Spotlight: Kevin Stemke on authenticity in executive search, NFL background

In 2017, when considering joining Charles Aris, Kevin Stemke had the choice to build his own vertical as a practice leader or start as an associate recruiter. The former entrepreneur and NFL punter chose the latter in an effort to learn the business, industry and build his recruiting knowledge from the ground up.

The now senior associate practice leader admits there was a learning curve, but claims that adopting the Charles Aris process, as well as effectively conveying his sincerity and genuineness, helped him lay a strong foundation on which to grow his career and develop trusted relationships with both candidates and clients. These became cornerstones in helping him quickly grow in his career and find an area of expertise in strategy recruiting for industrial companies.

As he continues building out his practice area six years into his Charles Aris career, Kevin employs the same philosophy. “It’s important to me to be a trusted resource for anyone that I work with, candidates and clients alike. Trust is paramount in any relationship.” Stemke said.

Much of this philosophy is built into the Charles Aris process, but Kevin has always placed a high degree of importance on integrity, going all the way back to selecting which college football program to join to selecting an agent in the pro ranks to believing in Charles Aris and the people who have made the company what it is.

“I believe the people you associate with, and even the people you work with and for, are a representation of you, and so whether it was selecting an agent, a place to work or now working with a candidate, a client, etc., integrity matters,” he said.

The executive recruiter began his career at the University of Wisconsin Madison playing D1 football and earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing. Here, he won the inaugural Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. After completing his degree and earning national notoriety in collegiate sports, Kevin went on to play for various teams in the NFL.

After completing his NFL career, Kevin lived in various locations across the United States with his wife, a former member of the United States Women’s National Volleyball Team, as she coached D1 volleyball for several universities. In 2005, he helped build a startup focused on licensing, producing and selling athletic photos to raise scholarship money for collegiate athletic departments. At the startup, Kevin was a vice president of business development and led all nonoperational partnerships.

A Green Bay, Wisconsin native, Kevin lived in a variety of locations after college but took to North Carolina after living in Chapel Hill. While seeking opportunities that would bring him and his family back to the Tar Heel state, a family member in Greensboro recommended looking at Charles Aris.

Stemke took a leap when he first joined the firm, but his decision to start his recruiting career as an associate and work his way up organically was successful. He earned his promotion to senior associate practice leader in 2022, continuing to serve clients in need of top strategy talent – primarily recruiting current and former consultants from the top strategy consulting firms.

“In my opinion, Kevin is one of the best hires Charles Aris has made. He’s one of the most genuine people you’ll meet, inside of work or out, yet has this competitive, inner-self drive to be the best at what he does,” said Steven Stewart, vice president of TMT and industrials. “He builds lasting relationships with his candidates and clients that will serve him, and Charles Aris, well for years to come.”

Kevin and his wife have three kids and plan on staying in North Carolina for the foreseeable future. His family enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. Before joining Charles Aris, they embarked on an eight-week trip across Europe where they visited countries ranging from England to Slovenia to Italy. The senior associate practice leader says he hopes to plan more family trips in the future.

Every year, Wisconsin’s top senior kicker or punter receives the Kevin Stemke Award as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards.

To learn more about Kevin’s recruiting capabilities in strategy and industrial goods, contact him at (336) 217-9109 or kevin.stemke@charlesaris.com.