Dave Gerhardt

Today is bittersweet. After nearly 4 years, I am turning the page on my Kelly chapter and getting ready to write a new one.
 
 But before I do, I want to take a moment to recognize the wonderful people who poured into my life while I’ve been here, starting with Edward Markert.
 
 Ed took a chance on me in May of 2020. It was a wild time to be looking for a job, and an even wilder time to be hiring in staffing. As I went through the interview process with no staffing experience and no recent tech sales experience, Ed was candid with me. “You’re not the most qualified candidate we’ve talked to, but your service industry experience tells me you have grit and tenacity, and that’s what this job requires.” Ed fought for me to get the position, and I started in June of 2020. 
 
 I wasn’t on Ed’s team for long before they restructured who had the Texas market and I ended up reporting to Steve McCarthy. Hands down, the greatest boss I’ve ever had. Steve spent countless hours and after hours with me, especially during that first year, teaching me about the Kelly ecosystem, how to figure out where the low hanging fruit business was, and talk tracks for a variety of different buyers. He has been my biggest cheerleader, and built me up on days when I felt my lowest. Through his guidance I was able to earn a spot as Rookie of the Year at our 2021 Legends Circle, and had great success beyond that. Steve is a selfless leader, and a great mentor and friend. And when I look back on my career someday, Steve will be someone I point to as playing a critical role in my success. I can’t thank him enough.
 
 Next I’d like to thank everyone on my team: Andre Van Oyen III, Amanda Larson, Doah Lee, Natalie Hamilton, Trey Flemings, and Niki Bergen. Y’all are amazing! I have loved how our team felt like a family. We built each other up and shared ideas/strategies, and what’s working/not working. Every single one of you is so talented and brings an energy and fire that pushed me to be my best, and I can’t thank y’all enough for that. To say that I will miss each of you is an understatement. 
 
 Then there’s Trung Thai, our beloved and fearless leader for the IT arm of Kelly. I cannot even begin to tell you the number of weekly trainings, role plays, and strategy calls this man led for our organization. He is a wealth of knowledge and genuinely cares about helping each AE reach their fullest potential. And thank you, Trung, for actually caring enough to take the time to get to know me personally. I can’t say a lot of leaders at your level have the time to (or care to) spend with people individually, but you do. It says a lot about you and the kind of leader you are. 
 
 Finally, I want to thank everyone who worked to support me at the recruting level and/or was a true friend even if though we never met in person. I can’t tag all of you because I’m at my character limit 🫠 but you know who you are! Love y’all so much!
 
 Thanks for the memories, Kelly 💚 It was a great run! #kellyproud