American Staffing Association - January/February 2012

“He makes my job easy.
He is the reason why so many
of us continue to work in the
staffing industry.”

—The BOSS Group’s Kim Linnen,
who nominated Chris Hoover for
National Staffing Employee of the Year

active Web designer opening at the Plano, TX-based corporate offices of JCPenney. He inquired on his own about the position, but credits the BOSS Group for securing his interview and ultimately nudging the company in his direction.

“I contacted the BOSS Group to help me find more contract work,” Hoover explains. “The firm did a great job of researching my abilities and comparing that to what JCPenney needed at the time. Securing that interview, combined with the recommendation from the BOSS Group, helped me get a contract position at JCPenney.”

Tryout on His Terms

As with so many of his previous contract assignments, when Hoover landed at JCPenney he was able to choose his schedule, work alongside an innovative design team, and showcase his skills and strengths. And in this case of assign-ment-turned-permanent job, Hoover got the chance to test the waters and fall in love with the environment and the work.

“You have time to really get to know the job while working as a contract employee, and the company got to know me. It works for everyone involved,” Hoover explains. “When I started at JCPenney as a contract employee, I thought, ‘Yeah, I like it here.’ It felt like a good fit for me.” Likewise, Hoover’s contributions as a senior interactive Web designer have greatly benefitted JCPenney. He has played a key role in launching some of the company’s newest and most high-profile interactive campaigns, including the main landing Web page for a skateboarding competition JCPenney co-sponsors with Dew Tour—an action sports tour created by Mountain Dew.

Hoover also recently won several Racie Awards for his JCPenney design work. (The

Chris Hoover
Close Up

Being named the 2012 National Staffing Employee of the Year was a whirlwind experience for Chris Hoover—as well as for his wife, Betsy, who accompanied him last October when Hoover accepted his award at the ASA annual convention in New Orleans. It was their first visit to the Big Easy, where they were able to carve out time to explore the historic sites and cultural attractions.

Sponsored by ASA corporate partner First Staff Benefits, the National Staffing Employee of the Year award also includes a travel gift certificate, which the Hoovers hope to use toward a trip to New York or a Caribbean cruise.

Here are a few fun facts about the 2012 National Staffing Employee of the Year:

1. In his spare time, Hoover offers art and design services to local companies through his own company, Chris Hoover Designs. However, his JCPenney projects have been keeping him very busy recently, he says, so he’s been taking on smaller jobs.

2. He enjoys visiting antique shops in his quest to create “utilitarian art.” He makes original pieces from everyday materials.

3. Hoover takes great pride in restoring his historical home located in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall, TX.

4. He and Betsy (pictured above), who is also a designer, have been married for 28 years. The couple met as work colleagues at the University of North Texas. Their family includes three children and a 12-year-old border collie mix named Jack.

Spotlight on the BOSS Group

The BOSS Group, based in Bethesda, MD, first joined ASA in 1994. The staffing firm is an award-winning boutique provider of interactive, creative, and marketing talent with offices in several metropolitan areas throughout the country.

Here are some interesting facts about this stand-out ASA member:

1. The BOSS Group is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a member of the BLR Holdings family of companies.

2. The company, originally called BOSS Temps, was founded in 1988 by Linda Wein and Rossi Bonugli, two principals of a graphics production house.

3. The BOSS Group was named to Inavero’s 2011 Best of Staffing Talent list. Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, this recognition focuses on the exceptional experience staffing firms provide for their talent.

4. More than 3,600 individuals “like” the BOSS Group on Facebook, and nearly 1,600 follow the staffing firm on Twitter.

5. In 2011, the BOSS Group received a prestigious Communications Award as part of the ASA VOICE Awards competition. See the November–December issue of Staffing Success for details.