Local Accountant Uses Global Experience to Build Local Success
New Castle business owner finds staffing solutions to build his business
Tucked in the small community of New Castle is a top-quality accounting firm co-led by a guy with a penchant for wearing Hawaiian shirts. Within minutes of meeting Gary Rodgers, you’ll know that there’s more to him than spreadsheets and tax preparation. Manpower President Michael Allen recently sat down with Gary on The Hub podcast to talk about the journey that brought him to where he is today.
A Path to Small-Business Ownership
Gary’s story is shaped by moves across countries, industries, and crises. Through these moves, he developed a commitment to helping people. With a father in the military, he spent much of his childhood abroad, gaining a global viewpoint that would later define his professional life.
Before entering the private sector, Gary worked in both ministry and government roles. His government service began with the City of Indianapolis, where he helped manage the city’s call center. From Indianapolis, Gary’s journey took him to New York and then to Hong Kong, where he worked for a software company specializing in global crisis-response systems, including 311 and 911 emergency platforms.
His work touched some of the most significant global events of the early 2000s. In New York, he was part of the team that implemented the city’s 311 helpline and later contributed to the post-9/11 reconstruction of emergency communication systems. On September 11, 2001, he narrowly avoided being at the World Trade Center when a morning meeting in Queens saved his life. And in Hong Kong, he helped develop mapping systems to track infectious diseases during the SARS outbreak.
Throughout each role, Gary kept one thing in mind: helping others. “I tried to put myself in a place, and each spot seemed to be a stepping stone to the next. In all of those places, I feel like I was trying to do something that really helped people,” he said.
Retirement and Helping Small Businesses
After retiring in 2013, Gary wasn’t done helping people. In 2015, he bought an accounting firm with his business partner Lori Gardner, gaining his IRS credentials and creating a long-term plan to serve clients continuously.
Gardner, Rodgers & Associates focuses on individuals and small businesses. Their goal is to provide reliable service for decades. They carefully assembled a team with members of different ages so that no one would retire all at once. This strategy emphasizes building trust with clients and maintaining long-term relationships.
“We try to help micro businesses and small businesses. The small businesses are the backbone of the community,” Gary expressed. “I encourage everybody if you're going to have something done to your house, some service provided, if you can find a local person who does that, that’s your best bet. You want that local person because they have a vested interest in making sure things are done right for you.”
Choosing Manpower for Hiring Assistance
When Gardner, Rodgers & Associates needed to hire recently, they worked with Colleen Weddle at Manpower to find staffing solutions. Gary and his team relied on Manpower to handle initial interviews and identify strong candidates. One of those candidates ultimately became not only the final choice but a full-time permanent employee.
For Gary, outsourcing the early stages of hiring was a strategic move. He often says that one of his smartest decisions was allowing Manpower to manage the initial interviews, giving him the time and space to focus on running the business while trusting Manpower to find the right people. It was a partnership built on efficiency, expertise, and trust.
A Lasting Legacy
One thing people often associate with Gary is his Hawaiian shirts. After years of wearing suits while traveling the world, he made a permanent wardrobe change in retirement. Hawaiian shirts became his signature look and a reminder that the next chapter of his life was meant to be different.
As Gary’s company continues to grow, they plan to continue to rely on partners like Manpower for staffing solutions.
Are you looking for a reliable staffing company? Contact Manpower to get started- https://www.mprichmond.com/contact
Want to check out Gary’s episode on The Hub with Michael Allen podcast? https://www.mprichmond.com/the-hub-podcast/3bf7b308-cd6e-4502-86db-bdfdd6095819
Interested in connecting with Gary Rodgers and Gardner, Rodgers & Associates? Visit www.gardnerrodgers.com.