Staffmark Announces Promotion of Lesa Francis to Chief Executive Officer

03/08/2011

CINCINNATI, OH – Staffmark announced today that Lesa Francis, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer in addition to President. Ms. Francis, who joined the Company as Chief Operating Officer in 2006, has increasingly been responsible for day to day operations of Staffmark and, in anticipation of Mr. Kohnke's retirement, was promoted to President in 2009. Mr. Kohnke, who joined CBS Personnel Holdings, Inc., the predecessor to Staffmark in February 2001, has been planning his retirement to coincide with his 10 year anniversary with the Company. Mr. Kohnke will remain active with the Company as he will continue to serve on its Board of Directors.

Ms. Francis has more than 25 years of staffing industry experience and, prior to joining Staffmark, was the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Operations at Spherion. Commenting on the promotion Mr. Kohnke said "I am very proud to announce Lesa's promotion. This transition represents the culmination of several years of planning as I have contemplated my retirement. Since joining Staffmark Ms. Francis has been instrumental in setting our strategic direction and managing our strong growth and I feel confident that the Company will continue to excel under her leadership."

Ms. Francis, commenting on Mr. Kohnke's retirement, said "On behalf of everyone at Staffmark, I want to thank Fred for a decade of outstanding leadership. We are excited that we will be able to continue working with him as he helps guide our Company forward as a member of our Board of Directors, and we wish him much happiness in his retirement."

About Staffmark
Staffmark is ranked as one of the top ten commercial staffing companies in the United States, and has been in business over 40 years. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Staffmark operates over 280 locations, providing staffing solutions across a comprehensive range of disciplines.