Joan Graci	Jean Szulc-Filipiak	Jillian Kowalik	Alison Deglopper	Amanda Repp

• Joan Graci, President — Bio
• Jean Szulc-Filipiak, Managing Partner — Bio
• Jillian Kowalik, Director of Operations — Bio
• Alison Deglopper, Resume Expert — Bio
• Amanda Repp, Director of Communications — Bio

JOAN GRACI, PRESIDENT
Joan Graci is a name not soon forgotten by both job seekers and employers alike who have crossed her path in surfing through today’s volatile job market. Owner and President of APA Solutions, a direct hire permanent placement firm located in Williamsville, NY, Joan’s overriding mission is to bridge the widening gap between today’s candidates and employers.

Joan started her career in the buying industry until she was recruited to work as an Executive Recruiter at APA over 22 years ago. Shortly thereafter, she was made a partner and was instrumental in the expansion of APA Solutions. Joan obtained sole ownership of APA Solutions nine years ago and is a major contender in the staffing industry with offices throughout Western New York. Joan takes a different perspective on recruiting from the majority of her competitors which involves gaining an in-depth understanding of both the candidate’s and employer’s needs. This comprehensive approach has earned APA a 98% retention rate for candidates placed. “It’s a vastly different employment landscape from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations…people need to change their perspectives and take ownership of their career to be successful”. It is with this mindset Joan launched a new company in 2005 entitled Career Savers – a series of workshops tailored to assist individuals in their search for successful and lasting careers. “We spent so much time counseling candidates on how to talk to employers and manage their background; we needed to offer an extended resource”.

Besides managing two thriving companies, Joan is an active speaker in the Buffalo business and academic community. Her affiliations include: 2002 graduate from University of Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (CEL) as well as 2005 CEL President and mentor in the Canisius College Business Woman’s Center. A Buffalo native, Joan is a dedicated wife and mother of two children.

JEAN SZULC-FILIPIAK, MANAGING PARTNER
Jean is an alumnus of Mercyhurst College where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in Business and Fashion Merchandising. Seeking to utilize her education, Jean began a successful career in the retail management sector with high end women’s retail organizations. After ten years and progressive upward movement in the retail sector, Jean moved back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York and reinvented herself. In the summer of 2000, Jean joined APA Solutions as a Human Resource Assistant, a move that allowed her to utilize her management and recruitment skills. Within three months, Jean was promoted to Executive Recruiter of a specialty division. She was again promoted in 2002 to a Regional Management role of a specialty division covering Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Jean is currently a key member of the APA management staff and is involved several organizations including the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Organization. She is the chair of the DMSA program for the BNSME and graduated from Canisius’ Women’s Leadership program in 2005. Most recently, Jean has embarked on a new venture with members of the APA team to launch CAREERsavers. Her passion for people and their success continue to be a driving force in Jean’s career.

JILLIAN KOWALIK, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & LEAD RECRUITER
After a successful tenure in retail management and sales, Jillian Kowalik joined the APA Solutions team as a recruiter in 2009. Having found her true career passion, Jillian quickly moved up the APA ranks and excelled in both the client relations and human capital management arenas. In her most recent promotion, she was named Director of Operations and lead recruiter. Jillian enjoys helping clients find their “perfect match” on a daily basis and is always striving to learn something new.    

ALISON DEGLOPPER, RECRUITING SPECIALIST
Having received her degree in Communications from the University of Buffalo, Alison DeGlopper started her journey with APA Solutions / Career Reform in 1998 as a full time executive assistant. Throughout her tenure at APA Solutions, Alison’s role has transformed and evolved numerous times. Today she is a veteran recruiting specialist, project lead on APA’s client consulting initiatives and a proud in-house “resume expert.”

AMANDA REPP, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Amanda is the most recent addition to the APA Solutions team. In 2009, she graduated from Boston College with a degree in Philosophy. Since moving back to her hometown, Amanda has focused on developing her business writing, sales and marketing interests. Amanda is currently the Director of Communications and enjoys splitting her time between APA Solutions and its sister company, Career Reform.

Contact Us:

CORPORATE:
Buffalo
6480 Main St., Suite 4 Williamsville, NY 14221
P: 716-626-0070
F: 716-626-0132

For services across the Continental US, please call:
P: 800-230-9651
F: 716-626-0132