Who are We?
Selected for our diverse business backgrounds, education, and perspective, our Board of Directors is comprised of the best in our industry.
PRESIDENT: Daphne Phalon
Daphne Phalon is President/Owner of Ardent Staffing Solutions. Ardent Staffing is a Massachusetts based temporary and permanent placement staffing agency specialized in Engineering, Administrative, and Advanced Manufacturing recruiting.
Daphne joined the MSA Board of Directors in 2014 and became our President in January of 2020. In addition to providing Association and industry leadership, Daphne is President and Founder of Ardent Staffing Solutions, a Massachusetts based skilled manufacturing and professional staffing agency.
Daphne has committed her entire career to staffing and is highly involved in compliance and legislative matters facing the staffing industry. She works closely with the American Staffing Association (ASA) and Massachusetts Staffing Association and is a member of NEHRA and SHRM. She is a regular public speaker and training facilitator on topics facing the industry such as worker’s compensation insurance, safety, and hiring practices. Additionally, Daphne is a member of the ASA Safety Committee and OSHA/ASA Safety Alliance. Through this partnership with OSHA, Staffing Industry leaders work toward creating safe work environments for all of our workers, contract and permanent alike.
Daphne is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts. Additionally, Daphne has held her SPHR Certification since 2005 and achieved both her CSP and SHRM-SCP certifications in 2014.
Contact Information:
Daphne M. Phalon
President
Direct: (508) 530-7209
Email: daphne@ardent-staffing.com
5 Mount Royal Ave, Marlborough, MA
VICE PRESIDENT: Maura Mann
Maura is President of The Nagler Group and KNF&T Staffing Resources where she is responsible for the client service strategy and execution that has resulted in award-winning growth and achievement for both companies. She also oversees the Strategic Accounts teams for the BANKW Staffing companies. Prior to joining BANKW Staffing in 2011, Maura held leadership roles with multiple local and international staffing and recruiting organizations where she led teams focused on accounting & finance, legal and administrative staffing. She loves meeting new people and always networking, professionally and personally.
Maura is a member of ProVisors, a national networking organization where she is the assistant group leader for the Boston Women’s Affinity group and sits on the Executive Committee for a group based out of Woburn, MA. She also sits on the board of the Massachusetts Staffing Association and is actively involved in the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Diversity Workforce Coalition and founded BANKW’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee.
Maura is a proud Boston College alumna, a member of the Boston College Club and is involved in a local charity, 100 People Who Care. Outside of work, Maura is a diehard Boston Bruins and New England Patriots fan as well as a busy hockey and lacrosse mom. She lives in Tewksbury with her husband, son, and adorable labradoodle named Loki.
Contact Information:
Maura Mann
781-405-4438
mmann@naglergroup.com
TREASURER: Bill Diana
Bill began his staffing career in 2000 at WinterWyman and, as Chief Financial Officer, helped them grow to $100M in revenue and eventually played the lead financial role in selling the company to a private equity backed staffing firm at the close of 2019. Bill has been providing CFO financial consulting services for the past 3+ years. His services have been focused on staffing industry clients and have included interim and fractional CFO roles, sale/acquisition support, restructuring of financial reporting, compensation reviews, and strategic advisory services to staffing firm owners and executives.
Bill earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston College, an MBA from Babson College and is currently a licensed CPA in Massachusetts.
Contact Information:
Bill Diana
508 733-2516
wjdiana39@gmail.com
SECRETARY: David O’Connor
David M. O’Connor is the principal of O’CONNOR & ASSOCIATES, LLC, an AV-rated law firm serving staffing, construction, professional, and insurance clients in the areas of trial and appellate practice; employer liability and workers’ compensation; contract negotiations and drafting; and insurance coverage dispute resolution and litigation.
Mr. O’Connor graduated from Georgetown University and cum laude from Boston College Law School, where he was Articles Editor of the Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review. He has been recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer (in the categories of employment practices, civil litigation, and workers’ compensation) and in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
In addition to counselling the firm’s clients and trying over 100 cases before jurors, judges and administrative agencies, Mr. O’Connor is called upon regularly to address national and regional organizations (such as the American Staffing Association, the American Bar Association, the Risk & Insurance Management Society, the University Risk Management Association, the Association of Subcontractors of Massachusetts and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts).
Contact Information:
David M. O’Connor O’Connor & Associates, LLC
Boston/MetroWest
617-723-7201
doconnor@oconnorllc.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Mark O’Hara
Mark is the Area Manager for Trillium Professional. Since 1984, Trillium Professional and its affiliates have been staffing professional IT and Engineering candidates in positions around the country. Our industry trained experts recruit only top talent, providing our clients with unparalleled flexibility and reliability. Trillium Professional strives to provide the most efficient, cost-effective, and beneficial services to both our clients and our employees. Utilizing a strategic partnership approach , our recruiting staff identifies employer and employee matching on an advanced platform including skills, objectives, and qualifications to ensure a good fit.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Contact Information:
Mark O’Hara
Trillium Professional
980 Washington Street, Suite 218
Dedham, MA 02026
(618) 477-5254
mohara@trilliumprofessional.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Janet Santa Anna, CSP
Janet is the President and CEO of The Resource Connection, Inc. (TRC) which she co-founded in 1987. TRC is a full service staffing company headquartered in Middleton, MA. TRC specializing in office support and administrative personnel. Janet is a Certified Staffing Professional (CSP) with over 30 years of experience in the staffing and recruiting industry.
Active memberships include: Middleton Board of Trade, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, American Staffing Association, and Massachusetts Staffing Association. Janet holds a Masters of Management degree and a specialized graduate certificate in Organizational Development from Cambridge College School of Management.
Contact Information:
Janet Santa Anna The Resource Connection
2 S Main Street, Suite 104
Middleton, MA 01949-2485
978-777-9333
janet@resource-connection.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Patrick McNamara
Patrick McNamara is an 18-year veteran of developing IT workforce solutions for companies of all sizes. Since joining Atlantic Associates in July 2010, he has served as the company’s Market Director, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business as well as overseeing the company’s business development and growth strategy. Under McNamara’s leadership, the company has achieved year-over-year growth annually despite operating in a challenging financial and business market. At AAI, McNamara has successfully implemented new sales strategies and also brought the company into a cutting-edge technology platform that has increased efficiencies throughout the entire recruiting and sales process. Prior to joining AAI, McNamara spent more than 15 years at TAC Worldwide. There he rose from an account manager to the company’s Market Director where he was responsible for overseeing the IT staffing company’s $25M Northeast region and managing a team of 25 account executives and recruiters.
Contact Information:
Pat McNamara Trillium Technical
1208 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 01032
617-477-5254
pmcnamara@trilliumtechnical.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: John Bogosian
John Bogosian, President and a principal of King & Bishop, as well as the CEO of Biomedical Search Consultants Division, brings over 25 years of well rounded entrepreneurial experience in Management Consulting, Coaching, Staffing, Human Resource Consulting, and Business Development. With John’s innovative approach, vision for the future leadership and guidance, King & Bishop is growing nationally and internationally offering a portfolio of services designed to meet clients’ needs.
Before John joined King & Bishop in 2004, he was a national recruiter and gained increasing responsibility in managing the New England Region for B&M Associates, a national temporary technical staffing firm. From there, he went on to start up a local temporary staffing firm. He was recruited to take his experience in staffing and business development to one of the larger international career and executive coaching companies. During his tenure, John was Vice President and responsible for career coaching, facilitation and new business development. He developed an appreciation and passion for assisting organizations and individuals at all levels through the coaching process.
John earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University and completed MIT Sloan School’s program, “Reinventing Your Business Strategy.”
Contact Information:
John Bogosian King & Bishop
333 Wyman Street, Suite 175
Waltham, MA 02451
781-530-1117
jbogosian@kingbishop.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Kevin Donovan
Kevin joined TradeSource, Inc. in 2006 as the Director of Risk Management & Benefits from TAC Worldwide Companies (Advantage Staffing). Kevin is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the company-wide safety program, all insurance coverages, benefits and compliance with all regulatory and legal issues.
Kevin has over nineteen years of experience in the Temporary Staffing Industry and twenty-five years in Insurance and Risk Management.
Kevin is OSHA 500 Certified (Trainer) in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and has an accredited Supervisor License in Asbestos Abatement under the Toxic Substance Control Act.
Kevin is a member of the Safety Committee for the American Staffing Association.
Kevin holds a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Anselm College and is a Notary Public.
Contact Information:
Kevin Donovan Director, Benefits & Risk Management, TradeSource, Inc.
205 Hallene Road Unit #211
Warwick, RI 02886
1-401-921-6008
fax 1-800-741-3859
Kdonovan@tradesource.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Kyle Davidge
As a Senior Sales Executive, Kyle Davidge has assisted Kronos in developing and delivering SaaS solutions as well as other tools which assist the Staffing Industry in navigating the ever changing landscape of Employer Compliance and Labor Law. Prior to joining Kronos, Kyle spent 8 years partnering with the Staffing Industry as a National Account Manager at Monster. As part of his previous roles, he has also maintained a seat on the Georgia Staffing Association’s Board of Directors since 2011, and has actively been engaged with numerous state chapters across the country, as well as the American Staffing Association, Staffing Industry Analysts and Techserve Alliance. Kyle has spent the majority of his professional career working closely and learning the day to day operations of the Staffing Industry. He has experience and built relationships with staffing companies of all colors, shapes and sizes.
Kyle attended Framingham State College, and currently resides in Franklin Massachusetts with his wife and 3 young children.
Contact Information:
Kyle Davidge Kronos Inc.
900 Chelmsford St.
Lowell, MA 01851
508-243-6268
Kyle.davidge@kronos.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Robert J. Mocerino
Mr. Mocerino currently serves as Senior Vice President, Managing Director for White Oak Commercial Finance and is responsible for originating and developing opportunities within the staffing and government contract communities.
Having extensive experience in providing working capital solutions and promoting client and partner relationships specific to the staffing industry. After operating his own accounts receivable management company for 18 years. Mr. Mocerino began his career at Sterling National Bank in 2003 and was responsible for managing the portfolio and credit and collections area for the payroll finance division. While at Sterling he transitioned from credit into client originations with a focus on staffing and government contracting.
Robert serves on the board of directors for the NY and Massachusetts Staffing Associations and is an active member of the American Staffing Association and California Staffing Professionals Association.
Contact Information:
Robert J. Mocerino
Senior Vice President, Managing Director
Staffing and Government Originations
White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC
1155 Avenue of The Americas, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Direct (516) 998-6000
Email: rmocerino@whiteoakcf.com
Website: www.whiteoaksf.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Mim Zayas, CSP
Mim Zayas is the VP of Operations at United Personnel and was promoted to this role after beginning with United as the Director of Talent Acquisition. Mim has spent much of her career in the Staffing Industry, with over 15 years of experience in recruitment, operations and account management.
In her role as VP of Operations, Mim focuses on the operational objectives of the organization focusing on recruitment, fulfillment, and compliance, spearheading significant internal initiatives including the implementation of a new ATS and quality assurance programs.
Before joining United Personnel, Mim worked for Fujitsu as their Vendor Manager where she had oversight of multiple vendors to their MSP Program, both international and domestic. Prior to her work at Fujitsu, Mim served as Agile1’s Director of On-Site Services overseeing MassMutual’s MSP Program. Under her direction that program saw tremendous growth, tripling its weekly billing and growing the profit more than 210% over projections. Mim’s introduction to the staffing field was as a recruiter for both Light Industrial and Professional contract and contract to permanent placements for an agency in Nashua, NH where she also had the opportunity work on direct hire placements.
Mim is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Chamber’s Executive Committee. Her focus with this non-profit is to assist with several important community initiatives as well as a member of the Shining Stars Committee which generates significant revenue for the chamber.
Mim graduated from College of Our Lady of the Elms with a BA in Business Management. Mim also holds her CSP and is working to assist United Personnel with the OSHA Safety Standard of Excellence for 2019.
Contact Information:
United Personnel
293 Bridge Street, Springfield MA
Phone: 413.314.6059 | Fax: 413.730.4264
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Jamal Mahijibhai
Since 2005, Jamal Mahijibhai has led MSG Staffing as President and CEO with strategic foresight, aligning talent with opportunity and enhancing healthcare delivery and patient care. Grounded in his educational foundation in computer science and as a registered nurse, Jamal brings a unique perspective to the intersection of healthcare and technology. This dual expertise has been pivotal in understanding both the cutting-edge tools that drive healthcare forward and the compassionate care that defines patient experiences.
As a first-generation immigrant, Jamal has navigated his path with resilience, rising above challenges and undermining within the organization to steer MSG Staffing toward a vision of inclusive growth and excellence. His journey reflects a quiet strength and humility that inspire his team and resonate with the core values of the MSA Board, which he serves with distinction.
Under Jamal’s leadership, MSG Staffing has become a nurturing ground for a culture that deeply understands the aspirations of healthcare professionals and institutions. A blend of industry insight, technological advocacy, and community engagement defines his tenure, with a commitment to not just meet, but exceed healthcare staffing needs, empowering communities, and transforming individual lives.
In his role with the MSA Board, Jamal propels initiatives aligned with the staffing industry’s strategic growth, reflecting MSG Staffing’s innovative spirit and adherence to values of progress, integrity, and teamwork.
Forward-looking, Jamal commits to steering MSG Staffing into emerging markets, harnessing technology to enhance efficiency, and reinforcing its strategic partnership in healthcare. His commitment to building trust and quality places MSG Staffing at the forefront of the industry.
Jamal envisions a future where innovation and practicality intersect, expanding MSG Staffing’s influence on uplifting community health outcomes, steadfast in a commitment to excellence and community well-being.
Contact Information:
Jamal Mahijibhai, CEO of MSG Staffing, Inc
25 Union St., Suite 105
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 799-6674
Jamalm@msgstaffing.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Shannon Gallagher
Shannon Gallagher Gaudreau is the Director of Alliances and Business Development for Bullhorn, Inc., a global leader in software for the staffing industry headquartered in Boston. In this capacity, Shannon and her team work with businesses that serve the staffing industry, helping them to ensure their offerings are helping firms solve their most pressing challenges.
In her 5+ years as part of the Bullhorn Alliances team, Shannon has worked closely with staffing firms of all sizes, segments, and industries. As the newest member of the board, Shannon is enthusiastic about the opportunity to deepen her service to the industry.
Contact Information:
shannon.gallagher@bullhorn.com
Bullhorn Inc, 100 Summer St. 17th floor, Boston, MA 02110
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgallagherbullhorn/