This month, we're catching up with Mary Barrineau, a longtime Spherion franchisee whose mother, Pam Thompson, started their North Charleston office in 1993. After working her way up the career ladder with Norrell Corporation, one of Spherion's predecessor companies, Pam oversaw staffing and recruiting operations for Interim (another Spherion predecesor!) in the 90s. Mary had the opportunity to purchase a franchise territory for their area in 1999, took the leap, and hasn't looked back.
What sets Mary's story apart from others isn't her family's staffing roots, but her dedication to serving Charleston businesses, candidates, and her internal team so well that they've achieved 20%-plus growth for several years. Mary and Pam, who is still involved in the business after 50 years in staffing, were recently honored with Spherion's Franchisee of the Year award, the company's top recognition.
Read more about what it's like to grow a Spherion franchise from the ground up through our interview with Mary.
Exciting news: You and your mother, Pam Thompson, were recently honored at Spherion's 2026 National Meeting! Tell us about that.
It was a truly special moment for both of us. Our Charleston office was presented with both the Franchisee of the Year and President's Awards at Spherion's annual National Meeting. This recognition belongs to our entire team. After more than 30 years in this market, we've learned that real growth comes from staying closely connected to our clients' needs and never getting complacent. We're always looking ahead to where our clients are going to determine how we can be the best partners to them. I'm confident that mindset will continue to push our team forward in the year ahead.
What industries do you staff for, and what kinds of positions do you fill?
We focus primarily on manufacturing, distribution, and data centers. I have always said that if you engineer it in Charleston, then you also have to staff for assembly, quality checks, packaging, shipping, HR, and customer care. Everything but IT we touch.
Our office has successfully placed all levels of candidates in those roles from the VP of engineering and director of operations to a forklift driver. We staff data center employees to engine assembly to customer care. Those industries have been a great fit for the Charleston market, which has grown tremendously since we first opened our doors in 1993.
How many people work out of your location?
Right now, we employ more than 400 people. Last year, our goal was 300, and at the end of 2025 we blew right past that goal almost overnight!
This Spherion location has a remarkable origin story. Can you take us back to the beginning?
It starts with my mother, Pam. She and Guy Millner, who owned Norrell Corporation, the staffing company that eventually became Spherion, were in the same adult Sunday school class at St. James Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. My mom was looking for work and didn’t know where to start. Guy found out she needed work and asked her to show up at the Midtown Atlanta Norrell office on Monday where a job would be waiting for her.
She started in 1975, earning $3.50 an hour, answering phones and greeting people at the front desk. From there, she worked her way up from temp to full-time Norrell employee, then to area manager, branch manager, VP of Quality—she was actually the first woman to hold that VP title at Norrell—and eventually to franchisee. She built that career entirely on her own merit, one role at a time.
How did you end up joining her?
Somewhat organically. I had graduated college and was working at Ogilvy & Mather, a large advertising firm. I enjoyed it, but when my boss moved on and was replaced by someone who wasn't as good a fit, I started exploring other options. I had been traveling to Charleston frequently for work and had fallen in love with the city, so I decided to move there. My mom needed a recruiter. I had some recruiting experience from sourcing talent for TV production at Ogilvy — though I'll be the first to say that recruiting for TV and recruiting for staffing are about as comparable as apples and carrots.
I joined her team as a recruiter in September 1994. I quickly realized that sitting at a desk doing repetitive tasks wasn't really my strength, so I transitioned into sales. That turned out to be a much better fit for my personality and my skills. I'm glad I started in recruiting, though. Earning a good understanding of what Spherion could deliver in terms of talent made me a far more effective salesperson.
What was working for your mom like?
She was a great boss! But I want to be clear — she was my boss, not just my mom. I had other supervisors above me as well, and at work I always call her by her first name. The lines were pretty professional. That said, there's a unique kind of trust that comes with family, and I think that's always been part of what makes our office work.
When did the business become yours to lead?
Around 1999, when Interim Services purchased Norrell and began rebranding everything as Spherion. At that point, franchise owners had an opportunity to purchase the book of business from any nearby corporate-owned Interim office and fold it into their existing franchise — essentially consolidating the local market rather than competing against corporate. My husband and I decided that was a smart move, and we folded the Interim business in Charleston into our new Spherion office.
How has your role evolved over the years?
I'm still very much in sales at heart, but my day-to-day is more operational and strategic now. I think more big-picture about where we're growing, what our clients need six months from now, and how we're positioned in the Charleston market. Meanwhile, my fantastic staff focuses on the tactical side of implementing that strategy.
I'm also very involved in the Charleston community, which is something I genuinely love. The relationships we've built with area employers over three decades are a big part of why we've been able to sustain and grow the way we have.
We achieved a 23% year-over-year revenue growth last year while also growing our client portfolio. In fact, for the past three years we have grown more than 20% every year. That’s a direct result of the hard work of everyone on the team. But to me, the real honor is just getting to carry on what [my mother] started.
What does winning Franchisee of the Year mean to you and Pam?
It means everything because of what it represents. Thirty-plus years of showing up for this market, for our clients, for our employees. My mom started this journey with almost nothing and built something extraordinary through sheer determination. To be recognized alongside her with Spherion's highest distinction is something I don't take lightly.
We achieved a 23% year-over-year revenue growth last year while also growing our client portfolio. In fact, for the past three years we have grown more than 20% every year. That’s a direct result of the hard work of everyone on the team. But to me, the real honor is just getting to carry on what she started.
What's something about you or your office that not many people know?
To make the purchase of our Spherion franchise possible, I went multiple years without drawing a paycheck. Every dollar went toward paying off the debt from buying that book of business. But it was absolutely worth it to build up our franchise.
Dan Brunell
Senior Vice President of Franchise Development
Dan has been matching aspiring business owners with their perfect franchise for more than 30 years. His experiences as a senior executive in the staffing industry and founder of a top franchise brokerage equip him with the insights and motivation to help asiring business owners succeed.