ABOUT US
Experienced local recruiters focused on long-term hiring success.
OUR STORY
Valley Professional Search was founded in 2026 by Matt Helander and Lacey Peppersack after13 and 9 years of professional recruiting experience, respectively.
When we decided to build our own company, we wanted to take a more personal and relationship-driven approach than much of the modern recruiting industry has moved toward. While recruiting technology and AI continue to change hiring, we still believe there is real value in direct communication, in-person meetings, local market knowledge, and strong professional relationships.
Business in the Fargo-Moorhead region has long been built around trust and reputation, and we believe hiring should be approached the same way. We’ve intentionally built Valley Professional Search around those principles by combining strong local relationships, direct communication, modern recruiting tools, and decades of industry experience.
Our goal is to bearecruiting partner businesses and professionals trust when building critical teams or making important career decisions.
20+ years experience
Matt Helander
Matt Helander has spent more than 13 years building relationships throughout the Fargo-Moorhead business community, specializing in professional recruiting across construction, architecture, engineering, operations, and related industries.
Known for his networking ability, communication style, and instinct for evaluating long-term fit, Matt takes a highly personal approachto recruiting. He believes successful placements come from understanding the people behind the position just as much as the skills required for the job.
Outside of recruiting, Matt is usually in the middle of a new project – from large-scale personal construction projects and custom builds for friends to designing, building, and constantly improving his backyard RC racetrack. His genuine interest in how things are built – and the people who build them – gives him a practical understanding that naturally connects with many of the companies, teams, and professionals he works with throughout the region.
Lacey Peppersack
Lacey Peppersack brings nearly 10 years of professional recruiting experience with a strong focus on building genuine relationships and maintaining honest, direct communication throughout the hiring process. Over the years, she has partnered with companies and candidates across a wide range of industries, including accounting, sales, office administration, customer service, manufacturing, construction, and professional services.
Known for her thoughtful approach and ability to quickly build trust with both clients and candidates, Lacey believes successful recruiting starts with understanding people, communication styles, and long-term goals – not simply filling positions. Her adaptability and ability to connect with people have allowed her to recruit successfully across many different industries and professional environments.
Outside of recruiting, Lacey enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, especially walking and biking together, and stays actively involved in her church community where she helps organize social events throughout the year. She’s also an avid audiobook listener and rarely lets windshield time go to waste. Friends, family, and coworkers alike know her for her thoughtful nature and the small ways she consistently goes out of her way to make people feel appreciated and valued.
Whether you’re building your team or considering your next career move, we’d be happy to start a conversation.
Strong understanding of regional job markets
Personalized recruitment strategies
High-quality candidate network
