Outstanding Labor Finders Employee Changes Life, Pays It Forward 

 PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL— After an exhaustive search of its nearly 200 high-performing local staffing branches, Labor Finders is excited to announce its “Employee of the Year” for 2023, Sam Kariuki, from the company’s Charlottesville, Virginia branch. This marks the 13th consecutive year that Labor Finders has recognized an outstanding temporary associate. However, this honor in 2023 takes on even greater significance, both because of Labor Finders’ enhancement to the recognition program and due to Sam’s unique qualities and personal story of overcoming hardship to achieve great success. 

“The mission of Labor Finders is ‘Changing Lives Through Meaningful Employment and Partnerships,’ and Sam Kariuki truly embodies how we are fulfilling that mission,” said Jeffrey Burnett, CEO of Labor Finders International. “We believe that our temporary associates are the best in the staffing industry, and this award is a wonderful way for us to recognize the very best of the best!” 

Kariuki has earned this accolade due in large part to his grit and determination, as well as his positive attitude and strong work ethic. An ordinary day requires Sam to leave his home at 4:00AM for a two-hour drive from Charlottesville to set up signs, markers, cones, barrels, and barricades as leader for a safety flagging effort for a road construction client. Sam has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDoT) for outstanding safety practices and keeping the roads clear and safe. 

But before he was able to become such a strong contributor here in the U.S., Sam overcame great trauma and hardship in his life. He entered the United States as a refugee from Kenya at the age of seventeen, having narrowly escaped after being a victim of political violence and torture in his home country. Despite being isolated from friends and family, and forced to endure language and cultural barriers, Sam immediately became a contributor, working and studying hard, and ultimately earning his U.S. citizenship. And despite having to overcome some of his own problems, Sam’s focus is often on helping others. 

“Sam has shown excellent abilities and clearly takes pride in his work, while encouraging others to do the same. He is one of the most passionate employees I have ever had the pleasure of working with and he has consistently demonstrated his dedication to helping others. Be it loaning gas money, offering rides to his co-workers to jobsites and often taking them home. Sam has been a true inspiration to everyone in our office,” said Chuck Corley, Branch Manager of the Charlottesville office. 

“Sam is a special spark, he is a great addition to the Labor Finders family and to his adopted country, the United States of America. When Sam is not working at keeping our community safe, he loves to serve his community by teaching English to immigrant families. And, he has taken on learning to bake pizzas and has the dream to one day own a Labor Finders franchise,” said Chuck. 

Stuart Dukeman, Franchise President of Labor Finders of Virginia, Maryland, and South Florida added to Sam’s praises: “As a Labor Finders franchisee, I am very pleased that our Charlottesville office has the winning 2023 EOY.  I am very proud of our branch manager Chuck Corley for his insight to nominate Sam Kariuki. Sam’s hard work and dedication makes us proud to have him apart of Labor Finders of Charlottesville family and more importantly we are excited for him being named the best of the best…the Labor Finders 2023 Employee of the Year Award winner.” 

“Sam Kariuki is a truly outstanding example of the thousands of talented, dedicated associates we put to work every week, and we look forward to sharing his story,” said Ellis Mass, Chief Marketing Officer for the company. “But we also need to acknowledge the amazing work that our branches do – identifying, recruiting, on-boarding, training, placing, and mentoring these associates, so they can be successful. Our Charlottesville branch has done us proud, and so has Sam!”  

As the Labor Finders Employee of the Year, Sam Kariuki will receive a check for $3,000 along with a commemorative plaque. As the winning branch location, the Charlottesville office will also be recognized for their efforts, receiving the first annual “Newt Burnett Changing Lives Award” named after the founder of Labor Finders. Sam will also represent Labor Finders as the company’s nominee for the American Staffing Association (ASA) Employee of the Year award. 

About Labor Finders International: 

Since 1975 Labor Finders International, Inc., a franchise company is the country’s oldest and largest privately held industrial labor staffing company in the United States. For fourteen consecutive years Labor Finders has received top honors in the ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Client competition, giving Labor Finders the exclusive Double Diamond Award. Labor Finders operates almost two hundred offices nationwide with a strong tradition of leadership as the country’s top name and resource in the business of temporary industrial staffing Labor Finders is a proud member of the American Staffing Association (ASA). 

Labor Finders strength comes from the commitment of locally operated staffing offices that consistently satisfy their customers, while demonstrating their core values everyday: Respect, Appreciation and Safety. The mission is simple: treat temporary employees and customers fairly. 

Note to the Media: 

If you would like more information on Labor Finders or to interview: Sam Kariuki, Jeffrey Burnett, Stuart Dukeman, Ellis Mass, or Chuck Corley please reach out to Celina Klee, Public Relations Manager for Labor Finders at 561-273-8226 or by email at: Celina.klee@laborfinders.com.