Champions of Angels

Champion Of Angels

When inc. magazine published their september 2009 issue of america’s entrepreneurial superstars, Shannon Ralston, CEO of Angel Staffing in san antonio, was one of them.

By: [nicole ochoa]
Photography: [angelica martinez]

Angel Staffing garnered placement at No. 165 of the top fastest growing, privately-owned companies in the nation. To reap such a distinction, it would be difficult to overlook Ralston’s strong entrepreneurial accomplishments.

“This is the first time in six years I feel like I finally made it. I feel like my company made it, and my employees made it,” says the 37-year-old Kentucky native. “Along with this award, I feel a great sense of responsibility because I know I have to maintain this level and continue to do more.”

Statistically speaking, only 10 percent of the CEOs listed are female; a prolific testament to a woman who less than seven years ago began a company with only two employees and $257 in the bank. Today, Angel Staffing is expected to generate more than $35 million in sales, and ranks in the state’s top five overall in the healthcare industry.

In late September, Inc. Magazine awarded Ralston at a grand gala in Washington, D.C., which became a melting pot of America’s Entrepreneurial Superstars. Angel Staffing was ranked 15th nationwide in the healthcare industry, and 11th in total employees for all industries throughout the United States.

ANGELS IN MAKING
Angel Staffing originated as a temporary placement service providing per diem nurses to hospitals. Today, they provide full-time equivalent nurses, doctors and ancillary staff to private, state and federal institutions, such as Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center.

“The greatest changes have been to go from having a company that just produces revenue to having a company that actually has a purpose,” Ralston says. As she strongly demonstrates through pervasive actions, Angel Staffing has made a priority to contribute to the community in a positive way. “I want to be an active member of the community not only on a corporate level but with our employees who work out in the field,” she says. The transformation from CEO to philanthropist is simply the catalyst that allows for significant outreach in the community.

A distinction which Ralston says is at the core of her hard work. In 2006, Angel Staffing was recognized as the United Way Corporate Volunteer of the Year in Bexar County. Lackland AFB named the company Contractor of the Year. Yet, what Ralston is most proud of are the all-girl sports teams they sponsor to help promote confidence, self esteem, and accomplishment in young women.

In conjunction with her enthusiasm for the city’s youth, she shows a great amount of love and support for animals as well. It’s visibly apparent as the first thing you see when you walk into Angel Staffing is a sign that says “Animals are People Too.”

Everyday, the CEO is joined at work with her adopted rescue dogs and encourages her employees to do the same. “We are a big supporter of anything that has to do with animals.” she says.

The company’s goal every year is to spend anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000 in donations to local community efforts.

“It’s more important what you’ve given away than what you’ve made,” she emphasizes. “Making money is satisfying but it isn’t what makes me happy. Running the company is a joy, but being able to give the proceeds of that hard work to things that are just bigger than us is what really feels good.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

One of the greatest contributing factors to the success of Angel Staffing is the company’s ability to maintain a 95 percent or better fill rate at all times. “I think it says a lot about how we treat our employees and what we offer in terms of employment, especially in San Antonio,” she says.

Ralston’s priority from the beginning was to offer nurses the best wages. She ensures her average registered nurse makes $32 an hour and in many cases, $36 or more. The company offers many top benefits including 401k and health insurance. Birthday cards are sent to their employees with gift cards. Every year, she hosts an Employee Appreciation Gala with prizes totaling more than $150,000.

“I give back to my employees in addition to giving back to the community. It’s important to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that they bring to the table everyday. Angel Staffing employees are the cornerstone to our success,” she says.

Locally, the company has its largest presence in San Antonio, but that doesn’t“The greatest changes have been to go from having a company that just produces revenue to having a company that actually has a purpose.”

exclude Angel Staffing from working in other parts of the country including Fort Hood in Killeen, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Riley in Kansas, and throughout the state for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“My goal is to be regional and statewide, not to be nationwide. I think you lose touch with your employees when you begin spreading yourself too thin,” she says. Despite that the company has more than 700 employees, Ralston keeps her administrative staff to a minimum. There are 15 core administrative staff members, compared to other staffing firms with more than 40 who have as many total employees as Angel Staffing. “I do more with less,” Ralston says.

“I do that so I can pay my nurses and medical professionals more. What we bring to the table is much different than many of our competitors. And the reason we can maintain these folks who have the most experience is because we squeeze every last penny out of our rates to give to our nurses.”

Angel Staffing continues to grow into more administrative personnel and IT within hospitals in order to maintain their medical focus. A recently new area the company has extended its expertise in is providing paramedics per diem.

Through their involvement with the Texas Department of State of Health Services,AngelStaffingistheprimecontractorfortheTexasMedicalAssessment Team. In the past several years, they have greatly diversified their mission in disaster response, stretching from the floods on the Rio Grande in Presidio to the Bolivar Peninsula after Hurricane Ike.

With the H1N1 vaccine being offered nationwide, they are now responsible for hiring several thousand nurses across the state to administer the vaccine in association with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Currently, with the company’s medical director, Dr. David Marks, Angel Staffing is working to provide services to local non-profits where the doctor will be able to hold medical clinics for many of the homeless in San Antonio, as well as organize medical missions locally and within the state to give back.

A LASTING IMPRESSION

Ralston was only 30 years old when she began Angel Staffing. Her priority then was to create a better life as a single mom for her son, Dakota. Seven years later, Angel Staffing has become one of the most recognized and respected medical staffing agencies in the country.

“I haven’t recreated the wheel,” says Ralston. “I haven’t come up with any new ingenious ideas. I just work extremely hard and try to be very smart about what risks I’m willing to take for myself and for my employees.”

For the past two years, her father, Timothy Ralston, has been an integral part of Angel Staffing as the company’s executive vice-president.

“Shannon is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word and has always been an over-achiever in anything she has put her mind to,” he says. “She has a heart of gold, and her mother and I are extremely proud of her accomplishments.”

When Inc. Magazine asked Ralston who she would be if she could be anyone in the world, she responded, “Queen Elizabeth I, a force and inspiration to women for all time.”

History tells of a woman whose trust was placed with God and who was respected because she cared for those she represented. Centuries later, a different woman, with a different goal maintains a similar stature of ease and eloquence as she battles through to provide better opportunities for all those she represents.

“Our reputation locally, regionally and statewide is something I’m very proud of and something I want to maintain for a very long time,” she says.

Perhaps, that is her claim to success exemplified.