Three Decades of Meaningful Work and Hope
On February 26, 1996, Janis Petrini opened the doors of Express Employment Professionals in Grand Rapids with a simple belief: meaningful work creates hope.
That belief still guides us today.
Thirty years later, we’re a certified woman-owned business that consistently ranks in the top 1% of more than 900 Express offices worldwide. But what matters most isn’t the ranking. It’s the people. The job seekers who walked through our doors unsure of what was next. The clients who trusted us to help build their teams. The community partners who stood beside us along the way.
As Janis often says, “Job loss is one of life’s three most difficult experiences. When someone walks through our doors during that season, we don’t just see a resume. We see a person who needs direction and hope.”
That perspective has shaped everything we’ve done for the past three decades.
A Legacy Built on People
From the beginning, Express was about more than filling jobs. It was about seeing potential and helping people step into it. Over the years, we’ve placed thousands of associates across West Michigan in roles ranging from entry-level positions to skilled trades and office careers.
Some of those placements have become leaders in their organizations. Some have referred their children, siblings, or even parents to us. Today, we see multi-generational placements within families.
We’ve grown because our clients have grown. We’ve adapted because the workforce has changed. But our core values—Professional, Driven, Compassionate, and Approachable—have remained constant. They show up in how we answer the phone, how we coach candidates, and how we walk alongside business owners navigating hiring challenges.
Growth Driven by Real Needs
We quickly realized our clients’ needs were expanding beyond light industrial, skilled trades, and office services. They weren’t just looking for candidates — they needed a strategic partner who understood the local market and could deliver high-level professional talent with care and precision. So, in 2021, we launched Specialized Recruiting Group to focus exclusively on professional and executive search.
As the years passed, our clients began facing new and more complex challenges. It wasn’t just about finding talent. They were dealing with leadership gaps, turnover, succession planning, and communication breakdowns inside their organizations.
For nearly a decade, leadership training and development were offered by Express as an extension of our services. As demand continued to grow, Frontline Training Solutions launched in 2022 as its own dedicated company, focused exclusively on leadership development, executive coaching, and workplace consulting.
“Our clients were telling us their biggest challenges weren’t just about hiring. They were about building healthy workplaces. We knew we could help.”
- Janis Petrini, Founder & Co-Owner, Express Employment Professionals Companies
A Milestone Partnership
One of the most meaningful chapters in our story began in 2015, when David Robb joined Express as Director of Marketing. David brought fresh energy, strategic vision, and a deep belief in the power of people.
That moment marked more than a title change. It represented leadership continuity and the next generation of growth.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching lives change because of meaningful work. Stepping into ownership wasn’t about personal achievement. It was about protecting and expanding the mission Janis started in 1996.”
- David Robb, Co-Owner & Managing Partner, Express Employment Professionals Companies
His partnership reflects what we believe about leadership development. When you invest in people, they grow. When they grow, the organization grows with them.
The Intersection of Workforce and Workplace
Today, Express Employment Professionals, Specialized Recruiting Group, and Frontline Training Solutions work together to serve businesses in a holistic way.
Express focuses on staffing and talent acquisition across all skill levels. Whether a company needs production associates, administrative support, or skilled trades professionals, we connect them with dependable talent.
Specialized Recruiting Group supports professional and executive search. When a business needs a controller, operations manager, HR director, or other specialized role, our team brings targeted expertise and local market insight.
Frontline Training Solutions strengthens the workplace itself. Through leadership development, coaching, and consulting, we help organizations build stronger communication, accountability, and culture.
Together, these three companies meet clients at the intersection of workforce and workplace. We don’t just help businesses find people. We help them develop leaders and build healthier organizations from the inside out.
Because hiring someone is only part of the story. What happens after they’re hired matters just as much.
Rooted in Community
Our work has always extended beyond office walls. We’ve built long-standing nonprofit partnerships, served in board leadership roles, and hosted our annual Brand It Blue donation drive to support local causes.
We believe our community is the ultimate stakeholder.
As Janis reflects, “We’ve never measured success by revenue alone. We measure it by impact. Are people better because we were here? Is our community stronger?”
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Thirty years is a milestone, but it’s also a reminder. A reminder of the trust clients have placed in us. The resilience of associates who kept showing up. The team members who built this company day by day.
We’re proud of where we’ve been. We’re even more excited about where we’re going.
Throughout the year, we will be sharing stories, milestones, and moments that have shaped this journey. We invite you to stay connected as we continue the celebration and look ahead to the next chapter.
Thirty years of people.
Thirty years of purpose.
Thirty years of possibility.