SigConnects | Signature Profiles

< Back to News

Signature Profiles – Will Schwerin

Signature Profiles are designed to help you learn more about the best part of Signature Consultants, our people.

Meet Will Schwerin, Business Unit Leader and trickster extraordinaire based in our San Francisco office. Will’s business success is only trumped by his practical joke expertise. Will helped lead the charge on Signature’s expansion into the Western United States. Check out his Q&A to see how Will won the West!

Q1. What is your position at Signature Consultants?  How long have you been employed for the company?
A1. I am currently a Business Unit Leader as well a Local Account Manager.

Q2. Describe the road that led you to Signature Consultants.
A2. I was introduced into Signature by a friend that used to work for Signature. We had worked at a previous employer together in the local market.

Q3. What is your favorite thing about working for Signature Consultants?
A3. The “Do the Right Thing” methodology. Here at Signature Consultants we treat each other with the utmost respect. We work together not against each other. The ability to build true bonds from within is something I had never been exposed to before. Our clients and consultants alike truly see something special when it comes to partnering with Signature Consultants. When you have a hard working and happy workforce nothing can stand in your way.

Q4. What’s the most rewarding thing about working in the staffing industry?  The most challenging?
A4. The most rewarding aspect for me would have to be the relationships I have built over the years. My clients come to me when they are in need and I help deliver the solution. I get the opportunity to watch their organizations move forward in the right direction. In business just like in our personal lives you get what you put into it. The staffing industry gives me the challenge to be the best that I can be on a daily basis. There is never a dull day.

Q5. The company only recently expanded to the Western United States.  Tell us about why the company expanded and where you see your offices (and others in the West) going?
A5. We recently expanded our operation to San Francisco, Des Moines, Phoenix, and Minneapolis. One of our top clients is strongly positioned in each of these cities and asked for us to make the investment to support their growth in each of the four cities. Historically, Signature opened one new office a year so this was a big investment for us. We originally hired the necessary internal resources to support and partner with our top client. We have now hired additional resources in each of the four cities to support and grow relationships with other clients local to the area. Each of the West offices now has the foundation that is needed to be a successful office and have moved outside the start-up phase and into functioning offices. We continue to grow at a steady pace and look to merge the East and West in the near future.

 Q6. What are some of the challenges of opening a new office for a company like Signature Consultants?
A6. One of the most difficult challenges to starting a new office is ultimately finding the right people to assist in the growth of the office.  Here at Signature we live by our culture and all egos are left at the door. It is difficult to find people that are willing to change the way of yesterday and to come in and try something new.

Q7. What’s been the most rewarding part of your time at Signature?
A7. The most rewarding aspect for me would have to be the bonds that I have established internally at all levels. I have formed relationships that I will have for life and as we continue to grow this will only increase. I have been given the opportunity to really partner in something. To build a business from ground up with some of the best minds in the industry. I see rewards every day here at Signature and I know that the people that sit around me feel the same way. That is something special. 

Q8. You participated in an interview with the Staffing Industry Analysts discussing the country’s best places to work – what does winning the award mean to you?
A8. The award really means a lot to me.  Our company is based on culture, hard work, and friendship; I think that makes people really excited to come to work everyday.  Our company invests in our people, and we hope to be top-ranked every year.

Q9.  What’s on your bucket list?
A.9To get more than 8 hours of sleep in a row!

Q10. What would you do if you won the lottery?
A10. I would own and operate a fly fishing lodge in Montana during the summer months and travel the world during the winter months.

Q11. What was your first concert?
A11. Poison

 Post your questions and comments below!

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Signature Consultants was established in 1996 with a singular focus: Provide clients and consultants with superior staffing solutions. Signature is the 24th largest IT Staffing Firm in the United States. (Source: Staffing Industry Analysts) With 16 locations throughout the United States, Signature annually deploys more than 1,100 IT consultants to support, run, and manage a client’s technology needs. Signature offers IT staffing, consulting, managed solutions, and direct placement services. In March 2011, the company was selected as the “Best Staffing Firm to Work For” in the United States by Staffing Industry Analysts. In March, 2012, the company was selected as the “Best Staffing Firm to Temp/Contract For” in the United States by the Staffing Industry Analysts. Employees were anonymously surveyed to measure their level of engagement within the company, which accounted for Signature’s first-place ranking. For more information on the company log on to www.sigconsult.com.

Signature Profiles – Brent Hamilton

Signature Profiles are designed to help you learn more about the best part of Signature Consultants, our people.

Meet Brent Hamilton, one of Signature’s most tenured and successful resource managers. Brent joined the Signature team in 1998 and has been making us laugh ever since. Our residential “garbage disposal,” Brent has never met a leftover, donut, a bucket of salsa he couldn’t tackle. Brent is a fan-favorite among our consultants and recently received a compliment from someone he helped place 10 years ago! He regularly attends user groups to build his empire and is known to go the extra mile for his consultants. Post questions and comments for Brent below!

Q1. When did you start your career in recruiting? 
A1. I started recruiting in the late ‘80s – my first stint was in Cleveland, Ohio. I recruited for sales professionals for the capital equipment industry. I actually had to do a 20 page research paper on the capital equipment industry as part of the interview process!

Q2. Explain the road that led you to Signature Consultants.   
A2. I left Cleveland in the early ‘90s and since then have only worked for two other staffing firms in the Carolina’s before  getting recruited by Jay Cohen and Geoff Gray to come to work at Signature in June of 1998.

Q3. Tell us about your first day at Signature – I heard there were some interesting stories! 
A3.  Yes, I will never forget my first day with Signature.  I believe I gave Geoff a mild heart attack that day!  I showed up to move in to my new space with a hand truck containing all my personal effects.  It was a good thing too – because my first day I was assigned to desk that did not even have a computer yet, good thing I came prepared with my personal laptop – a Compaq Armada with about 16 K of ram and one GB of storage.  

Q4. What is the most rewarding thing about your job?  
A4. The most rewarding thing is knowing that you’re making a positive impact on people’s lives, careers, and families.  It feels good to know you’re solving difficult problems in support of businesses.

Q5. If you could be in any other profession for a day what you do?
A5. I would be a jet fighter pilot! 

Q6. Do you have any funny “war stories” from your years of recruiting? 
A6. I actually have more horror stories than funny ones, but here goes! One day after work about 10 years ago we were throwing a stress ball around the office.  Our coworker Matt picked up a plastic bat to swing at the ball.  When he took a swing, the bat flew out of his hands and hit our manager in a….shall we say, tender area.  We all thought it was funny watching him lie on the ground in a fetal position for about 10 minutes before he could get up! J 

Q7. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you at work?  
A7. About seven years ago, my desk was in the middle of the pit (our large area where our entire team sits).  Matt decided to crawl through the office until he got to my desk – then he jumped out and scared the life out of me!  It’s too bad no one else was around to see how far I jumped back.  I still laugh when I think about it to this day.  He nearly gave me a heart attack!  Luckily, Matt has since saved my life several times to make up for that day.

Q8. What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
A8. I really enjoy going out with my wife Susan to see plays at the local theater and having dinner out on the town. If fact we have a live show coming up soon at the Blumenthal Belk Theater in Charlotte, N.C.

Q9. Where are you from? 
A9. I was born in Lansing, MI (both my parents attended Michigan State University). Go Green!  I grew up in near Chardon, Ohio.

Q10. Tell us about your family. 
A10. My wife Susan is a manager at a prominent company in the Charlotte area.  My father, who passed last year, was a doctor’s son, and had a BS in Landscape Architecture, and Horticulture. My mother was a temporary high school teacher of English and Latin. I have three younger sisters:  one located Greer, S.C., another in Seattle, W.A.  My youngest sister lives in Washington D.C and is president of an energy revolution company. I also have two identical twin son’s who both live in Charlotte, N.C. and just turned 22.

Q11. What’s your favorite food (besides everything)? 
A11. Swordfish steak ….if it is fresh (I can never get enough of it)

Q12. What was the first concert you ever went to? 
A12. The Beach Boys at Cleveland’s Outdoor Blossom Music Center back in the ‘70s!

 –

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Signature Consultants was established in 1996 with a singular focus: Provide clients and consultants with superior staffing solutions. Signature is the 24th largest IT Staffing Firm in the United States. (Source: Staffing Industry Analysts) With 16 locations throughout the United States, Signature annually deploys more than 1,100 IT consultants to support, run, and manage a client’s technology needs. Signature offers IT staffing, consulting, managed solutions, and direct placement services. In March 2011, the company was selected as the “Best Staffing Firm to Work For” in the United States by Staffing Industry Analysts. In March, 2012, the company was selected as the “Best Staffing Firm to Temp/Contract For” in the United States by the Staffing Industry Analysts. Employees were anonymously surveyed to measure their level of engagement within the company, which accounted for Signature’s first-place ranking. For more information on the company log on to www.sigconsult.com.

 

 

Signature Profiles

At Signature, people are our top priority.  We focus on placing the best people with the best companies and follow a few simple values: doing the right thing, friends first, and building relationships.

Signature Profiles are designed to help you learn more about the best part of Signature Consultants, our people.

Brad Rosen was Signature Consultants’ first recruiter. Based in Atlanta, Brad helps run our Training and Development program and has been with Signature since its inception 15 years ago.

Q1.  Why did you decide to come to Signature?

A1. I was 25 or 26 the first time I met Jay [Cohen], the president and CEO of Signature. My friend John was at the meeting and you could just tell Jay was someone you could trust.  There are very few opportunities for people in their early twenties to really start and build a company from scratch.  My gut instinct told me this was a dream opportunity.  It helped that I was close with John, and he was truly someone I believed in, so we decided to take a chance.

 Q2.  What do you enjoy about Signature?

A2. The best thing about signature, hands down, is the people. There’s a feeling of camaraderie here. You know you’re making friends for life. And every single person has that same chance to be empowered and to be an entrepreneur in building something special, the same as when we started 15 years ago.

 Q3.  Describe your current role at the company – how does it differ from “staffing or recruiting?”  How is it similar?

 A3. My current role within the company is being responsible for training and development.  I’ve always kind of had this role, even since the beginning.  I partner with Vinnie and participate in the training we hold for each new internal employee in Fort Lauderdale, where our headquarters are.  I love teaching; I’ve found that it’s not just about teaching “skill.” You show them different techniques for recruiting and building relationships and driving the message of what Signature Consultants represents.  When you see a recruiter or account manager have success with the techniques you’ve provided them, it’s extremely rewarding.  Plus, I get to meet every new internal employee during the process, so it’s great for building relationships. 

Q4. You’ve been here since almost the beginning of Signature Consultants.  What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in your time here?

A4. The biggest change I’ve seen here is growth; it’s just been phenomenal over the past 15 years.  And of course, the bigger you get the more complex everything gets as well.

 Q5. What’s your fondest memory of working at Signature Consultants?

 A5. Well, that’s hard because after 15 years, you really have a ton of memories.  I guess the fondest memories I have are the friendships I’ve made through my career at Signature.  They’ll truly be lifelong friends. And, even after all these years, we still have the same idea of “doing the right thing” that we did in the beginning.  I remember one of the first consultants we placed got pulled from his position, and we continued to pay him until he found a new job.  And when Fort Lauderdale got shut down by a hurricane a few years ago, we paid the consultants anyway.  We aren’t doing stuff at Signature just to turn a profit; we’re doing it for our people out there. Those are the things that I remember and make me proud to be a part of the Signature team.

Q6. What’s on your bucket list?

A6. Probably at the top of my bucket list would be to travel for pleasure with my family. I want to go all over the world.  I think that’s one of the greatest experiences you can have with your kid. 

Q7. What’s your biggest fear?

A7. Heights – well more specifically, falling from them.

Q8. Where’s your favorite place to travel?

A8. I went to Italy once and loved it; I can’t wait to go back.  I also love travelling to big cities like New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

Q9. If you could have dinner with one famous person (living or dead), who would it be?

A9. Warren Buffet.  He’s an amazing entrepreneur and investor. I just want to pick his brain and find out how he ticks, what his values are and how he applies them.

Q10. Final fun question! What was the first concert you ever attended?

A10.  That’s an interesting question.  What kind of responses are you getting on that?  (Laughs)  Jimmy Buffet was my first concert.

Questions for Brad?  Post them in the comments below!