Leadership Team
The people at the frontline of employment training and solutions.
Janis Petrini
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 manages all business operations while also pursuing her passion of helping people succeed and our community thrive.
David Robb
David Robb is the Co Owner / Managing Partner of Frontline Training Solutions, an Express Employment Professionals Company. 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 College with degrees in marketing and economics.
Nathan Leaman
Nathan Leaman is a passionate professional with extensive experience in building systems and tools that support organizational and leadership effectiveness. Nathan brings over 20 years of leadership and HR experience from both business and non-profit organizations.
Nathan has a bachelor's degree from the Moody Bible Institute, a master's degree from Liberty University, and received his coaching certification from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Nathan spent seven years in full-time church ministry before working for 13 years at the Kohler Co. At Kohler, Nathan moved through various HR roles, eventually taking the position of Director- Leadership Development. Nathan also held various executive HR roles for the Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI, where he was responsible for Organizational Development, Compensation, Benefits Management and HRIS.
Nathan has extensive experience with assessment tools and is certified in multiple personality and 360 degree feedback assessments. His straightforward style, willingness to tackle difficult issues, genuine interest in seeing others grow, and ability to coach at all levels makes Nathan a go-to resource for strategic HR support and executive development.
Lorraine Medici
Lorraine Medici joined in 2014 as the Director of Training and Development. Lorraine has extensive experience as a coach and workshop facilitator in the areas of leadership and team building, working closely with companies to strategize solutions that will impact long-term results in engagement and retention. She has successfully launched Purpose-Driven Leadership Training, a series targeted at helping develop managers and leaders at all levels in manufacturing and other industries. Additionally, she facilitates the on-going training series, Breakfast with Purpose, to bring current and relevant education to organizations.
As a professional development coach, Lorraine also works alongside leaders and teams to overcome interpersonal or performance challenges. She is certified to train DISC, Situational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EQi 2.0), and an Associate Certified Coach and Master Practitioner for the ELI Assessment.
John Keuning
As Director of Manufacturing Training, John Keuning has a passion to put his 30 years of manufacturing and leadership experience to work for companies by providing both classroom training, virtual training, and on-site consulting. His goal is to help develop better leaders, engage workers, lower cost of goods, and increase profits for companies by arming teams with the tools necessary to be great agents of change. John's favorite place to be is on the plant floor working side-by-side with teams and leaders to find solutions to manufacturing questions. He has extensive experience in Lean manufacturing theory and implementation as well as helping new and advancing leaders understand the day-to-day work of being a leader. John has served multiple industries as a supervisor, Lean leader, product launch leader, production manager, plant manager, and director of manufacturing.
Ryan Williams
Ryan Williams serves as the Leadership and Team Development Specialist. He is a certified Everything DiSC facilitator and has his master's in organizational leadership from Cornerstone University.
Ryan brings a wide variety of cross cultural leadership experience, having worked previously in Hong Kong and with Native American populations in Alaska. Most recently, Ryan has worked in higher education, developing and implementing training curriculum and programs across the organization.
Ryan's passion and focus is for everyone to love the place they work. People who love their workplace work harder and perform better. He brings a unique perspective in helping organizations evaluate their organizational culture, understand cross cultural dynamics, and implement strategies to create better leaders.
Nic Dampier
Nic Dampier joined the team in 2020 as the Director of Marketing. He is responsible for the strategic direction as well as the development and implementation of marketing components and is responsible for the research and implementation of new marketing tools, resources, and platforms. He manages all external communication initiatives to focus on excellence including email and social media strategy for the three companies. In 2020 he moved his family back to Grand Rapids from Charlottesville, Virginia where he was employed as a Creative Arts Pastor for a large multi-site church. Nic also has a decade of experience free-lancing as a brand manager/content creator for several local and national corporations.
Nic is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Degree in Strategic Communication Management and is also a veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a Religious Program Specialist Petty Officer Second Class. He is an accomplished destination wedding film-maker, and his passions include his family, creative southern cooking, song-writing, deep belly laughs with friends, and telling people's stories through the arts. He was recently featured in 2021 ArtPrize International Art Competition as a "must see," by WZZM13 and won 97 individual fan-favorite awards for his entry "A Work of Heart," featuring 19 stories overcoming adversity and struggle. This entry can be viewed at www.aworkofheartgr.com.
Casey Jankoska
Casey Jankoska joined the team in 2008 and 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.
Kaylee Cooper
Kaylee Cooper joined the 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.
Alec McGuire
Alec McGuire joined the team in 2022 as the Training & Event Coordinator. He has 9 years of customer service and leadership experience from his previous work in restaurant and event management. It was during this time that he developed a passion for delivering an excellent customer experience. Alec is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Degree in French Linguistics and a minor in International Relations. In his free time, Alec enjoys playing the guitar, keeping up on his French, and traveling.
Heather Merrick, MBA, SHRM-SCP
Heather Merrick has over 15 years of experience in human resources related roles, with strong experience in talent acquisition, organizational and workforce development, employee engagement, HR policy development, and HR strategy. She joined Express Employment Professionals in 2015 and currently serves as the Managing Director for Specialized Recruiting Group, an Express Employment Professionals company, to partner with client companies in providing HR solutions for recruiting and retaining top-notch talent, including training, workforce development, and recruitment strategies. Heather also provides consultation on HR policy development; best practices for employee engagement, organizational development, talent acquisition, and succession management; Veteran hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives; and HR strategy for business success. Her recruiting experience includes manufacturing leadership, engineering, skilled trades, human resources, accounting/finance, sales & marketing, information technology, project management, administrative, medical, government, and non-profit roles.
In addition to her private sector work experience, Heather served 7 years on active duty in the United States Army and is a certified SHRM Foundation Inclusion Captain for Veteran Hiring, Onboarding, and Retention initiatives. Her education includes a bachelor of business administration degree with a double major in human resources management and marketing; a master of business administration degree with a concentration in human resources; and she is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.
Heather is also an active volunteer in the community, having served on the AHRM Board of Directors in Grand Rapids in a variety of roles since 2013 including being selected as President for 2022; Vice President for 2021; serving as the Director of Workforce Readiness for the MISHRM Council for 2020 and 2021; and serving on a Board Committee for Family Promise of Grand Rapids in 2020 and 2021. Previous volunteer experience includes Michigan Blood; American Red Cross (Board Committee); Goodwill Industries of Grand Rapids; and Mosaic Film Experience.
Lary Shoemaker
Lary Shoemaker has over 20 years of hands-on experience in the precision machining and advanced manufacturing industry and over 15 years working as an instructor in these areas. He is an expert trainer in the areas of precision machining, manufacturing basics, CAD/CAM, CNC, and Pre-engineering.
Lary began his career with Paragon Die and Engineering as a machinist apprentice and later became a journeyman machinist and master machine builder. Lary later held the position of Plant Manager at Highlight Industries, where his responsibilities grew to include the management of mechanical and electrical engineering, purchasing, inventory, and quality. During this time, Lary worked with the U.S. Dept. of Labor to develop the company's registered apprenticeship programs for machinist and welding.
In 1997, Lary was hired by Grand Rapids Community College, Business and Technical Training group as a Training Specialist of manufacturing and precision machining. Since 1999, Lary has been teaching industrial education at Byron Center High School. He was hired to teach and develop the fledgling industrial education program. He was instrumental in planning the new facility, specifying precision machines, CAD/CAM software, and curriculum development. His teaching load includes CAD, CAM, CNC, Drafting, Blueprint Reading and Pre-engineering.
Melissa Brandt
Melissa Brandt joined the team in 2021 as the Client Relationship Specialist. She values her personal and professional relationships above all else and has spent over 10 years connecting with organizations across West Michigan and beyond to assist them with their sales, marketing and recruitment efforts.
Melissa is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Degree in Public Relations and Advertising and a minor in Writing. In addition to her private sector work experience, Melissa is an active volunteer in the community, having served on committees for several non-profit organizations over the years.
Olivia Cain
Olivia joined the team in 2021 as the Marketing Specialist. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University and has extensive experience in customer service, a passion for great and effective communication, and a commitment to helping people find success. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and watching football.
Melissa Peerbolt
Melissa joined the team in 2014 in the position of Front Office Coordinator / Guest Relations. She loves meeting new people and helping to create a five-star welcome for both our clients and associates. She brings over 20 years of experience in customer service, and her career has included jewelry wholesales, HVAC office administration, and managing a premier salon and spa.
Melissa is co-chair of the wellness committee, and she brings a passion for celebrating life, health, and all areas of wellness.