Burnett Specialists, a leading staffing and recruitment agency, is celebrating its 50th anniversary August 1. Founded by Sue Burnett in 1974, the company has grown into the most award winning staffing and placement firm in Texas. The Houston Business Journal named Burnett as the Number One Direct-Hire & Number One Staffing firm in 2023. Forbes Magazine has named Burnett to the List of the Top 200 Recruitment and Staffing Companies in the U.S. The Better Business Bureau has awarded Burnett with the Pinnacle Award five times. No other staffing firm has ever won the Pinnacle award in Houston. The company has also been recognized as one of the largest women owned companies in Texas.
Sue Burnett still serves as the President of the company, which has five offices in Houston and offices in Austin, El Paso and San Antonio. The Dallas office operates as Choice Specialists. Sue has won many awards, including Texas Businesswoman of the Year, Houston Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Most Admired CEOs, EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Jr. Achievement Hall of Achievement, NAWBO Business Owner of the Year, WBEA Entrepreneur of the Year, an Enterprising Woman Magazine national award, Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, YWCA Businesswoman of the Year, Staffing Industry Analysts Top 100 in the US, and Goodwill Shining Star. Sue was the Founder of the Best Places to Work event with the Business Journals in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Those events led to the Business Journals holding the events on a nationwide level. She serves on the Boards of Directors for Jr. Achievement, Goodwill, Better Business Bureau, Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the American Cancer Society.
Under Sue and Rusty Burnett’s leadership, Burnett became the second largest employee-owned staffing company in the U.S. through an ESOP in 2010. Their gift will provide retirement funds to hundreds of employees at no cost to the employees, including staffing employees, which is rare in the staffing industry. In the past 14 years, the stock value has increased by 380%. The company boasts one of the industry’s most tenured staff, with four employees including Sue celebrating 43 years with the firm and the management staff averaging 20 years with Burnett.
Burnett is also committed to community service, actively supporting various charitable organizations and positively impacting many lives. As the company celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary, it is grateful for the continued trust and support it has received from clients, candidates and the community. Looking forward, Burnett Specialist remains dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those it serves and achieving new heights in the years to come.
