Meet the Owners

Jim & Carole Britton

Franchise Owners

Express Employment Professionals of Springfield, Bloomington, and Jacksonville is owned by husband-and-wife Jim and Carole Britton. They are life-long residents of Springfield and have been in the staffing business since 1980. The Brittons are energetically engaged in supporting the well-being of the community with their time, talents, leadership, and financial involvement in many worthy local endeavors.

Jim and Carole have received international acclaim, as one of the premier offices in the franchise system. The Springfield franchise has received multiple national first place awards for annual gross sales, while Jim and Carole's regional organization in Illinois and Indiana has grown from $16.5 million in sales in 1994 to $89.5 million in 2005.

J.T. Britton

Franchise Partner

J.T. holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and currently serves as the Managing Partner for the Express locations in Springfield, Jacksonville, and Bloomington, Illinois. His journey with Express began in 1993, and over the years, he has taken on nearly every role within the Springfield office. Starting as a Staffing Consultant, he quickly demonstrated his aptitude for understanding client needs and matching them with the right talent. As he progressed in his career, J.T. became the Manager of the Professional and Office Services teams, where he honed his leadership abilities and developed a keen insight into the unique demands of various industries. His dedication and strategic thinking eventually led him to the position of Director of Operations, where he was instrumental in streamlining processes and improving overall efficiency within the office. J.T.'s extensive experience across multiple facets of the staffing industry, combined with his exceptional training and coaching skills, has made a significant impact on the effectiveness of the staffing consultant team. His commitment to professional development fosters a culture of continuous improvement, empowering his team to excel in their roles and provide outstanding service to clients. Under J.T.'s guidance, the Express locations continue to thrive, reflecting his passion for the industry and his unwavering dedication to success.

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Zachery Britton

Franchise Partner & Director of Skilled Trades

Zachery is an integral part of our team, bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience to our family-owned business. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in business from Oral Roberts University, a background that has equipped him with valuable insights into human behavior and organizational dynamics. Since joining Express in 2003, Zachery has made significant contributions to our Springfield office, particularly in developing our skilled trades team. His leadership and strategic vision have transformed this team into one of the highest-performing groups across all Express locations. His dedication to fostering a high-performance workforce has not gone unnoticed; he has received commendations from our largest local client, highlighting his exceptional ability to meet their staffing needs and drive success. Zachery's passion for helping others, combined with his expertise in psychology and business, makes him a vital asset to our team and a trusted partner for our clients. His contributions not only enhance our operational success but also embody the values of our family business, ensuring we remain committed to quality and service.

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Kayla Edwards

Managing Partner

Kayla has been a valuable addition to Express since 1994, and has held nearly every position within our company. She currently serves as Managing Partner, holds the designation of a Certified Staffing Professional, and oversees the Springfield, Bloomington and Jacksonville locations. Kayla specializes in helping organizations create highly productive teams of people while controlling their cost of labor, and she has led her Springfield team to be one of the best in client retention. Her memberships include: Business Education Partnership Committee, Business Connections Committee, Community Connection Point Board and currently serves as Chair on the Board of Directors for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. She is a former Rotary International member and has also served as a United Way Loaned Executive. Prior to being recognized as a leader in the staffing industry, Kayla earned a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University. Now, Kayla's "hands-on" experience and successes have made her a sought after speaker, trainer and consultant. Kayla's hard work has been proven in being the second person company-wide at Express to achieve the $1,000,000 producer award. In 2024 she was nominated for the highly coveted Athena Award, dedicated to empowering women in leadership. Kayla was also selected as one of Security Bank's 2024 Women of Influence.

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