Our Employee Spotlight series is dedicated to honoring the professional journeys of our team members, sharing their personal narratives, and showcasing their goals. Each month, we will be featuring one of our exceptional team member’s spotlights!
At Riley Decker Companies, valuing and appreciating our team members is at the heart of what we do. Throughout this monthly Employee Spotlight series, we look forward to sharing their stories and celebrating their achievements.
We hope you enjoy getting to know the faces behind Riley Decker Companies. We are excited to be celebrating the incredible individuals who make our company truly special!
Stay tuned for our monthly Employee Spotlights!
April Employee Spotlight 2024
Meet Jesse Brun, our April Employee Spotlight! Jesse joined our team back in March of 2022 where he started as a Staffing Supervisor in our Fairfield Center and in February of 2023 he transitioned into our Payroll Specialist position. Read below about Jesse’s “why at work”, what changing lives means to him, and more about his life outside of the office!
Why did you accept the position to start working at RDC?
I started with RDC for the mere fact of helping others. I wanted to feel a sense of accomplishment when I left work every day and realizing that I was helping people find a job that could launch their career or even a job that could better their life is very rewarding to me.
Why is changing lives important to you?
Changing lives is very important to me because I get to be part of the journey in helping our talent find fulfulling careers where they can feel proud of the work they’re doing and finding a career that not only betters their life, but their families as well.
What would you like everyone to know about you and your career journey at RDC?
RDC has been a life changer when it comes to my career. I wasn’t too sure what my career path looked like or what my career was even going to be at the beginning of 2022. I was going to college at the time and didn’t really have a set career that I was working towards. When I first started with RDC in March of 2022, I started off as a Staffing Supervisor. Starting as a Staffing Supervisor gave me pride to be able to work with our talent one on one to help them find the perfect job that best suited what they were looking for. After 9 months, I transitioned into the Payroll Specialist position at Center Support. This position provides me with so much joy to be able to pay our talent and see that their hard work does pay off. Plus, dealing with numbers daily is very enjoyable to me.
What is your goal(s) for 2024?
My personal goal for 2024 is to grow my relationships with my coworkers and to continue to grow/learn, not only as a payroll specialist, but as an employee with RDC. I think you must be willing to adapt and help wherever you can no matter what your position is.
What is your “why”? What motivates you to show up everyday & give 100%?
I want to give back to the community and utilize all the knowledge I’ve learned in my life and give that to others that could benefit from it. When I was 5 years old, I was fortunate enough to be adopted by a wonderful family that taught me so much (and continues to teach me), and if I can pass along any of the knowledge I’ve learned, I absolutely will if that means I’m able to make a positive impact on their life.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I love to spend time with my fur babies (2 dogs, 2 cats and soon to be 2 Prairie Dogs), my fiancé, family, and friends. I like to adventure out to new places and enjoy the small moments in life.
March Employee Spotlight 2024
Meet Esmeralda Zavala Pantoja, our March Employee Spotlight! Esmeralda joined our team back in August of 2022 and is working as a Bilingual Staffing Supervisor in our Coatesville Center. Read below about Esmeralda’s “why at work”, what changing lives means to her, and more about her life outside of the office!
Why did you accept the position to start working at RDC?
I accepted the position to work at Riley Decker Companies because I like to help and motivate people. I thought what a better way to do it by placing them in a good fit job where they can gain more skills.
Why is changing lives important to you?
Changing lives is important to me because I enjoy getting candidates out to work and helping them believe in themselves. Being able to coach them to become better each day makes it important to me to change lives.
What would you like everyone to know about you and your career journey at RDC?
RDC has given me the opportunity to become part of the team since August of 2022. I truly enjoy being part of the team and implementing our core values. The team saw my potential and challenged me to become more professional on a daily basis. I wouldn’t doubt that my career at RDC has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. There’s so much opportunity to grow.
What is your goal(s) for 2024?
My goal for 2024 is to continue growing relationships with the associates, clients, and the team. Also to learn as much as possible to help grow the team.
What is your “why”? What motivates you to show up everyday & give 100%?
I love to look forward to a better tomorrow and change as many lives as possible. Having a great relationship with the associates and the client motivates me to continue giving the best of me every day.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I like to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy making memories.
February Employee Spotlight 2024
Meet Reagan Papadatos, our February Employee Spotlight! Reagan joined our team back in May of 2022 and is working as a South Operations Support Specialist in our Mid-Cities Center. Read below about Reagan’s “why at work”, what changing lives means to her, and more about her life outside of the office!
Why did you accept the position to start working at RDC?
Starting out as an intern, I quickly realized working for RDC was more than just an internship to build my resume. The energy in the Cincinnati offices was contagious and everyone I met was genuinely passionate about the work we do. After getting to know the team and learning more about the impact of our work and the mission of RDC, I knew without a doubt I wanted to join the team full-time once I graduated.
Why is changing lives important to you?
Being intentional and implementing our core values in our day-to-day work and everyday lives is what changes the lives around us. The talent that comes into our offices come from all different backgrounds; we all do. We will never know the full story behind the people around us and the silent battles people are facing, which is why changing lives is so important to me.
What would you like everyone to know about you and your career journey at RDC?
Coming in as an intern, I didn’t fully know what to expect from the position. However, the team in Cincinnati saw my potential and constantly challenged me and pushed me professionally. I am super grateful for the opportunity, and I am excited to hopefully use my role to challenge others. There is so much growth to be done outside of our comfort zone.
What is your goal(s) for 2024?
This year my main goal is to continue to learn as much about the business as possible and help build up the team in the South. Also, Mid-Cities is going to hit D1 this year, that isn’t as much of a goal but a fact.
What is your “why”? What motivates you to show up everyday & give 100%?
If my life has taught me anything it’s that “later” isn’t always guaranteed. There is a lot I want to do in this lifetime, and I know tomorrow isn’t always going to be there or it may look completely different than today. I try to make the most of what I have and where I am at in the moment.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I love listening to new music and going to concerts. Last summer I went to my first solo concert, and it is one of my favorite memories. Outside of that I enjoy hanging out with my friends and brothers.
January Employee Spotlight 2024
Meet Cyara Thompson, our January Employee Spotlight! Cyara joined our team back in March of 2023 and is a healthcare recruiter for Galaxy Healthcare. Read below about Cyara’s “why at work”, what changing lives means to her, and more about her life outside of the office!
Why did you accept the position to start working at RDC?
I accepted the position to work with RDC because it sounded like an amazing opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. The “We Change Lives” program allowed me the chance to help build a project with such a special initiative to serve those who’ve been overlooked and undervalued. I’m thrilled to continue that same initiative now with the Galaxy Healthcare team.
Why is changing lives important to you?
Changing lives is important to me because I believe it’s what people were created to do for one another. I made it my mission to find ways to impact and change lives; one person, one interaction at a time.
What would you like everyone to know about you and your career journey at RDC?
I’ve come to face obstacles while being here, and I’ve seen myself become more strategic and adaptable because of it.
What is your goal(s) for 2024?
Continue growing and becoming an even more authentic version of myself and being more disciplined in every area of my life.
What is your “why”? What motivates you to show up everyday & give 100%?
Leadership. I feel the call of leadership in my life and leaders lead by example. I give 100% because I believe in being accountable. I don’t want to lay my head down at night knowing I could have given the day more effort in whatever area of my life called for my attention.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I sing, write music, and watch my favorite shows.