About us
Celebrating
20 Years
Established in 2004
Direct Experience
2 Lifetimes
Spanning Generations and their Strong Networks
Who we are
P5 Consulting Services, LLC was born in 2004. Owned by Don and Marylou Pritchard, the focus of their recruitment and staff development/retention services lies in the various industries within Agriculture.
A solid work ethic instilled since childhood combined with practical experience anchors the foundation for this credible and successful business. Don and Marylou take great pride in their reputation for quality client service. As P5 has grown and increased its reach, the company has maintained a commitment to high performance and current industry knowledge based on the latest technologies and emerging research. Since the beginning, P5 has consistently provided quality candidates, personal, confidential service, and demonstrated the most ethical standards in the industry.
What Sets Us Apart
Both Don and Marylou were raised on family ranching operations. This unique upbringing gives them an unparalleled understanding of the agriculture industry, ensuring a deep connection and commitment to the clients they serve. In recruitment, P5 does more than match keywords on resumes to job openings. Other agencies provide scripted questions and a checklist. In contrast, we possess the professional network, education, and professional backgrounds within each field to ensure quality candidates who have not exaggerated their capabilities. Candidates and references are vetted extensively, with our own practical industry experience applied to ensure that the candidate's experience and needs are appropriate for the job and culture offered by the client.
Panorama from the top of the BarB6 ranch which has been in Don's family since the late 1800s.
Don and Marylou celebrating an Easter Sunday picnic at the top - BarB6 Ranch
Once we’ve networked hard to find candidates, we organize interviews, help negotiate offers, and provide follow-up “stay” interview assurances. Our objective is to launch long-term successful relationships between the individuals we place and our clients.
Our Approach
Each client has its own priorities. Organizations, company cultures, funding requirements, and other factors come into play for different reasons, and maintaining a wide perspective for all of our services is important. The strength in our industry knowledge, functional expertise, and a strong desire to provide premier customer service and personal attention separates P5 Consulting Services, LLC from other firms. Our success is demonstrated by our impressively high rate of repeat business with individuals from 2004 still on our active client list.
Our Founders
Owner
Don Pritchard
Don Pritchard, co-owner and principal Ag Executive Recruiter at P5 Consulting Services LLC, has a rich history deeply embedded in the agricultural sector. Raised on his family's grain and commercial cattle ranch in the Carrisa Plains and Bitterwater Valley areas of San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties, Don developed a profound understanding of the agriculture industry from an early age. His upbringing on the ranch provided him with practical experience and a solid work ethic that would define his professional journey.
Don attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural and Farm Management. During his time at Cal Poly, Central California was experiencing a significant drought, making it impractical for him to return to the family ranch immediately after graduation. Seeking new opportunities, Don moved to Inyo County and embarked on a career in law enforcement, becoming a Deputy Sheriff responsible for areas spanning from Bishop to Death Valley. Unfortunately, an on-duty injury in 2001 forced him to retire from law enforcement. This unexpected turn of events allowed Don to reconnect with his agricultural roots. He returned to the family's BarB6 Ranch, a cattle and hunting operation. Recognizing the need for a supplementary enterprise to sustain their livelihood, Don and Marylou co-founded P5 Consulting Services in 2004, initially focusing on agricultural management recruitment. Don’s extensive professional network and practical experience is the foundation for P5 to provide exceptional recruitment and staff development services within the agriculture industry. In 2023, Don and Marylou relocated to Nashville, TN, to explore new opportunities and continue the growth of P5 Consulting Services. Don's executive competencies extend beyond recruitment; he is skilled in agricultural business management, and understands what it takes to put the right person in the right role for long-term placements. His deep understanding of the agriculture industry, combined with his practical experience and broad industry acumen, makes him a valuable asset to both the firm and its clients.
Don Pritchard's journey is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and expertise. His commitment to excellence continues to drive P5 forward, maintaining its reputation as a trusted and ethical partner in the industry.
Owner
Marylou Pritchard, SHRM-SCP
Marylou has a deep-rooted connection to the agricultural community, having been raised in the small town of Lone Pine California. Her early years were spent showing horses, managing her egg business and 4-H project with 40 laying hens at the age of 10, and waiting tables at 13 years old.
She began her adult professional career in with local government, where she provided various field inspection services, managed a potable water testing lab, and played an active role as a Union Representative on the county-wide job analysis and compensation committee.
In 2004, leveraging an extensive network of contacts, Marylou joined forces with Don to establish the civil engineering division of P5 Consulting Services. Her efforts quickly led to a key role with MNS Engineers (her favorite client) where she contributed to significant growth over the next 15 years, leading initiatives in business development, leadership and organizational development, operations, human resources, and risk management..
In 2023, Don and Marylou embarked on a new chapter, moving to Nashville, TN, to continue expanding their horizons. Marylou’s executive competencies are broad and include compensation analysis and programs, organizational systems development, M&A analysis and assimilation, leadership coaching and program management. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Human Resources Associated and on the American Council of Civil Engineering Company's California Business Committee, and enjoyed occassional guests spots on the AM dial with Santa Barbara's business news channel. Marylou’s journey reflects a blend of practical roots and executive acumen. She and Don are dedicated to continue to drive P5 and their clients towards new heights, maintaining the company’s reputation for quality client service and ethical standards.