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Joan Graci is a name not soon forgotten by both job seekers and employers alike who have crossed her path in surfing through today's volatile job market. Owner and President of APA Solutions, a direct hire permanent placement firm located in Williamsville, NY, Joan's overriding mission is to bridge the widening gap between today's candidates and employers. Joan started her career in the buying industry until she was recruited to work as an Executive Recruiter at APA over 22 years ago. Shortly thereafter, she was made a partner and was instrumental in the expansion of APA Solutions. Joan obtained sole ownership of APA Solutions nine years ago and is a major contender in the staffing industry with offices throughout Western New York. Joan takes a different perspective on recruiting from the majority of her competitors which involves gaining an in-depth understanding of both the candidate's and employer's needs. This comprehensive approach has earned APA a 98% retention rate for candidates placed. "It's a vastly different employment landscape from our parents' and grandparents' generations.people need to change their perspectives and take ownership of their career to be successful". It is with this mindset Joan launched a new company in 2005 entitled Career Savers- a series of workshops tailored to assist individuals in their search for successful and lasting careers. "We spent so much time counseling candidates on how to talk to employers and manage their background; we needed to offer an extended resource". Besides managing two thriving companies, Joan is an active speaker in the Buffalo business and academic community. Her affiliations include: 2002 graduate from University of Buffalo's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (CEL) as well as 2005 CEL President and mentor in the Canisius College Business Woman's Center. A Buffalo native, Joan is a dedicated wife and mother of two children. Speaking Engagements:
Jean is an alumnus of Mercyhurst College where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in Business and Fashion Merchandising. Seeking to utilize her education, Jean began a successful career in the retail management sector with high end women's retail organizations. After ten years and progressive upward movement in the retail sector, Jean moved back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York and reinvented herself. In the summer of 2000, Jean joined APA Solutions as a Human Resource Assistant, a move that allowed her to utilize her management and recruitment skills. Within three months, Jean was promoted to Executive Recruiter of a specialty division. She was again promoted in 2002 to a Regional Management role of a specialty division covering Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Jean is currently a key member of the APA management staff and is involved several organizations including the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Organization. She is the chair of the DMSA program for the BNSME and graduated from Canisius Women's Leadership program in 2005. Most recently, Jean has embarked on a new venture with members of the APA team to launch CAREERsavers. Her passion for people and their success continue to be a driving force in Jean's career.
Dale Martin is an entrepreneurial spirited leadership/business consultant and community activist. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Dale has devoted his career to helping others and building business relations that result in win-win opportunities for his clientele. Dale partnered with APA Solutions in Fall 2008 as Director of Client Relations which is a position that fits well with his core personality preferences. Prior to APA, Dale successfully ran his own consulting business, Martin & Associates, and held a number of diverse positions in the Business Technology Field. Dale is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo class of 2005, a member of Cambridge Who's Who Registry of Business Executives and a graduate of the City of Buffalo Citizen's Participation Academy. He is an active SUNY-EOC board member and mentor for the Realm Leadership Program at UB. In addition to a number of IT certifications ascertained, he is pursuing his Master's Degree in International Business at D'Youville College where he's a member of the Pinnacle Honor's Society and Vice President of the SIFE program. Dale actively represents the college at business competitions throughout the country. In addition to Dale's busy work and academic life, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and participates in events that give back to the community.
Erica considers herself a Buffalo, NY native; she's been a member of the Western New York community since the age of five. She attended Williamsville North High School and acquired her Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University at Buffalo. Erica began working with APA Solutions in 2007 as the support assistant and has moved her way up to a Recruiter and Candidate/Client Liaison, as well as Office Manager. Erica began her post-collegiate career working in various positions, but found her love within Human Resources/Recruiting while working with APA. She is planning on continuing her education next fall to attain her Master's degree in Human Resources. Most recently, Erica has begun to work with Buffalo/Niagara 360, the Buffalo/Niagara Partnership's newly formed Young Professionals group. Here she plans to continue networking within the Buffalo community and do her part to grow both APA Solutions and The Western New York region as a whole! Go Bills! |
JOAN GRACI
JEAN SZULC-FILIPIAK
DALE MARTIN
ERICA HOOD