Leadership Team

Strategic Direction for Sustainable Growth

Founded more than 25 years ago, TempWorks Software has grown from a start-up business to a corporation with a rapidly growing team serving more than 500 clients. Our leadership team provides the technology, support, and strategic direction that our clients depend on. The result is sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

At TempWorks, our mission is to make the staffing industry a model of innovation by combining the most adaptable and accessible technology, expertise in every staffing practice and process, and unmatched customer service with 24/7 support.

David Dourgarian, Chairman & CEO

For more than 20 years, David has been committed to developing cutting-edge technology solutions for staffing companies. During his tenure at TempWorks, he founded the Funding division to support staffing agencies in their growth. David also served as the advisor for the strategic roadmap that supports the technology needs of our customers. Under his leadership, TempWorks optimized staffing software tools for the mobile workforce—such as via TempWorks Buzz, the first native app within the staffing industry. Today, he continues to offer his expertise in market research and staffing industry trends in support of TempWorks and our staffing community.

Brett Cavanagh, President

Brett Cavanagh joined the TempWorks team in 2019, bringing 12 years of experience in recruitment, sales, and regional operations leadership. Appointed to the role of President in 2022, Brett draws from his background in strategic leadership and market analysis to cultivate partnerships, enhance customer experience, and drive product innovation. He has also served as Senior Sales Manager, Director of Sales, Executive Vice President, and Chief Revenue Officer. Throughout his tenure, Brett has remained committed to supporting TempWorks in developing quality solutions and industry-leading service.

Joe Bass, Chief Financial Officer

Joe Bass is the Chief Financial Officer of TempWorks Software, where he leads all aspects of the company’s finance and accounting functions. He joined the company in 2021 as the Vice President of Finance, bringing more than 15 years of progressive experience as a strategic business partner supporting a wide variety of stakeholder groups at both large public and small private companies. As a senior finance leader, Joe’s passion is to connect underlying numbers to long-term strategy and decision making. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and a BS in finance and accounting from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business.

Mari Kautzman-Knoll, Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Mari oversees operational and administrative functions. Mari has dual degrees in math and accounting as well as more than 15 years of experience working with companies of varying size to utilize software while streamlining back office processes. As the head of Operations, Mari strives to create efficient processes for our team members while advising on scalable software configurations for our clients.

Chad Bekken, Chief Operating Officer

Chad holds 20 years of experience in information technology and leadership. As Vice President of Technical Services at TempWorks, Chad oversees the Support and Implementation departments. He leverages his expertise in team building, vendor management, and operations to cultivate cross-department collaboration and improve customer experience. Under Chad’s leadership, the Support and Implementation teams prioritize the needs of our customers, equipping them with the tools, training, and individual attention necessary to grow their business.

Taylor Lukin, Chief People Officer

Taylor Lukin has more than 12 years of experience in project management and leadership, primarily within the software industry. Her roles at TempWorks have included Director of Project Management, Director of Implementation Services, and Vice President of Employee Development. She was named Chief People Officer in 2020, serving as a strategist behind recruiting, developing, and retaining team members. Taylor works closely with each department to ensure that new employees receive the necessary onboarding and training tools to succeed and that current employees have access to appropriate resources and professional development opportunities.

Kevin Standa, Chief Revenue Officer

Kevin joined the TempWorks and Lone Oak Payroll teams in 2018, bringing more than 15 years of experience in factoring and asset-based lending. In addition to being a licensed attorney, he holds a strong background in credit and risk management. Kevin has helped to reduce risk and increase efficiency by creating new processes and procedures for Lone Oak Payroll, more than doubling the portfolio of A/R and revenue. Kevin holds a BA from The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law. When he is not working, Kevin spends most of his time with his beautiful wife and three chaotic children (with an occasional round of golf mixed in).

Alisha Santoorjian Thunstrom, Senior Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Alisha works to develop tools and processes that help teams grow and scale. She is committed to increasing efficiency and effectiveness at TempWorks, enabling our teams to deliver excellent products, solutions, and customer service. She also leads the Year End team and manages payroll tax changes throughout the year. Alisha holds a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota, and she has over 10 years of experience serving TempWorks clients.

Michael Gressman, Vice President of Software Engineering

An accomplished technology professional, Michael Gressman brings a wealth of experience to his role as Vice President of Software Engineering. With expertise in high-tech manufacturing, HVAC, logistics, marketing, and cloud SaaS providers, he has been recognized for driving technological innovation while overseeing technical operations and shaping organizational technology strategy. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in software engineering. Continuously striving to expand his knowledge, he pursued advanced certifications and participated in professional development programs to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and industry trends. With his extensive technical knowledge, strategic mindset, and exceptional leadership abilities, Michael applies his expertise in the ever-evolving technology landscape to delivering industry-leading products at TempWorks.

Kevin Prow, Vice President of Information Systems

Kevin first joined TempWorks in 2004 as a support technician until his deployment to Iraq and Kuwait in 2006. Upon his return the following year, he took on the role of Product Developer. Kevin played an instrumental role in implementing the company’s Funding division in 2009, and he led the support team as Director of Support Services through 2016. With his extensive, well-rounded industry experience, Kevin is essential to strategic planning, infrastructure, and information security at TempWorks.

Jeff Sassano, Vice President of Client Services

Meet Jeff Sassano, the Vice President of Client Services, boasting over a decade of multifaceted leadership in the staffing industry, spanning roles from recruiter to sales manager and market operations leader. His profound grasp of strategic sales, account management, and extensive expertise in Skilled Labor, Light Industrial, and Professional Staffing showcase his industry acumen. Jeff distinguishes himself not only through his expansive industry knowledge but also as a business leader, driving strategic initiatives, enhancing customer experiences, managing accounts, nurturing professionals, and overseeing sales operations. His consistent dedication to cultivating customer relationships and advancing acquisition strategies is evident in his invaluable contributions.

John Mayer, Vice President of Product & Marketing

John oversees the TempWorks Product Management and Marketing functions. His dedication and relentless commitment to research and client-focused solutions positions TempWorks to successfully deliver new capabilities that keep customers ahead of the curve to drive better business outcomes. With more than 20 years of industry experience, John has led strategic portfolio planning and full product lifecycle management for technology companies specializing in legal, compliance, spend management and upskilling. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to leverage market insights and comprehend client needs throughout his career. This proficiency enables him to shape a compelling product vision and devise marketing strategies that seamlessly resonate with target audiences.

Software

Sales Experience | CRM
Don’t skip any crucial steps in laying the foundation of your business. With this playbook as your guide, get ready to future proof your business.

Services

Consulting

We evaluate gaps and weaknesses in your internal processes and recommend solutions.
Payroll Funding
A flexible solution that ensures you always have the cash flow needed to meet payroll obligations on time.

Payroll Processing

Reliable, cost-effective billing and payroll processing, from automation and enhanced workflows to built-in compliance and collections support.

Tax Processing

Full-service tax support, from making tax payments on your behalf to filing returns.

W-2 Management

From reconciling accounts to planning for tax time, year-end accounting is overwhelming. Simplify the process with our expert W-2 management & distribution.

Don’t skip any crucial steps in laying the foundation of your business. With this playbook as your guide, get ready to future proof your business.

Support & Resources

Support

Contact us today by phone, speak to an agent via live chat, or check out the knowledge base for on-demand support.

Training Programs

With onboarding and robust, ongoing training programs, we can help you make the most of the TempWorks platform.

Blog

Read news on the impact TempWorks Software is making in the staffing industry.

Webinars

Training webinars can help your business run our software more efficiently.

Don’t skip any crucial steps in laying the foundation of your business. With this playbook as your guide, get ready to future proof your business.

About TempWorks

Don’t skip any crucial steps in laying the foundation of your business. With this playbook as your guide, get ready to future proof your business.