Defense/Aerospace
Katherine Jerald
Katherine Jerald is a second-generation recruiter with a passion for the aerospace, satellite, and defense industries. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Business, she earned an MBA in Finance and joined her father’s search firm, FPC Portland, as an executive recruiter. She later launched her own search firm, Elray Search, LLC, which focuses on solving the biggest talent needs of middle-market clients in A&D.
Katherine’s expertise in these fields has earned her numerous accolades, including being consistently one of the top producing recruiters in the FPC system and a five-time winner of FPC’s top recruiter award. Her commitment to encouraging a diverse workforce has resulted in 50% of the candidates Elray places being women, double the industry average. As a member of several organizations supporting A&D, including the Pinnacle Society, Katherine regularly shares her insights and expertise with other top recruiters and industry leaders.
Katherine Jerald is a second-generation recruiter. She began working in recruiting at the age of 12, when she helped her father set up computers for his newly opened search firm, and her enthusiasm for the industry has only grown stronger over the years.
After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Oregon in 2004, Katherine continued her education and earned an MBA in Finance from Washington State University in 2015. She then rejoined her father’s search firm, FPC Portland, as an executive recruiter and went on to open an FPC office in Lake Chelan, Washington. Katherine specializes in defense, satellite, and aerospace technologies, and her expertise in these fields has been crucial in helping her clients find the best talent in the industry.
Katherine’s hard work and dedication have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. During her tenure at FPC, she was consistently one of the top producing recruiters in the FPC system and was the five-time winner of FPC’s top recruiter award.
In 2022, Katherine launched her own search firm, Elray Search, LLC, which is committed to solving the biggest talent needs of middle-market clients in the aerospace, satellite, and defense industries. Her firm is committed to encouraging a diverse workforce–50% of the candidates Elray places are women—double the industry average.
Passionate about the aerospace, satellite, and defense industries, Katherine is an active member of several organizations that support these fields. She is a member of the Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Leading Ladies of Aerospace, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and Women in Defense.
As a member of the Pinnacle Society, Katherine regularly speaks at conferences, where she shares her insights and expertise with other top recruiters and industry leaders.
Overall, Katherine is a talented and passionate recruiter who is committed to helping her clients find the best talent in A&D. Her dedication to her work and her involvement in the community have earned her a well-deserved reputation as one of the top recruiters in the field, and her membership in the Pinnacle Society is a testament to her success and expertise.