Staffing Now Management Team

Ron Smith, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Ron Smith, a seasoned staffing executive with over 30 years experience in the industry, co-founded Staffing Now in September of 1998. Smith’s career began at Massey Ferguson, where he was a financial analyst for two years. He then moved to Robert Half where he ultimately owned six Robert Half franchises. After selling his franchises to Robert Half in 1988, Smith was promoted to Regional Manager and integrated 20 locations for Robert Half.

Upon leaving Robert Half in 1992, Smith continued his entrepreneurial efforts by founding Staffing Edge, Inc., a specialty staffing firm focused on temporary and full-time placement in the fields of accounting, information technology, engineering, legal, sales, high-end office clerical, insurance and banking. Staffing Edge generated $36 million in annual revenue within its first six years of operations, earning recognition by Inc. Magazine as the 17th fastest growing private company in the United States. In 1998, Smith’s efforts with Staffing Edge also earned him recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year for the Nebraska/Iowa Regions from Ernst & Young. Smith sold Staffing Edge in 1998 to ACSYS, Inc. and shortly thereafter co-founded Staffing Now.

Mark Schaul, President and Chief Financial Officer

Mark Schaul co-founded Staffing Now in 1998 along with Ron Smith. Schaul has extensive experience in both the staffing industry as well as in public accounting. He oversees Staffing Now’s strategic and operational matters including finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, advertising and lease and vendor negotiations. Schaul began his career with Deloitte & Touche, where he was promoted to partner in 1995 before moving to Staffing Edge in November of 1997 to become Chief Financial Officer. After Staffing Edge’s sale to ACSYS, Inc., Schaul joined Smith to co-found Staffing Now in September of 1998. Schaul is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the University of Iowa.

Don Forrest, Executive Vice President of Operations

Don has over 16 years of staffing experience with organizations ranging from startup to those generating revenues in excess of over $4 billion. During his tenure with these companies he has been recognized top 5 in the world for leadership as a Director and top 25 in the world for personal production. Don served as a Regional Vice President with Robert Half International where he was responsible for the leadership of 6 different lines of business which included: Finance/Accounting, Marketing/Creative, Technology, Financial Services, Legal and Office/Administrative.

Don successfully helped create and launch a national platform in accounting and finance for a $300m staffing firm. Additionally he has developed and executed national training programs, led task force groups for technology implementations and successfully driven business development efforts for National accounts. Throughout his tenure he has hired, trained and advanced the careers of hundreds of staffing professionals in the temporary, consulting and permanent placement practices nationwide. Balancing the art and science of the business while always continuing to improve has been the cornerstone of his accomplishments.

Scott M. White, Regional Vice President

Scott entered the staffing industry in 1993 after serving four years in the US Coast Guard during the Gulf war. Scott started his career as a recruiter specializing in administrative and clerical placements. Through his career progression Scott gained an intricate knowledge of the inner workings of the temporary, temporary to hire, consulting and direct placement processes in the areas of: administrative, clerical, light industrial, accounting, finance and legal as he directly focused on each of the practice areas. Over the years Scott increased his responsibilities from a recruiter, operations manager, selling branch manager to regional vice president. Drawing on his vast industry experience and his ability to recruit, develop, mentor and motivate his employees he has been able to develop and increase every profit center that he has managed. Scott recently relocated to South Florida and is overseeing the South Florida region.

Laurie Knafo, Regional Vice President

Laurie has been in the staffing industry for over 30 years. She started her career as a permanent placement recruiter for Dunhill Staffing and was consistently one of the organizations top producers. Laurie has mastered a variety of roles in the staffing industry including hands on production, business development, and retention, staff training and motivation and area management. Her career success has been built on long term relationships with both clients and candidates, a laser focus on providing value and superior delivery of skills and service. She joined SNI Companies in 2001 and is responsible for 6 offices from Philadelphia, PA to Springfield, MA. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College.

Sally Mainquist, CPA, President and CEO, Certes Financial Pros

Sally Mainquist joined the staffing industry in 1999 after an 18-year career in the accounting, finance, and manufacturing industries. Her career progression began in the audit group of KPMG before moving into roles in finance and operations, culminating in VP of Manufacturing. She joined Certes in 1999 as a Director of Client Services and has held roles as VP of Client Services and Sr. VP of Client Services before becoming President and CEO in 2007.

Sally has played an influential role in growing Certes from a family owned business to a leader in senior level finance and accounting staffing in the Minnesota marketplace. In 2001, she founded Financial Executive Women Network (FEWnet), a networking community of 1,000+ women. She is a member of FEI, the MNCPA, and NAWBO, and actively volunteers with First Impressions, an organization dedicated to helping low-income women receive professional guidance on how to dress and prepare for success. Sally is an active CPA and received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. Certes Financial Pros became a SNI Company in 2007.

David Querrey, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, Q&A Recruiting

David is the founding partner of Q&A Recruiting. He has been in the recruiting industry since 1989 and began his career as an auditor in the Fort Worth office of Ernst & Young before he worked in recruiting for Robert Half International. During his 8 years at Robert Half International, David managed the Dallas office, was a top ten producer worldwide three times, and was consistently recognized at the national level for his personal contributions. David’s knowledge, vision, and contacts in the industry have made him one of the most well-respected recruiters in Texas. He continues to work closely with his clientele and internal staff to grow Q&A Recruiting to be the premier provider of recruiting and contract staffing services in DFW. David obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from University of Iowa and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Q&A Recruiting became a SNI Company in 2007.

Pamela Raimo, Regional Vice President

An experienced executive with over a decade of expertise in the industry, Pamela is responsible for leading the Strategy, Client Management, Business Development, and Marketing within the Northern New England market of SNI Companies and it’s divisions, Staffing Now, SNI Financial and SNI Technology.

She began her career in 1991 with Scudder Stevens and Clark with a focus in the Global Bonds group. This provided a foundation within the financial community where she continues to foster strong relationships. Pamela launched her Staffing Management career with CoWorx Staffing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island where she revitalized the business and increased revenue by 500% in 3 years. Her success is driven by recruitment process outsourcing, strategic alliances, brand improvement, and implementation of new clients. Prior to joining SNI Companies, Pamela spent 2 years as Vice President of KNF&T Staffing Resources, a Boston based boutique firm. There, she successfully developed the Finance and Accounting Divisions (Contract and Direct Hire) and improved brand identity in that market segment.

Pamela serves on the Board of Directors for Strong Women, Strong Girls Inc. as the Chairperson of the Governance and Nominating Committee. She is passionate about creating cycles of mutual empowerment for women and girls along with mentoring tomorrow’s leaders.