Meet the Owner

Steve & Daina Bowman

After a successful career in corporate America, Steve & Daina Bowman purchased the Express Employment Professionals office from the owner of the Vernon Hills franchise in 2006. At the time, it was the second oldest office in Illinois. Since 2009, the Bowman family has operated out of Libertyville in Cambridge Plaza. In 2015, Erika Waehler nee Bowman, became part-owner of the Libertyville office after spending several years in a variety of roles within Express.  

As of 2018, Erika became primary Franchisee. Erika has her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point. Over the course of her 15 years with Express, she has worked as a Front Office Coordinator, Industrial & Onsite Recruiter, Office Services & Professional Staffing and Operations Manager. She’s earned the prestigious President’s Club Award from Express twice and helped lead the team to 15+ years of Circle of Excellence, Express’s highest award for performance and achievement. 

In continuing with the family legacy, Erika brought her sister, Melissa Dearth, back into the business in 2019 as Managing Partner & Operations Manager. Together as 2^nd generation owners, Erika and Melissa continue the mission started by their parents to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

Erika Waehler

Franchisee

Erika is a second generation Express franchisee for the Libertyville location. She started with Express in 2008 as an intern to learn the basics of Express while finishing her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. After graduation, she worked for Express in the Madison WI office until 2012 managing large volume commercial accounts. In 2012 she returned to Libertyville to launch the Office Services division. Since then, she earned the Presidents Club Award 2x and officially became a franchisee with her parents in 2015. She has a passion for developing her internal team, sales, and truly impacting the local business community in Lake County. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two small children and husband, cooking, and the outdoors fishing and hiking.

"Erika truly understands our company's culture and unique work environment we're offering. She has been successful with placing top talent within our company. I believe it's because she took the time to get to know us and she is always focused on finding a long term solution for us and the employee, instead of just filling in a position. We're lucky to have found her!"  - Vice President of a Financial Organization 

Email Erika Waehler

Melissa Dearth

Managing Partner & Operations Manager

Melissa started with Express in Libertyville in April of 2012 as a Senior Staffing Consultant with a focus on Industrial and Professional Staffing.  After a successful three years in her role she took an opportunity with a large corporation as an Executive Assistant to gain more knowledge within the corporate world and to broaden her skills in an Administrative capacity.  She rejoined her Express family in Libertyville as Office Manager in January of 2019.  Now as the Operations Manager Melissa focuses on Client Management, Internal Operations, Coaching, Administrative duties, and supporting the Owner of Express, her sister, Erika Waehler.  In her spare time Melissa enjoys being with her family, reading, fishing, and spending time outdoors.

Email Melissa Dearth