Patrice MacMillan

January 2020 Anniversaries & New Hires

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January 2020 Anniversaries

Congratulations to all of our employees with January anniversaries. We appreciate your dedication to JSG and all of your hard work. Please join us in celebrating our tenured staff!

Atlanta, GA

Kathleen Rouse – 7 years

Dena Lyerly – 4 years

Rachel Cottone – 1 year

Aretha Allen – 1 year

Bedford, TX

Ben Shirley – 11 years

Angelica Hernandez – 1 year

Birmingham, AL

Don Franks – 13 years

Canada

Amanda Monaco – 2 years

Haddon Heights, NJ

Elana Dunkin – 4 years

Irvine, CA

Foster Zembraski – 4 years

Knoxville, TN

Greg Howard – 8 years

Magnolia, TX

Andrea Shank – 1 year

San Jose, CA

Jim Beckley – 11 years

Spokane, WA

Perry Paden – 7 years

Westmont, IL

Jim Filarski – 12 years

Katherine Netko – 3 years

Kathy Stevens – 3 years

Brittany Czischki – 3 years

Kyle Hardin – 3 years

December 2019 New Hires

JSG gained some new faces in December. Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members to the JSG team!

San Jose, CA

Sampson Tupua

Spokane, WA

Christian Southerland

Westmont, IL

Sean Nash

Sean Nash
Matthew Bennett

Introducing JSG’s New VP of Human Resources and In-House Counsel, Sean Nash

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Johnson Service Group is excited to introduce Sean Nash, our new VP of Human Resources and In-House Counsel. With nearly 25 years of legal experience within the labor, employment, and human resources realm, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge to JSG, and we are excited for him to join the JSG family. Please keep reading to learn more about Sean’s role at Johnson Service Group and his legal career.

Tell us a little about your background

Before joining the JSG team, I previously served as Managing Counsel, Labor & Employment for United Airlines’ Legal Department. I was with United’s Legal Department since 2011. My primary responsibilities included employment litigation, employment law, and human resources matters for both operations and management roles.

In the past, I also provided counsel on general risk management in non-employment areas. Before joining United, I was an associate in the labor & employment department at Winston & Strawn.

I graduated from Stanford University in 1993 and received my Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in 1998. I am also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and a former Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Additionally, I am currently sitting as a member of the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board.

What excites you about joining the JSG team?

What excites me about joining the JSG team is the growth of both the company and the team. JSG is growing fast, and it’s exciting to help build that infrastructure to ensure our growth is healthy and efficient. I am also looking forward to joining JSG with the “One Voice” philosophy, with the whole company coming together behind a shared mission to help our clients reach their goals by hiring talented people.

I am ready to help JSG improve, evolve, and move forward.

At United, you worked with a large group of employees (25,000 – 30,000). How do you think this will help the transition into your new role?

I am looking forward to the transition of working with a smaller organization. JSG doesn’t have quite as many employees as United (yet); however, working with a smaller group will allow me to provide advice and answers in real-time. I will be able to devote my attention in the right way and better serve our internal staff.

What do you like to do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and experimenting with different dishes. I am a voracious reader and a huge audiophile. Spending time with my family is also very important to me. My wife Dorian and I have two beautiful daughters, Maya and Taylor. Dorian and I wrote a book together titled Do You Love Me… Still?, and I enjoy helping her with her talk show The Mic Check Starring Dorian H. Nash.

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn!
Tim Hurst
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Tim Hurst

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We’re excited to share with you today’s featured employee, Tim Hurst! Tim has been with Johnson Service Group for over 10 years. During that time, he has worked his way up to Regional Manager for our Atlanta region. Keep reading to learn more about Tim and his fascinating experience in the staffing industry, and the impact he has made for our clients and candidates.

“Tim Hurst has been with JSG for a little over 10 years and has 25 years of experience in the staffing arena. He currently plays an integral part in supporting all departments aligned in the Atlanta region. He possesses strong account/relationship management, client service and management consulting experience. Tim also has strong problem-solving skills, customer focus, and results orientation. He currently serves as Regional Manager and oversees the operation of all three of Atalanta’s departments.” – Michelle McMahan, Regional Vice President, JSG

Tell us a little bit about your career in the staffing industry and your ten years with JSG.

I started my career with another staffing firm and was there for about 12 years. There, I worked with Chuck Lively, who eventually left to become a Senior Vice President at JSG. So, when I was ready to transition to a new company, Johnson Service Group was a clear choice. Over the years, my career has revolved primarily around traditional staffing. However, the last three or four years have been more aviation-specific.

Initially, I was hired on as a Recruiting Manager, which progressed to Sr. Recruiting Manager, and eventually Regional Manager for multiple JSG departments. Our division has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, growing from around 500 contractors to about 900 contractors.

What do you like most about working for JSG?

The Atlanta division is more like a family. It’s very unique because within our large department, everybody works well together for a common cause – putting people to work. That extends to other offices, departments, and even to our corporate office as well.

What changes have you seen in the staffing industry throughout your career? What changes do you expect in the near future?

When I got into staffing, the technology piece wasn’t as huge as it is today. I think it’s negatively affected recruiters and how they interact with candidates. When I started, you had to actually read someone’s resume and talk to them, rather than doing a keyword search. You could actually get to know candidates. I think recruiters, in general, interact with contractors. When you’re running a book as large as we do, it can be challenging to balance. However, I think this is where Johnson Service Group really excels. Our recruiters prioritize candidate communication, establishing long-term relationships.

Tell us about your team in Atlanta. What are your team’s goals for the rest of the year?

We have different goals for different departments, all centered around growth. We’d like to acquire more contractors, attract more permanent positions, and ultimately do what it takes for each employee to help us get to the next level.

When you’re not busy at work, what do you like to do in your free time?

I have an 11-year-old daughter, and she’s in competitive cheerleading – so we spend a lot of time on the road. I always like to prioritize family time, but I also make time to play golf!

Connect with Tim Hurst on LinkedIn
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Nicole Shenberger

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Nicole Shenberger has been with Johnson Service Group for almost 3 years, and during that time has advanced her recruiting career significantly! As Recruiting Team Lead in our Chicago office, Nicole and her team have the opportunity to make an impact on our clients every day by finding the talented professionals they need. Keep reading to learn a little more about Nicole!

You were promoted to Recruiting Team Lead almost a year ago – Congratulations! Tell us a little bit about that transition.

I started working with JSG almost 3 years ago as a Technical Recruiter. Once I picked it up, I really fell in love! I’ve found with recruiting that you get what you put in, which is great for my competitive personality. When my manager eventually left, I stepped in to help with training. I was able to fill in some of the management duties and quickly learned more of the Operations side of recruiting such as working with our 3rd party vendors. Since then, our team has grown by 2 additional people. We’re now up to 8 now, including myself, and I hope to continue growing!

What do you like most about being in recruiting?

I love the competitive aspect of recruiting. I played sports throughout my past, so it has always been in my nature. Helping people find their dream job and grow their careers is also something I love!

What are your goals for your team for the rest of 2019?

My overall goals are just to continue to grow our office and the people on our team into their careers at JSG. I want to help everyone perform better and pick the right positions that they’re suited to fill.

What do you specialize in?

Our team specializes primarily in engineering and technical-driven positions. We are currently in the midst of the busy season for our industry. With the candidate-driven job market, there are now 3 jobs for every person looking for a new position. We always try to add value by helping find those people and educate our clients about how to be competitive in this market.

What do you like doing outside of work?

Of course I love to hangout with family and friends! I also love weather – so I’m constantly tracking storms and weather in our local area.

Connect With Nicole
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Ben Shirley

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Ben Shirley has been a Branch Manager with Johnson Service Group for over 10 years. We took the opportunity to talk with Ben about his time in the staffing industry, and how the Aerospace and Aviation industries have changed during his time partnering with them.

You’ve been in Aircraft Staffing for over 30 years. Tell us about that.

I started in the industry as a recruiter in 1987 and stayed with the company I was with for over twenty years. During my first year, I began supervising and coordinating the recruiting. I quickly became a primary contact for some of our larger clients. Soon after, I transitioned into an Account Executive role. Wichita was an aircraft center at the time, and I developed not only good business contacts in this industry but also great friends.

I have worked staffing with multiple industries but Aircraft and Aerospace quickly became what I enjoyed the most. The office had a division doing in-house engineering and I was fortunate to both learn from them and bring in work for them. Fast forward and JSG was looking to grow. They brought me in for a dinner with the owners and upper management and I felt right at home. I knew I had found a new home.

You work primarily in Aerospace and Aviation – what are some of the recent trends in these industries?

Technology is enabling exciting developments in the Aerospace and Aviation industries. The private sector started moving into spacecraft development a few years ago and now there is research and development starting on commercial drones, small air taxies, and electric powered aircraft. There are a lot of new developments coming in the next several years. The job market is really strong. These growth opportunities have been shining the light back on our recruiting strengths.

What are some of the hobbies you enjoy outside of work?

I have always enjoyed cars and dirt bikes. But if you ask me today, I am a St. Louis Blues fan!!!  We finally got the Cup!!!

Ariel Evans

June Anniversaries and May New Hires 2019

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June Anniversaries

June 2019 Anniversaries

Congratulations to all of our employees with anniversaries in the month of June. We appreciate your dedication to JSG and all of your hard work. Please join us in celebrating our tenured staff!

Bedford, TX

Bridget Uhles – 1 year

Birmingham, AL

Donna Kidd –  9 years

Blue Bell, PA

Rich Hanson –  4 years

Canada

Claudia Aristizabal –  1 year

Andrea Bonadeo – 1 year

Westmont, IL

Susan Sproule – 11 years

Cheri Schweiger – 5 years

Linnea Rummage – 3 years

Hayley Kanicus – 1 year

Michael Seibert – 1 year

North Charleston, SC

Tomeka Manigault – 4 years

May 2019 New Hires

 

May 2019 New Hires

JSG gained some new faces in May. Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members to the JSG team!

Atlanta, GA

Jessika Mauldin

Nichole Smith

Bedford, TX

Joshua Bredemeyer 

Jacksonville, FL

Adam Blue

Spokane, WA

Stephanie Brown

Patrice MacMillan

Ariel Evans

Westmont, IL

Brittany, Busse

Peirce Leavitt

Katie Churnovic

National Safety Month
Matthew Bennett

June is National Safety Month

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National Safety Month

Did you know that June is National Safety Month? National Safety Month is observed annually in June and focuses on reducing work-related injuries and fatalities. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), more than 6,000 employees in the United States die from workplace injuries each year. Another 6 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries, costing employers $125 billion annually.

At JSG, safety is one of our top priorities year-round. Through the years, we have made great strides to improve the safety of both our staff members and contractors. In fact, our reported incidents were down 33.5% in 2018 from the previous year. We have thousands of contractors on payroll and it’s our goal to foster a zero-incident workplace. We can only achieve this goal through the participation of every employee in creating safe working environments. After all, that’s why our company’s safety slogan is “Safe Work is Great Work!”

In honor of National Safety Month, here are a few safety reminders to help ensure an incident-free summer in the workplace.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are the largest cause of workplace accidents? In fact, there were 849 deaths from slips, trips, and falls in 2016. Many slips, trips, and falls are avoidable with proper care and good housekeeping. Slips, trips, and falls are a common result of things like floor contaminations, lighting inadequacies, wet weather conditions, or objects obstructing walkways. Here are a few ways to properly avoid these incidents:

  • Use floor markings to guide workers through a workspace and to identify safety hazards
  • Implement a 5S System (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) to ensure good housekeeping
  • Ensure proper lighting to identify safety hazards before they become incidents
  • Use signs and labels to inform workers or potential dangers in the workplace

Working in the heat

Summer is just around the corner. Temperatures are heating up, both in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Millions of workers are exposed to extreme temperature conditions on the job and exposure to the heat can cause serious illnesses. To reduce these heat-related illnesses, be sure you can properly recognize the symptoms of overexposure to these extreme conditions. If you’re not feeling well, tell your supervisor or co-workers and remove yourself from the heat exposure. Additionally, it’s crucial to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

Always report safety incidents

According to a recent study by the Accident Advice Helpline, one in six workers fail to report safety incidents. What makes this measure even more alarming is that 23 percent of people won’t report a safety incident because they believe it’s not their responsibility. If you see a safety hazard or dangerous working condition, please report it. Remember, safety starts with “S,” but it begins with “YOU.” If you are a victim of a safety incident or witness one, report it immediately to your supervisor and the JSG Safety and Risk Management Team at 888.659.8388.

Although it’s National Safety Month, workplace safety is crucial all year round. Remember, it’s the responsibility of each employee to work safely and to observe safety rules, practices, and procedures. Safe Work is Great Work!

Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Krista Portolesi

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Krista Portolesi has been an Executive Recruiter with Johnson Search Group, a division of Johnson Service Group, for almost three years. We wanted to take the opportunity to chat with Krista and learn more about her career at JSG. Here’s what she had to say:

You have been with JSG for almost 3 years. Tell us a little bit about your career and your experience working for JSG.

I launched my career in banking, and eventually went back to school to finish my degree. I had a short stint in Marketing and from there, I ventured into sales. As I grew my career in sales, I found myself wanting to dive in even deeper and expand my experience and make an impact on people. Once I learned about the opportunity at JSG that perfectly tied together my background and professional goals, I was extremely excited to help others grow their careers.

In your opinion, what sets JSG apart from other recruiting firms?

Our division, Johnson Search Group, focuses on full-desk recruiting, so it’s nice to work with both candidates and clients. I enjoy being involved in every step of the process from start to finish. I also think we have an outstanding vetting process. We work really hard to ensure that candidates are represented accurately and that our clients’ needs are met.

You work within both the contract and permanent placement spaces, how do you balance?

I like working with contract because it’s a faster process and you’re able to put people to work right away. While permanent placements take a little longer, I love that I get to develop deeper relationships with my candidates and clients.

What do you like most about recruiting for the banking industry?

Because I had a background in banking, I came in with knowledge of the industry. I also enjoy recruiting locally, which allows me to meet with clients and people I’ve placed. The banking industry is so community-focused, so it’s nice to watch each person I place make an impact on their community.

When you’re not busy at work, what do you like to do in your free time?

I love to do stuff with my two kids! They are very active, so we go to the park all the time.

For information about the banking industry, recruiting, and hiring trends, Krista Portolesi is your girl. Connect with her today!

Connect with Krista on LinkedIn
An Interview With President & CEO Dale Slater
Patrice MacMillan

An Interview With JSG President & CEO Dale Slater

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An Interview With President & CEO Dale Slater

Dale Slater is a native of Broadview, Illinois. He served in the military from 1966 to 1968 and then attended Moraine Valley Community College. Mr. Slater began his professional career in the early 1970s, founding Venture Design, Inc., a manufacturer of electrical control systems for conveying equipment.

In 1979, Mr. Slater entered the Contract Temporary Service business by purchasing K.H. Johnson Co. LTD with his then partner, Louis Bertone. In 1984, K.H. Johnson was rebranded as Johnson Service Group, Inc. As President and CEO, Mr. Slater is responsible for setting strategy and overseeing the general operations and business development efforts for JSG and its operating units.

When JSG was first established, what were your goals?

At first, our goal was simply to survive from week to week, then year to year. As we became established, we focused on thriving and building a family-oriented company that would provide opportunities for employees as well as our own immediate families. We weren’t sure where this journey would take us, but I am quite certain at that time, we didn’t anticipate being where we are today and achieving the growth that we have over these many years of being in business.

What sets JSG apart from other recruiting companies?

Quite simply, the people that we have in our organization and the relationships that we’ve established with both our clients and our contract employees. It’s somewhat ironic that the staffing industry is all about people and although we strive to provide our employees with every technological tool to help them be successful, it still comes down to the people in an organization that determines whether you are going to achieve success or not.

What are your future plans and vision for JSG?

With the recent refinancing, the company is now poised for generational growth and management. It’s our intention to still strive to provide opportunities for employees to grow professionally, personally, and financially.

In your words, can you explain your vision of “one voice?”

“One Voice” is a vision for a more structured management style and organization. The key to this strategy’s success will be to balance the company’s entrepreneurial roots against a more structured management process. We also hope to improve our internal JSG communication top-to-bottom. I get a sense that our employees are looking for more insight into the direction of the company going forward and the goal is to provide an on-going clear vision and voice.

What have been some of the biggest milestones for JSG since it’s inception 35 years ago?

Reaching $100+ million in revenue in 2011 certainly was a significant milestone. The Canadian expansion that began in 2014 was important. Now, with 2019 revenues expected to exceed $400 million, refinancing the company and positioning it for generational management and growth is perhaps the most significant milestone yet.

JSG has experienced incredible, yet steady, organic growth throughout the United States and Canada. Tell us a little bit about your strategy to get it where it is today.

Our strategy has always been to hire great people and provide them the opportunity to prosper and achieve success. As I’ve stated previously, the people within our organization and the relationships they have built differentiate JSG from the competition. We continue to pursue that strategy today.

JSG has been named to three of Staffing Industry Analyst’s prestigious lists for the past five years (Largest U.S. Staffing Firms, Largest U.S. Engineering Staffing Firms, and Largest Canadian Staffing Firms.) What does this recognition mean for the company?

It simply provides public awareness of the successful execution of our strategy. All our employees share in that recognition. I’ve never been a person who is big on outside recognition, so it hasn’t been something I have focused on. However, when I pause to consider those accomplishments, it’s exciting to see what we’ve been able to achieve over our more recent history.

Can you share a story of when you realized your work was making an impact?

Trying to isolate one moment in time over a period of 35 years in business is very difficult to do. JSG started with 5 staff employees and about 15 contract personnel. Currently, we are well over 200 direct staff employees and pay approximately 3,000 contract personnel on a weekly basis. When I look at the longevity of our personnel, a good amount being with us over half the years we have been in business, it definitely makes me realize that we have, and continue to, make an impact on many lives. It’s a great story.

Where do you see the trajectory of the talent industry going over the next few years?

Just-in-time talent will continue to grow as the generations of people strive for work-life balance. Whether an individual is transitioning to retirement or a young person is seeking career choices, the staffing industry is a vehicle for those people to make lifestyle choices appropriate to their unique circumstances.

How has the team you’ve built impacted the growth of JSG?

We have always made our best effort to hire talented individuals that we believed could make a positive impact on our company. That strategy has never changed. The team we have today represents the successful execution of hiring the right people and asking them to impact the company. Its structure also supports the creation of what JSG is today: a generational organization.