Sue Burnett, founder and president of Houston-based Burnett Specialists and Dallas-based Choice Specialists, will be inducted in the American Staffing Association’s Leadership Hall of Fame, the organization announced today.
Starting in 1974 with a $10,000 loan and her car as collateral, Burnett built Burnett Specialists into Houston’s largest staffing and recruiting firm, according to the Houston Business Journal, with offices around Texas in Houston, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio.
Her commitment to her employees is evident through Burnett Specialists’ implementation of its employee stock ownership plan. Since the implementation of its ESOP, Burnett Specialists’ stock has risen 375%, making it one of the largest employee-owned staffing and recruiting agencies in the U.S.
Recognized as a top leader in the staffing and recruiting industry, Burnett served on the ASA board of directors from 2001 through 2004. Along with other members of the Lady Leaders Book Club, she co-authored the book Together We Rise, proceeds of which supported the ASA Women in Leadership Scholarship program. She was also a contributor to the book Women Mean Business.
Her deep commitment to philanthropy and service extends beyond staffing, as Burnett serves on the boards of directors of Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society, Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, and Goodwill Industries. She was the founder of the Best Places to Work awards in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.
A passionate fan of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, Burnett supported the creation of the school’s Sue Walk Burnett Student Media and Journalism building in Fayetteville.
“Sue Burnett is a trailblazer whose risk-taking approach to business has benefitted her employees, her community, and our industry,” said Janette Marx, chair of the ASA board of directors and a co-author of Together We Rise. “Sue is a successful business leader and role model who empowers everyone around her. Her successful career serves as an example of leading the right way.”
“Sue Burnett is one of the most universally respected leaders in the staffing and recruiting industry today,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at ASA. “Sue’s a visionary who 51 years ago leveraged a $10,000 loan into one of the most successful firms in Texas.
“Just as important as Sue’s many business accomplishments is her unwavering dedication to giving back to the staffing industry and her community. In addition to her philanthropy, Sue’s history of mentoring and supporting women—and men—in staffing is a testament to her character and legacy of success.”
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About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.
About the ASA Leadership Hall of Fame
The ASA Leadership Hall of Fame Award was created in 1985 to recognize outstanding individual contributions made through dedicated service to ASA and the staffing industry. Since that time, 49 distinguished leaders have been honored with this award and the Pioneer Award which was given to individuals who contributed to the industry prior to the establishment of ASA in 1966.
The board of directors created the award to acknowledge those individuals (either living or deceased) who, through personal initiative, courage of conviction, and dedication have made a significant contribution to the development of the association and the industry.
The Leadership Hall of Fame Award is a testament to those contributions and is intended to serve as an inspiration to future generations of men and women who might choose a career in the staffing industry.