In her own words: Donna Tillman, Express Employment

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company.

Donna Tillman: Express Employment Professionals has been in business since 1983 with more than 600 offices in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia. Express provides expertise in evaluation and direct hire, temporary staffing, executive recruiting and human resources. The Reno branch offers services in all areas to include but not limited to: human resources, sales, medical, legal, administrative, call centers, light industrial and general labor. Our vision: To help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Tillman: Being in the right place at the right time by meeting my mentor Rosemary Beck.

NNBW: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?

Tillman: Patience, endurance, willingness to work long hours, excellent multi-tasking abilities, ability to read people, a desire to help people succeed, and an attitude of "Whatever It Takes."

NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?

Tillman: My brothers are in military. My oldest brother is retired Navy and my younger brother is three and a half years from retirement in the army. That would have been the logical path to follow but I would have been discharged when I refused to run 20 miles at 5 a.m. Being raised in the South, like all little girls I dreamed of being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. I love being in sales and now can not imagine doing anything else!

NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?

Tillman: Spend time with my family, camping, reading, scrap booking, enjoying my friendships with dear friends.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Tillman: Do not be afraid to work hard, do not take any actions on personal level, be a good listener and have the ability to determine what is real and what is not. If you do not love the industry in the first 30 days it is not for you. You either love the industry with an extreme passion or it is not the right career for you.

NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?

Tillman: My father. He passed away when I was young and would love to spend even one hour with him.

NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?

Tillman: Richer. My desire is to help those who are less fortunate by no fault of their own. My involvement in the Reno Gospel Mission has opened my eyes and my heart to those individuals, sometimes they just need a step up not a hand out.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Tillman: Life is a journey; not a destination.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?

Tillman: Achieving the goal of matching the perfect candidate with the perfect job and client. Developing long-term relationships with my clients that have become dear friends. Watching my team grow professionally and develop the love of the industry that I have. The only thing I do not like about my job is when someone disappoints me by not reporting to work when they have indicated they would be at work. Fortunately, this does not happen often.

NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?

Tillman: My family, purpose in life, strong friendships, freedom of speech and religion, and balance of life.

NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?

Tillman: The ability to read minds, so I can always be one step ahead.

NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?

Tillman: It changes weekly I exist on strange cravings.

THE BASICS:

Name: Donna Tillman, branch manager, Express Employment Professionals

How long have you been in this job? 18 months

How long in the profession? 18 years

Education: Returning for BA in spring of 2011

Best book you've read? The Bible. I love to read, be it beach novels, mystery, motivational or self help. Of those I could not pick out a favorite.

What's on your iPod? Anything and everything except opera or rap

The best movie ever? "Steel Magnolias"

Spouse, kids or pets? Married to Rob 14 wonderful years; two children, Sean and Erin; six amazing grandchildren and my black cocker spaniel, Toby