Our People

JIM ANNIS – Managing Member of the LLC

Jim graduated with High Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1974. He moved to Northern Nevada in 1981. He has owned several businesses and managed several other businesses as President and Chief Operating Officer prior to opening Applied Staffing Solutions LLC. Jim is committed to Northern Nevada as he is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Reno Centennial Sunset and is that club's Charter President, belongs to EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada), is Past President of the Northern Nevada Human Resource Association, is a former Deacon at St. John's Presbyterian Church, is Past Secretary of Troop 107 of the Boy Scouts of America, is past-Chair of the Reno Marketing Professionals, is on the Board of Directors of Nevadaworks, belongs to WIN, is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is an active member in the South Meadows BNI. Jim also belongs to the Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce.

CECILIA ALMANZA – Temp Staffing Assistant

Cecilia grew up in Fallon, Nevada. She came to Reno in 1993 to pursue her studies in Business Management. Cecilia is the mother of four wonderful children, Natalie, Sergio, Rebecca & Jacquelene. She has been in the staffing industry for over two years and still enjoys the every day surprises and challenges it brings. Cecilia utilizes her bilingual skills to help Applied Staffing Solutions’ clients and employees in this ever-growing diversified work place.

JUDY GRIGGS – Staffing Manager

Judy is a native Nevadan and Renoite. She graduated from Reno High in 1960 and even though she spent many years away from Reno, she returned "home" in July 2001 to stay. Judy has been in the staffing business for over 12 years and has been with Applied Staffing since the day the doors opened. She says “I saved the best job in my working history for last.” Judy has two daughters and 4 grandchildren. She loves working with our staffing team providing our clients with the best possible employees and excellent customer service. Off work, she enjoys music, movies, walking, family and friends.

BRENDA HARRIS – Staffing Manager

Brenda moved to the Reno area 16 years ago. Originally from Texas, she and her family now consider Reno their home. Brenda started in the staffing industry in Reno 16 years ago and wouldn't consider doing anything else. She enjoys building relationships with clients and finding just the right candidate for their needs. Brenda truly loves this industry and stays true to our promise "not to send you just a warm body."

DEBI HOLM – Administrative Assistant

Debi is the mother of 2 sons, Jeremy and Ryan. She has lived in Reno for the past 30 years. She has been married to her husband, Kurt, for more than a decade. Debi loves to explore, bike ride, walk, swim and to travel. She has been in the staffing business for over 4 years and loves every minute of it. She loves coming to work each day, working with our team and getting to know the clients and the candidates who come to us looking for help in finding employment.

ROBIN LEACH - Temp Staffing Assistant

Robin and her son moved to the Reno area 3 years ago after being recruited by a national company. She brings over 6 years experience in the Call Center industry where she worked in Operations, Quality Assurance, Workforce Management, and Human Resources. Robin has been at Applied Staffing Solutions for over 2 years and enjoys the challenge of finding the right person for each assignment. When not working, she and her son, Nathaniel, enjoy exploring everything Northern Nevada has to offer in the way of entertainment, outdoor activities, and all the little nooks and crannies found in the area.

MEGAN LEE, PHR - PEO Human Resources Supervisor

Megan graduated Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco with a degree in Communication Studies. Shortly after graduation, Megan moved to San Jose, California, where she secured a position in Human Resources with Google. At Google, Megan worked in benefit support, recruiting, staffing and Human Resource generalist activities. On relocation to Reno, it was a natural "fit" for Megan to work in an environment that utilizes all of that experience. Megan says that "interfacing with clients and providing small companies with the human resource support that they need to better manage their businesses" are the most gratifying elements of her job.

Megan is currently a member of Northern Nevada Human Resources Association. She has published an article for the NNHRA Newsletter. She is a former member of the Diversity Conference Planning Committee, sponsored by the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association. She also received her Human Resource Management Certificate through the College of Extended Studies at UNR on December 8, 2006. Megan earned her PHR designation, Professional in Human Resources, from the Society of Human Resource Management in the Spring of 2007.

CELESTE PETERSON, PHR - PEO Human Resources Manager

Originally from Iowa, Celeste came to the Reno/Tahoe area in the mid 90's. Family and her love of the outdoors has kept her here. Celeste has a degree in speech communication from the University of Nevada, Reno and a certificate in Human Resource Management from the College of Extended Studies at UNR. Celeste earned her PHR designation, Professional in Human Resources, from the Society of Human Resource Management in the Spring of 2005. Celeste became Programs Director/Board Member for the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association in January 2007. She is a former member of the Diversity Conference Planning Committee, sponsored by the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association. She has also published various articles for the NNHRA newsletter and the Northern Nevada Business Weekly. With over 10 years experience in the human resource field, Celeste has found the PEO division with Applied Staffing the most exciting position so far. It is the diversity of the clients and ability to assist small businesses with human resource support that is so rewarding.