1stGiG.com was conceptualized and developed by retained executive search professionals in Madison, WI. Our professional experience, executive search methodology, the need for service among the early career professional and a dose of common sense spawned the idea and foundation for this very unique service approach.

The founders and creators of 1stGiG.com are Mason Kemp and Al Marco. Collectively, Mason and Al have over fifteen years of executive search experience and over twenty-five years of human resource management experience. Their understanding of human resources and the selection process more specifically positioned them to very effectively design a career acquisition service that meets both the need and interests of talent and the employers who value their skills, abilities and potential.

In the early stage of 1stGiG.com's development we assembled a very bright group of University of Wisconsin - Madison students to meet with us to provide input into the design and critique our methodology and service approach. We did this to assure the design of the 1stGiG.com service was aligned with the expectations, interests and perceptions of our early career customer. We also spoke extensively with employers about their college and early career recruitment programs, how they went about selecting young professionals for their companies and the challenges and obstacles they face. 1stGiG.com is designed to make the process for talent and employers more efficient, more cost effective and more productive.

As an organization we are committed to building and growing 1stGiG.com with early career talent whenever possible. We have built a national Campus Representative Program to provide motivated and creative students with marketing internship opportunities on campuses across the United States. As we add staff to our growing company we plan to utilize early career talent to fill our staffing need whenever possible. This continuous flow of early career talent into our organization will allow us to maintain the focus on the need and interests of early career talent to keep our service and approach relevant as we grow.

As an organization and as professionals we at 1stGiG.com are committed to bringing you the best possible services at absolutely the best possible value!

Sign-up for a 1stGiG.com membership today and start benefiting from our very unique service that provides you exactly what you are seeking. No other service can make that claim or promise!

Here is a snap shot of our 1stGiG.com staff and collective experience:

As Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of 1stGiG.com, Al brings over 25 years of corporate human resource management, executive consulting and recruiting experience. His depth of knowledge and expertise within the HR industry provided the foundation for the creation of 1stGiG.com.

Al's experience encompasses a variety of industries, including real estate, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare and banking. He founded the Trovato Group, LLC, a successful national executive search and consulting firm specializing in the real estate industry, in 1998. His "hands-on" approach to human resources consulting has made him an invaluable asset to his clients. He has facilitated organizational development and change, designed internal selection and succession processes, conducted cultural assessments, and championed innovative recruiting practices.

He's highly regarded for his knowledge, professionalism, and ability to translate ideas into concrete results. Both companies and executives seek his counsel on career development matters, trusting in his advice and professionalism. He's shared his expertise in a number of presentations at both professional and association meetings covering a broad array of human resource management issues.

Al completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and holds both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University. He's served on the Board of Directors for both a real estate company and community bank in the greater Madison, WI area, and is an active member of numerous professional associations including the Society of Human Resource Management.

As co-founder and President of 1stGiG.com, Mason Kemp is realizing his ambition to redefine and revolutionize the college recruiting experience. Never one to shy away from changing the status quo, 1stGiG.com combines Mason's love of business startups with his experience in the recruiting industry.

Mason has had a unique array of professional and leadership experiences, all before turning 30. After graduating with a BBA in Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, he rapidly advanced to Bank Manager after two months at Associated Bank and then Assistant Vice President soon after. He took part in launching several companies from the ground up soon after and then joined the national executive search firm Trovato Group, LLC, in 2005, where he currently serves as the Group's Managing Director.

Mason also sits on the Board of Directors for a HR networking group and started an online job board dedicated exclusively to the real estate industry. This experience caused him to recognize the need to foster relationships between companies and young professionals while simplifying the college recruiting experience and contributing to the rise of 1stGiG.com.

Mason is best when he's leading a team toward the achievement of a common goal, and offers his knowledge of recruiting, startups, and professional networking to the students driving the 1stGiG.com initiative. He remains active on college campuses, helping to teach, coach, and prepare undergraduate students for successful professional futures. His commitment to innovation, process advancement, and technology are reflected in his successful track record. Connect with Mason on popular networking sites such as Linked-In, Facebook, and Twitter to learn more about what he's up to.

Responsible for the strategy, planning, execution, consultant coordination and results of the company marketing function. As a member of the management team, coordinates the development of an annual, comprehensive marketing plan, develops and refines the organization's online assets, including its website, advertising and social media networks, resulting in ongoing growth in customer membership. Oversees and coordinates all promotional, marketing and advertising activities among internal staff and consultants.