Meet the Team

Alice Yanello

Director of People, Operations & Strategic Accounts

Alice joined Yoerk Inc. in March 2025 and now serves as the Director of People, Operations & Strategic Accounts, supporting the Champaign office. She oversees the Office Services division, large strategic accounts, and key operational functions including payroll, collections, and workers’ compensation. Alice also supports HR across all Yoerk Express locations, helping drive consistent, high-quality workforce and leadership practices.

With eight years of experience in strategic HR and leadership roles, Alice is known for aligning people initiatives with business objectives, strengthening talent pipelines, and developing leaders across the organization. She is passionate about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and supporting long-term growth as Yoerk Inc expands.

Alice holds a degree in Psychology with a double minor in Business and Human Resource Management from the University of Missouri. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. A lifelong explorer at heart, Alice loves traveling, camping, and immersing herself in new cultures and places. She also finds joy in painting and creative expression. Whether she’s out in nature or connecting through shared experiences, Alice values adventure, good people, and meaningful moments.

Markeisha Gray

Office Services Recruiter

Markeisha is the Office Services Recruiter at Express Employment Professionals, bringing years of customer service and sales experience to every interaction. Known for her positive energy and people first approach, she excels at building strong connections with candidates and clients while delivering top tier service.

Driven by passion and purpose, she is committed to help grow the Office Services division and elevating the impact Express Employment makes in the community. Markeisha thrives on matching talented individuals with the right opportunities and takes pride in helping both people and businesses succeed.

With her enthusiasm for recruiting and her dedication to professional growth, Markeisha is excited to continue building her career with Express Employment and contribute to the company's ongoing success.

Shawn Harvey

Talent Acquisition Specialist

I relocated to Champaign three years ago and bring a professional background in the audio-visual industry, with a specialized focus on labor coordination. My career has taken me across the country supporting events of all sizes, providing hands-on experience in fast-paced, detail-driven environments. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time as a proud dad to a superstar kid—being a father is, without question, my greatest title and most meaningful accomplishment.

Brandon Robertson

Key Accounts Specialist

Originally from Smith Station, Alabama, Brandon brings a fresh perspective and drive to continuous learning and growth alongside his team.
With over two years of experience at Express Employment, Brandon is known for his unwavering reliability and commitment to the team. As a dependable team player, he excels at tackling tasks and supporting colleagues to achieve shared goals. He is passionate about heling members of the community find meaningful employment, contributing to their success in supporting their families and advancing in their careers.
Brandon's focus on learning how to connect with people from many different backgrounds and personalities highlights his desire to foster strong team dynamics and open communication in the workplace.
Outside of work, Brandon enjoys diving into the world of technology, gaming with friends, and spending quality time with his loved ones.

Celeste Robinson

Finance Operations Specialist

Celeste “Gabby” Robinson joined Yoerk Inc. in August 2025 and currently serves as the Finance Operations Specialist for the 2513 office. In this capacity, she is responsible for administering payroll for Express Associates, managing collections activities, and overseeing workers’ compensation claims with a strong commitment to accuracy and compliance.

Mrs. Robinson brings over five years of experience as an insurance claims adjuster and an additional year of experience in collections. This background has strengthened her attention to detail, analytical capabilities, and ability to navigate complex financial and administrative processes—qualities that greatly enhance her contributions to Yoerk Inc.

Deeply dedicated to her role, Ms. Robinson is passionate about supporting the organization’s financial operations and upholding the highest standards of professionalism. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three children, cooking, creating a welcoming environment for others, and spending time outdoors when the weather permits.

Jake Canaday

Skilled Trades Talent Acquisition Specialist

I’m the Lead Skilled Trades Recruiter for Express, with six years of experience recruiting in skilled trades, telecommunications, solar, automotive manufacturing, and corporate roles. I’m passionate about matching strong talent with the right opportunities and understanding the technical needs behind each position.

People know me for being approachable, responsive, and dedicated to making the hiring process smooth and positive for both clients and candidates.

Ryann Dixon

Key Account Specialist

Ryann joined the company in October 2022 and works as a Key Account Specialist, where she enjoys building strong, lasting relationships with clients and helping solve problems before they become headaches. She’s known for being dependable, approachable, and someone clients and teammates can count on to keep things moving in the right direction.

Her background in real estate, warehousing, and management gives her a practical, well-rounded perspective and helps her connect easily with both clients and associates. Ryann brings a calm, solutions-focused mindset to her work and takes pride in supporting people through every step of the process.

Outside of work, Ryann enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and making the most of time with family.

Marcus Hall

Outside Sales Representative

Marcus Hall joined Express Employment Professionals in February 2025 and transitioned into his role as an Outside Sales Representative the following month. Drawn to the company’s strong culture and community focus, Marcus brings a friendly, team-oriented attitude, a willingness to learn, and—when the moment calls for it—a well-timed dad joke.

With a background in retail sales and leadership, Marcus is passionate about building relationships and honing his communication skills. He’s committed to connecting with local businesses, understanding their needs, and delivering solutions that align with the values of Express.

Before joining Express, Marcus spent several years leading a top-performing retail team at GameStop, where his store earned “Prestige” status three years in a row – a recognition for outstanding sales performance, guest service, and team results.

Outside the office, Marcus enjoys staying active, watching college sports, keeping up with his favorite shows alongside his girlfriend, and unwinding with a cocktail on the weekends. He lives by a personal motto that keeps him grounded and focused:
“You can talk to so many people on any given day, but the first person that's gonna chat with you is yourself. So don't listen.”

Cody Alterman

Managing Director

Cody Alterman is the newest member, but a familiar face to the Champaign, IL market. Currently Cody is assuming the Managing Director's for Express Employment Professionals in Champaign, Illinois, bringing more than a decade of experience leading recruitment, professional search, and workforce strategy teams. As Champaign was where Cody began his career in the staffing and recruiting industry, he is welcomed back to the team with a high level of excitement. His career has been defined by building strong organizations through collaboration, disciplined execution, and a shared commitment to results.

Previously, Cody served for five years as a franchisee and Managing Partner of the Express Employment Professionals and Specialized Recruiting Group operation in Lakeland, Florida. Working alongside a high-performing internal team, they grew the business from the ground up—surpassing $5 million in sales in under a year and delivering strong, sustainable profitability. That success was driven by a collective focus on client partnerships, community engagement, and developing people at every level of the organization.

Earlier in his career, Cody played a key role in launching and scaling the Specialized Recruiting Group division in Champaign, Illinois. Together with his team, the division grew to more than $1 million in annual revenue and consistently ranked among the Top 5 nationally within the global Express franchise system. During that period, the group expanded from a local footprint to supporting clients on a national level across multiple professional verticals.

A United States Marine Corps veteran, Cody brings a leadership style rooted in accountability, preparation, and trust—values shaped by both military service and years of building teams in competitive markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership and is a graduate of the Express Leadership Academy.

Latasha Ellis

Light Industrial Division Lead

Since joining Express Employment Professionals in 2023, Latasha has made a strong impact on the Champaign team with her upbeat attitude, contagious smile, and commitment to helping people succeed. She began her career in Office Services and quickly advanced to Light Industrial Division Lead, where she supports high-volume manufacturing, logistics, and warehouse operations across Central Illinois.

Latasha loves the relationship-building nature of staffing — connecting people with opportunities they may not have found on their own and supporting employers who need dependable, people-focused solutions. Known for being hands-on, she spends time onsite to understand each environment firsthand, allowing her to bring speed, clarity, and consistency to every placement.

A former collegiate sprinter with a Business Management degree concentrated in HR, Latasha brings that same drive and adaptability to the fast pace of staffing. She also serves as President of McKinley Toastmasters, where she continues to strengthen her leadership and communication skills.

Outside of work, she prioritizes quality family time and enjoys staying active, painting, and competitive Wii nights. Above all, Latasha is motivated by helping people feel understood, supported, and connected to opportunities where they can thrive.

Abigail Legner

Director of Skilled Trades & Client Services

Abigail joined Express Employment Professionals in August 2024 and quickly became a driving force behind the Skilled Trades division. With a background spanning over 8 years of industrial sales, manufacturing, and supply chain leadership, she brings a deep, practical understanding of how skilled trades teams actually function — and what it takes to build them well. Her approach blends market knowledge, communication, and a strong sense of accountability to both clients and candidates.

What Abigail brings to the team is intention and reliability, setting a strong standard for the team. She’s focused on building high-performing skilled trades partnerships by aligning the right talent with the right environments — not just filling seats, but strengthening operations long-term. Her goal is simple: help the team lead the market in quality, consistency, and trust while continuing to grow future leaders within the organization.

What keeps Abigail at Express is the people and the pace. She thrives in a collaborative environment where high standards, healthy competition, and genuine support all coexist. Outside of work, she’s an avid board game collector and host, with a collection that’s grown to over 350 games — a hobby that perfectly mirrors her love of strategy, connection, and a little friendly competition.

Madison Gray

Talent Acquisition Specialist

With a background in customer service and office management, Madison brings a fresh perspective and fun personality to the Express team. Focused on creating meaningful connections, and providing top-notch support, and helping others accomplish their goals - both personally and professionally - she is ready to take on any challenge. Whether it’s keeping the office running smoothly or simply brightening someone's day, Madison approaches every task with enthusiasm and heart.

Outside of work, Madison stays busy with her three kids keeping her on her toes, mastering the art of multitasking - proof that it’s more than just a skill; it’s a survival tactic! She lives by the motto: "Organization is just controlled chaos - kind of like parenting, but with a desk and fewer snack requests".

Emely Contreras

Front Office Coordinator

Emely comes from a strong background in customer service, and has been our Front Desk Coordinator since 2025. She excels at creating a welcoming and professional environment while supporting the hiring process and ensuring daily office operations run smoothly. As a mother of two, Emely brings patience, organization, and heart into everything she does.

Angelica Sanchez

Key Accounts Specalist | Rantoul office

Angelica has been with Express Employment for just over 4 years and serves as a dedicated on-site coordinator for our Rantoul office. Known for her adaptability, strong work ethic, and optimism, Angelica is a key contributor to the team's success. Her aspiration is to see the team continue growing and evolving, believing that hard work and effort invested will continue to lead to great outcomes.
One of her favorite things about working at Express is the abundant room for growth. Whether seeking new challenges or needing support, Angelica appreciates the strong network of colleagues who are always ready to help without hesitation.
Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing with her two cats, Sol and Luna, taking long walks, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.