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New CEO will take reins at Tampa’s Kforce in January

Joseph Liberatore will replace the retiring David Dunkel at the start of the year.
 
Joseph Liberatore, right, will take over for David Dunkel, left, as CEO of Tampa professional staffing services firm Kforce on Jan. 1.
Joseph Liberatore, right, will take over for David Dunkel, left, as CEO of Tampa professional staffing services firm Kforce on Jan. 1. [ Kforce ]
Published Dec. 27, 2021

One of Tampa Bay’s biggest companies is turning over at the top.

Joseph Liberatore is set to take over as CEO of Tampa professional staffing services firm Kforce on Saturday, replacing David Dunkel, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Dunkel had for 40 years led Kforce, its predecessor Romac International and the company that bought Romac and took it public in 1995. But Liberatore has been there almost as long, joining Romac 30 years ago, and has served in a number of different executive roles, most recently president for the last nine years.

“Joe has played a significant part in developing and executing our strategic vision and every major initiative within the firm for many years and was instrumental in managing our firm through the pandemic,” Dunkel said in a statement. “Since Joe’s promotion into the President role, our total shareholder return has exceeded 700 percent. I couldn’t think of a more qualified and principled leader to guide Kforce to new heights.”

Kforce is the 10th largest public company headquartered in Tampa Bay, with 2,000 employees and another 11,900 contractors worldwide. In May, the company sold its Ybor City headquarters to veterinary entrepreneur and real estate investor Darryl Shaw for $24 million, shifting its employees to a hybrid workforce model. In 2022, the company will move into new offices at Midtown Tampa. Over its last four fiscal quarters, Kforce has reported revenues of more than $1.5 billion.

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In a statement, Liberatore said he “couldn’t be more honored” to assume the role of CEO.

“We have built a strong foundation over the last several years upon which we can continue delivering exceptional results for our many stakeholders,” he said. “Our ‘office occasional’ operating model supported by flexibility and choice and empowered by trust and technology makes this an exciting time for Kforce, our industry and business with the reshaping of where and how work is performed.”

Dunkel will remain with Kforce on a limited basis and stay on as chairperson of its board of directors.