Last January, I shared that our team of rockstars adapted to deliver through year one of the pandemic. Adaptation was a critical advantage for our team’s response to COVID. As we complete year two of COVID, I want to reflect on the progress Tripepi Smith has made with one outgrowth from our adaptation: TS Talent Solutions.

Talent Solutions is a focused consulting arm of Tripepi Smith that delivers executive search, search support (helping HR departments better market positions), council goal-setting and organizational culture curation. It is a wide swath of important work that can transform organizations; exactly the kind of work we like at Tripepi Smith.

Our launch of Talent Solutions was aided by a critical partner: Bob Hall of Bob Hall and Associates. Bob is well-known and respected in local government, and I could not have asked for a better partner. Along the way, we also benefited from the work of retired city manager Mike Egan and retired HR director Cathy Thompson. Plus, of course, internal team members at Tripepi Smith who kept the ball moving forward, leveraged our marketing talents and designed gorgeous recruiting brochures.

Since the inception of TS Talent Solutions, we have placed city managers in Manteca and Tracy, directors for various departments in Paramount, Tracy, Manteca, San Luis Obispo, and Morro Bay; and other staff in other agencies. Right now there are agencies getting great work done because they found great people - with our help.

Finding great staff is important, but retaining that staff is just as important. That is why 'Culture Curation' is an important component of our work at TS Talent Solutions. A positive culture is hard to foment and sustain, but when you have it, it is pure gold. It inspires teamwork, cohesion and passion. As a leader at Tripepi Smith, I spend more and more time thinking about and working on culture. I plan to leverage a decade of that experience combined with years of running a pure remote workforce to inspire public agencies to curate and support a positive culture.

Finding talent is hard. The Great Resignation is affecting the public sector just as it affects the private sector. Tripepi Smith team members find joy and purpose in our communications and engagement work. Now, we are also finding that thrill in making lasting impacts on organizations through finding and enriching talent. Adapting is fun.

Onward,