Two OKC staffing firms to partner

Chamber member Neese Personnel has joined fellow member Accel Financial Staffing effective June 30 to become Oklahoma City's most experienced staffing service provider. The new partnership will operate under the Accel name from the company's current location at 5117 N Shartel Ave. Kim Neese, owner of Neese Personnel, will continue in her role with clients, while helping transition the team and align processes.

Both firms have a long history in Oklahoma City as two of the longest-serving and woman-owned personnel firms in Oklahoma City. Neese Personnel was started by Terry Neese in 1975 at a time when women weren't allowed to get a credit card or loan. Accel was a partnership started by Meg Salyer in 1995. Both women have left an indelible leadership legacy in our city. They have served extensively in nonprofits, public office and community leadership positions to advocate for small businesses, women-owned businesses and a positive quality of life for Oklahoma City.

Kim Neese began working at Neese in 1998 and purchased the firm from her mother in 2006, after serving in different roles and learning work ethic, business integrity and how to care for their customers from her. Ownership of Accel transferred from Meg to long term employees Renee Kissler, Debbie Gardner and Diana Wall when the three women purchased the firm in October 2020.

"Our firms have always shared similar values - getting to know our clients and the people we place with those companies on a personal level with frequent follow up and a relationship that continues after the employment offer," said either Renee Kissler or Debbie Gardner. "We share a local focus, concentrating our work in central Oklahoma for professional job seekers. We also have long shared a mutual respect - starting with our pioneering founders, Terry and Meg, and continuing with the next generation of owners."

The idea of a merger first came to Kim Neese after she met Diana Wall with Accel at local events several years ago. The two quickly became friends, meeting for coffee and lunch to share advice, stories and support.

"The idea to join forces crossed our minds a few times over the years, and I always said she was the person I would partner with if the time was ever right," said Kim Neese. "When Diana passed last fall and I met Debbie Gardner and Renee Kissler, Diana's co-owners, I was taken aback at how they embodied the same warmth and positivity as Diana. Over the following months, we all realized that Diana had pulled us together and that we'd found natural business partners who shared our values and goals. We give her credit for this merger."

"I am extremely grateful for the success throughout our 47 years in business," added Neese. "I attribute our success to the clients and employees we've had the privilege to work with. They represent the best memories over my 25 years with the company and I thank them for our past success and I'm looking forward to the future and the opportunities that this new partnership brings."