About Us
Our Founders
Eden Higgins
Founder / CEO
Leader – Exceptional Communicator – Client Centric
About Eden
Starting her career with over a decade of experience in various Human Resources roles within start-ups and corporate settings, Eden Higgins offers a unique complete approach to executive search and recruitment. Having been deeply involved in recruiting, compensation, benefits, employee relations, and strategic planning, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of business dynamics. Eden’s hands-on experience in technology, software, hospitality, retail, and call center industries has equipped her with valuable insights into organizational needs and challenges. From navigating the dot.com bubble to weathering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, her time on executive teams has sharpened her HR perspective and business savvy. Throughout her journey in HR, one key lesson has stood out: the foundation of any successful organization lies in the recruitment of exceptional talent.
Having immersed herself in various sectors both in the U.S. and globally since becoming an Executive Recruiter in the year 2000, Eden’s focus lies in recruitment within the field of renewable energy and emerging technologies. Her expertise in executive search spans solar energy, green energy, alternative energy, and beyond, establishing strong connections with top-tier professionals. Eden finds joy in the dynamic nature of recruiting and the opportunity to engage with new technologies, individuals, and assist companies in their growth journey.
Eden’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University and completion of the ASU Leadership Institute in 2019. She channels her interests by coaching cross country and track at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix. Her guidance has propelled the school’s women’s teams to top rankings in Arizona. In her role as Partner at Top Search Recruiting, Eden is dedicated to exceeding your expectations.
Jackie Benton
Founder / CEO
Problem Solver – Strategic Thinker – Effective
Jackie is a well-established recruiter. With nearly 20 years in the business, she has proven herself as a respected leader, helping companies grow and creating partnerships that require a dedicated and knowledgeable professional who understands each unique mission.
Jackie launched Benton Recruiting Services, now Top Search Recruiting, upon recognizing that there needed to be a better way for companies to access the services of a recruiting firm without breaking the bank.
Jackie's Philosophy
After having taken 11 years away from an software engineering career to be a stay-at-home parent, my family was about to face a major change. As my children were entering grade school, it felt like the right time for me to reenter the working world. Knowing that the software industry had advanced since my last job, searching for something new felt daunting. That’s why when an opportunity appeared at a recruiting firm, it seemed like the perfect switch and just what our family needed.
Up until that point, my experience with firms was as a client. I remember interviewing engineers sent to us by contingency firms and I was usually underwhelmed. When I found out the cost of hiring one of those engineers, I was shocked! It felt very suspicious that all the engineers we interviewed asked for the top of our pay range, as if someone may have tipped them off.
I was lucky to join a firm that embraced an hourly fee model. Our primary mission was to source only the finest candidates in the most efficient manner possible. Furthermore, there were no financial incentives provided for steering clients towards costly workers since we weren’t paid on commission. As such, our objective solely concentrated on recruiting those with the best experience.
Upon taking this role, I was quickly made aware that recruiters are often seen in a negative light. Social media is full of videos posted by job applicants outlining the underhanded tactics used by some recruiters. My firm beliefs center around honesty and openness for all parties involved – employers and jobseekers alike. Everyone should be afforded respect and dignity throughout the recruitment process.
It was clear to me that there had to be a better way for companies to access the services of a recruiting firm without breaking the bank. That’s why, in 2020, when the pandemic started, and it became evident just how successful remote work could be, my decision was made – to establish my own firm. By eliminating the overhead costs associated with office space, we could pass those savings directly on to our clients. So now they can enjoy great service at a fraction of its usual cost.
Your Talent Partner - at a fraction of the cost.
Let’s focus on building a productive team - together.
For over 20 years, Top Search Recruiting has been providing organizations with the talent and business intelligence they need. We offer a cost-effective solution to those who are unable or unwilling to pay the high fees of contingency and retained firms. Our mission is to help our client find the perfect candidate that will make a positive impact on their business, while also giving them access to market data so they can be more strategic when it comes to their hiring decisions.