Marion, Illinois
Gail Barger Lannom
Gail was born and raised in Southern Illinois. She has a 25-year background and passion for sales and professional business services. She gained knowledge and understanding by working in sales, retail, wholesale, distribution, employee leasing, professional employer organization, payroll services, and employment service industries. In 2010, she joined her two partners and opened Priority Staffing Group with much success. In 2012, they added Priority Payroll Co. and in 2015, she added Priority Professional Group to her portfolio as well. Gail excels at building relationships and is a very active member of the community, including memberships in SIPMA (Southern Illinois Professional Management Association) Executive Board and Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Heather Goines - Evans
Heather is a Southern Illinois native with a passion for career development and strategic placement with 15 years of recruiting experience. After many years in the industry, she become a business owner and partner of Priority Staffing Group, LTD in 2010. Success from that allowed her to expand with Priority Payroll Company in 2012, then again in 2015 with Priority Professional Group. Heather has worked with many different industries, becoming versatile in a wide range of professions, including Accounting/Finance, Engineering, Management, Manufacturing, and Operations/Logistics. She is a member of the Illinois Department of Labor Advisory Board since 2013 and she received the Entrepreneurial Achievement Certificate from Southern Illinois University in 2009.
Carlos Tanner
Carlos works with other officers to manage total business operations.He is a Certified Public Accountant and manages all finance business as well as governmental reports and tax preparation. He oversees all bookkeeping and financial needs. Carlos is President of Tanner, Cagle, & Johnson LLC.
Celesta Bowers
Team Member since April 2017
Celesta grew up in Marion, IL and was the first in her family to graduate college. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and her Masters of Accountancy, Audit/Systems from Southern Illinois University. Before joining Priority Group, she worked for three years as a Cost Accountant and three years as an Accountant for doctors and hospitals. She brings this experience to Priority Group to help further the growth of the business. She chose this job because it keeps her close to home with her family. When not in the office, Celesta enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, volunteering at the Boyton Street Community Center, traveling and taking pictures.
Brandy Clarida
Team Member since June 2014
Brandy is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a Masters in Social Work. Brandy brings her knowledge and experience for understanding situations that relates directly to Human Resources. She has a passion for helping individuals succeed in the workforce and using their acquired skill sets to better our communities, so she excels at providing top talent for multiple industries and in the field of her expertise. Her background in Social Work allows her to really connect with our employees and successfully place them in job matches. When she’s not assisting others on their career path, Brandy enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends.
Staci Gooden
Team Member since November 2018
Staci is a graduate of Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a Bachelor degree in Workforce Education and Development. She uses her experience in human resources and marketing to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with clients. Staci’s background in workforce education, paired with her passion for helping people, enables her to assist Southern Illinois industries to grow, expand and compete in the labor market. In her spare time, Staci loves to refurbish furniture and spend time with her husband, Zach, and their five pets, Toby, Boomer, Ruger, Remington and Maleficent.
Megan Jones
Team Member since May 2015
Megan grew up in Carterville, Illinois and started her first professional job soon after high school. She quickly worked her way up the ranks to a career in Human Resources and has spent the last 17 years in the field. She now has a broad range of experience in many industries such as banking and finance, manufacturing and engineering, as well as health care, which helps her manage our Direct Hire Placement department at Priority Staffing Group. Megan is involved in numerous organizations in Southern Illinois and is committed to working in our community.
Emily Melvin
Team Member since September 2013
Emily is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor in Education. Emily’s past teaching experience transferred well to Human Resources by providing coaching and mentoring to our applicants on interview and communication skills. Emily’s ability to prepare our applicants for their future career paths establishes a higher quality applicant for our clients. She has also been able to use her experience to manage our staffing team in the Marion office. Outside of work Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, photography and relaxing summer days on her Grandmas front porch.
Angela Tessone
Team Member since June 2016
Angela grew up in Southern Illinois and studied education at John A Logan College. She worked three years in the medical field before deciding to transition her career into the manufacturing workforce. She gained several years of knowledge in management while working with a diverse population. Bringing her experience and passion for helping others and working with the public to Priority Staffing Group, she is now preparing individuals for the workforce. Angela enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters when she’s not at work.
Tonya Slater
Team Member since May 2019
Gabby Williams
Team Member since April 2019
Vandalia, Illinois
Kara Metzger
Team Member since August 2014
Kara graduated Eastern Illinois College with a Bachelor in Education. She spent 10+ years teaching and then two years working as an adviser at the college level prior to joining Priority Staffing Group. She brings her experience working with a diverse population and she excels at preparing our youth for the workforce. Kara is acting secretary for the Rotary Club of Vandalia, an executive board member of the Greater Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, and the United States Bowling Congress. When not busy with work and community events, Kara enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Ally Farlow
Team Member since January 2017
Ally, originally from Southern Illinois, is currently pursuing a degree at Middle Tennessee State University. She brings six years of sales and customer service experience to Priority Group and loves that her time in insurance and event sales led her to this opportunity, where she’s able to meet people from so many different walks of life. Outside of work, Ally spends her free time with her husband and their two sons. They enjoy traveling and having new experiences together.
Julie Simpson
Team Member since September 2017
Julie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design from O’More College of Design in 2014. She worked in retail for three years where she gained experience providing outstanding service to every customer. As Office Coordinator, Julie transfers her exceptional service experience to Priority Group’s clients and employees. She also brings in her design background to help develop our candidate marketing strategies. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, Hunter, their dog, Rebel and cat, Fancy.
Liz Pitmon
Team Member since July 2019
Liz grew up in Dickson, just outside of Nashville. She studied Elementary Education at Austin Peay State University. While in school, she worked as a Relationship Manager in the financial services industry and discovered her love for working with people. That pivoted her career to brand marketing in the automotive industry for 10 years and project management in the print industry for 12 years. After two years in operations management in the financial services industry, she came to Priority Group for a job with more client focus. Liz loves helping others, which makes her an excellent Director of Client Relations. She is married and has a 17-year-old son.