At a time when the job market continues to evolve, with hybrid work, shifting employer expectations, and economic uncertainty shaping the landscape, The Towson Torch had the opportunity to sit down with the team at Chesapeake Search Partners (CSP) to get their perspective from the front lines of talent and recruitment.
Headquartered right here in Towson, CSP has grown from a local start-up in a garage off Bellona Avenue into a nationally recognized search firm with deep community roots. We spoke with the founding partners and team members about their journey, values, and insights into what both employers and job seekers should know about navigating today’s ever-changing world of work
TOGETHER WITH:
🔥 Tell us a little bit about the history of Chesapeake Search Partners, especially when you arrived in Towson. Where did you begin, how long ago and how far have you come since then?
CSP:
Chesapeake Search Partners was founded in May 2013 by Johnny Black, Rick Fribush, and John Geraghty. Our roots have always been firmly planted in the Towson area; from growing up in Baltimore County and attending local schools, to operating all three of our office spaces right here in Towson. In fact, CSP began humbly in Johnny’s parents’ garage in a neighborhood just off Bellona Avenue.
From there, we moved into a small suite at 22 W. Pennsylvania Avenue before eventually making the leap to 110 West Road, just behind the Shops at Kenilworth. That move was an important milestone for us; it came alongside the hiring of our first employee, another born-and-bred Towson local, Patrick Fitzgerald, who attended Calvert Hall and played baseball at Towson University.
After seven successful years at 110 West Road, we took time to reflect on our journey and the evolving post-COVID landscape. In 2023, we decided to go all in by more than doubling our office footprint and moving into a newly built-out space on the 8th floor at 502 Washington Avenue.
John Geraghty, Rick Fribush,
Johnny Black
Chesapeake Search Partners
502 Washington Ave
“The move to our current space was an opportunity to stop and smell the roses for us a little. We celebrated 10 years in business, had a strong team, and saw a migration of an urban feel to downtown Towson.” – Johnny Black
Today, that space represents much more than an address; it’s a reflection of our growth, our collaboration with our network, and our continued commitment to serving the greater Baltimore business community and beyond while building something lasting right here in Towson.
🔥 What core values and guiding principles shape Chesapeake Search Partners' approach to recruitment and client partnerships, and how do these set them apart from other search firms?
CSP:
Our firm is built on four core values: Commitment, Consistency, Communication, and Integrity. These aren’t just words on a wall; they’re the foundation for how we operate every day. We actually learned the importance of defining and living by core values from a great friend of the firm, Mike Gill, who emphasized how values create alignment, trust, and purpose in an organization.
At Chesapeake Search Partners, those values set the tone for everything we do — both internally among our team and externally with clients and candidates.
These principles are what set us apart. We don’t view recruitment as simply filling roles, we see it as building relationships that help companies and people reach their full potential. Our clients know they can rely on us not just for results, but for honesty, follow-through, and genuine partnership.
🔥 It is clear the CSP is very involved in the community and giving back, can you tell us about some of the things you do and why they are important to you?
CSP:
We believe passionately that giving back to your community is the corporate responsibility of any organization, regardless of size. While we might not be writing big checks, we’ve always been willing to roll up our sleeves and give our time and energy to make a difference.
In 2015, we sought to be more intentional about that commitment, so we formed CSP Community Connections, an internal initiative focused on volunteering together at least once a quarter and finding ways to make a positive impact whenever possible. Over the years, we’ve supported and partnered with a number of incredible local organizations, including Catch-a-Lift, Maryland Food Bank, Share Baby, JARC, Next One Up, Baltimore Hunger Project, Dress for Success, and Junior Achievement, to name a few.
🔥 What kind of insights or advice might you have on the current job market for our readers, whether it be for employers or for job candidates looking for a new role? (both locally and nationally, remote vs back to work?)
CSP:
The job market in 2025 remains dynamic and competitive, but it’s also stabilizing after several years of rapid change. We’re seeing employers take a more intentional approach to hiring; prioritizing long-term fit, adaptability, and culture alignment over speed. Locally, the Baltimore/Towson area continues to show steady demand across professional services, construction, healthcare, and technology, with flexibility being a key factor in attracting and retaining talent. Nationally, hybrid work models have become the norm, with most organizations finding a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. For employers, clarity and communication around expectations are essential, while for candidates, the ability to demonstrate agility, communication skills, and cultural fit makes all the difference. Ultimately, success on both sides comes down to relationships, transparency, and staying adaptable in an evolving world of work.
🔥 In what ways has Chesapeake Search Partners maintained strong local roots in Maryland while expanding its national reach, and what proportion of their placements are now outside the Mid-Atlantic region?
CSP:
From the start of Chesapeake Search Partners, the majority of our business was concentrated in the Greater Baltimore market. Our relationships were deeply local built through the trust and reputation we earned right here. Over time, as our clients grew and our network expanded, new opportunities naturally followed. Through strong partnerships with Private Equity portfolio companies and other strategic relationships, we’ve broadened our reach and now conduct searches across the country.
Today, we’re proud to say that roughly 80% of our work remains Mid-Atlantic focused, while 20% represents national search.
🔥 How does CSP foster genuine, long-term relationships with clients and candidates, and what specific initiatives or feedback mechanisms does it use to ensure placement success and ongoing client satisfaction?
CSP:
At Chesapeake Search Partners, relationships are truly at the heart of everything we do. We built this firm on the belief that recruiting isn’t just about making placements, it's about creating partnerships that endure and add value long after the hire is made. That means investing the time to deeply understand our clients’ business goals, culture, and leadership style so we can connect them with professionals who will thrive both personally and professionally.
We apply that same relationship-driven philosophy with our candidates. We communicate openly, stay transparent about opportunities, and focus on helping them make the best decision for their career, not just the quickest one. That approach has helped us earn trust and build relationships that often span multiple career moves.
To ensure long-term success, we’ve built intentional feedback loops into our process. We maintain consistent post-placement follow-up with both clients and candidates to make sure things are going smoothly, gather feedback, and address any adjustments early. These touchpoints help us strengthen relationships and refine our process continuously.
A major extension of that relationship philosophy came in 2021 with the launch of Chesapeake HR Solutions, led by Partner Jason Nemoy, who brings over 25 years of human resources experience and a passion for helping organizations build stronger people practices. Through Chesapeake HR Solutions, we provide clients with customized consulting services, including fractional and interim HR support, executive coaching, and outplacement and career coaching. This dedicated arm of our business extends our commitment beyond recruitment; equipping clients with the resources and advisory tools to strengthen their internal teams, support ongoing development, navigate challenges such as turnover or organizational change, and sustain long-term success. It’s another way we continue to serve as a true partner rather than a transactional search firm.
