Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – March 2, 2026 – Engage PEO, a leading professional employer organization providing HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide, today announced that Deanna Bernard has joined the company as vice president of sales, Florida, further strengthening Engage’s presence in one of the company’s longest-standing and most established markets.
“What continues to differentiate Engage in the marketplace is the depth of our HR consulting model,” said Jay Starkman, CEO of Engage PEO. “We provide our clients access to HR Consultants who are licensed employment attorneys, which elevates the level of guidance and risk management employers receive. As we continue growing in Florida and nationwide, adding experienced professionals like Deanna allows us to bring that differentiator to more businesses and referral partners who demand a higher level of expertise.”
“Deanna’s background leading enterprise sales teams and working across multiple HR-related industries makes her a strong addition to our presence in Florida,” said John Cataldo, group vice president of sales, Southern Divisions. “With Engage’s long history in this market, relationships matter, and she understands how to work alongside referral partners and business leaders to continue building on that foundation.”
Bernard, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, brings more than 20 years of experience leading enterprise and national sales efforts across PEO, HR services, and digital health environments, including prior experience with a large national PEO. She began her career as an officer in the United States Army, where she was awarded the Bronze Star for leadership during the Gulf War. Bernard has since led regional and national sales organizations, developed high-performing teams, and built executive-level relationships that supported long-term growth and market expansion. Throughout her career, she has earned multiple performance awards, led teams to exceed targets, and worked closely with C-suite leaders to guide complex, multi-stakeholder decisions.
“Engage’s reputation for delivering hands-on HR guidance and working closely with referral partners is a big part of what attracted me to the company,” said Bernard. “I’m excited to help expand those relationships across Florida and support employers with access to HR consulting expertise delivered through licensed employment attorneys, especially as they work through compliance requirements, employee relations issues, and the day-to-day challenges of managing a growing workforce.”
About Engage PEO
Engage PEO delivers comprehensive HR solutions to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide, sharpening their competitive advantage. Comprised of the industry’s most respected veteran professional employer organization executives, certified HR professionals, and attorneys, Engage PEO provides hands-on, expert HR services and counsel to help clients minimize costs and maximize efficiency for stronger business performance. The company’s superior service offering includes a full range of payroll technology and tax administration, employer compliance, health and workers’ compensation insurance products, advanced technology, and risk management services as part of an extensive suite of HR services.
Engage PEO was among the first PEOs awarded the Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) designation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), ensuring greater benefits for small and mid-sized businesses such as tax advantages and financial protections. Engage PEO is also accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation. Engage PEO was named to Inc. magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest-growing companies nine times since 2016. For more information on Engage PEO, visit www.engagepeo.com.