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Our Story

We often call ourselves “the longest existing startup”, but that’s just because we are always up to something new.

John Pulsipher

Founder & CEO

Hi, I’m John Pulsipher, founder of Staffing Backbone. I didn’t take the conventional path to leadership. I didn’t go to college. I grew up in Wenatchee, a small town in central Washington, where life was anything but easy. My father struggled with alcoholism. We moved 18 times before I finished 8th grade — sometimes into homes where the roof leaked, and we’d place buckets under the ceiling to catch the rain.
Those early experiences taught me two things: compassion for people facing tough times, and a deep belief in hard work and integrity.
When I stumbled into the staffing industry 42 years ago, it wasn’t just a job — it was a calling. I saw firsthand how powerful it is to help someone find meaningful work, especially when they need it most. That’s what fueled me then, and it’s still what fuels me now.
I created Staffing Backbone to bring that same spirit of purpose into technology. We’re not just building software — we’re building tools that empower staffing professionals to do what they do best: help people, build businesses, and change lives.
I know that respect isn’t given; it’s earned. My hope is that by sharing a bit of my truth, you’ll understand the heart behind this company — and that we’ll have the opportunity to earn your trust.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me.

Chris Flath

President

Chris’s background in technology literally started with punch cards and the Fortran programming language on IBM mainframe many decades ago as his PhD dad proclaimed this was the future.  After a decade or so of developing software, he swore he’d never write another line of code.   He branched out into the emerging field of IT system design and process improvement.  This avenue took him all over the country providing design and consulting services from companies ranging from chocolate factories, to gold mines, to wineries, and mainstream businesses.  He designed everything from IT department staffing models, workflows and business processes, to large infrastructure projects, and even figured out how to build microwave communication towers in the middle of winter in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

About the time Chris was tired of being relentlessly stuck somewhere in a distant airport trying to get home (again), he had already been engaged in a couple of projects with John and his company.  At the time, Chris was letting John and other key accounts know that he was looking to leave the world of IT consulting for a “simpler life.”  John’s answer was, “Let’s start a company together.”  The trajectory of what would eventually become Staffing Backbone had begun.

Fast forward to what now feels like three or four complete platform rewrites to leverage emerging technologies and to be responsive to the changes in the employment and staffing world, we set off to design and build our crown jewel that we finally believed was unique and responsive enough to meet the needs of the current marketplace, and more significantly, met our standards.  Many years ago, one of the lines that Chris used in the many industry seminars was, “It used to be that ‘getting there’ in IT was half the fun.  Well, in technology, it’s ‘all the fun’ as you’re never really there.”  With the advent of emerging technologies such as machine learning and AI, we’re never better, but we’re still not “there.”

Ironically, as part of the “simpler life” Chris was shooting for in building the perfect platform and resource for employment, he also began donating his time as a Reserve Police Officer.  He worked patrol and gradually was promoted to his current position of Reserve Police Captain overseeing a division of other volunteer police officers.  When patrol and street crime wasn’t enough, he leveraged his background in technology and electronics as well as a short stint as a Chemistry major in college to join a police bomb squad where he has responded to over 400 live explosive and hazardous events throughout the region.   And thankfully, other than a couple of dumb things and close calls, he still maintains 10 fingers.

Matt Guerrero

Vice President | Sales Kingpin

Matt leads national sales and strategic growth for this cutting-edge workforce management platform. With over 18 years of experience in the staffing and talent solutions industry, Matt brings deep insight into the challenges companies face when managing high-volume and contingent workforces.

Staffing Backbone was built to streamline operations for internal recruiting teams and staffing firms alike—offering powerful CRM and ATS functionality, automated compliance workflows, and real-time visibility into workforce activity. Matt is passionate about helping organizations modernize their processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve talent engagement.

A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, Matt is committed to delivering innovative solutions that solve real operational pain points. His focus remains on driving measurable results for clients through technology that’s built by recruiters, for recruiters.

Jess Rigby

Accounting Master

I’m Jess Rigby and I’m a seasoned Fiscal Fairy who brings structure to chaos, one spreadsheet at a time. With a deep love for clean data, balanced books, and the occasional well-placed pivot table, I turn financial complexity into clarity. Outside the office, I trade balance sheets for bass lines—jamming out to underappreciated tunes and pretending Excel isn’t my one true muse. Sharp with numbers, swell with humor—because finance doesn’t have to be boring.

Jessica Hunt-West

Operations & Training

Jessica Hunt-West obtained her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from California State University, Sacramento, and her master’s degree in forensic science from National University. She began her career in post-secondary education, providing career counseling and workforce training to graduates. With over eight years of business development and recruitment experience, Hunt-West has worked in staffing & career services, providing workforce development and strategic staffing support to small, medium, and large companies. In addition to her professional pursuits, Hunt-West enjoys traveling and conducting motivational talks and presentations to small and large groups on various topics.

Vikram Reddy

Product Manager | Lead Developer

I’m a Product Manager leading the development of a product from the ground up – from concept to launch. With a strong focus on user needs, cross-functional collaboration, and agile execution, I work closely with design, engineering, and business teams to shape products that deliver real value. My passion lies in turning ideas into scalable, impactful solutions.

Paul Odom

Marketing Mastermind
Paul has been in Sales and Marketing his entire career with a focus on Go To Market Strategy.  Opening doors and creating relationships is who he is.  He has worked in the Human Capital Management space for many years because he truly believes that the power of any company is their people.  “People buy from people and marketing is what gives them a voice” is a quote he uses all the time.  On a personal level, Paul is very involved in his family as the father of two grown sons and the dog dad to Millie his 1 year old Goldendoodle.  Paul is very involved in his church and  his wide circle of friends.  If you ask Paul his personal philosophy, he will tell you that “ you can change the world one person at a time”!
 
 
 

Get a Backbone!

At Staffing Backbone, we’re not just another staffing software – we’re changing the rules of the game. Our platform puts people first, treating candidates with respect and empowering agencies to work smarter, not harder. With our unique database sharing system, we’re expanding opportunities for everyone in the staffing ecosystem. What are you waiting for?
Get started today and get a backbone!

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