Jay Starkman

Chief Executive Officer

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Overview

In 2011, after more than two decades of leadership inside and outside the PEO industry, Jay Starkman set out to build a different kind of PEO. One built around service quality, legal depth, and long-term client relationships. That vision became Engage PEO. Today, Engage is recognized as one of the fastest-growing PEOs in the country and an Inc. 5000 Honor Roll company for sustained growth over multiple years.

Before founding Engage, Jay served as President and CEO of AlphaStaff, then one of the fastest-growing PEOs in the nation. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant expansion before being sold to a private equity group in 2008, generating a substantial return for shareholders. He also previously served as President and CEO of OneChem, a software application provider to the chemical industry.

Jay’s background includes a distinguished legal career as managing partner of his own firm, where he specialized in employment and commercial law and argued seminal cases before the United States Supreme Court. He has served on the board of directors of ESAC, the accrediting body for the PEO industry, and on the board of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations.

He has received numerous awards recognizing his leadership and business accomplishments, including the Gold Stevie Award for Executive of the Year and the Gold Award for Chief Executive Officer of the Year in the Golden Bridge Awards. He has been named to the Florida 500 by Florida Trend six times, recognizing him among the most influential business leaders in the state. He has also been recognized by Florida Business Leader and Florida Trend as a leading executive in the region.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Jay is deeply committed to philanthropy and community leadership. He is a Golden Angel supporter of the Jackson Health Foundation and provides significant support to organizations including:

  • Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Goodwill of Florida
  • Orphanages in the United States, Peru, and Jamaica