The People of Pinnacle Specialty Group
Sheila Thomas - Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Sheila Thomas is a management executive with twenty years experience in various fields, including manufacturing, banking, and the staffing industry. Her most recent experience has been as Account Manager for a major staffing contract at the Savannah River Site.
Sheila Thomas began her career at NutraSweet/Monsanto/Pharmacia where she was responsible for the execution of payroll for 700 + employees covering three manufacturing sites.
She moved from the manufacturing area into banking, where she was responsible for the human resource functions for a major credit union in Augusta, GA.
Ms. Thomas began her staffing-industry career with Astrid Contract Technical Services in 2003. As a Technical Recruiter. she was responsible for screening resumes for Technical and Engineering positions for Nuclear and DOE/DOD facilities, evaluate technical qualification, and negotiate wages.
Vernon F. Keszler, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer
Vernon Keszler is a financial executive with more than 30 years experience in several industries, including public accounting, manufacturing, retail and business services. His most recent 15+ years have been as CFO in the staffing business, responsible for payrolls exceeding 2,000 employees.
Early in his career, Mr. Keszler earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate and worked in public accounting. Then Mr. Keszler went to work in the manufacturing industry, serving in various roles including financial analyst and systems manager. During that time, Mr. Keszler earned his Masters in Business Administration (MBA). For several years, he assisted small businesses in several industries, helping them establish financial systems, internal controls and earn credibility with their banks.
Mr. Keszler then began his work in the staffing business as CFO with Sizemore, Inc. in Augusta, Georgia. During his tenure there, they were able to grow 40%, with payrolls regularly exceeding 2,000 people.
Mr. Keszler continued his career in the staffing industry as CFO with Astrid Contract Technical Services, Inc. (ACTS).
Kim Nelson, Account Manager
Kim Nelson is an Account Manager with 20 years of experience in the staffing industry and customer service. Her most recent experience has been as Account Manager for a major client URS Professional Solutions LLC. Kim over-sees day to day operations, and recruits qualified candidates to provide engineering, construction & technical services for environmental management projects throughout the United States.
Kim Nelson began her career in customer service with a retail and services company. Ms. Nelson got her start in the staffing industry as a Clerical Recruiter/Administration Placement specialist in 1997. She then moved on to Astrid Contract Technical Services in 2009 as an Account Assistant. She was soon promoted to Account Manager, where she managed numerous contractors for URS Safety Management Solutions LLC.
Melanie Lirley, Senior Recruiter
Melanie Lirley is a Senior Recruiter with over 12 years of experience in the real estate, legal, and staffing industries. Her most recent experience has been as a Senior Recruiter for a major contract at Savannah River Site.
Melanie started out as a Personal Assistant for a group of realtors, then an Office Assistant for a real estate company. She then moved on to be a Real Estate Assistant for an attorney.
Ms. Lirley got her start in the staffing industry in 2005 with Astrid Contract Technical Services. She was quickly promoted to Recruiter and then Senior Recruiter. There she helped staff many contract employees at Savannah River Site, as well as other nuclear facilities around the country.
