Our Team
Spencer Tashima, Principal
Spencer has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the emerging communications marketplace. In March of 2001, Spencer founded Vortex Search to provide Executive & Technical Search services to the High Technology Startup marketplace.
Prior to this, Spencer was a co-founder and Executive Vice President of Essential Solutions, a leading Silicon Valley Executive and Technical resources firm focused on the Communications and Internet industries. While at Essential Solutions, Spencer managed the Executive Search Division and led the Internet recruitment efforts for Essential Solutions. While managing the Executive and Technical Search Division at Essential Solutions, he has successfully assisted in the career advancement of key executive professionals in Communications, Multimedia, Networking, Semiconductor, Disk Drive, Computing and Internet industry segments. Spencer has successfully placed Vice President and Director level professionals, as well as numerous key individual contributors, in Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance.
Prior to joining Essential Solutions in 1993, Spencer was the worldwide Sales Manager for Cougar Components, a wireless communications startup company. Before that, he held positions as a Product Line Manager, Applications Engineer, Project Manager and an RF/Microwave Design Engineer at Watkins-Johnson Company. Spencer holds Bachelors Degrees in Physics and Music from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Mark Nakano, Principal Recruiter
Mark has over 15 years of hardware and software experience in engineering management, marketing and sales for the telecommunications industry. Mark joined Vortex Search in 2003, primarily focusing on engineering searches.
Prior to this, Mark was a partner and Vice President at Essential Solutions, Inc., managing the hardware division of Essential Solutions. As Vice President, Mark’s technical knowledge and expertise brought value to his team and clients in the emerging technologies and communications marketplace.
Prior to joining Essential Solutions in 1995, Mark held a number of engineering and management positions with Rolm Corporation and Centigram Communications. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Davis, and has taken graduate level engineering courses at the University of Santa Clara.
EXCELLENCE COMMITMENT RESULTS
