Meet Our Team
Position, Professional Experience & Background
With over 20 years of experience in the recruitment and staffing industry, Kelly leads the operations of our original flagship office headquartered in the Walker Center. She joined AP Professionals in 2004 and will be celebrating her 14 year anniversary with the Advantage Company in April. In 2016, she became an equity partner of the Advantage Business Exchange, a trusted one-stop venue for all of our consumer, commercial and government clients by enabling direct access to all of our premium resources..
Kelly is a dynamic sales and marketing professional with an extensive professional network. Niche markets include Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Engineering, IT , Administrative and Healthcare. Furthermore, Kelly has made a lasting commitment to serve in the community and serves on several boards and committees. Consistent with AP’s motto, she strives to develop relationships that last a lifetime.
Professional Affiliations
NHRA of WNY – Co President
SHRM
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Leadership Buffalo, Class of 2009
Recruitment Leaders
Community Affiliations
Angels of Awareness, Board of Directors
Child and Adolescent Treatment Services (CATS) Co-Chair Fire and Ice Gala
ChangeMS Wellness Foundation, Vice President
Women and Children’s Hospital Foundation
March of Dimes, Former Buffalo Chapter Board Member
Boys and Girls Town of Italy
Muscular Dystrophy Association

Dawn Fletch
Director of New Buisness Development
Accounting/Finance/IT
State University of New York at Buffalo
BA, Fashon Merchandising, Minor in Business Studies
Dfletch@apbuffalo.com
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Dawn Fletch joined the AP team in September 2016 as Our Director of New Business Development. She came to us after a very successful 13-year career working with The Buffalo News as a Recruitment Account Executive. Dawn has over 20 years experience in the Human Resources arena including recruitment and sales.
As the Director of New Business Development, Dawn focuses primarily on developing relationships with new and existing clients and also assists with recruitment and interviewing for accounting and IT candidates.
Community Affiliations
Dodge Road Elementary PTA – Board Member – Co President 2015-2017

Ron Papaj
Division President
AP Technical Search and Operational Excellence
University at Buffalo Law School
Juris Doctor Degree
Canisius College
BS, Business Management
RPapaj@aptechsearch.com
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Technical Search and Operational Excellence, is a division of AP. Professionals of Western New York. Ron has been with the firm since October of 1997, and specializes in Engineering, CAD Design, Manufacturing Operations, and Organization Performance Excellence. Prior to joining AP., Ron worked as Business Manager for PC Industrial Design, A CAD Design Firm; as Project Manager with the Engineering Firms’ Hatch Associates and Hibbard Engineers; and as Contract Administrator with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority on the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit Project.
Ron earned a Business Management Degree from Canisius College and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University at Buffalo Law School.
Professional Affiliations
Ron is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Engineering Society of Buffalo and the Technology Advisory Board of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District. Ron is a member of the American Society of Quality.
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Amy joined the AP team in September 2017 as Placement Director for the IT Division. She has over 20 years of experience as a Professional Recruiter, specializing in IT placements. Amy is an accomplished, ambitious professional with full life cycle recruiting experience and a strong passion for helping people. With her proven ability to network she is able create and maintain long-term partnerships, building relationships that last a lifetime.
Community Affiliations
Elly’s Angels
Heart Animal Rescue and Adoption
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Kayla Bajak just recently celebrated her 5 year anniversary with AP and currently specializes in staffing for the Administrative Division. After interning within the office and learning the inner workings of each division she became a permanent member of the team as of May 2014. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication which has provided great knowledge of people and further developed her strong interpersonal skills with both clients and candidates. She takes pride in her keen ability to not only exceed the expectations of her clients and candidates but provide the top customer service when it comes to contact and follow up.
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Barbara Strother joined the AP team in February of 2013 as a Placement Coordinator. In February of 2014, she was promoted to the Payroll & Recruiting Coordinator. Barbara joined the AP Buffalo team as a Placement Director in Spring of 2015. Having worked in administrative, payroll and junior recruiter roles before moving into a senior role, gives her a solid understanding of the industry and both the clients’ and candidates’ needs. She focuses on accounting, finance and IT placement services for contract/consulting, contract to hire, and direct hire needs.
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Holly Standish joined the AP Team in 2017 as our Placement Director supporting the Administrative Division. Holly is an accomplished business professional with over 15 years of combined experience in corporate recruiting, employee and labor relations. She has built a solid reputation with several large well-known corporations throughout WNY, having had recruited and managed their Human Resource Departments. She has worked in various industries including: financial services, retail, education, hospitality and healthcare. She has a proven track record with problem solving, relationship building and has a passion for recruiting.
Professional Affiliations
BNHRA
SHRM
Community Affiliations
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
Buffalo Pug and Small Animal Rescue
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Danielle currently serves as the Payroll Manager/Sales Support Specialist in support of the Administrative Placement division at AP. Professionals. Danielle also manages payroll for the temporary employees for all three divisions of AP. WNY. She joined the team in March of 2011 and has worked in a variety of roles throughout that time, including Administrative Coordinator and Placement Manager. Danielle brings eight years of staffing industry experience, having previously worked for an international workforce solutions provider.
Professional Affiliations
NHRA of WNY – Co Secretary
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Meghan joined the AP team in February of 2016 as an Intern and became permanent shortly after in May of 2016. She currently serves as the Payroll Coordinator and is responsible for the payroll of all temporary candidates. She strives to succeed at AP Professionals, delivering the best services to clients and candidates.
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Ashley started her career in the fashion industry as early as 15 which has inspired her to fulfill her passion for individuality and creativity. In addition to gaining extensive knowledge in the industry, she has harnessed her organizational, customer service, and leadership skills. That experience combined with obtaining her BA in Psychology in 2017 has led to her current role with AP Professionals of WNY where she is a passionate HR professional dedicated to understanding the psychology of people and what motivates them, to best help them into the right careers.
Community Affiliations
Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation

Joe Kreuz
Founder
University of Buffalo
BS, School of Management
jkreuz@apbuffalo.com
Position, Professional Experience & Background
AP Professionals of WNY LLC was founded in 1993 by Joseph R. Kreuz following a career at the world’s premier Fortune 500 search and staffing firm. AP and its related affiliate companies currently employ over 800 people with offices throughout the US, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the European community.
Professional Affiliations
Board member, University at Buffalo- School of Management
Past board chair, Gateway-Longview
Community Affiliations
Women and Children’s Hospital
United Way
SABAH
Buffalo Renaissance Foundation
UB School of Management
UB Alumni

Mark Pautler
Managing Partner
University of Buffalo
BS, School of Management
mark@rochesterap.com
Position, Professional Experience & Background
Mark is the Managing Partner and President of AP Professionals of New York which includes our three offices in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse NY. Mark has recruited and sold in the staffing industry since 1987. Mark also has ownership in our AP Arizona office.
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Management Accountants
– Board Member since 1988
CEO Roundtable
Brockport Accounting Advisory Board
Community Affiliations
Pluta Cancer Center
Golisano Children’s Hospital Stroll for Kids
Ronald McDonald House
McQuaid Jesuit Bash