Meet the Team

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Kevin Roden

Light Industrial & Skilled Trades Employment Specialist

Born in New Lebanon, NY and raised in East Greenbush, I enlisted in the United States Army at the young age of 17 and served 5 years with two overseas deployments. My unique position during my time in the Army, at the National Security Agency, allowed me to recruit and train members of the Armed Forces, as well as their civilian counterparts, to deploy to countries around the world with different Special Operations Forces. My experience enabled me to ensure the best match when placing these members in their prospective positions.


After my enrollment with the Army, I moved back to the Albany area and worked in shipping & receiving for 4 years. I came to Express looking for employment and was assigned as a screen printer for a local company where I spent the next 2 years. Looking for a change, I returned to Express and began working on their internal team as an Employment Specialist. As a former Express employee, I understand and believe in their mission of helping people find employment and matching companies with the most suitable candidates. 


In early 2020 I was blessed with a beautiful baby boy and married my girlfriend of 6 years. In December of 2023, my family expanded to 4 as we welcomed our lovely baby girl. In my spare time I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my family. 

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Valerie McKnight

Employment Specialist

Valerie McKnight is an experienced Employment Specialist and Recruiter at Express Employment Professionals, where she channels her passion for people into helping candidates find jobs that truly fit. With a strong foundation in Human Resources within the healthcare industry, Valerie brings a deep understanding of complex hiring needs and a knack for building meaningful professional connections.

Born and raised in Texas, Valerie spent her life rooted in the Lone Star State until making a bold move to Florida at the end of 2023, and then to New York in 2025—changes that reflect her adventurous spirit and dedication to growth. 
Valerie is known for her warm approach, strategic mindset, and commitment to matching individuals with roles that empower them to thrive. She’s passionate about workforce development and loves seeing candidates step into opportunities that change their lives.

Outside of work, Valerie enjoys finding new trails to walk and places to see in her new state and is always exploring new ways to contribute to her community through meaningful employment.

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Lauren Witt

Front Office Coordinator

Meet Lauren, a seasoned professional with a military upbringing. Lauren has had the privilege of traveling extensively and gained a diverse range of experiences.

Over the past 11 years, she has cultivated a wide variety of skills ranging from retail and jewelry sales to security services and wireless sales management.

Lauren’s primary objective is to attain comprehensive knowledge and expertise in various fields while making a significant impact on our community. Lauren recently moved to New York from West Virginia with her fiancé.

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