Our People
This is our team, a lot of smiling happy people who work hard to empower the skilled trades workforce.
Our Leadership Team
We are proud of the leaders who guide LEAD: experienced professionals with real industry backgrounds and a shared dedication to service excellence.
Corporate Office /Tampa Support Center
Marissa Brinkley
Contracts and Systems Manager
Tampa, FL
As the Contracts and Systems Manager at LEAD, Marissa Brinkley oversees credit and accounts receivable processes, contract negotiations, and system optimization to enhance operational efficiency. With over 20 years of experience in the staffing and PEO industries, she brings expertise in managing operations, improving processes, and supporting cross-functional teams. Marissa takes pride in fostering strong client relationships and contributing to business success through innovative solutions and teamwork.
Mark Curtiss
Founder & CEO
Tampa, FL
For 28 years as a staffing veteran, Mark Curtiss has been dedicated to a singular, overriding goal: Helping others help themselves. Mark founded LEAD in 2011 on the principle that the skilled trades are not just the backbone of national progress, but a pathway to individual success. He views LEAD as a vehicle for empowerment—providing the workforce with rewarding opportunities and businesses with the dependable talent they need to grow.
Under Mark’s leadership, LEAD has evolved into a nationwide strategic partner, moving away from the high-volume, high-turnover models of the past to focus on peer-to-peer partnership and operational excellence. Whether he is developing a robust pipeline of skilled workers to support a client's growth or mentoring his internal team of managers and recruiters, Mark’s focus remains on providing people with the resources to succeed on their own merits.
For Mark, building strong communities starts with building strong teams. By investing in the professional development of his staff and fostering a culture of stability, he ensures that every individual within the LEAD organization has the opportunity to thrive and, in turn, provide that same foundation of success for the clients and tradespeople they support.
Chelsea Deal
Operations & HR Manager
Tampa, FL
Chelsea Deal serves as the Operations & HR Manager at LEAD Corporate Office and Tampa Support Center, where she oversees payroll, workers’ compensation, benefits administration, and compliance with employment regulations. With a diverse background in HR, operations, logistics, and account management, Chelsea brings a comprehensive skill set to the role, helping the company navigate challenges and deliver effective solutions. Committed to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace, Chelsea believes in treating everyone with respect and empathy to create an environment where individuals can thrive.
Kevin Kuerzi
Senior Accountant
Tampa, FL
Kevin brings over 30 years of accounting experience, having progressed through roles from Staff Accountant to Assistant Controller. He is recognized for his sharp attention to detail, strength in trend analysis, and consistent ability to meet tight deadlines.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration, supporting his strong analytical and operational approach to financial management. Originally from Kentucky, Kevin has called Florida home since 2010.
John Meekins
Senior Vice President
Tampa, FL
John Meekins is a highly accomplished and results-driven sales and recruiting leader with a strong history of success in temporary staffing. He most recently spent the last 16 years at Kelly Services, where his expertise spanned various verticals, including construction, education, IT, light industrial, and science. His key strengths include new business development, account management, and developing high-performing recruiting teams, with a focus on effective high-volume territory management strategies.
A consistent top performer, John has received multiple President’s Club awards, led a top 5 performing market for several years at Kelly Services, and was named Regional Director of the Year in 2023. He has a proven ability to build and lead successful teams through effective recruiting, training, and retention programs.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, surfing, mountain biking, and embarking on adventures with his boxer puppy, Dexter.
Nicole Reinhart
Compliance & Payroll Manager
Tampa, FL
As the Compliance and Payroll Manager at LEAD, Nicole Reinhart oversees payroll processing, garnishments, unemployment claims, and commission tracking across multiple branches, including LA Basin, LEAD Marine San Diego, and LEAD Technical Phoenix. With over 20 years of payroll experience, Nicole specializes in payroll management, invoicing, and compliance. She also has a background in bookkeeping, workers’ compensation, recruiting, and customer service. In her free time, Nicole enjoys walking and spending time with her grandson, Lucas.
Nate Rosemond
Controller
Tampa, FL
Nate Rosemond is a skilled accounting professional supporting LEAD’s financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance functions. He has played a key role in budget and forecast planning to guide sales and operations since joining LEAD in early 2024.
After earning his degree from Bryant University in 2019, Nate began his career in audit at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He later moved to Florida in 2021 to manage joint venture accounting for a beverage manufacturing company before joining LEAD.
Outside of work, Nate enjoys golfing with friends and spending time at home with his wife and their dog, Nala.
LEAD Offices
Carrie Mae Berry
Direct Hire Manager,
LEAD Professional
Largo, FL
Carrie Mae Berry brings over 22 years of experience in recruiting, business development, career services, job placement, and management across highly segmented verticals. She partners with national and regional employers to develop and implement workforce strategies that drive retention, high performance, and low turnover. Carrie specializes in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and direct hire placements across various industries.
Outside of work, Carrie is a proud mother of twin boys in college and adores her grandson, who inspires her to work hard every day. Her family is her greatest motivation and her “why.”
Alan Biliti
Vice President – West Coast Sales & Operations,
LEAD Marine
San Diego, CA
Alan Biliti is the Operations Manager for LEAD Staffing’s Marine Division, responsible for driving sales, managing client relations, and ensuring operational standards remain high. A Navy veteran with two shipyard maintenance cycles under his belt, Alan brings extensive experience in shipyard operations and labor management.
Previously, Alan managed a temp labor program for a large shipyard with up to 400 employees and was instrumental in starting LEAD’s Marine Division. His contributions include project coordination, safety management, recruiting, sales, account management, and developing policies and procedures. Alan specializes in generating and fulfilling new orders, providing tailored solutions for the marine industry.
Anthony Ceresoli
Sales & Training Director
Tampa, FL
Anthony Ceresoli is a Director of Sales & Training at LEAD, where he partners with contractors nationwide to support workforce needs across industrial, commercial construction, mission-critical, and energy projects.
With a focus on both temporary and direct hire placements, Anthony partners with organizations to solve complex labor challenges by aligning the right personnel with project-specific requirements. His experience includes supporting large-scale projects alongside top ENR contractors, with an emphasis on safety, compliance, and workforce retention.
Known for his proactive, relationship-driven approach, Anthony operates as an extension of his clients’ internal teams, helping them navigate fluctuating labor demands while maintaining productivity in high-pressure environments.
Carla Knapp
Vice President,
LEAD Mission Critical
Milwaukee, WI
Carla Knapp serves as the Vice President of LEAD’s Mission Critical division, where she oversees nationwide industrial infrastructure and commercial construction partnerships. As a trusted recruitment architect, Carla is dedicated to building strategic, long-term alliances that streamline the hiring process, optimize retention, and deliver high-impact talent for the nation’s most essential industries.
With over 15 years of industry experience, Carla is a fierce advocate for the vital role skilled trades play in supporting the foundational infrastructure of our society—from power and water to the complex facilities that house modern technology. She considers it a privilege to partner with industry leaders and tradespeople alike, championing the advancement of the skilled trades sector as a core driver of economic stability.
Beyond her leadership at LEAD, Carla is a long-standing member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and served as the past Vice President of the NAWIC Milwaukee Chapter.
Steve Kresse
Managing Partner,
LEAD Tech
Phoenix, AZ
Steve Kresse leads sales and business development efforts at LEAD Tech's Phoenix branch. With 14 years of experience in staffing and consulting, Steve has supported large enterprise clients across IT, construction, telecom, and mission-critical industries. He focuses on expanding LEAD Tech's market share locally and nationally, with a special emphasis on the data center sector, from design and build to ongoing operations.
Michael Lennox
Regional Manager,
LEAD Pacific Northwest
Woodinville, WA
Michael Lennox brings 26 years of experience in sales, operations, and management within the staffing industry. He has worked across industries including construction, aerospace, industrial, manufacturing, and marine, specializing in temp, temp-to-perm, and direct placement staffing solutions. Michael has been instrumental in enhancing client productivity nationwide by building trusted partnerships with both clients and employees.
In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family and runs a nonprofit youth sports organization that has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships.
Barbara Lopez
Managing Partner,
LEAD Industrial Texas
Portland, TX
Barbara Lopez oversees the operations and growth of LEAD's client base, ensuring high-quality service delivery and fostering a positive work culture for employees. She focuses on providing tailored staffing solutions, building strong relationships with both clients and job seekers, and driving successful outcomes for all stakeholders.
Her core areas of specialization include industrial, commercial construction, manufacturing, electrical, solar, and oil and gas. In her free time, Barbara is passionate about coaching three high school softball teams, helping college-bound players achieve their goals and reach their full potential both on and off the field.
Dick McLaughlin
Managing Partner,
LEAD New England
Planville, MA
As the Managing Partner for LEAD in New England, Dick McLaughlin is responsible for building market share and brand awareness while overseeing sales, marketing, and operations. He prioritizes customer satisfaction for all stakeholders, guided by LEAD’s core values of integrity, honesty, and unwavering dedication to service excellence through the Win-Win-Win campaign.
Outside of work, Dick cherishes time with his growing family, including his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. He also enjoys fishing and is always on the hunt for the “big one.”
Jennifer Peavy
National Sales Manager, LEAD National
Largo, FL
Jennifer Peavy has over 13 years of experience in the commercial skilled trades staffing sector and has been with LEAD since 2019. Her deep understanding of the skilled trades and commercial construction industries allows her to effectively address client needs with swift, reliable solutions. Jennifer’s dedication to her clients has earned her trust and fostered long-term relationships. Outside of work, Jennifer is active in community service, including hurricane recovery efforts, feeding the homeless, and volunteering with various nonprofit organizations.
Tony Rodriguez
Sr. Project Coordinator, LEAD Mission Critical
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Tony Rodriguez serves as Senior Project Coordinator at LEAD, managing recruiting, operations, and staff training for the LEAD Mission Critical business unit. With a career in staffing since 2005 and over 15 years of leadership experience from his service in the U.S. Army and California Army National Guard, Tony specializes in employee recruitment, operations management, and mentoring.
Tony is also committed to his community, participating in neighborhood clean-ups, tree-watering initiatives, and serving as a Neighborhood Watch member. He actively engages with the Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post 377. Tony’s dedication to teamwork, leadership, and community service defines both his professional and personal life.
Jason Stephens
Managing Partner,
LEAD Southeast
Tampa, FL
Jason Stephens is a Licensed General Contractor in Florida with over 27 years of experience in the construction industry and 14 years in skilled trades staffing. As Managing Partner at LEAD Southeast for the past six years, Jason focuses on providing clients with the skilled manpower needed to complete projects on time and ahead of schedule, fostering true partnerships. He takes pride in understanding the challenges customers face and being a respected resource to help overcome them.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys golfing and has played semi-pro football as an outside linebacker, where he once led the league in sacks. He is also a proud father of three daughters.
Aaron Taylor
Managing Partner,
LEAD Marine
SAN DIEGO, CA
Aaron Taylor is the Managing Partner of our Marine Division, where he oversees operations, recruitment, and sales processes tailored to maritime and government requirements. With over two decades in the construction staffing industry, Aaron has advanced from a dispatcher to branch manager, area manager, and now partner. He excels in developing operational processes specific to client needs, mentoring recruiters, and driving business development initiatives that support the company’s growth and expansion.
Max Weber
Managing Partner,
LEAD Tech
Phoenix, AZ
Max Weber leads sales and recruiting efforts at LEAD Tech's Phoenix branch. With 14 years of staffing and consulting experience, Max has supported large enterprise clients in IT, construction, telecom, and mission-critical industries. His focus is on expanding LEAD Tech's market share locally and nationally by building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service.