Spherion’s Mary Barrineau and Pam Thompson Named 2026 Franchisees of the Year by the International Franchise Association

Spherion Staffing and Recruiting announced that Mary Barrineau and Pam Thompson, franchise owners of Spherion Charleston, have been named 2026 Franchisees of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA).

The IFA Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners for their community involvement, commitment to building a strong workforce, support of fellow franchisees, and embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit. Nominated by Spherion, Barrineau and Thompson bring more than five decades of combined experience with the organization and have built one of the strongest-performing operations in the Spherion network.

“Receiving this recognition alongside my mom makes it incredibly meaningful,” Barrineau said. “We’ve spent more than 30 years building this business together, and through every stage of growth, our focus has remained on taking care of our people, supporting our clients and creating opportunities in the Charleston community. This award belongs just as much to our team. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and grateful to be part of a franchise network where we can learn from and support one another.”

Barrineau and Thompson have built Spherion Charleston together with a shared commitment to their employees, clients and community. Their operation has achieved more than 20 percent annual growth for three consecutive years, including 23 percent revenue growth in 2025 and an 83 percent year-over-year revenue increase so far in 2026.

Beyond their business, they are known throughout Spherion for their “One Spherion” mindset. They regularly share best practices and support fellow franchise owners across the network. Their leadership was recognized at Spherion’s 2026 National Meeting where they received both Spherion’s Franchisee of the Year Award and the President’s Award, two of the organization’s highest honors.

“Mary and Pam represent so much of what makes Spherion special,” said Kathy George, president of Spherion. “What I admire most is how hands-on and deeply connected they stay to every corner of their business. Even through challenging years, their persistence never wavered, and seeing that grit translate into consecutive years of tremendous growth is deeply inspiring. Mary and Pam’s commitment to Charleston’s workforce and their fellow franchisees is unmatched, and we couldn’t be prouder to see them both earn this well-deserved national recognition.”

Barrineau and Thompson were recognized during the Franchisee of the Year Celebration and Luncheon on Sept. 15 as part of the IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.