A space to share lived experiences from within our community — learning from one another, one story at a time.
Column Introduction: An NPAworldwide Collective Wisdom
Over the years, member stories have been shared, spoken about and warmly received in many conversations across our network and they will continue to be. This column is simply an attempt to bring that spirit into a more organised, consistent space, where we can intentionally capture and share best practices for great success - drawn from real experiences within our own NPA. As we all know, NPA includes long‑standing members, brand‑new faces and many in between and across all regions in this world - some with many successful collaborations behind them and others still trying - each journey carries learning. Often, our richest insights come not from outside lectures, but from one another.
This Month’s Member Story
It feels especially fitting to begin this column with Ed Wallach. He is a widely respected partner known not only for consistent success, but also for his collaborative spirit and approach to sharing splits. His story reflects what becomes possible when trust, timing and teamwork come together. Read on for the moment that captures the energy of collaboration in real time.
Member Story: Ed Wallach
Greetings NPA members! I recently made a placement at the San Antonio conference with Lisa Vella‑Puff of Labine Associates and it was one of those moments that perfectly captures why this network works. Lisa had been partnering with me on a Materials Manager role for my fishing electronics client in Eufaula, Alabama. We went through a couple of interviews that didn’t quite land, and then she brought forward two outstanding candidates. Both passed their phone interviews and were invited to Alabama for in‑person meetings. Here’s the fun part. While we were sitting in the Technology group meeting at the just concluded NPA conference in San Antonio, we closed the deal. The candidate accepted the offer via text - right when I was on a Top Producer panel during the technology session. That led to high‑fives, hugs & a shared moment of celebration right there in the room. To me, this is the ethos of our network in action: great people doing great things together, making things happen and yes, making money - while building genuine, lifelong friendships along the way. Time to do it again!
Name in full: Ed Wallach
Firm's name & location: Ed Wallach Search Group LLC, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A.
NPA Member Since: 2009