Next Up Columbus 2020: Alan Kutasy
Interview by Sarah Shumick
Name: Alan Kutasy
Age: 31
Profession: Founder & CEO at Agility Partners
Neighborhood: Downtown Columbus
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Information & Telecommunication Systems from Ohio University
Quote: “I’ve helped a number of people land their dream jobs, many with compensation increases that are life changing, and there is no better feeling.”
Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter
Alan Kutasy didn’t waste much time after graduating with his degree in Information & Telecommunication Systems from Ohio University. In 2010, Kutasy took a role as a recruiter in the staffing industry where he worked for a small firm, later leaving for a sales position at a Fortune 150 company. Five years after that – and after holding several roles in IT Staffing and IT Consulting – Kutasy realized his vision.
“I recognized this was a space that lacked innovation and decided to start a business that would leverage technology to revolutionize the employment process,” he said. He launched Agility Partners, an innovative temporary tech staffing, direct placement, and IT contingent search agency dedicated to the needs of clients and candidates. As Founder and CEO, Kutasy thrives on helping others succeed and especially loves the feeling of helping someone find their dream job.
Give us a snapshot of your career path:
I graduated in 2010 and began my career working as a recruiter in the staffing business. After about two years working for a smaller company, I left to take on a sales role within a much larger (Fortune 150) company. During my time there, I held multiple roles and worked in both IT Staffing and IT Consulting with clients primarily in Financial Services. After roughly five years, I recognized this was a space that lacked innovation and decided to start a business that would leverage technology to revolutionize the employment process.
What gets you up in the morning? And what gets you through the workweek?
I thrive on making a positive impact on people’s lives. Helping the person with no experience to land his or her first job in IT, or getting that undervalued employee into an organization that appreciates his or her experience, and compensates for it, is a huge win for me. I’ve helped a number of people land their dream jobs, many with compensation increases that are life changing, and there is no better feeling.
What advice or mentors have helped guide you along the way?
I’ve had a number of mentors who’ve helped guide me along the way. One of my biggest takeaways has been the importance and the power behind listening. It was only after I became what I believe to be an effective listener that I was able to truly take the next step in my career. Starting a business with as relatively little experience as I had took, and still takes, someone who is humble and open to suggestions to be successful.
What do you do or where do you go to unwind?
I enjoy working out and playing basketball, so I can usually be found at the Athletic Club, or at a number of local restaurants, enjoying a good meal and a cocktail/glass of wine.
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I wanted to be a singer more than anything. In fact, when the first season of American Idol premiered, I told my parents I was going to try out and walked around my house with my Walkman on and headphones in singing Craig David at the top of my lungs. It only took about 2-3 days of this before my parents had a conversation with me about “realistic goals.”
What books or podcasts are you reading/listening to right now?
“Powerful” – Patti McCorbey
“Dare to Lead” – Brene Brown
What does it mean to you to be chosen for the Next Up Columbus award?
Being from Columbus, I’ve been fortunate to watch our city develop into the vibrant, innovative, and forward-thinking place we know and love today. To be recognized as an emerging leader in a city filled with so many inspirational and forward-thinking professionals is something that I never dreamed of. It’s truly an honor to be chosen!
If someone were to ask you what the “pulse” of Columbus is, what would you tell them?
People grow up here, go away for a few years, and then come back. It’s a city rich in tradition and familiarity. More recently, Columbus has been developing into a tech hub, home to several start-ups with valuations in the billions that have really brought a lot of attention to the city. Couple that with the tremendous amount of new development, great restaurants, bars, and new entrepreneurs and you have one of the fastest growing, diverse, and inclusive cities in the Midwest.
The Next Up Columbus Awards highlight emerging leaders who are connectors and ambassadors in Central Ohio and who are making a positive impact on the future of Columbus. Special thanks to the Columbus Young Professionals Club, Discover Financial, and Zipline Logistics for their support of this awards program. Meet the entire “Class of 2020” »