AtWork Taps Veteran Leader for Strategic Push into Professional Staffing

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – April 15, 2026 – In a significant strategic move, award-winning staffing franchise AtWork announced the launch of AtWork Professional, a new division dedicated to specialized professional recruiting. To spearhead this initiative, the company has appointed Nancy Halverson, an industry veteran with over three decades of experience, as the Vice President of Professional Services. The new division aims to capitalize on the growing demand for high-level contract and direct-hire talent while introducing a flexible, low-overhead franchise model.

A Strategic Evolution in a Shifting Market

AtWork's expansion into professional services comes at a pivotal moment for the labor market. The U.S. staffing industry, with a projected market value of $189 billion in 2024, is undergoing a profound transformation. Broader workforce trends, including the normalization of remote work, the rise of the project-based gig economy, and widening skills gaps, are compelling businesses to seek more specialized and agile talent solutions. Companies are increasingly looking beyond general labor to find experts in fields like information technology, engineering, accounting, and finance.

This new venture is designed to meet that exact need. "AtWork Professional represents a natural evolution of our brand and the needs of today's workforce," said Jason Leverant, AtWork's President and CEO. The move diversifies AtWork's portfolio, which has traditionally focused on commercial staffing—such as light industrial and clerical roles—through its legacy AtWork Personnel brand.

Market analysis suggests that as economic uncertainty persists, businesses are leaning on flexible staffing to remain nimble. Simultaneously, the demand for specific, high-level skills continues to outpace supply, making expert recruiters who understand niche verticals more valuable than ever. AtWork Professional is positioned to address both of these dynamics, offering clients access to a curated pipeline of skilled professionals.

The Halverson Effect: Decades of Experience Take the Helm

Central to AtWork's strategy is the appointment of Nancy Halverson. With more than 30 years of leadership in the staffing and franchising sectors, Halverson brings a deep reservoir of knowledge to the role. Her mandate is comprehensive: build the new division's franchise model, training programs, operational systems, and go-to-market strategy from the ground up.

Her distinguished career includes a long tenure as Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Management Recruiters International Inc. (MRINetwork), where she was instrumental in driving franchise growth and operational excellence. Her contributions to the industry were recognized with the MRINetwork Lifetime Achievement Award, and she has been a vocal advocate for mentoring women into leadership positions. This background makes her a powerful choice to lead a division that also reinforces AtWork's commitment to cultivating high-impact female business leaders.

"This is truly my dream role because it allows me to leverage every part of my career," Halverson stated. "AtWork has an incredible foundation in commercial staffing, and now we have the opportunity to expand into professional services with a fresh, modern, and highly specialized approach. We're building a division where franchisees are true experts in their verticals, and where clients feel they're working with a partner who understands their world."

A New Blueprint for Staffing Entrepreneurship

Beyond serving a new client segment, AtWork Professional introduces an innovative and accessible path to entrepreneurship. The division is structured as a low-cost, virtual-first franchise opportunity. The initial investment is estimated to be between $95,000 and $115,000, significantly lower than the $156,000 to $213,000 required for a traditional AtWork Personnel franchise.

A key feature of this model is the elimination of the need for a physical brick-and-mortar office and additional staff. This remote-first approach dramatically reduces overhead and provides franchisees with the flexibility to operate from anywhere. The model is designed for seasoned professionals who can leverage their existing industry knowledge and networks to build a successful recruiting business within a specific vertical.

Franchisees benefit from AtWork's robust back-end infrastructure, which includes comprehensive in-house accounting, payroll funding, and processing services. This support allows owners to focus on recruiting and client relationships rather than administrative burdens. The company's combined royalty and marketing fee of 7.5% is positioned as a competitive advantage against the higher costs independent agencies often face for similar services.

Building on a Foundation of Franchisee Success

AtWork is not launching this new venture from a standing start. The company brings a well-established reputation for franchisee support and performance, backed by numerous industry accolades. It has been named a Top 200 Franchise by Franchise Business Review for eight consecutive years and is an inductee into the FBR Hall of Fame for its consistent high performance.

This history of success is reflected in its financial performance. In 2024, the average AtWork franchisee generated a gross profit of $604,309, while 76 franchised locations reported an average gross revenue of $3.3 million in 2023. Furthermore, the brand has earned ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Award for both client and talent satisfaction, demonstrating a commitment to service excellence that resonates on both sides of the hiring equation.

With over 90 successful offices already operating nationwide, the company has a proven system for training, marketing, and operational guidance. By extending this expertise to the professional staffing sector, AtWork aims to replicate its success and provide a new generation of entrepreneurs with the tools to thrive in the modern economy.