As part of National Staffing Employee Week, Sept. 8–14, Debra and Scott Dickinson, owners of the Express Employment Professionals office in Sedalia, Missouri, are proud to celebrate the recognition of Lennie Gray as a National Staffing All-Star in the Office-Administrative sector presented by the American Staffing Association (ASA).
Gray’s inspiring journey from personal hardship to national recognition reflects the life-changing impact of staffing and the dedication of the Dickinsons’ local Express team.
“It’s shocking, really. I’m just honored to be part of the Express community,” Gray said. “I never expected anything like this, and I’m kind of speechless.”
After enduring a devastating period in her personal life, Gray found support and opportunity through Express.
“The team at Express listened to my fears and supported me through my struggles,” she said. “They helped me believe in myself again and have always been supportive, constantly giving me feedback from employers and always looking out for good placements, and of course, offering friendly, helpful advice.”
Gray’s recognition is a proud moment for her local Express office.
“Lennie overcame a large amount of personal tragedy,” Debra said. “It took our team a while to find the right opportunity. However, during that time, she accepted many different short-term projects and excelled in all of them.
“Our team was so thrilled to learn she was nominated for the ASA awards and is being recognized on such a large platform for her hard work and dedication.”
According to ASA, nearly 2.2 million temporary and contract employees work for staffing companies in the U.S. each week. It’s such a joyous moment to have Lennie chosen to be recognized out of the millions of workers representing the staffing industry—let alone representing Express.
“What Debra and Scott have accomplished in Sedalia is the heart of what Express stands for, changing lives through meaningful work,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. “Lennie’s story is a testament to their unwavering commitment to people, not just placements. It’s local offices like theirs that make a national impact, one success story at a time.”
Express was named the #1 Largest Office/Clerical Staffing Firm in the U.S. by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2025, and helped 64,000 job seekers find Office Services jobs in 2024. If you’re hiring for Office Services roles, contact the office nearest you to learn more about finding your next hire.
