Page 47 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

T here’s a shiny new sign going up on Tommy Munro
Drive in Biloxi, but it’s more than just a business locator. Many have referred to it as a Beacon of Hope and sign of
changing times in the Mississippi Gulf Coast economy, fueled by two years of job increases, new construction and health care growth.
It’s a sign as clear as the gulf waters
on a calm day, signaling a sea change in the region’s business community where hard work and hope have helped area employers steadily overcome the setbacks of Hurricane Katrina and the Recession.
For the Express team, the brightly
lit Express Employment Professionals
sign represents more than 10,000 local Mississippians who have turned to this franchise to find a job over the last four years, and more than 600 local businesses that have found quality employees in all sectors of business. It’s a sign of the success that led the business to outgrow its former home on Pass Road in Gulfport, in favor of a larger space where the office can continue to grow and serve more businesses and people in the region.
One of the Region’s Top 25 Employers
Jason Poole’s Express Employment Professionals office is locally owned and operated, and the Pascagoula native takes pride in the local team he has built.
“As president/CEO of five Express franchises, every day I see firsthand the difference a job can make — the hope and fulfillment it can bring to people’s lives.”
“Like former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, I firmly believe, The best social program is a job. But it’s more than that. It’s being able to provide for your family. It’s the promise of a future. That is why my own life’s work has been about helping people succeed.”
“We are a young team with a culture of professionalism mixed with fun, and a determination to hustle when it comes to meeting the demands of our business community,” Poole said.
“People are often surprised to learn that we are not just a temp agency, we help real people find real careers on the Gulf Coast at some of the most desired employers,”
he adds. “We offer staffing solutions for professional, administrative, medical administrative, light Industrial and skilled trade occupations.”
“Staffing is one of the fastest growing industries in the South, and around
the country due to liability issues that companies are facing, the need for convenience, speed and improved quality, and the demands of health care reform legislation.”
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast Economic Snapshot shows that growth is coming to many industries, especially with Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction, which has had a major influence, adding 3,000 jobs in the past two years,” Poole says. “As this job growth continues, we are well- prepared to connect quality employers here with the best area workers.”
Giving Back to the Gulf Area
The Express team strongly believes in giving back to the communities where they live and work. They actively donate time and money to the Make A Wish Foundation of South Mississippi, Wounded Warriors, and the Salvation Army. Jason serves on the Board of Directors for the Make a Wish Foundation of South Mississippi and helps others grow their careers as a certified speaker and trainer of the John Maxwell team. “As a certified coach, trainer and speaker of the John Maxwell Team I have the opportunity to share the Power of Leadership and have a positive impact in the lives of people whom want to grow professionally and personally,” Poole said.
All About Family
The local Express office takes a different approach than most when hiring for their internal team. “We are about friends and family, so that’s who we hire, that’s who we want to spend our time with,” Poole said.
Express promotes a $1,000 referral bonus for members of the Express team to refer friends and family to work internally at Express. Within the internal Express team of 16, over half are friends of friends or family. “Most everyone at our office has a family, some big, and some small, and we make sure that we keep our family first at all times,” says Poole. >>
SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES, ABOVE: Make-A-Wish Donation. BELOW: Brand It Blue.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
August 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 47
How To Work With
Us: Company
Contact the King Kong of Sales, Chad Purdy at: Chad.Purdy@expresspros.com, 228-623-6651
Call the office at: 228-868-5447
How To Work
With Us: Associate
Apply online at: Expresspros.com; make sure you send your application
to the Gulfport-Biloxi Metro office.
Apply in person at:
979 Tommy Munro Drive, Biloxi, MS 39532
Call the office at: 228-868-5447