Steve Berchem, CSP
Berchem is the chief operating officer of the American Staffing Association. He has general management responsibilities with principal oversight of the association’s public relations, publications, marketing, research, corporate alliances, information systems, and meetings and events. Serves as spokesperson and chief economist. Named one of the 100 most influential executives in the industry. Before joining ASA in 1998, he held executive positions with Washington, DC, think tanks and associations. Berchem’s background includes service in government and experience in advertising and public relations agencies, where he handled marketing and public affairs for food and pharmaceutical clients.
Adam Bleibtreu
Bleibtreu is chief marketing officer for both ASGN, a leading global provider of in-demand, skilled professionals in the creative, interactive, technology, health care, and life sciences sectors; and Creative Circle, a specialized staffing agency that connects innovative advertising, marketing, creative, digital, and interactive professionals with companies seeking talent on a full-time or freelance basis. Bleibtreu has also been a television executive (supporting the launch of the WB network and its shows) and is an award-winning commercial director and documentarian. He co-founded Gas Station TV, the largest digital signage network in North America. He also has received numerous creative awards from Emmys to Addys. Bleibtreu is a thought leader in the current digital marketing age as a result of his career as a creative director, senior marketing executive, and media expert.
Jeff Bowling
A more than 20-year veteran of the staffing industry, Bowling is the founder and former chief executive officer of Dallas-based firm the Delta Cos. After stepping down as CEO at the end of 2016, Bowling now sits on the board of directors for the company, as well as three other boards in staffing-related companies. The Delta Cos. has three brands providing physicians, therapists, and other allied professionals to health care facilities throughout the nation on both a contract and direct hire basis. During his tenure, Bowling created an impressive culture at the Delta Cos., which received several “Best Places to Work” awards, won multiple staffing Voice awards from the American Staffing Association, and is a regular in ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing list recognizing those firms that provide great customer service. The unique culture and way in which the firm operates often is a requested speaking topic. Bowling serves on the American Staffing Association board of directors and is chairman of the association’s operational excellence committee. He is a proud Texan; earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas; and resides in Coppell, TX, with his wife, Daniella, and their three children.
Pam Bratton
Bratton has worked in the staffing industry since 1976. In her role as vice president at Meador Staffing Services, based in Pasadena, TX, Bratton is the contract administrator and compliance officer for the company. She oversees regulatory, legislative, and contract matters, and maintains an active role in monitoring regulatory and legislative actions in Texas. Bratton has testified before both the Texas House and Senate committees as well as the state department of insurance as an advocate for the staffing industry. She also serves as chairman of the Texas ASA PAC board of directors.
Claudette Cunitz, TSC, CSP
Claudette brings a rare combination of successful staffing firm ownership, sales acumen, and operations excellence to her clients. Over the course of her career, she has a proven track record of improving sales by growing the bottom line, managing operational standards, and finding efficiency opportunities. By continually improving her own firm for the changing demands placed on staffing, she is an expert in assisting owners and leaders in change management. Additionally, Cunitz served as a board member and officer of the American Staffing Association board of directors for 12 years. She holds both the TSC and CSP credentials through ASA.
Kevin Delaski
Delaski is vice president and chief information officer for the TemPositions Group of Cos., one of the nation’s largest regional staffing firms. He has more than 30 years of experience in information technology, with the last 15 years spent in the staffing industry. At TemPositions, Delaski focuses on leveraging the company’s cutting-edge technology and emphasizing business process automation to increase overall business efficiency. In 2010, Delaski received a prestigious CIO 100 Award from CIO Magazine. He serves on the ASA education and certification committee and regularly leads webinars for the association on technology issues pertinent to the staffing industry.
Brian Delle Donne
Delle Donne has been a leading force in driving innovation through his career in operating roles in the industry. After serving as chief operating officer at both large public and privately held IT staffing, engineering, and HR solutions firms, he has amassed a wealth of insight into effectively applying innovation. One of the original founders of Talent Tech Labs, Delle Donne stepped in to head up this unique entity, which is focused on promoting technological developments in the field of talent acquisition. At Talent Tech Labs, Delle Donne and his team identify and assist emerging companies with breakthrough ideas to gain commercialization and scale. He has guided the company in being both a unique accelerator and the leading authority on emerging technology addressing talent acquisition.
Tom Erb, CSP
Erb is president of Tallann Resources, a consulting firm specializing in the staffing and recruiting industry. With a career spanning more than 20 years, he has established himself as one of the staffing and recruiting industry’s top subject matter experts. As a consultant, trainer, and speaker to the staffing and recruiting industry, Erb has helped hundreds of firms create and execute sales and recruiting strategies to grow their business and help optimize their workforce strategy. He entered the staffing industry as a recruiter with Olsten Staffing Services, where he quickly rose through the ranks to the position of area director, followed by a 10-year career with Spherion, one of the largest staffing companies in the U.S. He left Spherion in early 2010 to form Tallann Resources. He is a past president of the Ohio Staffing and Search Association. He is the author of the book, Winning the Staffing Sales Game.
Kelly Irons
Irons is the chief executive officer of developUs, a Charlotte, NC-based employee development firm. With 20 years of training design and delivery experience, 10-plus years in leadership development roles, and a master’s degree in adult education, Irons has a long history of working with those in the learning and development field as well as audiences from a multitude of backgrounds and industries. Her leadership style and commitment to individual and organizational excellence have earned her multiple awards throughout her career. Today, her roots in human development have remained a core to her business practice, and she operates under a guiding philosophy that to make an impact on a group, you must make an impact on the individuals that make up the group. From this foundation, her work in coaching, mentoring, and leadership emerged.
Toby Malara, Esq.
Malara is government affairs counsel for ASA. He manages all staffing-related legislation and regulation on behalf of ASA and represents the industry’s interests before Congress and state legislatures. He provides government relations counsel to the association's affiliated state organizations and regional councils and directs political fundraising activities through the ASA political action committee, StaffingPAC. Malara is a graduate of Georgetown University and received his law degree from Catholic University. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association.
John Thomas, CSP, CSC
With more than 30 years of staffing industry experience, Thomas is an expert in talent acquisition, strategic hiring processes, organizational development, and business trends. Thomas is a professional staffing field consultant and the national recruiting center manager for Express Employment Professionals, where he assists franchisees with growing their businesses. He is a master at locating talent and providing training, tools, techniques, coaching, and onsite support. A Kansas City native, Thomas has served on the board of directors for a variety of organizations such as the Kansas City Workforce Investment Board, Platte County Economic Development Council, and ASA. Thomas has earned both the ASA Certified Staffing Professional® and the Certified Search Consultant® credentials. Thomas has received an ASA Legislative Merit Award and is a Kansas City 40 Under 40 Award recipient.
