Meet the Team

Our team has a wide variety of experiences, vast networks, and an incredible passion for what we do.


Ernie Moreno

Ernie Moreno is a seasoned executive recruiter and founder of NextLevel Executive Search, LLC. He has built a reputation for excellence in the nationwide recruitment of food and beverage industry professionals, including senior management to supervisors across various areas such as product management, maintenance, HR, finance, engineering, QA, R&D, purchasing…. Read More

Adam Palafox

Adam Palafox is a highly experienced Senior Recruiting Partner at NextLevel Executive Search, with over 20 years of expertise in the wine & food industry. With his deep-rooted background in sales and extensive knowledge of the wine industry, Adam is a proven professional capable of bridging top talent with leading companies. He is particularly adept at understanding the unique needs of his clients, thanks to his upbringing….. Read More

Karson Gries

Karson Gries brings over 6 years of invaluable recruiter experience to the food and beverage industry. With his expertise in recruitment, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills, Karson seamlessly translates his abilities to meet the specific demands of the field.

Karson excels at identifying top talent for the food and beverage manufacturing sector, whether it be sourcing production managers, quality control….Read More

Rebeckah Flanagan

Rebeckah Flanagan is a seasoned Recruitment Expert and HR Consultant, leveraging her 20+ years of experience in talent acquisition to recruit top-tier manufacturing professionals across the U.S. Her unique approach, developed during her time as a manufacturing executive, allows her to grasp the requirements necessary to drive successful results. Rebeckah uses her deep industry knowledge…. Read More


Julian Martinez Moreno

Julian E. Martinez-Moreno is a dynamic and accomplished professional currently serving as Senior Partner at NextLevel Executive Search, LLC. Drawing from his impressive academic background, including an MS degree in Human Resource Studies from Cornell University, along with an MBA – Marketing, and an MS degree in Human Resources and Industrial Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign….Read More

Rebecca Abreu

As a Senior Partner at NextLevel Executive Search, Rebecca Abreu draws from over 15 years of distinguished experience in food safety and quality to identify transformative leadership for client organizations. Her extensive industry expertise, combined with a proven ability to recruit exceptional executives, makes Abreu an invaluable partner for companies seeking to optimize operations while upholding the most….Read More

Tim Lohse

Tim Lohse is a Senior Partner at NextLevel Executive Search, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership and operational excellence. He is also the Founder & CEO of Birch Hill Recruiting LLC, where he has dedicated himself to solving the intricate puzzle of matching talent with opportunities, ensuring the perfect fit for both candidates and employers. His mission….Read More