Newsroom

Promote from Within or Hire Externally? Paul Toomey Shares His Strategy in Fast Company

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:04:31 GMT

We are thrilled to share that our Founder and President, Paul Toomey, was recently featured in a Fast Company article exploring one of the most critical decisions facing modern business leaders: when to promote talent from within versus when to hire externally.

As a member of the prestigious Fast Company Impact Council—an invitation-only collective of innovative founders, executives, and leaders redefining the future of business—Paul joined 18 other national business minds to share his leadership philosophy on organizational growth and talent development.

Aligning Talent Decisions with Company Lifecycle

The feature, titled "19 leaders on promoting from within versus hiring externally," highlights the delicate balance of building a sustainable, high-performing workforce. When asked how he approaches this critical decision-making process, Paul emphasized that leadership choices should always be driven by a forward-looking assessment of what the company needs at its specific stage of growth.

Rather than relying on a rigid formula, Paul advocates for evaluating a role's immediate demands against the long-term impact on company culture and client success:

"I start by asking what the role requires at this stage of the company. If we have someone internally who has earned trust, understands our clients, and is ready to grow and succeed at the next level, promoting from within is especially valuable. It reinforces culture and continuity. In some circumstances, senior roles can require experience or expertise we have not yet developed internally, so an external hire can bring needed perspective or scale. The key is to make decisions based on future impact, and not just past familiarity."— Paul Toomey, Founder and President of Geographic Solutions

Cultivating Culture While Embracing Innovation

At Geographic Solutions, this philosophy is woven directly into our DNA. Promoting from within rewards dedication, preserves our deep institutional knowledge, and honors the trust our team has built with the workforce development agencies we serve. At the same time, selectively introducing fresh, external perspectives allows us to scale our technology, stay agile, and continuously innovate.

To read the full article and explore insights from all 19 featured Impact Council members, you can head over to the official piece on Fast Company.

Geographic Solutions’ Paul Toomey Featured On Equus’ Workforce in Action podcast

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:19:00 GMT

Our President and Founder, Paul Toomey, has been featured as a guest on Equus Workforce Solutions’ Workforce in Action podcast! During his talk with host Marion Akers, Paul shares insights on how vocational rehabilitation programs bridge the employment gap for individuals with disabilities. He also discusses the transformative impact of AI on workforce development technology and explains how Geographic Solutions is helping justice-impacted individuals successfully secure employment.

Follow the link here to listen to the full episode!

Inc. Names Geographic Solutions as a 2025 Power Partner Award Winner for Third Consecutive Year

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

For the third year in a row, Geographic Solutions has been named to Inc.’s annual Power Partner award list! The company was recognized in two categories: Technology & Development and SaaS Products.

Geographic Solutions has been recognized for its dedication to building mutually beneficial relationships with its clients and partners. This focus on collaboration has enabled Geographic Solutions to consistently innovate, drive economic growth, and achieve successful outcomes for its stakeholders. The company was selected in the Technology & Development and SaaS Products categories based on several criteria, including receiving top reviews from Geographic Solutions' clients.

“Earning a place on Inc.’s Power Partner list for the third year in a row reflects our commitment to innovation and creating solutions that truly make a difference,” said Paul Toomey, the Founder and President of Geographic Solutions. “Our success is built on strong partnerships that empower our clients and drive meaningful economic impact. We’re proud to help them achieve their goals and create meaningful outcomes together."

“The entrepreneurial journey and community are core to Inc.’s mission, and it’s a true honor to celebrate this year’s Inc. Power Partners — the companies dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “Whether they’re coordinating complex marketing campaigns or reliably supporting the day-to-day infrastructure of growing companies, these honorees aren’t simply B2B providers — they are true partners in helping businesses grow and succeed.”

The prestigious list celebrates B2B organizations across the country that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and assisting their partners to grow. Companies on the Inc. Power Partner list received top marks from clients for being instrumental in helping leadership navigate the dynamic world of startups. These B2B partners support entrepreneurs across various facets of the business, including hiring, compliance, infrastructure development, cloud migration, fundraising, and more, allowing founders to focus on their core missions.

To view the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards.

Geographic Solutions' Paul Toomey Named Tampa Bay Tech Finalist

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:21:00 GMT

Join us in congratulating our esteemed President and Founder, Paul Toomey, for being named a finalist in the Tech Leader of the Year category for the Tampa Bay Tech Awards!

Paul was recognized as a finalist for his significant contributions to building long-term value for his company, the workforce industry, and the Tampa Bay community. The Tampa Bay Tech Awards honor and celebrate our talented community of technology leaders, organizations, projects, and professionals in various specialties at various levels with awards in 7 categories.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 7th, at Armature Works in Tampa Bay.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions named a finalist in THREE categories for the 2025 AI Awards!

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ VOS Sapphire software suite has been named a finalist in THREE categories for the prestigious 2025 AI Awards!

The company’s flagship solution was nominated in the following categories:

AI for Good Award
AI Deployment of the Year
Best Use of AI in Human Resources

Now in its second year, The AI Awards recognizes organizations leading the charge in artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation. The program showcases AI solutions that stand out for their exceptional effectiveness, scalability, and value in tackling complex problems and delivering real benefits to businesses, organizations, and society.

AI Awards winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 13.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions Has Been Shortlisted for the 2025 AI Awards

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 18:59:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ VOS Sapphire software suite was shortlisted in FOUR categories for the prestigious 2025 AI Awards!

The company’s flagship solution was nominated in the following categories:

AI for Good Award
AI Deployment of the Year
Best AI Integration
Best Use of AI in Human Resources

Now in its second year, The AI Awards honors organizations at the forefront of artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation. The program highlights AI solutions that demonstrate exceptional effectiveness, scalability, and value in solving complex problems and generating tangible benefits for businesses, organizations, and society.

AI Awards finalists will be announced on Tuesday, September 16, with the final winners revealed in October.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions’ Paul Toomey Named a 2025 Tampa Bay Titan 100 Honoree

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:49:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey, has been named a 2025 Tampa Bay Titan 100 honoree! This honor recognizes his exceptional leadership style, vision, and clear sense of purpose. It also reflects his significant contributions to building long-term value for his company, the workforce industry, and the Tampa Bay community.

The Titan 100 program recognizes Tampa Bay’s Top 100 CEOs & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry, using criteria that include demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively, the 2025 Tampa Bay Titan 100 and their companies employ upwards of 235,000 individuals and generate over $56 billion in annual revenue, an impressive set of statistics.

The Titan 100 Honorees will be celebrated at the annual awards ceremony on Thursday, October 30, at The Motor Enclave.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions Has Been Named a Finalist for the 2025 SaaS Awards

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:01:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ VOS Sapphire AI software suite has been named a finalist in THREE categories for the prestigious 2025 SaaS Awards!
The company’s flagship solution was named a finalist in the following categories:

Best SaaS Product for Cybersecurity
Best SaaS Solution for HR & Workforce Management
Best SaaS Product for Nonprofits or Education

Operated by The Cloud Awards, the SaaS Awards recognize organizations that are pushing the boundaries within the software-as-a-service industry. The SaaS Awards judges will now begin their third and final round of judging to select a winner in each category.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 12.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions Receives Top Honors During 2025 North American Inspiring Workplaces Awards Ceremony

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:50:00 GMT

For the second consecutive year, Geographic Solutions has received multiple honors during the 2025 North American Inspiring Workplaces Awards ceremony held in Chicago! The company was listed among the Top 100 most inspiring workplaces and was named a winner within the Inspiring Tech Company of the Year category.

The selection committee recognized Geographic Solutions for its sustained growth, ability to communicate effectively, and dedication to fostering a positive workplace that empowers employees. These honors celebrate our success in creating an inspiring, inclusive, supportive, and welcoming culture for all.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions’ Paul Toomey Named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Florida Award Winner

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:05:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey, has been named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Florida Award winner! Paul was selected by an independent panel of past winners, top CEOs, and business leaders for his entrepreneurial spirit, strong sense of purpose, and substantial contributions to building long-term value for his company and the workforce industry.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year award is the leading competitive program for entrepreneurs and executives of high-growth companies. For 40 years, EY US has honored visionary entrepreneurs who are reshaping industries, influencing communities, and delivering lasting value. This award acknowledges various types of business leaders for their inventiveness, bravery, and entrepreneurial drive.

“Receiving the Entrepreneur Of The Year award is an incredible honor, which I’m proud to share with the entire Geographic Solutions team,” said Toomey. “This achievement celebrates our dedication to delivering solutions that build long-term value for our clients, users, and the communities we serve, not just in Florida, but across the nation.”

It celebrates original founders who have either bootstrapped their startups from the ground up or secured external funding to expand their enterprises; innovative CEOs who have introduced transformative ideas within existing organizations to elevate their paths; and leaders of multigenerational family businesses who have redefined traditional business models to enhance future sustainability.

As a Florida award winner, Paul is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 National Awards. The National Award winners, including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum®.

Follow the link here to read more!

Geographic Solutions’ Paul Toomey Named Finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Florida Award

Wed, 14 May 2025 12:56:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey, has been named a finalist for the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Florida Award! Paul was selected by an independent panel of judges for his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.

The Entrepreneur of the Year program, now in its 40th year, celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 13 during a special celebration in Orlando. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®.

Follow the link here to read more!

WorkingNation Article Highlights Geographic Solutions’ Partnership with CALPIA

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:01:00 GMT

Check out this article from WorkingNation that highlights Geographic Solutions’ partnership with the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA)! The article focuses on CALPIA’s crucial work to help break the cycle of recidivism and explores how innovative solutions like the Entry to Employment (E2E) Network can create pathways to quality employment for justice impacted individuals.

Follow the link here to read the full story.

Congrats to our Partners at Iowa Workforce Development

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:32:00 GMT

Congratulations to our partners at Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) for receiving the 2024 Full Employment Award! Their innovative Reemployment Case Management (RCM) program, which is Powered by Geographic Solutions’ Reemployment Exchange (REX) software solution, has significantly reduced unemployment claim durations, saved over $350 million in taxpayer funds, and positively impacted countless lives.

We take great pride in our partnership with IWD and are beyond thrilled to celebrate this impressive milestone with them. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive positive outcomes that not only benefit the state but also individuals searching for unemployment assistance and job opportunities.

Follow the link to this news article from Corridor Business Journal to learn more.

REGISTRATION OPEN: 2025 Workforce Technology Conference

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 19:57:30 GMT

It’s back and better than ever! Join us June 23-26, 2025, in sunny Clearwater Beach, Florida, for the 2025 Workforce Technology Conference (WTC). We invite agency veterans and newcomers alike to come together and explore the intricacies of employment. Learn about the latest workforce trends, insights, and strategies from over 85 industry speakers, subject matter experts, and partners.

We know Workforce is in the name, but this conference is so much more than just workforce. This year’s program is a meld of sessions on workforce development, labor market information, economic development, unemployment insurance, vocational rehabilitation, education, human services, reentry initiatives, partner programs, and much, much more!

Our annual conference showcases insights and perspectives from thought leaders, educators, agency personnel, frontline staff, and our own Geographic Solutions team! Attending the 2025 WTC will provide you with numerous opportunities to participate in hands-on system demonstrations, panel discussions, think-tank sessions, and networking with agency members from across the country.

This year, we are pushing the boundaries of our product line even further. 2025 attendees are in for an even bigger flex with the new version of our VOS Sapphire platform – VOS FlexPro. But, you’ll have to attend to find out what it’s all about!

Uncover hidden system treasures with optional pre-conference training taking place on June 23rd. Select from VOS or VLMI for an additional $199. Seats are limited!

Reserve your seat NOW with our ‘Super Early Bird’ special of $595, until February 14th! We are also offering a new Group Bundle for agencies looking to send three or more individuals. For details on session topics, event speakers, hotel and travel information, and more, visit the official 2025 Workforce Technology Conference website.

As the agenda is a work in progress, we are still looking for industry speakers! If you are interested in showcasing all the hard work you’ve been doing, the insights you’ve been creating, and the kudos you’ve been collecting, check out the ‘Agenda’ tab in the link below to put in an inquiry to become a 2025 conference speaker. As a side bonus, all speakers get a 50% discount on registration fees!

Don't wait -- Register Today!

Geographic Solutions Announces New Partnership with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:33:27 GMT

Geographic Solutions has partnered with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to modernize the state’s unemployment benefits and appeals system. The new platform will be powered by the Geographic Solutions Unemployment System (GUS) and will offer enhanced features and efficiencies that will benefit Ohioans.

The new system will bring several improvements, including:

Benefits and appeals functionality in one system and efficient connections to other federal, state, and agency applications.
Simplified self-service options for claims and appeals that are continuously improved based on real user experiences in Ohio and other states.
Improved employee experience for greater efficiency and improved ability to serve customers, including the ability to access claimant and employer information and documents without having to utilize other applications.
Cloud-based technology that improves security and makes it easier to scale up or down to meet claims volume.
Improved security and fraud tools, data analytics, and reporting for fraud prevention, operations management, and regulatory reporting.
Plainly written user instructions and on-screen prompts and help.

The new system is expected to be operational by late 2026. Follow the link here to learn more.

Geographic Solutions' Involvement in new Apprenticeship Network Featured in Tampa Bay Inno

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:47:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions has recently partnered with Tampa Bay Tech as well as 15 other local tech companies to form a new apprenticeship network, which is set to launch on January 1, 2025.

This initiative aims to cultivate local talent, bridge the skill gap, and ultimately build a stronger tech community within the Tampa Bay area.

Click here to learn more.

Generational Differences in Job Search Habits Revealed in New Survey

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:01:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions has released insightful findings from a new survey of 500 job seekers that takes a closer look into the job search habits of different generations. The survey explores how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers approach finding employment in today’s ever-changing job market.

The survey uncovered intriguing insights into the various stress points each generation commonly faces when looking for employment. Nearly 62% of Gen Z respondents found the limited number of employment opportunities as the most stressful aspect of the job search process, while 67% of Millennials and 61% of Gen X view the lack of communication from employers to be the most anxiety-inducing. Baby Boomers experience higher levels of stress related to competing with other job seekers and long interview processes.

The results also highlight the desire for fully remote roles is on the decline, with only 13% of job seekers across all ages preferring this work model. However, a closer look at the data reveals nearly a quarter of Baby Boomers value remote roles more than in-person and hybrid options. The majority of Gen Z (57%) and Millennials (50%) prefer hybrid work models, while Gen X tends to favor in-person positions.

“This data continues to help us understand the journey millions of career-seeking individuals experience each year,” said Paul Toomey, the President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “Our goal with this survey is to better inform employers, recruiters, and industry stakeholders on the different approaches each generation takes to find quality employment. This information can help organizations improve their recruitment strategies and ensure a more equitable hiring process.”

Delving further into the survey findings, Geographic Solutions found that 60% of job seekers have embellished their resume to increase their chances of landing a role. Gen Z reported being more likely to embellish their skills on their resume (60%), while a majority of Millennials (70%), Gen X (65%), and Baby Boomers (70%) are more likely to exaggerate about their job titles.

Geographic Solutions conducted the survey over several days using Survey Monkey’s Audience Research platform, polling a diverse group of 500 anonymous job seekers. The survey included individuals from various age demographics and gender identities throughout the United States. To ensure the data was relevant and current, all respondents had actively searched for new employment within the past year.

Geographic Solutions Named to Inc. 2024 Power Partner Award List for Second Consecutive Year

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:51:00 GMT

For the second consecutive year, Geographic Solutions has been named to Inc.’s annual Power Partner award list! The company was selected in the Software Development category based on several criteria including receiving top reviews from Geographic Solutions' clients.

The company was recognized for its commitment to fostering symbiotic relationships with its clients and partners. This dedication to collaboration has enabled Geographic Solutions to consistently push the boundaries of innovation, promote economic growth, and deliver successful outcomes for its stakeholders.

“Being named to Inc’s Power Partner award list for the second year in a row is a significant achievement that reinforces our commitment to building strong relationships with our clients,” said Paul Toomey, the Founder and President of Geographic Solutions. “By actively listening to our partners and evolving our software to meet their ever-changing needs, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions that enable them to achieve their goals and make a positive impact within their communities.”

The prestigious list celebrates B2B organizations across the country that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and assisting their partners to grow. This year’s list features 359 companies in marketing and advertising, health and wellness, financial services, legal, logistics, public relations, productivity, and other critical areas of business.

To view the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards/2024

The November 2024 Issue of Inc. magazine is available online now and will be on newsstands beginning October 29, 2024.

Geographic Solutions’ New Unemployment Portal for Puerto Rico Highlighted in News Article

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:12:00 GMT

We are thrilled to share that the online publication, News is my Business, recently published a story profiling the upcoming launch of Puerto Rico’s new unemployment system, which is in development by Geographic Solutions. The article highlights how the Unemployment Online and Automated Procedures Portal will streamline unemployment claims, employer services, and fraud prevention.

Click here to read the full article.

Curbing Unemployment: Cisco Features Geographic Solutions in New Case Study

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:16:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions recently partnered with Cisco to publish a case study that examined how our software has expanded workforce support and accelerated job placement since the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of Cisco Compute Solutions. The study features testimony from clients as well as Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey, and Director of Operations, Helvey Johnson, to spotlight how the company leveraged Cisco’s UCS X-Series, Intersight, and Nexus 9000 Series Switches to provide vital workforce infrastructure for state and local agencies to support workers and job seekers in times of need.

Read the full case study by clicking here.