Find Great People Align HR FGP Technology

John Uprichard, President

After graduating with a BA in Liberal Arts from Auburn University and an MBA from Brenau University, John started his professional career as a Naval Officer serving overseas in submarines and an aircraft carrier. He specialized in finance and logistics while holding several key positions over his naval career, including controller of an aircraft carrier. Prior to FGP International, John was in a leadership role with a large international staffing company. In 2002, John and a group of investors bought Phillips International, a Greenville-based executive search firm with a focus in the Apparel and Textile Industry. Under John’s leadership as president of the company, they began a re-engineering process that included the implementation of new technology, the creation of new areas of specialty, and a corporate re-brand, winning the International ReBrand 100 Award of Merit in 2005.

In the past seven years, FGP has experienced over 1500% revenue growth, launched a new business line, and acquired another company, Align HR. As FGP has grown, the company has been recognized as an Elliott Davis’ Fastest Growing Company in SC four years in a row (2005-2008) and also as an Inc. 500/5000 company four years in a row (2006-2009). In addition, FGP has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina for two consecutive years (#1 in 2006 and #2 in 2007). John’s success doesn’t stop with FGP. John is the chairman as well as co-founder of Performance Payroll, a payroll provider that combines outsourced payroll services with the latest “thin client” technology.

The company has also had a high growth rate since its inception in 2007. He has been recognized as one of Greenville’s Best & Brightest under 35 and was a finalist for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Award for 2005. He was also a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO). In 2008, he was asked to be on the membership board of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. John is also a graduate of Leadership Greenville and serves on the board there. But all the awards and growth that have occurred are because Find Great People is a culturally-driven company—a culture that is shared by everyone including John. Believing that success in business begins by investing in people, John dedicates a significant amount of time as a youth soccer coach. On the personal side, John keeps busy with four children under the age of eleven. His wife, Kris, is a pediatric dentist in downtown Greenville. Dedicated to wellness, John actively competes in triathlons.

Vicki Peek, Chief Operations Officer

Vicki has been with FGP since 1992 and has been involved in all aspects of the business. Through her involvement and leadership in the organization, she has seen FGP become one of SC Fastest Growing Companies and also a Best Place to Work in South Carolina. While at FGP Vicki has held positions in administration, finance and human resources. In 2008 Vicki was promoted to Chief Operations Officer.

In addition to Vicki’s years at FGP, she is an adjunct professor in the School of Business Administration at Bob Jones University. As a graduate of Leadership Greenville, Class 34, an active member of Meals on Wheels, a career counselor for local college graduates and a member of the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, Vicki is committed to giving back to those within the Greenville community. Vicki has her Masters in Human Resource Development from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Bob Jones University. Vicki and her husband Stacey have two children, Lauren and William.

Steve Hall, CPC - Vice President of Business Development

For close to two decades, Steve has successfully completed several hundred searches for great people on behalf of Find Great People (FGP) clients throughout the U.S. His industry focus has included Retail, Manufacturing, General Services, Consumer Goods, Insurance, and Financial Services and his clients range from emerging business to Fortune 100 companies. Functionally, Steve works within all divisions and handles further client requests. His searches range from Executive level down to Director and Manager in HR, Finance, Technology and Operations.

In January of 2004 Steve was promoted to Director of Professional Recruiting at FGP International and during his leadership the search division has seen a growth in revenue of more than 500%. As Steve started to delve more into the realm of business development, we realized the value he added to the team by expertly communicating the FGP purpose: to build great companies. So in 2009, Steve was promoted to VP of Business Development and has been successfully connecting FGP to great people and great companies since that time. A Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) since 1994, Steve is on the Board of Directors and has served as President for the State Recruiting Association SCAPS. He is a graduate of Leadership Greenville and member of the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors. Steve received his BS in Marketing Management.

Eddie Payne, Senior Vice President of Business Lines

Eddie has more than 15 years of experience in staffing sales and customer relations. As the Senior Vice President of Business Lines within FGP, he leads the Professional Staffing, FGP Technology, and Executive Search business lines. Eddie joined the FGP team in 2004 and was promoted to Division Manager of Professional Staffing and then to Director of Professional Staffing within two years. In 2009, Eddie was asked to lead the all of FGP’s business lines with the exception of Align HR. Around FGP, Eddie is perhaps best known for his willingness to do “whatever it takes” to make his candidates, co-workers and clients successful. Eddie has been awarded the Consultant of the Year award.

Eddie’s performance and leadership has resulted in the Professional Staffing Division going from a start-up in 2004 with $1.65 million in revenue to a budgeted goal of over $10 million for 2008. Prior to FGP International, Eddie was in management for an international staffing company and a top sales performer for an industrial electronics company. Eddie has a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Limestone College and has been accepted into the Executive MBA program at the University of Georgia. He has his Certified Staffing Specialist (CTS) designation and a member of South Carolina Association of Personnel Services (SCAPS) and the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS). Eddie is active in the United Way and is a graduate of Leadership Greenville. Eddie graduates from the University of Georgia with an MBA in May 2010.

Melanie Hudson, Regional Manager of the Midlands

Melanie has over 10 years of experience in the recruitment industry which has taught her that building relationships and fully understanding a client's need is crucial in providing excellent service.  As Regional Manager, she is responsible for the Midlands team which is designed to focus on  Temporary Staffing, Executive Search and Technology Recruiting.   After joining Find Great People at the end of 2007, the Midlands office has developed a brand of quality service and built strong partnerships with some of the Midland's most reputable companies.

Prior to joining the company, Melanie worked with an international recruitment firm as a Senior Branch Manager.  She oversaw the growth and development of two branches and mentored other Branch Managers in the Region by developing strategic growth plans for underperforming teams.  Melanie is a member of the Columbia Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as well as a Diplomat with the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, she has her Certified Temporary-Staffing Specialist (CTS) certification.

Rick Ratchford, Chief Financial Officer

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Rick graduated with honors from The University of Louisville in 1982, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting.  He started his professional career in public accounting with Big Eight firm Arthur Young & Co CPAs.  He received his Certified Public Accounting license in 1984 in Kentucky. After leaving public accounting he worked in internal audit for manufacturing firms, and relocated to South Carolina where he received his South Carolina CPA license in 1989. 

After internal auditing, Rick designed and implemented internal controls for local manufacturing plant of a national high tech business. Since 1991 Rick has held several key financial and accounting positions of increasing scope and complexity, including Controller, Corporate Controller and since 1999, Chief Financial Officer.  His experience includes manufacturing, catalog retailing & distribution, real estate development, and the construction industry.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, and the local Piedmont Chapter of the SCACPA.

Rhiannon Poore, Marketing & Communications Manager

After graduating summa cum laude with an MA in English with a concentration in writing, Rhiannon worked as a project coordinator with a regional accounting firm. She joined FGP International in 2007, assisting the Leadership Team in strategy, communications and marketing. She was promoted into a full-time marketing role in 2009.

As Marketing and Communications Manager, Rhiannon works to ensure FGP's purpose of building great companies is communicated throughout the Upstate and the Midlands. Her most recent accomplishments included the creation of the new FGP website in conjunction with Merge and the My AlignHR Toolbox.

Rhiannon and her husband Joe, an accountant, live in Taylors, SC. She is actively involved with various community organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Pendleton Place and her church, Downtown Presbyterian. In her spare time, you will probably find her at the gym or experimenting in her kitchen with a new recipe