Dear Reader,

When was the last time you embarked on something that wound up vastly different than what you expected when you began?

Well, for a man contently heading into early semi-retirement, this exact instance arose quite recently.

Meet Ashley Grohs . A mogul and friend of many in the healthcare staffing industry. He got his start in placing medical personnel at an agency back in 2012. Before long, he was inducted into all facets of the industry, gaining invaluable perspective with each venture.

A colleague’s introduction brought him through the doors of Ardor Health. Ardor was met with an individual whose reputation precedes him, and for good reason. Ashley was a pivotal feature in the astonishing growth of a family-owned staffing agency in his home of Omaha, NE. He helped transform a team of ten to a troop of five hundred travelers in just three impressive years.

The resemblance that Ardor bares in comparison to the agency he had just catapulted into greatness is truly uncanny, and that was a realization that quickly dawned on both parties after getting acquainted.

After a bit of discussion, the conversation soon geared towards the possibility of Ashley assuming a more permanent appendage in Ardor. Meetings were had, contracts were signed, and a house went on the market. Ardor now had their new CEO.

We sat down with Ashley to get his outlook on his unprecedented career move and get to know a little more about our new generalissimo:

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Q: What is one word that you feel describes you best, and why?

A: “Transparent. It’s what I will always be. It is how I choose to live my life. If you ask me a direct question, you will get an equally direct answer. That’s the way I feel it should be. You may tell someone something they didn’t want to hear or hurt someone’s feelings, but transparency is what you will always get with me.”

Q: What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?

A: “To be honest, I don’t think I have hit my greatest accomplishment yet. I believe here at Ardor, I will attain that - given the mission, values, and purpose I have been tasked with here. I plan to look back on my experience at Ardor and have my greatest accomplishments be within that.”

Q: Who is someone, dead or alive, that you look up to and why?

A: “My Grandpa Murphy. He was a man who barely graduated high school, despite having a Harvard-level IQ. He built his life from the ground up, influencing and inspiring so many along the way. His funeral needed to be moved from a standard chapel to a massive cathedral just to fit everyone who attended the service; people from all walks of life who he touched within his time. “

Q: What drew you to Ardor?

A: “The people. They are literally, as well as figuratively a family. You guys take care of one another, that is how I have always opted to lead and operate in my work and personal life.”

Q: What is something you wish more people in our industry knew”

A: “To the travelers: I want you to know we are here to be your partner. We are your companions for your journey, your well-being, and your successes and we sincerely mean that.”

Q: What is an important thing you have come to learn in the past 3 years that you would like to share?

A: “I’ve learned just how critical each facet of our processes is in order to achieve the end goal. Every department and individual plays a crucial role. I believe that no element is more integral than the next, if you took out one of the pieces, the whole pie would crumble.”

Q: How does your experience align with Ardor’s core & mission?

A: “My experience mirrors the culture, leadership, and vision that Ardor has successfully bolstered for the last 20 years. I aim to be a needed addition that Ardor has yearned for, and my experience will carry Ardor to the next level.”

Q: When you walk into a staffing agency’s office, what is something you look for that others may not notice that can be an indicator of a successful office?

A: “I look for the energy in the office. I look to see if there are inter-departmental/inter-hierarchy conversations & collaboration taking place. I also take note of an employee’s desk. Do they have pieces of their personality on their desk? Pictures, collections, knick-knacks, etc. indicate that people feel comfortable and enjoy being here. A blank desk means that it’s likely ‘just a job’.”

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: “I am just very, very humbled to be here and to be in this position. I want to promise an environment where people are heard, appreciated, and encouraged to prosper.”