Our Leadership
Excellence starts with leadership
Chief Executive Officer Carl Wright
With over 25 years of experience in the recruiting and human capital management industry, Carl Wright brings a reputation of success and unparalleled expertise to his position as Chief Executive Officer of Stephen James Associates. Wright's executive leadership experience is complimented with his past roles as President and sole owner of A.J. Burton Group, a regional recruiting firm specializing in the placement of accounting, banking, and financial professionals. Following the sale of A.J. Burton Group to Spherion Corporation, Wright managed the search and staffing operations for Spherion's Mid-Atlantic Professional Service Group until 2005. Wright's vast knowledge of providing quality recruitment services has led to an extensive network of clients and candidates in the financial arena.
Chief Financial Officer Carter Smith
As the Chief Financial Officer of Stephen James Associates, Carter Smith brings more than 10 years of executive leadership experience in the talent acquisition and human capital management industry. Smith began his professional career as an Auditor for Price Waterhouse. In 1995, Smith joined Allegis Group, the parent company of Stephen James Associates, as the Assistant Controller for its contract engineering division. In 1997, Smith was promoted to Controller for the newly formed operating company of Allegis Group, Mentor 4. He went on to support the national business development team by cultivating relationships and negotiating contracts with Fortune 500 clients. Smith was then asked to oversee the training and development of Allegis Group employees as the Vice President of organizational development and was responsible for implementing a new performance management system. In 2002, Smith moved to London and assumed the role of Finance Director of Allegis Group Europe. He returned to the United States in 2005 as the vice president of finance for Mentor 4 before transitioning to Stephen James Associates as its Chief Financial Officer.
Vice President of Operations Rick Connolly
As the Vice President of Operations of Stephen James Associates, Rick Connolly brings over 14 years of executive leadership experience in the talent acquisition and human capital management industry. In 1994 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Connolly began his professional career as an IT/ Communications recruiter with Allegis Group, the parent company of Stephen James Associates. In 1996, Connolly opened the Columbus, OH office for Allegis Group to meet the need for IT, Engineering, and Communications professionals. In 1998, he moved to Orlando, Fl to become the Director of Regional Operations to run the Florida professional and technical recruiting group. From 1999 to 2007, he held numerous leadership roles as Regional Vice President of the eastern region for the professional services group and Divisional Vice President for accounting, finance and banking recruiting. Connolly transitioned to Stephen James Associates in July of 2007 as its Vice President of Operations involved with running day to day operations and helping the firm reach 50 new offices in the next 10 years.