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Member Spotlights

Kelli Schutrop - Parqa Digital Marketing Agency

About Kelli:

Kelli Schutrop is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Parqa Digital Marketing Agency. With more than a decade of marketing experience specifically focused on the staffing and recruiting industry, she has consulted hundreds of owners across the country on how to utilize digital marketing strategies to drive results. Previously in her career, Kelli managed marketing for an executive search and consulting firm which received 50% of its revenue through inbound marketing strategies. Kelli enjoys discussing marketing strategies for the staffing industry, and has contributed to industry groups including American Staffing Association, World Staffing Sessions, New York Staffing Association, California Staffing Professionals, and more.

Email: kschutrop@parqamarketing.com

Phone: (952) 767-6455

Website: https://parqamarketing.com/

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • I love that it's an industry focused around helping companies grow and driving people's careers!
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Anywhere at Christmas time with lights, so we'll go with The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (by Angela Duckworth)

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • I've enjoyed sharing digital marketing insights and key trends with the NYSA staffing audience. We have met clients and great networking connections through these webinars. I've also enjoyed getting to know a variety of staffing industry providers.


Jessica Sanchez - Access Capital

About Jessica:

Jessica is the Marketing Director of Access Capital, a leading independent lender to the staffing industry. She will soon complete her 20th year with the company.

In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, literature, and meandering around New York City to explore its cultural and culinary wonders. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.

Email:  jsanchez@accesscapital.com

Phone: (212) 644-9300

Website: https://www.accesscapital.com/

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • Staffing is an exciting industry with tremendous opportunities! I love connecting with staffing industry professionals because they are inventive, energetic and forward thinking. The staffing industry is far from static and ever evolving so I find staffing professionals are nimble, fast learners and open to new opportunities.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Quest Bookshop in midtown has been sanctuary for me for years. I also love strolling the East Village area - not only does it have great dining and shopping but there are some community gardens in the area that are just breathtaking.

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • StaffingHub's podcast for sure! But I also love Rob Dial's The Mindset Mentor and TED Talks Daily provides knowledge in bite sized chunks, perfect for a busy work day! I am currently reading "Chatter" by Ethan Kross and it's a real eye-opener as to how we can retrain inner critic and successfully harness it.

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • I am fortunate to have met some remarkable people through NYSA! It's been an honor to be part of this community.

    I've had the opportunity to collaborate with impressive industry experts and work together to build NYSA into an association that serves its members with value, thought leadership, and mentorship.

    I look forward to many more years of being a part of NYSA and continuing to contribute to its success.

Robert Mocerino - White Oak Commercial Finance

About Robert:


Robert Mocerino serves as Senior Vice President, Managing Director for White Oak Commercial Finance and is responsible for originating and developing opportunities in the areas of staffing and government contracting finance. A specialist in both industries, he ran his own accounts receivable management company for 18 years and most recently served as a Managing Director at Sterling National Bank where he developed new opportunities within payroll finance, factoring and asset-based lending. He sits on the board of directors for the NY and Massachusetts Staffing Association and is an active member of the American Staffing Association, Staffing Industry Analysts, and the California Staffing Professionals Association.


Email:  rmocerino@whiteoakcf.com

Phone: (516) 998-6000

Website: https://whiteoaksf.com/commercialfinance/

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • The people driving it and the continued creativity required for success.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Bryant Park

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • Good to Great

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • It has helped me stay connected to the staffing industry in NYC and New York State, and has allowed me to partner with great industry partners and staffing companies.  It has helped me to stay abreast of the latest technologies supporting the industry and how my clients are employing them. It has helped me to deepen my relationships with staffing agencies in both New York and throughout the country.

Evelyn Sirena - Top Prospect Group, Inc.

About Evelyn:

Evelyn Sirena is the President and Managing Partner of Top Prospect Group. She has been managing and providing staffing solutions for over 25 years. She has built Information Technology and Creative teams to be the most successful in the area. At TPG, she not only provides excellent customer service, she takes pride in managing and providing employee development, mentoring, training, social media engagement, marketing, HR, compliance/regulatory and financial reporting and analysis. She is affiliated with several trade organizations including NYSA and Society of Human Resource Management, among others, to keep current on trends, financial forecasts, market insights and strategies in order to allow her to continue to provide a competitive advantage and outstanding customer service.

Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Pace University and worked for several renowned organizations prior to entering the staffing industry including IBM, Oracle, Unisys and Information Resources Inc. Her experience in these areas have provided a strong foundation to fully understand and appreciate that her clients, candidates and employees are her #1 priority and their success is her success! This appreciation is something she continues to embrace today. Top Prospect Group - Your search stops here!

Email:  es@topprospectgroup.com

Phone: (914) 214-4555

Website: www.topprospectgroup.com

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • Assist clients and candidates in meeting their corporate and career objectives.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Long Island, NY

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • As a NYSA member, I have focused mainly on the changes in legislation regarding human resources and staffing within NYS and implementing best practices throughout my organization.


Doug Klares - Infinity Consulting Solutions, Inc.

About Doug:

Doug founded Infinity Consulting Solutions (ICS) in 2001 with the mission to cultivate successful long term relationships by matching the right people with the right organizations. Doug wears several hats in his role as CEO, with his primary objective being to transcend business relations, turning them into something more personal.

Other aspects of Doug’s role are more technical. It is his responsibility to scrutinize the operational strategy of the company while supporting internal team members and expanding upon the vision of ICS. His combination of business acumen and ability to connect deeply with others allow each member of the ICS community to thrive and grow.

In November of 1996, Doug began his career in the staffing industry as the first salesperson for Advance Consultancy Group International. Only five years later, Doug took the plunge to begin his own staffing business, ICS, and the rest was history.

Doug has overseen ICS’ growth into one of the nation’s largest and most successful staffing and recruiting agencies. He has grown ICS from its single flagship headquarters in New York to include offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Fort Lauderdale, Columbus, Atlanta, Wilmington and Dallas, who work with top-tier clients and candidates from across country.

Additionally Doug has overseen its growth from a strong focus on IT staffing to a full-service recruiting, staffing, and payroll agency with practice areas including Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, Legal & Compliance, and the Corporate Support practice area which is comprised of Human Resources, Administrative & Clerical Support, as well as Customer Service recruitment.

Under Doug’s leadership, ICS has received numerous national staffing awards one of them being featured on the 2013 Best of Staffing™ Client List. Less than 1% of all staffing agencies in North America have earned the 2013 Best of Staffing™ award for providing remarkable service quality to their clients. ICS has also been consistently placed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 list for the past eight years for its continuous rate of growth.

Doug himself has been a finalist for the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was nominated again in 2013. He was also nominated for Crain’s 40 under 40 in 2010 while ICS was recognized by Crain’s in 2012 as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New York. Additionally, ICS was included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Doug credits much of his success to the belief that in order to be successful in the staffing business one must gain a true understanding of the other person’s position, whether they are a client or a candidate. He openly admits to needing to depend on other people and that there is no other way to be successful in his business, or in any business.

His highly personalized approach is the most effective way to match qualified candidates with positions where they can excel. This approach led ICS to develop the most rigorous candidate recruitment model in the industry — and ICS to employ the happiest people in the staffing and recruiting field.

Doug earned his B.S from the State University of New York at Albany in Economics with a minor in Business and is a supporter of the Northern Westchester Community Center. An avid runner, Doug ran the 2013 New York City Marathon where he ran for Fred’s Team, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s (MSK) athletic fundraising program dedicated to bringing us closer to a world without cancer. Doug also raised funds to help cover some of the costs of chemotherapy for a member of the ICS family.

Email:  dklares@infinity-cs.com

Phone: (212) 593-9797

Website: www.infinity-cs.com

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • There are 2 that stick out. 1) No day is ever the same! No matter how long I have been in the business, things still pop up for me to learn from. 2) I can now see how much influence and impact I have had in peoples lives.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • The 9/11 Memorial.

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • Measure what matters by John Doerr. Behind the Wheel, By Mike Cleland. Mike's book is all staffing all day while John's is scaling and managing what is important. Both are musts in my opinion.

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • How hasn't it helped me? As an owner, I am faced with decisions all day everyday. Being able to network with and connect with other owners in the staffing industry and bounce thoughts and ideas off of them allows me to challenge my own ideas and perspectives. In addition, the webinars and the legislative updates helps me continue to stay up to date. 


Arthur Banks - Horizon Healthcare Staffing Corp.

About Arthur:

Founding partner in Horizon Healthcare Staffing, The Horizon Group, Home Care Therapies (an NYS LHCSA), Horizon Staffing Solutions, and Horizon Staffing Resources; all of which provide recruitment and staffing services to a wide variety of industries both domestically and internationally. Extensive experience in Executive Recruitment, Healthcare Temporary Staffing, Business Development, Risk Management, and Information Systems.

Email:  abanks@thehorizongroup.com

Phone: (516) 326-2020

Website: www.hhstaff.com

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • Having the opportunity to help both employers (our clients) and job seekers , thus having a positive impact on our local economy.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Montauk

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • All books by Dale Carnegie

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • NYSA has provided many valuable resources including seminars and, most recently, webinars that have kept our management team informed on many relevant topics important to our business.


Steven Nicokiris - CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCann CPAs

About Steven:

Steve serves as an audit MHM shareholder for numerous clients where he provides "hands on" practical business advisory, consulting, auditing and accounting services to middle-market, privately-held and family-owned companies. A true client advocate, Steve helps his clients with a wide range of business needs including: advising on effective business and tax planning strategies; making meaningful introductions to enhance business and profitability; and efficiently planning, managing and supervising audit engagements and other special projects.

Steve also takes a leadership role in the overall growth of the New York office, as well as the firm nationally, by spearheading business development opportunities along with enhancing the business development skills of the firm’s staff.


Email: snikokiris@cbiz.com

Phone: (212) 790-5716

Website: www.cbiz.com

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • The search for new talent and the thrill of finding the right fit. We love working with talented people to find the right people for our job openings. Its wonderful to work with those who help build our team of experts to serve both the needs of the projects and the culture of our businesses.
What is your favorite location in NY?
  • Bryant Park, which is across the street from our office, is my favorite part of NYC. It is a beloved, year-round New York City destination. The park is famous for its lush seasonal gardens, free activities, great restaurants and al fresco dining. Located adjacent to the New York Public Library and surrounded by iconic skyscrapers, Bryant Park is visited by more than 12 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world.

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • Being involved in NYSA has brought my career, and the CBIZ message, to the next level. It is great to meet new people, host webinars, and network to showcase the services we have to offer. NYSA events and webinars, help me stay current with changes in technology, legislation, and best practices that will help advise clients and prospects.


Karen DiPeri - HMG Plus, Inc.

About Karen:

Karen DiPeri is the President of HMG+, a Hospitality Staffing Solution, with over thirty years of experience in partnering with corporate food service entities and caterers to successfully staff their events. HMG+ is Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certified alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, President of the New York Staffing Association, and has been honored as a SmartCEO, New York Brava and SHFM Spirit Award winner.

Email: kdiperi@hmgplus.com

Phone: (646) 661-1021

Website: www.hmgplus.com

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What do you love most about the Staffing Industry?

  • Helping individuals find their dream job and helping clients fill their roles asap!

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion

What is your favorite location in NY?

  • Battery Park City

How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

  • Being a member of NYSA has grown my confidence and my network. The industry partner members provide outstanding educational content, the legislative committee works tirelessly to help protect and foster growth through advocacy and the professional development opportunities have helped me become a better leader.


Bradley Block - Staffing the Universe Family of Companies

About Brad:

Bradley is the Chief Operations Officer and Principal of the Staffing-the-Universe Family of Companies. He is responsible for overseeing all operations within the organization, driving growth and thought leadership. Bradley has spent the last 16 years working in various management roles throughout the family of companies.

Bradley has a B.S. from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and an MBA from Stern Business School at New York University.

In addition, Bradley sat as the President of the Board of Directors for the New York Staffing Association, where he is still very active. Brad volunteers time towards many industry and personal causes, and he sits on multiple councils for the American Staffing Association, and has been a part of a number of conferences as an expert speaker and trainer.


Email: bradley@staffing-the-universe.com

Phone: (646) 652-0977

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What do you love most about the staffing industry?

  • The ability to be involved with so many people, industries, and clients in a meaningful and impactful way.

What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

  • Start with Why - Simon Sinek

    How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

    • Being involved with a group of dedicated and intelligent people has provided ideas, resources, networking, business insights and friendships that all have helped make my organization stronger and better.  Being front line on meaningful issues, and being an active part of the discussions affecting the industry has allowed me to strategically set our business up for success.


    Finny Varghese - Nexus Staff

    About Finny: 

    I was born in India and immigrated to the US as a child; becoming the first graduate with a 4-year degree in my family. By saving, working nights and weekends, and enrolling in entrepreneurial advancement opportunities, I learned to develop a strategic approach to success and founded Nexus Staffing, Inc in 2005. My curious and analytical nature continually pushes me to learn and seek out new perspectives. I am never satisfied with the status quo, and I encourage those I work with and mentor to reach their highest potential. I prioritize my client’s needs and always try to put myself in their shoes to see where I can bring added value.

    For over 15 years, I have led the Nexus Staff team as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer. With expertise in entrepreneurship, business operations, and ever-changing market trends I have brought valuable support to clients - big and small - across the United States. I value the power of teamwork, perseverance, and curiosity; and I believe listening and connecting diverse voices leads to innovative change.

    I have always loved connecting people and helping them overcome challenges, and I am very proud to be a part of a team that strives to make a difference in the lives of others. With experience, I have come to realize that achieving our biggest dreams and overcoming our most difficult obstacles is more possible with the help of others. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes, and for me, there is nothing more rewarding than making a difference— whether that's helping a client build out a new team, find the right fit to expand on an existing one, or partnering to achieve diversity and inclusion initiatives.

    Email: fvarghese@nexusstaff.com

    Phone: (518) 216-5860

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    What do you love most about the staffing industry?

    • Connecting talented people to new opportunities

    What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

    • How to Win Friends and Influence People

    What is your favorite location in NY?

    • Queens Borough Bridge

    How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

    • NYSA membership has helped my firm to stay ahead of the curve with pending changes in legislation, changes in rules, guidelines etc. It has also been a valuable resource with the training it offers to my team and me.

    Miriam Dushane - Alaant Workforce Solutions

    About Miriam:  

    Miriam Dushane is Managing Partner of Alaant Workforce Solutions, an Albany, NY-based professional workforce services firm recognized by Forbes for the past four consecutive years as one of America’s Best Recruiting Firms. The next generation of Linium Recruiting, which Ms. Dushane launched in 2006 and built into a regional powerhouse, Alaant has assisted over 400 companies in attracting, acquiring, engaging and retaining more than 4,000 top professionals in the past decade. A SHRM Certified Professional and PHR with more than 20 years of human resources experience, Ms. Dushane specializes in recruitment, employee relations, and training and development. A passionate community advocate and leader, she lends her time and talent to a host of educational and workforce development entities, from AlbanyCanCode to the Tech Valley Business Alliance, and has been recognized by the Capital Region Chamber as a Woman of Excellence and the Albany Business Review as one of its Women Who Mean Business.

    Email: miriam.dushane@alaant.com

    Phone: (518) 689-3138

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    What do you love most about the staffing industry?

    • Discovering new business serving our community and the variety of people I get to meet.

    What book or podcast has helped you in your business?

    • I read NYSA email blasts faithfully, I also pay very close attention to daily updates from SHRM and ASA.

    What is your favorite location in NY?

    • Adirondacks

    How has being a member of NYSA helped you in your business?

    • Knowing we have a resource that we can turn to when we have questions or need help is just reassuring. In 2020, the programming NYSA offered was invaluable to help us navigate all of the things we needed to be aware of to keep our business running including guidance on PPP loans, all the COVID paid leave regulations and requirements that affected our employees and sales and marketing programs.


    New York Staffing Association (NYSA)

    P.O. Box 518, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054


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