Our Team

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Business Development

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    Scott Reynolds
    Payroll Sales Manager

    Scott has been in the payroll industry for over 15 years serving businesses in the North State. A 1991 graduate from California State University at Chico in Organizational Communication, Scott has a passion for releasing the entrepreneurial spirit from the administrative complexities that seem destined to slow it down. After spending ten years with a national payroll provider, he realized what best practices are needed to gain client loyalty. His previous venture was to take a startup concept from zero to 300  payroll clients in three years. This is the same mind set of the clients he services in the small to medium size business marketplace.

Human Resources

Sacramento

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    Jo Curran
    Human Resources Specialist

    Jo joined SRI in 1992, bringing with her over fifteen years of payroll and human resources management experience within a 14-location, 3000-employee retail department store chain. Jo’s “can-do” attitude paired with her in-depth experience extending over twenty years allows her to offer valuable expertise to clients and employees. Consistent with SRI's philosophy, she maintains her skill level through continuing education.

Chico

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    Michelle Niven, PHR
    Human Resources Specialist

    Michelle began her career at Staff Resources in May of 1997 bringing with her a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from California State University at Chico, along with a strong and diverse background in administrative support and customer service. In her tenure with Staff Resources, Michelle has earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and supports and directs the HR function for the clients and employees in the Chico and surrounding areas.  Continuing education allows her to be proficient in the technical, business and communication skills necessary to perform all aspects of the job effectively and to commit to continuing self-development and the development of others.

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    Elizabeth Votaw, PHR
    Human Resources Specialist
    Employer Concepts

    Elizabeth (Beth) joined Staff Resources in January 2003. She attended CSU, Chico where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Human Resource Management and she is payroll certified. Beth works in our Employer Concepts division in Chico, and is responsible for the human resources management of multiple clients.  Staff Resources and Employer Concepts greatly value her skill of working with people on every level. Beth is a valuable member of the Staff Resources team.

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    Ariann Cook
    Human Resources Assistant, Employer Concepts

    Ariann Cook joined the Staff Resources team as Human Resources Assistant with Employer Concepts in September 2007. She is a Chico State graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and an option in Human Resource Management. She spent one semester studying in Thailand and one semester studying in Finland and has traveled to around 15 different countries. She was born in San Diego but fell in love with northern California and plans to settle here long term. Away from work, she loves to camp, hike, snowboard, and disc golf.

Burlingame

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    Ute Bosum
    Human Resources Generalist

    Ute joined Staff Resources in August 2011. Prior to joining
    SRI, she was responsible for managing Human Resources within two districts for a global logistics company. Ute earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, as well as a certification in HR Management from University of California, Santa Cruz. She is responsible for managing human resources for multiple clients for Staff Resources and Employer Concepts. Ute's experience in HR, Business Development and Customer Service will be of great value to Staff Resources.

Payroll

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    Catherine Wheeler, CPP
    Payroll Supervisor

    Catherine (Kit) joined Staff Resources in 1999, bringing her payroll experience gained from her years with a local CPA firm. In 2001 Kit earned her Fundamental Payroll Certification from the American Payroll Association. Continuing her payroll education, Kit has also earned the prestigious Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation. The CPP designation is the most respected distinction in the payroll industry. Kit supervises the complex payroll processing for Staff Resources, which includes payroll on weekly, bi-weekly and semi-monthly schedules.

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    Cassandra Ganzer, CPP
    Payroll Specialist

    Cassandra (Cassie) was hired by SRI in September 2003 after serving as an Administrative Assistant for a renowned building company. Cassie is American Payroll Association certified and has experience with diverse and often difficult payroll issues including wage garnishments and tax levies.  Cassie has proved to be a welcome addition to the Staff Resources and Employer Concepts teams with her positive attitude and excellent work ethic.

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    Jenna Giacomini
    Payroll Specialist

    Jenna joined Staff Resources in July 2010.  She attended the University of San Diego, and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management in May of 2009.  She applies her broad knowledge and education of payroll procedures to assist Staff Resources with weekly, biweekly and semi-monthly payroll processing.  Jenna always brings an upbeat attitude and excellent work ethic to the Staff Resources team.  

Benefits/Insurance

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    Ann Soinila
    Benefits Manager

    After several years of experience as a licensed insurance broker with an agency specializing in employee benefits, Ann joined Staff Resources in the spring of 2000. She coordinates all aspects of SRI’s benefits package including health insurance, 401K and cafeteria plan. Ann serves as the liaison between employees and the various insurance carriers. She puts her skills and knowledge to work for clients and employees to alleviate the uncertainties of the complex and ever-changing arena of employee benefits.

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    Nicole Strauch
    Benefits Assistant

    Nicole has been with Employer Concepts since August 2005. She transferred to the Benefits department in the summer of 2007. Nicole is a graduate of California State University, Chico.  Before moving to Chico in 2004, Nicole worked for a growing tutoring company in the Sacramento area where she gained valuable customer service experience.

Support Services for Staff Resources, Inc. & Employer Concepts

Sacramento

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    Dawn Ergezer
    Executive Assistant

    Dawn returned to Staff Resources in March 2010 after coming to the realization that the quality of service, people and culture of Staff Resources were missed. Prior to relocating to the Sacramento area to pursue another customer service opportunity, Dawn served as the Operations Facilitator for Staff Resources’ Chico location from 2001 to 2004. A graduate from CSU, Chico, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design and an option in Graphic Design. Dawn brings with her a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and willingness to think outside the box. Staff Resources is happy to have her as part of our team once again.

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    Cathy Van Dyke
    Office Coordinator

    Cathy joined Staff Resources in 1999 as an Office Coordinator. Prior to SRI, Cathy served as Office Manager for her husband's heating and air-conditioning company for more than eight years. Cathy also gained valuable experience working for twenty years as the Administrator for a residential care home. Whatever the need, employees and clients can rely upon Cathy to put her experience to work to assist in handling their inquiries quickly and professionally.

Chico

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    Sally Ferris
    Receptionist
    Office Coordinator

    Sally began working at Staff Resources, Inc. in July 2007. She is fluent in Spanish due to her being born and raised in Central America, Honduras. As a child, her family relocated to the Los Angeles area. Her working career began in the Bay area in the retail business. After relocating to Alabama with her husband, she managed a non-profit organization for 13 years relating to the Pure Spanish horse. She is delightful and very eager to help. Her customer service experience for the last 20 years provides her the expertise to direct our clients and employees to the appropriate department.

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    Ron Gephart
    Accountant

    Realizing that Staff Resources, Inc. was the place to be, Ron returned to the SRI family in February 2012. During his time away, Ron built up his skills and experience in both payroll and accounting while at Fleetwood Motor Homes, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. Ron graduated from Heald Business College with an emphasis in Accounting.

Executive Team

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    Kent Ahlswede, CPA
    Founder
    CEO

    Kent founded Staff Resources, Inc. in 1974 after devoting twenty years to his successful CPA practice. As a CPA, Kent recognized small- to mid-size employers faced payroll, personnel and compliance liabilities that detracted from their ability to effectively manage and grow their businesses. Consequently, SRI was conceptualized and formed. Over the last twenty-five years he has been instrumental in developing both the California and National Organization, formerly known as the National Staff Leasing Association. Kent has been and continues to be highly active in the development of legislation and regulatory practices on both the state and federal levels.

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    Craig Ahlswede
    President

    Craig has been with Staff Resources, Inc. since 1995 in various capacities, most recently as Business Development and Branch Management for the Northern San Francisco Bay Area.   Prior to heading up the North Bay Branch of Staff Resources, Craig was Vice President in charge of computer information systems and special projects.  He leads the arduous process of retooling the company computer systems, website, etc.  Craig relocated to Santa Rosa to focus on business development.  Staff Resources, Inc. has worked with local clients in Santa Rosa for 20 years and decided to expand the Northern San Francisco Bay Area market.  With Craig's intimate knowledge of the Professional Employer industry and extensive experience with Staff Resources, he is exceptionally equipped to lead Staff Resources as President to the next level of quality and growth, as well as to assist other businesses in solving the burdensome issues on employment.  Craig is focused on organization health as well as providing the highest quality of services to our clients and employees.  Prior to joining Staff Resources, Craig worked as a Technical Contract Recruiter in the Silicon Valley. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and a Minor in Psychology from CSU, Chico.

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    Robert Reddemann
    Controller

    Rob comes to Staff Resources with over 20 years financial
    management experience in the private sector spanning a variety of industries including ecommerce, freight-forwarding, gaming, fashion design and construction supply. Rob has a unique skill set that includes technology, marketing, operations, and the customer experience providing a holistic approach to business. Rob is responsible for all aspects of accounting, finance, and payroll. He received his BS degree in Finance and Real Estate from California State University, Long Beach and is an avid baseball fan.

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    Kevin Ahlswede
    Loss Control Manager
    Division Manager, Employer Concepts
    Contractors License # 696822

    Kevin owned and managed a successful construction company for over 10 years.  He joined Staff Resources, Inc. in 1999 to manage the Employer Concepts division which specializes in the construction and industrial trades.  Employer Concepts caters to clients who do not offer benefit programs to their employees, but still need help with payroll, workers’ compensation, labor laws, human resources and OSHA regulations.  Kevin’s own experience as an employer in the construction industry as well as his continued education in federal and state OSHA regulations help him to be an outstanding Risk Management Manager who assists all of our clients in their various work environments.  Kevin provides high quality service to his clients including worksite inspections, safety programs and various training curriculums.  Under Kevin’s management, Employer Concepts continues to grow steadily each year.