With the staffing and recruiting world populated mainly by national players, many industries and metro areas have no local options. They have to rely upon large multi-disciplinary recruiters which increasingly use AI and keyword scanners instead of getting to know the employers, the market, and the candidates.
Fortunately for Chicagoland Insurance Offices, when they needed locally-focused direct-hire specialists, both Hallmark Personnel and Godfrey Personnel have been at their disposal. Both run by people born and raised here - operated exclusively for Insurance Offices in the Chicago area. While we both served many of the same clients and candidates, we never had the opportunity to connect.
That all changed in the Fall of 2022 when Pete got a call from Jim Godfrey. The conversation unsurprisingly focused around our common work; successes, challenges, etc. Over time, these chats included talk of the future. Jim, a second generation insurance recruiter, had begun to plan for retirement after a long and successful career.
Conversations continued and evolved throughout 2023. In spring of 2024, Godfrey and Hallmark began periodic collaborations, providing our clients with the best possible candidates (and our candidates the broadest available opportunities). From those interactions was born a plan for HPI to welcome Godfrey's clients and candidates as Jim wound down his office.
In late Fall of 2024, Jim Godfrey officially retired. We're grateful for the unexpected phone call 2 years ago. It led us to this place. We're grateful for Jim's thoughtfulness and his decades of industry expertise. But, we're most grateful to have gotten to know him on a more personal level.
Congratulations to Jim on a career of distinction! We wish health and happiness to him, his family and his friends in the years ahead!
We are proud to welcome Godfrey's clients and candidates with the same dedication, understanding, and expertise you've come to expect.
Given the closeness of Chicago's Insurance Industry, we've had the honor of working with many of you over the decades. We are excited to deepen existing relationships, reconnect with longtime associates, and get to know those we have yet to meet!
With our best for the future!
Joe, Kim, Jill, Pete