From unexpected assignments to lifelong relationships, Teresa West has spent more than four decades making a difference in the staffing industry.
Crazy. Loyal. Mentor.
Those are the three words Teresa West, Matern Staffing’s Director of Staffing, thinks her coworkers would use to describe her. And she has more than 40 years of stories to prove it. She’s the recruiter who once put on a taco costume when a temporary employee didn’t show up for work. She’s the loyal teammate who gives her all for the people and businesses she serves, building relationships that span decades. And she’s the mentor who offers encouragement, honest advice, and sometimes a little tough love to help others succeed. As Teresa celebrates 25 years with Matern Staffing, these three words tell the story of a career shaped by humor, dedication, and a genuine passion for people.
A Career Full of Unexpected Turns
Teresa’s staffing career began in 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia, when she joined Olsten Staffing, an agency with 10 locations across the city. Over the years, she gained experience in nearly every corner of the staffing business, from recruiting and quality assurance to payroll and temporary assignments.
Some experiences were more memorable than others.
During a stint in California, Teresa worked as a temporary employee handing out Lucky Strike cigarettes. She also worked with Randstad during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But perhaps her most unforgettable assignment involved a taco costume.
When a temporary employee failed to show up for a promotional assignment in Atlanta, Teresa stepped in, put on the costume, and handed out tacos herself. The unexpected appearance even made the local news!
[QUOTE 1 — TERESA’S PERSONALITY]
Insert a funny or self-deprecating quote about the taco costume experience and her willingness to jump in when needed.
After years in staffing, a brief stint in corporate human resources, and a chapter running her own in-home daycare business, Teresa found herself ready for a change in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Betty Frizzell, a fellow Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) member and local businesswoman, reached out about an opportunity with Stat Employment. Teresa accepted and joined the company in October 2001 as a Staffing Coordinator.
What began as a new opportunity would become a 25-year journey filled with meaningful relationships, professional growth, and countless lives touched.
It’s a simple message, but it reflects what you see throughout the facility: teams working closely together, communicating across roles, and relying on each other to keep production moving.
More Than Filling Jobs: Building Trust and Helping People Succeed
Ask Teresa what she wishes more people understood about recruiting, and she’ll tell you there’s much more to the job than matching a resume with an opening.
Recruiters interview candidates, screen qualifications, coordinate testing, arrange workplace tours, and communicate with employers and employees throughout the hiring process. Every business has its own culture, policies, and expectations, and understanding those differences takes time.
Teresa has spent decades getting to know the people behind the businesses she serves. From manufacturing facilities to local organizations, she’s built relationships by listening, asking questions, following through, and learning what makes each workplace unique.
She brings that same commitment to job seekers.
When asked what makes a candidate stand out, Teresa doesn’t immediately point to experience or credentials. She values energy, positivity, reliability, and appreciation. She looks for people who show up, communicate when challenges arise, and take responsibility for finding solutions.
And anyone who’s worked with Teresa knows she isn’t afraid to have an honest conversation.
She’s a natural mentor who offers encouragement when someone needs confidence and straightforward advice when someone needs a little push. She’ll tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear, because she wants to see you succeed.
[QUOTE 2 — TERESA’S ADVICE TO JOB SEEKERS]
Insert Teresa’s most memorable advice about what makes someone successful at work or a lesson she frequently shares with employees.
For Teresa, successful recruiting goes beyond filling an immediate opening. It’s about helping people recognize opportunities, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward in their careers.
The Connections That Come Full Circle
After more than four decades in staffing, Teresa has worked with thousands of job seekers. Some have stayed in touch, others have crossed her path years later, and many have moved on to new opportunities.
One connection she remembers fondly is Lydia, a candidate she placed in an office support position at the University of Mary Washington.
When that assignment ended, Teresa helped Lydia secure another opportunity in the Student Loan Office at UMW’s new Dahlgren location.
Sometime later, Teresa attended a Leadership Fredericksburg meeting at the Dahlgren office and unexpectedly ran into Lydia. The two enjoyed an impromptu reunion, reconnecting in the very workplace where Teresa had helped her find another opportunity.
It’s a simple story, but one that captures what makes recruiting meaningful to Teresa.
A job placement may begin with an employer’s immediate need, but the connection doesn’t have to end when the position is filled. Sometimes, those relationships come full circle years later.
For Teresa, the people behind the placements have always mattered more than the numbers.
Finding a Second Family at Matern Staffing
When Teresa reflects on what has kept her at Matern Staffing for 25 years, her answer comes easily: the relationships.
Over the years, coworkers have become friends, clients have become longtime partners, and the Matern and Duffer families have become an important part of her life.
She’s watched the company evolve, worked alongside multiple generations of leadership, and helped build the relationships that continue to shape Matern Staffing today.
Teresa speaks with particular pride about Matern Staffing President Ginni Matern. Having worked alongside Ginni at different points in her career, she’s watched her grow as a leader and guide the family business forward. Teresa believes Ginni’s family would be incredibly proud of what she’s accomplished.
But it’s not just the professional relationships that have made these 25 years special.
When Teresa reflects on what she’s most proud of, she talks about her daughter Heather, the relationships she’s built, and the extended Virginia family who welcomed her into their lives beyond the workplace.
[QUOTE 4 — LOYALTY AND FAMILY]
Insert Teresa’s reflections on what the Matern and Duffer families mean to her and why she’s chosen to stay for 25 years.
For someone who has spent her career helping others find a place where they belong, Teresa has found that same sense of belonging herself.
25 Years of Showing Up for People
A lot has changed in staffing since Teresa entered the industry in 1983. Technology has transformed how recruiters find candidates, communicate with employers, and manage the hiring process.
But the qualities Teresa values most have remained remarkably consistent.
Show up. Communicate. Follow through. Treat people well. Build relationships that last.
They’re the same qualities she looks for in job seekers and brings to her own work every day.
And while Teresa might describe herself as a little crazy, fiercely loyal, and a mentor, the stories behind those words reveal what has made her career so meaningful.
She’s willing to do the unexpected to help a client. She’s invested decades in the people and businesses she serves. And she cares enough about someone’s future to offer both encouragement and honest advice.
Twenty-five years at Matern Staffing. More than 40 years in the staffing industry. Thousands of people and countless connections along the way.
For Teresa, the greatest accomplishment isn’t a number. It’s the relationships she’s built and the opportunities she’s had to make a difference in people’s lives.
Happy 25th anniversary, Teresa! Thank you for the laughter, loyalty, guidance, and heart you’ve brought to Matern Staffing and the people we serve.
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you ready to take a leap into a new career? Check our Jobs page to learn about our open opportunities – both direct hire and contract-to-hire openings.
Ready to make informed hiring decisions? Let Matern Staffing help you build a strong team for 2026 and beyond. Schedule a no-obligation staffing strategy session, email our sales team, or submit a talent request.