Mary Barrineau and Pam Thompson have spent more than three decades building Spherion Charleston, and their work has now earned national recognition. The mother-daughter franchise owners were named 2026 Franchisees of the Year by the International Franchise Association, recognizing their business growth, workforce impact, community involvement and contributions to the broader Spherion network. They received the award during the IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 15.
The Charleston operation has recorded more than 20% annual growth for three consecutive years, including a 23% year-over-year revenue increase in 2025 and an 83% increase so far in 2026. The business serves employers across industries including manufacturing, distribution and data centers, while employing more than 400 people through its staffing operations.
Barrineau and Thompson have also become known within Spherion for their “One Spherion” approach, regularly sharing best practices and supporting other franchise owners. Their performance was recognized earlier in the year at Spherion’s 2026 National Meeting, where they received both the company’s Franchisee of the Year Award and President’s Award. Spherion President Kathy George credited their hands-on leadership, persistence and commitment to the Charleston workforce and fellow franchisees.
For a staffing franchise, growth depends not only on serving clients but also on building and managing a strong candidate pipeline. Gorilla Dash offers a Recruitment feature that can help franchise organizations organize prospective candidates and hiring activity as their teams and locations expand.
The recognition adds another milestone to a family business that began when Thompson opened the Charleston office in 1993 and Barrineau later joined the operation. Their continued growth reflects the role locally owned staffing franchises can play in connecting employers with workers while building lasting relationships within their communities.
