October 23, 2025 | West Des Moines, Iowa — Palmer Group is proud to announce the promotion of two employee-owners, Jessie Kester and Craig O'Connor, to Vice President roles. These leadership changes reflect Palmer Group's ongoing commitment to delivering deeply tailored talent solutions and business consulting support to clients navigating today's evolving economic landscape.
Jessie Kester has been promoted to Vice President. In this role, she will oversee several key staffing sectors, including Office Administration, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, and Palmer Group's Outplacement solution. This position was created to strengthen Palmer Group's focus on exceptional client and candidate care, while advancing employee development and engagement across service areas.
Kester holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Iowa State University and has built a career in delivering strategic, tailored, and high-impact workforce solutions. Kester joined Palmer Group in 2014 as a Recruiter in the Sales and Marketing sector and has since held several strategic roles, including Senior Search Consultant, Division Manager, and most recently, Sales Manager of Professional Services. With over 11 years of industry experience, she has been instrumental in the growth and success of Palmer Group's Professional Services division.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jessie Kester to our regional leadership team as Vice President," said Chris Lorenz, Executive Vice President. "Over the past 11 years at Palmer Group, Jessie has been a driving force behind the expansion and success of our Professional Services division. Her deep understanding of complex business challenges, coupled with an exceptional ability to align clients with transformative talent and solutions, has made a lasting impact. I'm excited to see her bring that same strategic vision to our growth initiatives nationwide."
Craig O'Connor has been named Vice President of Information Technology. With over 20 years of experience in IT recruiting, sales, and staffing solutions, O'Connor brings a wealth of expertise to Palmer Group's technology division. He joined the company in 2024 following a successful tenure as Managing Director at Signature Consultants, where he led strategic growth initiatives contributing to over $500 million in annual revenue.
O'Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and has built a career on delivering agile, scalable, and customized IT workforce strategies. At Palmer Group, he will lead efforts to align top technology talent with client needs across diverse industries.
"Craig's deep understanding of the technology landscape over the past twenty-five years and his proven leadership in IT staffing and consulting make him an invaluable asset to our team," said David Leto, President and CEO. "His appointment strengthens our ability to deliver innovative solutions and expert consulting to our clients during a time of rapid change."
These promotions underscore Palmer Group's dedication to recognizing the unique needs of each client and providing highly specialized staffing support across all sectors. As economic conditions continue to shift, Palmer Group remains focused on delivering flexible, expert-driven solutions that help organizations thrive.
Executive Leadership Team
- David Leto, President and CEO
- Chris Lorenz, Executive Vice President
- Traci Ellis, Chief Financial Officer
- Katie Klohs, Chief of Staff and Director of Marketing
- Brian Berry, Director of Human Resources
Regional Leadership Team
- Jason Hennessey, Vice President – Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing
- Mike Bringle, Vice President – Accounting & Finance, Executive Search Solutions
- Jessie Kester, Vice President – Office Administration, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, and Outplacement Solutions
- Craig O’Connor, Vice President – Information Technology
- Mike Coulter, Market Director of Eastern Iowa
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Palmer Group is a premier employment agency. As a trusted partner in delivering forward-thinking talent and business solutions, we leverage nearly three decades of experience to empower individuals in their career journeys and drive organizational growth. Our services include staffing and recruiting, executive search, outplacement, HR and IT consulting, and accounting and payroll support.