Who We Are
Founded in January 2020, with over 25 years of recruiting for the most reputable companies across the Carolinas, Carolina Professional Recruiting Group (PRG) is a boutique recruiting firm that offers top-level recruiting services in the Charlotte metro area. We pride ourselves in being a trusted guide to both candidate patrons and client partners by offering local and personalized professional recruiting and staffing services.
What We Do
We are a full-service recruiting firm specializing in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Administration, Office Administration, Marketing, and Engineering and Supply Chain. We pride ourselves in building long-lasting relationships and are fully committed to both parties’ success by taking a collaborative approach when working with our client partners and candidate patrons.
What We Stand By:
Mission: To “Create Remarkable Career Moments®.” We aim to be a professional guide for both our client partners as well as candidate patrons not only for a moment in time but throughout their careers. We believe when the right talent finds the right role, incredible magic happens.
Vision: We aim to shape a future for Charlotte area professionals where every career move is a meaningful step forward, built on shared values and lasting partnerships.
Core Values: We understand the true value of our relationships and want to help organizations find candidates whose talents, interests, and experience match the needs of the job and culture of the team
Guiding Principles
BRIAN PASSARELLI, CPA
Managing Partner and Co-Founder
Brian Passarelli is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who started his career as an auditor in the Big 4 with KPMG in Boston. Brian quickly learned public accounting was not his long term passion and decided to pursue real estate for seven years until the arrival of his twins led to a transition into the executive recruiting industry. Brian quickly excelled and found the recruiting space allowed for the connection with people he was seeking in his career. Prior to launching Carolina PRG, Brian spent over six years working for a local executive recruiting firm specializing in placing Accounting and Finance professionals in the Charlotte market.
When not recruiting, Brian enjoys sharing experiences and creating memories with his family, golfing, skiing, traveling, reading, and hiking with his two labs, Bailey and Lola.
Michael Lewandowski
Director of Recruiting
Mike Lewandowski is the Director of Recruiting at Carolina PRG, bringing over a decade of experience matching outstanding professionals with leading organizations. Mike began his career in recruiting in 2009. In 2011, he refocused on engineering and manufacturing recruitment helping drive new client development before stepping into his current leadership role.
Mike joined Carolina PRG in 2020 as Director of Recruiting. He leads the team, focusing on developing talent and training future recruiters. Known for his strategic approach and commitment to building lasting relationships, Mike has been instrumental in shaping the company’s success.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys playing golf and rooting for his favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. Married in 2024, Mike and his spouse enjoy exploring the Charlotte area and spending time with friends and family.
John Shelton
Director of Executive Search and Partnership Development
John Shelton is the Director of Executive Search and Partnership Development at Carolina PRG and brings an extensive background in the accounting, finance, and executive search space. He started his career in public accounting before transitioning into recruiting and realizing his passion and excitement for the industry. His experience spans over twenty years working with both a global organization and local Charlotte area boutique firm before joining the team at Carolina PRG. John has thoroughly enjoyed building the rapport and relationships with his candidates and clients he has developed over his time in the industry, and he takes pride in helping others to further their professional development and careers through his work.
When he’s not in the office, John enjoys spending time with his wife, Meghan, and their three kids and his dogs at home. He is an avid Panthers and ECU Pirates fan and enjoys watching his kids sports and spending time with friends every chance he gets. John loves all things water, golfing, traveling, and finding solace in his work in the yard on the weekends.
Vanessa Hoogsteen
Executive Recruiter
Vanessa Hoogsteen is an Executive Recruiter here at Carolina PRG. She recently graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning her degree in May 2024. During her academic journey, Vanessa interned as an Operations Analyst with a recruiting firm, where she discovered her passion for connecting people with the right opportunities. After graduation, she eagerly joined the dynamic team at Carolina PRG.
With Vanessa’s background as a history major, she has developed strong research skills and an analytical mindset that has helped translate into the recruiting field. Vanessa finds fulfillment in helping others navigate their careers, which solidified her decision to pursue recruiting as a profession.
Originally from Michigan, Vanessa now proudly calls Charlotte home. In her free time, she enjoys reading, volunteering as part of the worship team at her church, Moments of Hope, and going to the gym. Vanessa is excited to continue developing her recruiting skills and contribute to the success of Carolina PRG, where she looks forward to growing alongside an exceptional team.
