Meet The Team

Janis Petrini

Co-Owner / Founder

The Grand Rapids, MI Express Employment Professionals office was founded in 1996 by Janis Petrini. The driving force was to assist in the enrichment of individual lives through gainful employment opportunities. Janis sought to provide community members with a means of providing for themselves and their families through not just jobs, but careers. The Grand Rapids office has been in existence for over 26 years; Janis' dream is coming true as we continue to help people during their job search and help companies with their staffing, human resource, and training challenges. We live our vision statement: To help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

Janis Petrini is a highly experienced Business Owner and Manager who has demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams of employees to new levels of success in a variety of highly competitive industries, cutting edge markets, and fast-paced environments. Janis has a track record of more than 30 years of hands-on experience in strategic planning, business unit development, and project and people management. She is actively involved in managing and mentoring her team of almost 30. She co-manages all business operations while also pursuing her passion of helping people succeed and our community thrive. 

Top Five Strengths: Belief, Achiever, Responsibility, Positivity, Arranger

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David Robb, Co-Owner/Managing Partner for Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

David Robb

Co-Owner / Managing Partner

David Robb joined the Express Employment Professionals team in 2015. David initially joined Express as the Director of Marketing; overseeing all marketing, recruiting and communications. In 2020 he moved into the role of Director of Operations where he worked closely with Janis Petrini, Owner/Operator, to run the business and oversee daily operations. In 2022, David stepped into the role as Co-Owner/Managing Partner. He is passionate about providing solutions to both the workplace and the workforce, and offering opportunities for growth, retention, and strategic recruiting.

Prior to Express Employment Professionals, David was the Director of Data Analysis at a top digital advertising agency, where he worked to provide customized marketing solutions to clients around the world. David is a graduate of Calvin University with degrees in marketing and economics.

Top Five Strengths: Strategic, Competition, Analysis, Maximizer, Achiever

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Susan Delauter Professional Recruiter

Susan Delauter

Professional Recruiter

Susan is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of diverse management experience across business and non-profit sectors. A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Business Administration, she has excelled in various management roles within retail, restaurants, non-profits, and corporate environments. She has also managed her own small family business for 10 years.

No stranger to the Express Employment Professionals companies, Susan has enjoyed a professional relationship with us for over 20 years. She began her career through a job placement with our company and later served as a decision-maker for two clients who utilized our staffing services. Additionally, she participated in leadership training through Express, further enhancing her expertise. She has greatly valued her relationship with Express Employment Professionals through the years.

Known for her strategic mindset and people-focused approach, Susan is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential. She is excited to join the Specialized Recruiting Group team, bringing her extensive experience to help companies find the talent they seek and assist professionals in finding their ideal career fit. With a proven track record in leadership and a commitment to excellence, Susan continues to make a positive impact wherever she serves.

Top Five Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Responsibility, Developer, Individualization 

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Casey Jankoska, Director of Client Relations at Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

Casey Jankoska, PHR ,SHRM-CP

Director of Client Relations

Casey Jankoska joined Express Employment Professionals in 2008 as the Client Relationship Manager, and is now the Director of Client Relations. It is her goal to understand the needs of companies and to find specific solutions. Casey has previously served on the Board of Directors with the Association for Human Resource Management (AHRM) as President and is involved in many other community organizations. She received her PHR and SHRM-CP Certifications as she has a passion to help leaders in the Human Resource field.

Top Five Strengths: Woo, Positivity, Achiever, Communication, Relator

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Abby Long, Client Relations Specialist at Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

Abby Long

Client Relations Specialist

Abby joined The Express Employment Professionals Companies in 2019 and currently serves as a Client Relations Specialist, allowing her to leverage over 15 years of experience in hospitality, customer service, and relationship management. Her background in Restaurant Management and Event Coordination has honed her ability to thrive in fast-paced environments while cultivating strong, lasting client partnerships. Abby’s goal is to deliver exceptional service by partnering with businesses to understand their unique staffing needs and provide tailored workforce solutions that drive growth and operational efficiency.

In addition to her role in business development, Abby leads the Associate Relations Team, where she oversees initiatives to provide whole-life resources to Express associates, ensuring they feel valued, supported, and equipped for professional and personal success. Her leadership in both client relations and associate engagement has established her as a key player in driving workforce optimization and satisfaction.

Abby holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography from Madonna University and has completed coursework from Kendall College of Art & Design. Her artistic pursuits also led her to be featured as a "must-see" by WZZM13 in the 2021 ArtPrize International Art Competition for her entry "A Work of Heart," featuring 19 stories overcoming adversity and struggle, which received won 97 individual fan-favorite awards. This entry can be viewed at www.aworkofheartgr.com.

Top Five Strengths: Relator, Self-Assurance, Activator, Maximizer, Input

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Kaylee Cooper, Managing Director for Express Employment Professionals

Kaylee Cooper

Certified Professional Resume Writer & Managing Director, Express Employment Professionals

Kaylee Cooper joined the Express Employment Professionals team in 2020 and currently serves as the Managing Director of Skilled Trades Recruiting and Apprenticeships. Kaylee began building her career in Human Resources and Recruitment in 2015 after completing her bachelor's in Human Resource Management at Davenport University. 

She concentrated her recruiting career in skilled trades after witnessing the ongoing challenges manufacturers have with the trades talent pool firsthand, and has recruited for the trades in both internal and third-party capacities. After attending her first Kaizen, Kaylee became fascinated by Lean theory and she recently earned her master's degree in Lean Manufacturing from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.  

With a passion for manufacturing and processes, Kaylee's goal is to help our clients grow their skilled trades teams to the next level with the best workforce, structured apprenticeships, and strategic hiring and retention solutions. Kaylee specializes in skilled manufacturing placement including Maintenance, Electrical, Welding, and Machining from entry to management levels. 

Kaylee is a Certified Professional Resume Writer through the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She also serves as the Recruitment Chair on the Board of Directors for SECOM Resource Center.

Top Five Strengths: Learner, Responsibility, Developer, Achiever, Focus

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Nic Dampier, Creative Director at Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

Nic Dampier

Creative Director

Nic Dampier is the Creative Director at Specialized Recruiting Group Grand Rapids, Express Employment Professionals Grand Rapids, and Frontline Training Solutions. With his degree in Strategic Communication Management, and over a decade in creative leadership, Nic developed the C.R.I.C.K.E.T. framework for effective brand messaging and excels in storytelling and brand identity. A U.S. Navy veteran and former Creative Arts Pastor, he has a rich background in cross-cultural communication and large-scale production. Nic is also an accomplished filmmaker, recognized at the 2021 ArtPrize International Art Competition for his impactful storytelling. 

Top Five Strengths: Strategic, Maximizer, Developer, Positivity, Self-Assurance

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Veronica Minard, Senior Marketing Specialist at Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

Veronica Minard

Senior Marketing Specialist

Veronica Minard joined the Express Employment Professionals team in 2024 as a Senior Marketing Specialist. She brings over a decade of marketing and communications experience from corporate, nonprofit, and workforce development settings. She is passionate about telling impactful stories and is excited to belong to a team that is dedicated to putting people first. 

Veronica received her Bachelor of Arts in biology and theatre arts from Kalamazoo College and her Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Grand Valley State University. She is a West Michigan native who has called Grand Rapids home for over 20 years. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, seeing live music, and watching her daughter play volleyball.

Top Five Strengths: Woo, Strategic, Arranger, Learner, Communication

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Jeani Ransom, Business Office Manager at Specialized Recruiting Group in Grand Rapids, MI

Jeani Ransom

Business Office Manager

Jeani Ransom joined Express Employment Professionals in 2010 and is currently the Business Office Manager. Since working at Express, Jeani has experience working with our associates and clients as the Front Office Coordinator and Payroll Specialist with a goal to deliver exceptional service. Currently, her Associates Degree in Accounting helps her assist the owner with the activities of running the business. She has an extensive background in customer service and finances, having worked in the banking industry for over 12 years. She currently is very involved in her church youth program as well as the schools her children attend.

Top Five Strengths: Belief, Empathy, Developer, Responsibility, Positivity

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