jim Hipskind – CPC prior to joining Continental Search in 2010
- Trish Valenzuela – CPC, earned in 2015
- Rick Pascual – CPC, earned in 2015
- Maria Codilla – CPC, earned in 2023
- One of only four firms nationally to maintain NAPS National Accreditation for five consecutive years (2018–2023)
Awards
- Many Top Echelon Network awards (late 1990s–2010s) including Placer of the Year (2009) – awarded to Dan Simmons, one of the network’s highest honors
- Sanford Rose Associates Annual Awards (Platinum 2022 & 2023), (Gold 2021 & 2024)
Impact & Reach
Continental Search by the Numbers:
- 29+ years in business
- Trusted by 100+ animal science companies
- Placed producers, nutritionists, veterinarians, consultants, and leaders nationwide
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: helping the animal sciences industry find and keep the talent it needs to thrive.
