Our Dedicated Team

The People Behind Elite

At Elite, our strength comes from our people. We are a close-knit team of professionals who care deeply about our clients, our employees, and our community. Every member of our staff brings valuable experience, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to doing things right.

We work together every day to make sure our clients are supported and our employees are set up for success. That teamwork and shared purpose are what make Elite different.

Sonja Whitson Bennett, Owner & President

Sonja Whitson Bennett is the owner and president of Elite. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and staffing industry management. Bennett 9 began her career as a human resource assistant for Northeast Tennessee Rehabilitation Hospital in 1993. She later worked for Down River Forrest Products in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1996, Bennett was employed by Staffmark Staffing Services until 2008. She was initially the communications manager but was later promoted to market manager, regional manager, and director of sales. Because of Staffmark, she was allowed to be a part of a dynamic, growing business, an experience she treasures even now. Bennett directed, managed, and coordinated all operations and sales activities at Staffmark. She also had primary P&L responsibilities and was in charge of performing ongoing market analyses and implementing market strategies for multiple companies within the region. As an executive, Bennett met with prospective client management teams to conduct thorough site analyses and develop customized staffing solutions to address the needs of her customers. She also provided customized hiring, recruiting, and retention programs for customers while addressing the staffing challenges within the specific industry of each client. In 2009, Bennett joined Brock Services, Ltd., where she served as a regional staffing and project manager. She was primarily responsible for recruiting and staffing multi-craft and professional positions for BSL in the eastern U.S. Throughout the region, she directed job fairs and continually searched for qualified candidates with specialized craft skills. Bennett has secured drug testing facilities in multiple states and was instrumental in maintaining DISA drug testing compliance for the region. She worked closely with the regional safety manager to keep all sites up to date on safety training, craft certifications, and ensure that sites had the appropriate PPE to safely perform their jobs. In 2012, Sonja and Ron Bennett formed Elite to compete with traditional staffing companies and larger contractors in the region. The challenges and responsibilities of being business owners were eagerly embraced and accepted by them. Starting the company gave them the opportunity to meet face-to-face with potential clients and employees and to manage their business on a personal level. Today, their company is well-known for its customized, innovative solutions for their customers.

 
Sonja

Sonja Whitson Bennett Owner & President

Owner & Co-Founder

Ron L. Bennett is the owner of Elite. He graduated with full-tuition scholarships and was recognized by his university as a member of the Dean’s List and Outstanding College Students of America. Bennett has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing management, construction management, and contractor services management. After graduating from ETSU, Bennett began working in the manufacturing industry for Burlington Industries in 1991. While at Burlington, he learned the importance of safety and training while managing two manufacturing processes. During his tenure with Burlington, Bennett enrolled in, attended, and completed graduate school at East Tennessee State University to earn his MBA. From 1999 to 2003, Bennett served as executive director of Friends In Need Health Center. Friends In Need is a non-profit organization providing on-site primary medical care and dental care for working uninsured residents of the region. Bennett then joined A&L Industrial in 2003, where he served as vice president of operations. While serving the organization, Bennett took care of all site operations and served as a corporate officer as well as a member of the Board of Directors. In 2007, Brock Services, Ltd. purchased A&L Industrial, and Bennett was hired by the new company. He was then promoted to president of Region IV and became responsible for the management and oversight of BSL’s operations in the eastern US. Bennett was also in charge of developing and maintaining the company's most successful customer business model, marketing the business model to customers and potential customers across the U.S., developing and maintaining corporate relationships, negotiating contracts and customizing customer solutions, and developing and maintaining a safe and healthy business culture. The Bennetts formed Elite in 2012. They aim to compete with other traditional staffing companies and larger contractors in their area. Mr. Bennett firmly believes that they are capable of filling the void left by other companies and promises to always do the right thing with their customers. Elite is now a reliable company providing specialized labor services, including staffing, outsourcing, training, and consulting.

Ron

Ron Bennett Owner & Co-Founder

Meet the Team

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Nichole Cook Vice President of Sales

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Vance Gibson Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environment

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Hannah Whitson Vice President of Growth and Strategy

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Brittany Gibson Operations Manager

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Liz Krajeck Operations Manager

George

George Lawson Transportation and Logistics Manager

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Renay Anderson Recruiter

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Michelle Day Recruiter