In her own words: CJ Rodriguez, manager of AppleOne

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company its specialties, its history, the size of its staff:

CJ Rodriguez: AppleOne is the largest privately held, comprehensive employment service in the world. AppleOne specializes in growth programs for emerging businesses and career development programs for individuals. AppleOne provides temporary, direct hire and project staffing; specialized recruiting in areas of IT, accounting and finance, engineering, C-level executives and more; employee screening and training; payroll and tax filing; time and attendance processing; and educational services including a fully accredited distance learning university.

NNBW: What role do you play in the company?

Rodriguez: As a regional leader in our organization, I wear the hat of regional sales manager, career coach and corporate trainer with a core focus in developing sales-oriented employees through coaching and mentorship.

NNBW: What kind of boss are you?

Rodriguez: A leader who is known for high expectations of my team. I strongly believe in empowering my team and allowing them the opportunity to guide their personal success and financial gain.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Rodriguez: I applied with AppleOne for an executive position with one of their clients. The VP was in the office during my meeting with one of their internal recruiters, saw my portfolio and called me the next day. We spent two weeks in conversation that was the start of this amazing venture!

NNBW: What do you enjoy about it?

Rodriguez: The people. I've had the opportunity to meet a vast variety of characters throughout the past five years. Some have really made a lasting impression that will follow me in future years.

NNBW: What do you find annoying or frustrating about it?

Rodriguez: Nothing. I love challenges. It's an adrenaline rush to welcome a challenge with the understanding there is a learning experience with a positive end result. You simply have to define what that end looks like and go for it!

NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?

Rodriguez: I'm doing what I love to do working with people. My passion and expertise is platform facilitation, coaching and mentorship, which is exactly what my role with AppleOne allows me to do. We are a very "grassroots up" kind of company, which is refreshing and quite frankly, where we've had some of our most productive ideas.

NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?

Rodriguez: Spending summers in Fredericksburg, Texas, with family.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office? Why are these activities important to you?

Rodriguez: Family first always. My "me" time is spent developing and facilitating workshops, performing keynote speaking and being a career coach to an elite group of professionals. All aspects give me the advantage of constant personal growth and development.

NNBW: Who were your childhood heroes?

Rodriguez: My grandfather and Jacquelyn Kennedy.

NNBW: What school activities and sports did you participate in?

Rodriguez: Basketball, volleyball and softball.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Rodriguez: "Your word is your reputation protect it. You can never get it back once you've lost it." Sue Michael, my mother.

NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?

Rodriguez: That the testament of true character is based on a person's entrance and exit in any given situation and I strive for the best always.