For Immediate Release
Express Employment Professionals is pleased to recognize Dillon Carlson of the Littleton, Colorado, office as its 2025 Employee of the Year, celebrating the powerful character he shows in the moments when strength matters most.
When Carlson first came to the Littleton office in 2024, the Express team sensed immediately that he carried far more than a long job search. He had been looking for work for more than six months while helping care for his mother as she underwent chemotherapy and radiation, and supporting his grandmother at home.
“You don’t expect to meet a 20‑something man who has sacrificed his comfort, time and dreams just to make sure his mother survives, but that’s exactly who Dillon Carlson is,” the Express team said.
They placed him in a full‑time role where he made a strong impression from the start.
When the client attempted to hire him directly without following proper channels, Carlson chose to return to Express to ensure everything was handled the right way. That decision, the team said, showed the honesty and integrity they admired in him from day one.
Soon after, Carlson joined one of Express’ longest‑standing client partners.
There, he found a sense of belonging. He never missed a day of work and brought calm, positive energy into the workplace. Teammates described someone who helps without being asked and leads quietly, with kindness and humility.
What his coworkers didn’t see was everything he was carrying behind the scenes.
“During that long, difficult job search, he wasn’t just trying to support himself. He was helping hold his family together. Dillon didn’t complain. He didn’t give up. He just kept showing up because that’s who he is,” the Express team said.
Recently, Dillon was hired permanently; a moment that felt earned in every sense. His impact went even further when a vendor who had visited the site for more than four years contacted Express to say Carlson was the most impressive worker he had ever encountered there and the best addition to the team he had seen.
Today, the Littleton Express team is thrilled to say Carlson’s mother is doing well, feeling stronger each day, and recovering.
“Dillon represents the very best of what we believe in at Express,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. “His resilience, integrity and commitment to others reflect the strength, stability and service that define who we are as an organization. His ability to rise above hardship while lifting those around him shows the kind of impact we aspire to make in every community we touch.”
Carlson was one of five nominees for the Express Employee of the Year award, ultimately securing the top honor at Express’ recent International Leadership Conference. He was initially awarded $1,000 by Express as the Employee of the Year winner for his region and an additional $5,000 as the overall winner. The remaining nominees were then surprised with $5,000 in appreciation for their efforts.
“Express is an awesome company, and I couldn't be where I'm at without them,” Carlson said. “Winning the associate of the year is also very inspiring for me, and I'm very proud to have earned the chance to be on stage. Thank you for the recognition.”
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If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, Director of Corporate Communications & PR.
About Robert (Bob) Funk Jr.
Robert (Bob) Funk Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million people globally since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.