We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brooke Velazquez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brooke below.

Brooke, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I’ve taken was walking away from a company I had been with for 18 years to open my own recruiting firm, while raising three young kids and serving as the primary breadwinner for our family.

It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. So much of my identity and security had been tied to my former company. But over time, the culture and leadership shifted, and I reached a point where staying simply wasn’t aligned with who I was anymore. I knew I needed to make a change, not just for my career, but for my long-term fulfillment and the example I was setting for my children.

I could have joined another staffing firm and kept doing what I had always done: placing lower-level field personnel in the construction industry. But it didn’t feel right to switch “team shirts” and suddenly claim a new company was the best in town when I had spent nearly two decades saying that about the one I’d just left. I knew I needed to carve my own path.

That’s when I discovered a coaching and mentorship program specifically designed for executive recruiters. It opened my eyes to a new way of doing business—one that would allow me to stay in the construction industry I loved, but work more strategically with leadership-level professionals: Superintendents, Project Managers, Estimators, and back-office experts. I wasn’t just helping people find jobs anymore—I was helping them make career-defining moves.

The support and guidance of that coaching community was instrumental. I’ve always believed in the power of mentorship, but I experienced it on a whole new level. Having a network of like-minded professionals to lean on, ask questions, and share challenges with made all the difference.

My biggest takeaway? If you’re going to take a leap, make it a calculated one—have a plan, seek out support, stay true to your values and long-term goals, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to bet on yourself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Brooke Velazquez, Founder of Bright Sky Recruiting and an Executive Recruiter specializing in construction leadership placements. After nearly two decades at a staffing firm, I decided to start my own company to do things differently—more personally, more strategically, and with a deeper commitment to long-term success for both clients and candidates.

Today, Bright Sky Recruiting focuses on direct placements for mid- to senior-level professionals across the construction industry, including Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators, Engineers, and operational leaders. I work closely with both general and specialty contractors to help them find the right talent—not just based on skill set, but on culture, values, and growth alignment.

What sets me apart is my deep industry involvement and my relational approach to recruiting. I serve as Chair of the Specialty Contractors Council and Secretary of the Sales and Marketing Council for the Building Industry Association (BIA), and I’m also a board member of the Specialty Contractors Council and a member of the Workforce Development Committee with the Associated General Contractors (AGC). These leadership roles keep me closely connected to the pulse of the industry—from policy and advocacy to workforce development and education—which allows me to better serve the clients and candidates I work with. I’m passionate about workforce development, mentorship, and helping shape the next generation of construction leaders.

I’m proud that Bright Sky Recruiting is not just a recruiting firm—it’s a partner. I named the company Bright Sky because I know firsthand how stressful and overwhelming hiring can be. My goal is to be “your silver lining for top talent”—to make the process easier, better, and brighter for everyone involved. That means understanding your business inside and out, communicating clearly, and delivering talent that adds long-term value.

What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built across this industry—from companies that know I “get it,” to candidates who know I have their best interests at heart. Recruiting doesn’t have to be transactional. At Bright Sky, it’s about connection, clarity, and results.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation in the market has been built on consistency, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to the construction industry. My deep involvement with the BIA, AGC, and other construction associations has played a major role, not because I do it for recognition, but because I truly care about advocating for the industry and helping it grow.

Over the years, I’ve volunteered my time, served on multiple councils and committees, and supported countless events and initiatives—not because there was a direct return, but because I believe in giving back. Whether it’s workforce development, mentorship, or bringing industry partners together, I show up with the intention to contribute, not just to benefit.

People recognize that. They see that I’m not just a recruiter trying to make a placement—I’m someone who is invested in the future of construction, someone who listens, collaborates, and adds value beyond the job search.

That’s what builds trust—and trust is the foundation of a lasting reputation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that best demonstrates my resilience is a placement that took well over a year to come to fruition—something many recruiters would have walked away from long before the finish line.

A geotechnical firm had been trying to fill a highly specialized engineering position for more than three years. The role was critical to their business, but the right fit had proven nearly impossible to find. I took on the challenge and stayed with it—digging deep to understand the company’s real needs, staying in close communication, and continually networking and sourcing even when qualified candidates were few and far between.

Eventually, I connected with an outstanding candidate who had the right background, skills, and temperament. But there was one major hurdle: his green card transfer. Rather than see that as a dealbreaker, I worked with both the company and the candidate to help navigate the process, ensuring that everything was handled correctly and efficiently. It took patience, coordination, and a lot of behind-the-scenes effort—but in the end, it worked.

That placement wasn’t just a win for me, it was a win for the company, the candidate, and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you take a proactive, personalized approach. I’m not someone who waits for the “perfect resume” to appear. I build relationships, stay curious, and invest the time it takes to uncover the right match—even when it’s hard. For me, resilience in recruiting means never settling for “good enough” and always showing up with intention, no matter how long it takes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brightskyrecruiting.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.velazquez
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-velazquez-bright-sky-recruiting/

Image Credits

Sara Kilburn – The Mark Group
(headshots)