Historical Highlights & Awards
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Apprenticeship.gov
August 2018
In August 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the launch of a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov. This innovative web portal features an Apprenticeship Finder tool that offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state and occupation, as well as connects job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers. The Department collaborated with NASWA and DirectEmployers to create the Apprenticeship Finder tool using their resource that collects and distributes national job content, the National Labor Exchange (NLx).
DE Serves Launches Aimed at Transitioning the Homeless to Tiny Village Communities
August 2018
To help rehabilitate and lessen the growing number of homeless individuals, DirectEmployers Association launched a philanthropic organization named DirectEmployers Serves (DE Serves). The ‘Tiny Act of Kindness’ project is aimed at transitioning homeless individuals into tiny village communities and providing rehabilitation programs and training/apprenticeship opportunities.
Recruit Rooster Launches Recruitment Marketing Solutions for Global Employers
June 2018
To create a better customer experience and expand upon recruitment solutions offered, DirectEmployers announced the launch of Recruit Rooster, a full service recruitment marketing and creative solution aimed at helping employers establish a prominent web presence to appeal to targeted and specialized job seekers.
DirectEmployers Partners with Google as a Job Provider in New Search Feature
June 2017
To further connect employers and job seekers, DirectEmployers announced their position as a job content provider for Google’s new job search experience. As a result of the Association’s participation, jobs from over 900 Member companies are accessible directly by searching for jobs on Google.
Candee Chambers Named Executive Director
March 2017
Graduate of Bowling Green State University and a 30-year Human Resources veteran, Candee Chambers, broke the glass ceiling as the Association’s first female Executive Director. Candee brought her success with compliance to the overall organization to bridge the gap between recruiting and compliance. For more information, view the official press release.
National Labor Exchange Celebrates 10th Anniversary
March 2017
Over 10 years, DirectEmployers and NASWA made their NLx vision a reality by pioneering new resources for employers, state workforce agencies, veterans representatives and job seekers, while also establishing the NLx as a recognized source of vetted and verified jobs by all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.
SHRM Launches Diversity Jobs Sites
October 2016
Encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace starts at the top, which is why the largest HR association in the world—the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)—announced the launch of three specialty websites within its online career center focused on creating an inclusive workforce and setting an example for other employers. Built on the SHRM Enterprise Solutions platform with technology provided by DirectEmployers Association, the SHRM careers sites focused on diversity, veterans and people with disabilities.
DirectEmployers Hosts First Job Bank
August 2010
In August 2010, the State of New York picked DirectEmployers to host state’s job bank. The job bank had 84,217 jobs posted with a continuous flow of new opportunities available each day and was free to job seekers and companies providing easy-to-use job search and job posting tools. Read press release.
DirectEmployers Partners to Develop .JOBS
October 2009
In October of 2009, DirectEmployers Association, in alliance with Employ Media, built out a beta site of location, occupation, and other top-level domains to test functionality and receive feedback from job seekers, employers, and other interested parties. The .JOBS Network created an environment of seamlessly integrated employment domains, a first-ever interlinking and coordinated use of a TLD for the public good.
Introduction of VetCentral
June 2007
June 2007 marked the beginning of VetCentral–the consumer-facing vehicle of the NLx. It became the full-time employment service to participating state workforce agencies and, to date, delivers federal contractors’ jobs to state websites and CareerOneStop centers for the appropriate Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Programs (DVOPs).
Formation of the NLx
April 2007
In April of 2007, the NLx—a sophisticated electronic labor exchange solution—was created. The online network connects businesses and state workforce agencies in their mission to create a cost-effective system that improves labor market efficiency and reflects our nation’s diverse workforce.
NASWA Endorses DirectEmployers as the Replacement for America’s Job Bank
March 2007
In March of 2007, DirectEmployers Association was selected by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) to provide job seekers, employers and states a cost-effective transition from America’s Job Bank (AJB)—which had been discontinued by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Selection of Bill Warren to be Executive Director
May 2005
As a highly respected industry veteran and former corporate human resources executive for Rockwell International, Bill Warren is widely credited as being the “Founder of Online Recruiting.” As a visionary leader in this recruitment space, Bill was a natural selection to manage the Association as its Executive Director. For more information, view the official press release.
Incorporation of DirectEmployers Association
October 2001
Concerned about rapidly rising costs and the future and direction of online recruitment, a group of 14 leading global employers discussed the concept of DirectEmployers Association and an employer-owned and -managed employment site in late 2000. The concept came to fruition in October 2001 when DirectEmployers Association, a nonprofit HR consortium of employers, was incorporated. A directive was initiated to share best practices, create new industry standards, provide research and develop and manage Internet-based systems and software for employers to increase efficiency and reduce recruiting costs.
Creation of Online Career Center
November 1992
Created in 1992 by former Executive Director, Bill Warren, Online Career Center (OCC) is widely recognized as the first internet job board. Through this tool, job seekers could connect with employers and view job listings on their computer. This product, revolutionary in its time, paved the way for today’s online job boards and the like.
Awards & Recognition
DirectEmployers Family of Brands Recognition
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2023
Small Business Category
15th place
DirectEmployers Family of Brands
2023 Muse Creative Awards
Silver Video Winner
Bechtel – Who Wear Are
Jensen Precast – About Us
Bernhard – Welcome
Silver Marketing & Promotion Winner
In Control Brand Kit
Recruit Rooster
2023 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service
Customer Service Department of the Year – All Other Industries
Bronze Stevie® Winner
DirectEmployers Association
JD Supra 2023 Readers' Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – John C. Fox
#2 – Candee Chambers
Blog: OFCCP Week In Review (WIR)
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2022
Small Business Category
42nd place
DirectEmployers Family of Brands
JD Supra 2022 Readers' Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – John C. Fox
#2 – Candee Chambers
Blog: OFCCP Week In Review (WIR)
PR Daily's 2021 Content Marketing Awards
Branded Blog Honorable Mention
DirectEmployers Association
Blog: OFCCP Week In Review (WIR)
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2021
Small Business Category
16th place
DirectEmployers Family of Brands
JD Supra 2021 Readers' Choice Awards
#1 in Government Contracting
John C. Fox
Blog: OFCCP Week In Review (WIR)
2020 Muse Creative Awards
Frontdoor – Experiential & Immersive Gold Winner
First Day on the Job
Recruit Rooster
NASWA Veterans Employment Award 2017
Exemplary Commitment to Supporting Veteran Employment Programs
DirectEmployers Association
2016 JAG (John A. Garza) Award
2016 Lifetime Achievement
Candee Chambers, VP of Compliance & Partnerships
DirectEmployers Association
Web Marketing Association 2016 WebAward
2016 Outstanding Achievement in Web Development
Providence Health & Services Recruitment Website
DirectEmployers Association
PR Daily's 2016 Nonprofit PR Awards
Branding or Re-Branding Campaign Honorable Mention
Better Reach. Better Experience. Total Control.
DirectEmployers Association
2016 JAG (John A. Garza) Award
2016 Lifetime Achievement
Candee Chambers, VP of Compliance & Partnerships
DirectEmployers Association
22nd Annual Communicator Award of Distinction
2016 Online Video Award
Are you Satisfied with Your Career Site?
Drew Palmer, DirectEmployers Association
NASWA’s Salute to the Leadership 2012
2012 President’s Award
Bill Warren, Executive Director
DirectEmployers Association
Member & Partner Recognition
While we take great pride in our achievements, we are honored to recognize the accomplishments of our Members and partners. Each year we acknowledge individuals and companies for their contributions to the field of human resources:

2020
Presented during Member Appreciation Week
Award Winners
Breakthrough Award
Glenn Williams, Qualcomm
Diversity & Inslusion Award
Franklin Reed, TEKsystems
Jennifer Seda Award
Susan Shanklin, Collins Aerospace

2019
Presented during DEAM19 in Naples, FL
Award Winners
WOW Award
Paul White, Mohawk Industries
Breakthrough Award
Floss Aggrey, Randstad North America
Diversity & Inslusion Award
Ben Marich, TAD PGS, Inc.
Partner Recognition Award
Stacy Bayton, Corporate America Supports You (CASY)
Jennifer Seda Award
Brian Pier, Levi, Ray, & Shoup, Inc.com

2018
Presented during DEAM18 in Seattle, WA
Award Winners
WOW Award
Marilyn Mackes, Executive Director, National Association of Colleges & Employers
Breakthrough Award
Dana Deason, Manager, HR Policy & Compliance, ArcBest
Jennifer Seda Award
Beverly Curtis, Staffing Specialist/Recruiter, John Deere
Diversity & Inslusion Award
Chris Liakos, Manager, EEO Compliance & Diversity, Northrup Grumman Corporation
Partner Recognition Award
National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)

2017
Presented during DEAM17 in Indianapolis, IN
Award Winners
WOW Award
Candee Chambers, Executive Director of DirectEmployers Association
Breakthrough Award
Jonathan Rosenberg, Manager of Talent Planning and Acquisition at Phillips 66
Jennifer Seda Award
Charles Lilly, Program Manager of Talent Acquisition at HUB International
Diversity & Inslusion Award
Rebel Johnson, Recruiting Compliance/Taleo Administrator at Huntington Ingalls Industries Integrated Solutions Group
Member Award Winners
Colorado Springs Utilities, HD Supply, Penske

2016
Presented during DEAM16 in Indianapolis, IN
Award Winners
WOW Award
John C. Fox, Esq., President and Senior Partner at Fox, Wang & Morgan P.C.
Breakthrough Award
Pam Webster, Assistant Vice President, Talent Acquisition at Enterprise Holdings
Member Award Winners & Runners-up
AT&T, CDW, Oracle, UPS

2015
Presented during DEAM15 in Indianapolis, IN
Award Winners
WOW Award
Pam Gerrassimides, Assistant Executive Director at The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) and National Labor Exchange (NLx) Director
Member Award Winners & Runners-up
ABB, City of Hope, CH2M Hill, Charles Schwab, Colorado Springs Utilities, Gold’s Gym, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Phillips66, TEKsystems

2014
Presented during DEAM14 in Washington, DC
Award Winners
WOW Award
Rich Hobbie, Retired former Executive Director of The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
Member Awards Winners & Runners-up
AOL, AT&T, Cardinal Health, Colorado Springs Utilities, Eaton, Emory University, J.B. Hunt, REI, Schlumberger, Sodexo, Vantiv

2013
Presented during DEAM13 in San Diego, CA
Award Winners
WOW Award
David Morman, Retired former Senior Executive with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Jim Vollman, Senior Vice President of Associated Veterans, LLC

2012
Presented during DEAM12 in Scottsdale, AZ
Award Winners
WOW Award
Bill Warren, Executive Director of DirectEmployers Association