Bio T.J. has dedicated his entire professional life to improving the careers of game industry professionals and supporting the growth of game studios throughout the globe. As the president and founder of DAM, Inc., T.J.’s fingerprints can be found on almost every facet of DAM, Inc. including recruiting, operations, hiring, training, and employee development. T.J. has successfully guided the careers of thousands of game industry professionals and helped hundreds of studios build better teams to make better games.
Hometown Saratoga, CA
College St. Mary’s College of California, BA Government
University of Southern California, EMBA
What motivates you? I am inspired by the creativity and passion of game developers. DAM has an obligation to match that same energy and passion to provide the best recruiting services possible to the industry.
Causes I Support Ronald McDonald House, Youth Athletics, Mental Health
Bio Justin joined the DAM Team in January of 2004 and has served proudly as the company’s Swiss Army Knife. He has been involved in every facet of DAM’s core business including recruiting talent, acquiring and managing accounts, launching new divisions, developing new business verticals, training the recruiting corps and helping to define DAM’s overall sales and business strategy. Today, Justin is focused on training and developing the most knowledgeable and well-respected recruiting salesforce in the electronic entertainment industry in addition to account management, recruiting and enhancing operational efficiency companywide.
Hometown Woodland Hills, CA
College University of California, Berkeley
What you enjoy about Recruiting in the Games Industry industry? The double-positive impact our work can have. Helping games industry professionals grow their careers and improving the quality of their lives + Helping game development studios build their teams and improving the quality of their games = 20 years at DAM and counting!!
Most Memorable Placement Spent two years getting an engineer to consider taking a job opportunity in a city he wasn’t completely fired up about…he finally took the job and went on to make $1.5 million in bonuses the following year…
Favorite Game Borderlands, Far Cry, Clash Royale, Halo, The Last of Us
Favorite Movie Quote “And by the way, you know when you’re telling these little stories? Here’s a good idea: have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!” – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Bio Chris joined DAM in 2005 and throughout his tenure has built an extensive professional network and wealth of industry knowledge. Chris was named DAM’s ‘Top Producer’ in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and attributes his success to the deep level of commitment he provides clients and candidates alike. As a trusted advisor to his partners, he consults on a host of topics ranging from product development approaches, company growth strategies, full-time and contract recruiting services, and individual career guidance. Chris is an avid paddle tennis player and is nationally ranked in the sport. In his free time, he can be found competing on the courts of Venice Beach.
Hometown Los Angeles, CA
College San Jose State University (Go Spartans!)
What you enjoy about the recruiting industry? I enjoy competing on behalf of the companies and individuals I represent.
Things I do when I’m not Recruiting Playing paddle tennis in Venice Beach walking my dog Weezy in the park.
SENIOR CREATIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER Daisy de la Cruz
Bio Daisy joined DAM’s reputable recruiting team in 2012. As a Senior Account Manager, she dedicated herself to earning the trust and advocating for multitudes of games and interactive entertainment professionals whose lives she was grateful to touch and who inspired her daily in return. After 5 years immersed in an industry driven by immensely passionate & creative individuals, Daisy aspired to support DAM in a more creative capacity and took on a new role as DAM’s sole Creative Operations Manager in 2017. Since, Daisy’s played an integral part in DAM’s creative & culture operations, helping to grow the brand and ensure DAM’s place in the hearts & minds of all whom we serve.
Hometown Dallas, TX
College Loyola Marymount University
What you enjoy about the recruiting industry? I love being part of a team dedicated to helping others find happiness and fulfillment in their careers & lives overall.
Things I do when I’m not Recruiting I love spending time with my family, going on hikes, making things, eating things, playing tennis, smelling trees, and winning at scrabble.
Bio Lonaeja has operated a ‘full desk at DAM‘ working as both a recruiter and account manager since 2013. Her background in customer service, sales, and business operations adds valuable insight to both candidates and clients. A passion for games and a dedication to helping others has enabled Lonaeja to provide excellent career guidance within the industry. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, hiking, and going to concerts.
Hometown Mandan, ND
College University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
5 words that describe you best Personable, Honest, Musical, Competitive, Responsible
What you enjoy about the recruiting industry? I love helping people better their current situation, whether that’s in terms of work/life balance, monetarily, or otherwise.
Favorite Console Games Borderlands, Gears of War
Favorite Movie Quotes “But this one goes up to eleven!” “I’m in a glass case of emotion!” “I immediately regret this decision.” “60% of the time, it works every time.”
Bio Jen is originally from Connecticut, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Western Connecticut State University. She spent 10+ years working in the Banking industry, more recently in an audit role. She moved to Carlsbad in 2019 and was ready for a new and exciting change. Soon thereafter, she joined the DAM team as the Recruiting Coordinator. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking the beach, hiking the trails and enjoying all that California has to offer!
Hometown New Fairfield, Connecticut
College Western Connecticut State University
Favorite Game Donkey Kong
Favorite Movie Quote “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” (Forrest Gump)
Things I do when I’m not Recruiting Enjoying quality time with my family, soaking up the sun at the beach, hiking, physical fitness classes.
Bio Having spent almost a decade excelling in healthcare recruiting, Zoe made a bold leap into the gaming industry and quickly found herself building the core team of a thriving blockchain gaming startup. Eager to expand her impact and connect with even more exceptional talent, Zoe joined DAM in April of 2023. Zoe takes great pride in building genuine relationships with candidates, taking the time to truly understand their aspirations and unique strengths. She is a passionate advocate for both candidates and clients, ensuring every placement is a win-win for all parties involved.
Personal Branding Statement I take pleasure in creating meaningful connections between top talent and life-changing career opportunities, using a human-centric approach.
College Wright State University
Five words that describe you best Friendly, honest, kind, organized, and competitive
What do you enjoy about the recruiting industry? I love being a recruiter because it’s like being a master detective, piecing together clues to solve a complex mystery. And the best part? The prize for cracking the case is a top-notch candidate who can level up a team or studio and a happy hire!
Favorite Mobile Games Vampire Survivor – it’s hard to put down!
Favorite Console Games Rocket League > fast cars + soccer + beautiful graphics = MAGIC
Pro Sports Teams I Root For FC Cincinnati (MLS) & Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)
Things I Do When I’m Not Recruiting When I’m not recruiting I’m spending time with my family to include our sweet dogs, going on road trips, cooking, baking, yoga, enjoying herbal tea, hiking, watching soccer, sipping on espresso, playing video/mobile games, making pottery, and reading.
