About Three Cords Talent

Building Stronger Organizations Through People and Partnership

At Three Cords Talent, we believe people are at the heart of every successful organization. Founded on the principle that the right talent and the right guidance can transform businesses, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping organizations grow stronger by connecting them with exceptional people and providing consulting services that drive measurable impact.

Who We Are

We are more than recruiters and consultants—we are partners in your success. With deep industry knowledge and a passion for problem-solving, our team collaborates closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and design tailored solutions that drive progress.

Who’s Behind Three Cords

Meet the Founders

Vanessa F. Stipe

Founder & CEO
Venessa F. Stipe brings over two decades of leadership in talent acquisition, cleared recruitment, and executive search. She has built high-performing teams and scaled recruitment operations for Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and fast-growth government contractors. Her experience spans mission-critical industries—including defense, aerospace, healthcare, and technology—where precision hiring and compliance aren’t optional, they’re essential.

Throughout her career, Venessa has been recognized not only for her ability to deliver results under pressure, but for her mentorship, empathy, and people-first philosophy. She approaches every engagement with a deep understanding of client needs, workforce trends, and human potential. Her leadership fuels Three Cords’ ability to blend operational excellence with meaningful partnerships—delivering talent that sticks, scales, and succeeds.

“The right hire doesn’t just fill a role—it fulfills a mission.”

Brian McDowell

Co-Founder & Partner
With over 25 years in recruitment strategy, business development, and federal staffing, Brian McDowell is a driving force behind Three Cords’ client delivery model. He brings a systems-based approach to hiring, ensuring alignment between business objectives, workforce plans, and the realities of government contracting. His background includes work with DoD contractors, aerospace firms, and healthcare organizations, where agility, compliance, and cultural fit are non-negotiables.

Brian’s strength lies in his ability to build trust and move fast. Whether supporting a proposal response with contingent staffing or sourcing hard-to-find cleared candidates under pressure, he operates with calm precision and a deep respect for mission outcomes. His focus is never just on filling jobs—it’s on empowering clients with resilient, high-impact teams.

“Great missions deserve great people—and great leadership to guide them.”

Our Journey, Defined by Purpose

Our History

Since our founding in 2025, we’ve grown from a small, dedicated team into a trusted partner for companies across DoD/Aerospace, defense, technology, commercial, and government sectors. Along the way, we’ve built lasting relationships with clients who value our reliability, integrity, and ability to deliver results when it matters most.

Our Values

  • Integrity – We believe trust is earned through honesty, transparency, and consistency in everything we do.
  • Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standards, delivering quality results that make a lasting difference.
  • Collaboration – We build strong partnerships with clients and candidates, grounded in respect and open communication.
  • Innovation – We embrace modern strategies and tools to stay ahead, ensuring our clients benefit from fresh, effective solutions.
  • Commitment – We are fully invested in the success of our clients, candidates, and community.

At our core, we exist to help people and organizations thrive. Whether you are looking to fill critical roles, strengthen your workforce strategy, or navigate complex business challenges, Three Cords Talent, LLC is here to guide the way—built on trust, driven by values, and focused on your success.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

Inspired by “a cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12), our mission is to unite talent, clients, and purpose in lasting partnership. We believe that when employers, candidates, and our team come together with trust and shared values, we create connections that are strong, resilient, and built to last. Through integrity, relationship-driven service, and a commitment to excellence, we help organizations thrive by placing the right people in the right roles—every time.

Vision Statement

To be the most trusted talent partner for organizations that power, protect, and progress the world. We envision a future where talent strategy aligns seamlessly with mission delivery—where employers and professionals are empowered through clarity, access, and purpose-driven collaboration.

Testimonials

Our Happy Customers