Parsippany, NJ – April 14, 2009

Job market means growth for Gateway International

OI Partners expanding the national reach for career consultants in Parsippany
Jeffery W.F. Adkins is senior vice president of corporate services at Gateway International OI Partners in Parsippany, a talent-management and leadership-solutions firm that specializes in human resources outsourcing, strategic human resources consulting, leadership assessment and development, team development and career transition.

Established in 1987, OI Partners helps to expand the reach of Gateway International to more than 200 locally-owned offices in 27 countries. "Forty-two percent of our partners are women or minority owned," Adkins said.

The company: Among the services that Gateway International offers are career transition counseling and helping exiting employees to bridge new opportunities, Adkins said.

With 13 million unemployed, revenues for the company in 2009 are projected to be $350 million compared to $290 million in 2008, he said, noting an increase in growth. Clients come from a variety of industries including financial, healthcare and technology and on every level from nonexempt to senior level, Adkins said.

"We meet people where they are and let them know these are challenging times," he said. "If it's their first experience with outplacement or if they are Generation Y, we help them manage expectations."

Services: "We help people to match their presentation and pitch to align to the needs of the company. We don't just highlight their successes but what they can bring to a company and fit into the immediate needs and organizational culture."

Beginnings: Adkins was born in Philadelphia in 1961 and grew up primarily on Long Island in Hempstead, N.Y. He graduated from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee with a degree in computer science.

"My goals were to become as successful as I could. I'm still reaching, the process continues," he said.

Career path: Adkins began as programmer and then went into sales and business development. He was a consultant for seven years before joining Gateway International earlier this year.

At home: Adkins lives in Piscataway with his wife, Taryn. They have two children, Jetaun and Jeffery Jr. Adkins is a big fan of high school and college basketball. He was rooting for Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. "I don't know what to do with myself now," he said.

Role model: "My dad, who died a few years ago. He helped steer me and guide me in the right direction.

Favorite technology: The BlackBerry.

The stimulus and jobs: "With all that money there should be a significant level of job creation; I'm hopeful and optimistic," he said.

Staff Review by: Joseph (Joe) Kran, Lawrence (Larry) Maglin and Rick Spann