History & Awards
Our History
For more than two decades, DirectEmployers has worked to establish itself as the Authority in OFCCP Compliance, but like many organizations, comes from humble beginnings. Take a look back through our timeline to see the full story from 2001 to now, filled with all our proudest accomplishments and milestones.
Awards & Recognition
It’s not a stretch when we call ourselves “award-winning”, and we’ve got the accolades to prove it! From customer service and corporate culture to creative and content, our brands are always putting in work to produce the very best in all that we do. See our awards and recognitions from the past two decades and counting!
Our History
November 1992
Online Career Center Created
- Created by former Executive Director, Bill Warren, Online Career Center (OCC) is widely recognized as the first internet job board. Through this tool, job seekers could connect with employers and view job listings on their computer. This product, revolutionary in its time, paved the way for today’s online job boards.
October 2001
DirectEmployers Association Formed
- Concerned about rapidly rising costs and the future of online recruitment, 14 leading employers formed DirectEmployers Association. The primary goals were to share best practices, create new industry standards, and develop Internet-based systems to increase efficiency and reduce recruiting costs.
October 2001
Warren Selected as Executive Director
- As a highly respected industry veteran and former human resources executive for Rockwell International, Bill Warren is widely credited as being the “Founder of Online Recruiting.” As a visionary leader in this recruitment space, Bill was a natural selection to manage the Association as its Executive Director.
March 2007
NASWA Endorses DirectEmployers
- DirectEmployers Association was selected by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) to provide job seekers, employers, and states a cost-effective transition from America’s Job Bank (AJB), which the U.S. Department of Labor had discontinued. Read press release ›
April 2007
NLx Partnership Began
- The National Labor Exchange (NLx), a sophisticated electronic labor exchange solution, was created to connect businesses and state workforce agencies with the mission to create a cost-effective system that improves labor market efficiency and reflects our nation’s diverse workforce. Learn more ›
June 2007
VetCentral Introduced
- VetCentral became the full-time employment delivery service to participating state workforce agencies, listing federal contractor jobs with American Job Centers (AJC) in compliance with the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Learn more ›
October 2009
Partnership to Develop .JOBS
- In alliance with Employ Media, DirectEmployers built a beta site of location, occupation, and other top-level domains to test functionality and receive feedback from job seekers and employers. The .JOBS Network was the first-ever interlinking and coordinated use of a TLD for the public good.
August 2010
DirectEmployers Hosts First Job Bank
- The State of New York picked DirectEmployers to host the state’s job bank. With 84,217 jobs posted and a continuous flow of new opportunities available each day, the content was free to job seekers and companies providing easy-to-use job search and job posting tools. Read press release ›
January 2014
Debut of the OFCCP Week In Review
- The DE OFCCP Week in Review (WIR) debuted as a simple, fast and direct summary of relevant happenings in the OFCCP regulatory environment. This blog series is authored by expert, Candee J. Chambers, and features other industry leaders. View recent WIR posts ›
March 2017
The NLx Partnership Turns 10
- DirectEmployers and NASWA made the NLx vision a reality by pioneering new resources for employers, state workforce agencies, veterans representatives, and job seekers — establishing the NLx as a source of vetted and verified jobs by all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam. Read press release ›
March 2017
Chambers Named Executive Director
- Following Bill Warren’s retirement, Candee Chambers, a 30-year HR veteran, broke the glass ceiling to become the Association’s first female Executive Director. Candee’s success with compliance has aided in bridging the gap between recruitment and compliance. Read press release ›
june 2017
Job Provider Partnership with Google
- To further connect employers and job seekers, DirectEmployers became a job content provider for Google’s new job search experience. As a result of the Association’s participation, jobs from Member companies are accessible directly by searching for jobs on Google. Read press release ›
June 2018
Recruit Rooster Launches
- To create a better customer experience and expand recruitment solutions, Recruit Rooster launched as a full-service recruitment marketing and creative solution aimed at helping employers establish a prominent web presence to appeal to targeted and specialized job seekers. Read press release ›
August 2018
U.S. DOL Rolls Out Apprenticeship.gov
- In collaboration with NASWA and DirectEmployers, the U.S. Department of Labor retrieves NLx job content to power an Apprenticeship Finder tool, allowing users to search by city, state, and occupation — connecting job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers. Visit Apprenticeship.gov ›
May 2019
DE Academy Launches
- To provide additional education to Members, DirectEmployers launches a self-led learning platform, DE Academy. This platform offers OFCCP compliance, recruitment, and diversity training to HR professionals of all career levels at a pace that works for their busy schedules.
July 2019
Recruit Rooster Adds Career Site Accessibility Services
- To help employers improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities and work towards full ADA compliance, the recruitment marketing solution provider adds career site audits and consultation services based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Visit Recruit Rooster ›
September 2019
Affirmative Action Solutions Introduced
- To become a full-service, one-stop-shop for compliance, DirectEmployers launches Affirmative Action solutions under a new brand, Taapestry. This includes affirmative action planning, plan management, consulting, and more from a team of dedicated experts.
February 2020
VocRehab+ Launches
- Looking for a solution to improve the employment outlook for individuals with disabilities, DirectEmployers launches VocRehab+. This tool combines technology and automation to support daily job delivery to vocational rehabilitation counselors for participating employers. Learn more ›
February 2020
DirectEmployers, NASWA & OFCCP Sign MOU
- The OFCCP, DirectEmployers, and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to set mutual goals supporting OFCCP’s contractor and compliance officer education and training related to specific aspects of VEVRAA. Read press release ›
April 2020
NLx Launches Resource for Pandemic Workers
- To support displaced workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, DirectEmployers and NASWA launch NeedAJobNow.USNLx.com, a job site providing dedicated access to employment opportunities from U.S. corporations with immediate hiring needs. View Press Release ›
April 2020
Recruit Rooster Acquires RocketBuild
- In an effort to expand its portfolio of development offerings, Recruit Rooster acquires custom software developer, RocketBuild. With this acquisition, they broaden the scope of development services provided to its customers and expand its menu of technology solutions. View Press Release ›
June 2020
NLx Forms Data Trust for Labor Market Info
- To increase access to real-time labor market information, DirectEmployers and NASWA sign a Data Trust Agreement to develop interactive tools for job seekers, employers, and states, with governance framework for accessing millions of job postings collected through the NLx. View Press Release ›
October 2020
DE Lite Scalable Solutions Launch
- Recognizing a need to accommodate federal contractors with fewer jobs, DirectEmployers launches DE Lite, the same superior VEVRAA compliance, reporting, and job syndication associated with DirectEmployers membership, available in job packs of 70 or less.
December 2020
DE Acquires The Management Advantage, Inc.
- To continue the growth and expansion of its Taapestry affirmative action development services, DirectEmployers acquires the clients of The Management Advantage, Inc., a California-based affirmative action business. View Press Release ›
August 2021
NLx Job Openings Jump to Over 3 Million
- After several efforts to extend its reach, the National Labor Exchange (NLx), the only nonprofit, national online labor exchange system in the United States, reaches 3 million annual job postings for the first time since its inception in 2007. View Press Release ›
September 2021
Labor Market Information Available Through NLx
- As a result of an earlier Data Trust Agreement between DirectEmployers and NASWA, The National Labor Exchange Research Hub is launched to give labor market researchers a trusted and transparent source of job vacancy data collected via the NLx. View Press Release ›
October 2021
DirectEmployers Celebrates 20th Anniversary
- Two decades after its inception, DirectEmployers marks the special occasion with a Virtual Annual Meeting & Conference (DEAMcon), celebratory swag, and an extended Member Appreciation Week, “20 Days of Thanks.”
May 2022
NLx Daily Job Openings Jump to Over 4M
- The National Labor Exchange (NLx), an employer-driven tool established through a public-private partnership between DirectEmployers and NASWA, reports the highest number of daily job listings since its creation in 2007. View Press Release ›
June 2022
- OutSolve Acquires Taapestry
- To remain focused on its core mission of providing superior federal contractor job listing solutions while also ensuring its customers remain in good hands, DirectEmployers completes the sale of Taapestry by DirectEmployers to leading affirmative action consulting firm OutSolve. View Press Release ›
December 2022
DirectEmployers Reaches 1,000 Members
- Shortly following the celebration of its 21st anniversary, DirectEmployers announces it has crossed a new milestone of 1,000 Members. Beginning with humble roots of 14 founding Members in 2001, the Association now proudly represents top employers from around the globe. View Press Release ›
January 2023
Internal ERG Program Launches
- With an expanded family of brands and a growing staff, DirectEmployers launches an all-staff employee resource group (ERG) to build a sense of community and inclusion. In its first year, the group achieves a 38% participation rate and a meeting participation rate of over 60%.
January 2023
Strategic Partnership with OutSolve
- Six months after the Taapestry acquisition, it is announced that OutSolve is the preferred partner for AA development, pay equity, EEO-1/VETS, and DEI solutions, and DirectEmployers will be their exclusive partner for VEVRAA job listing and recruitment marketing services. View Press Release ›
December 2023
Internal ERG Program Grows
- After a successful first year for the all-staff ERG, groups focused on mental health, women, veterans, disability, faith, and caregiver support are added. As a result, the DE Family of Brands achieve a 51% participation rate, program-wide.
January 2024
Equality Magazines Suite of Sites Purchased
- To further expand the Association’s diversity, equity, and inclusion network, DirectEmployers purchases a series of DEI domains from known job board Equality Magazines. These sites include those geared toward Hispanic, Black, women, veteran, and aging job seekers.
February 2024
DE Client Launches
- To recognize small to medium-sized businesses with OFCCP compliance needs, DirectEmployers launches DE Client for federal contractors with 50 or fewer jobs per year. This includes VEVRAA mandatory job listing, job syndication, and job view analytics.
Awards & Recognition
2024 Muse Creative Awards
Video – Event
Gold Winner for DEAMcon24 Highlight Reel
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2024
Small Business Category
7th place
2024 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service
Customer Service Department of the Year – All Other Industries
Bronze Stevie® Winner
JD Supra 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – Candee Chambers
#2 – John C. Fox
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2023
Small Business Category
15th place
2023 Muse Creative Awards
Video – Recruitment
Silver Winner for Bechtel – Who Wear Are, Jensen Precast – About Us, & Bernhard – Welcome
Marketing & Promotional – Media Kit / Sales Kit / Folder
Silver Winner for In Control Brand Kit
2023 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service
Customer Service Department of the Year – All Other Industries
Bronze Stevie® Winner
JD Supra 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – John C. Fox
#2 – Candee Chambers
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2022
Small Business Category
42nd place
JD Supra 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – John C. Fox
#2 – Candee Chambers
PR Daily’s 2021 Content Marketing Awards
Branded Blog
Honorable Mention for OFCCP Week In Review
Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2021
Small Business Category
16th place
JD Supra 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards
Government Contracting
#1 – John C. Fox
2020 Muse Creative Awards
Experiential & Immersive
Gold Winner for Frontdoor – First Day on the Job
2017 NASWA Veterans Conference Award
Exemplary Commitment to Supporting Veteran Employment Programs
DirectEmployers Association
Web Marketing Association WebAward 2016
Outstanding Website
Providence Health & Services Recruitment Website
PR Daily’s 2016 Content Marketing Awards
Branding or Re-Branding Campaign Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention for Better Reach. Better Experience. Total Control.
22nd Annual Communicator Awards presented by AIVA
Online Video – Animation
Award of Distinction for Are you Satisfied with Your Career Site?
NASWA’s Salute to the Leadership 2012
2012 President’s Award
Bill Warren
Executive Director, DirectEmployers Association