Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen

Episode 66: Jamie Pelchat on Compliance, Operations, and Leading With Fairness

In this episode, Jamie walks us through her career path at GIS and HireRight, from her early days testing a national database to leading compliance and operations teams, and now stepping into delivery transformation. She shares the mentors who shaped her, the hard-won lessons she still carries, and how PBSA gave an introvert a surprisingly comfortable on-ramp into leadership and community.  Pro Conversation You Don't Want to Miss! * The mom-given advice that shaped how Jamie shows up at work every single day — assertive, not aggressive * Why "you can't make everybody happy, but you can be fair" is the leadership principle that keeps her grounded * How she went from being terrified of networking to sitting on the PBSA Board, one task force at a time * The certifications she hated studying for and is proudest of earning — including a Nevada PI license she had to fly out to get * Practical advice for newcomers who want to grow but don't know where to start   Pro Conversation You Don't Want to Miss!Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation. Thanks to our sponsor, PreemploymentDirectory.com [http://PreemploymentDirectory.com], publisher of Background Buzz and numerous other resources. And a special thanks to W. Barry Nixon.

Episode 65: The Outhouse Lawyer: Todd Higey on FCRA Compliance, and Building a Background Screening Law Practice

Todd Higey is a background screening attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama with 28 years of legal experience. After a decade and a half of litigation work and nearly a decade as in-house counsel for ESS and Global HR Research, he now runs his own solo law practice serving CRAs, wholesalers, and data brokers across the country.  In this episode, Les sits down with Todd for a conversation that covers the full arc of a legal career built on background screening. From the day a class action lawsuit landed on his desk and he walked it right back out the door, to the data-driven compliance strategy he has spent years building and sharing at PBSA, Todd brings the kind of hard-won perspective you only get from someone who has actually done the work.  Pro Conversation You don't want to miss! * Good compliance work often feels like proving a negative. You set up the infrastructure, the procedures, the forms and you never really know if it holds until the day it gets tested. * Tracking FCRA lawsuits filed in federal court year over year is one of the smartest things an in-house lawyer can do. Data tells you what the plaintiff's bar is focused on. Anecdotes do not. * Transparency with clients is not just good practice. It prevents the hard conversations later. If a client buys the more economical package, make sure they know exactly what that means before anything goes wrong. * Before you hire a lawyer for your new screening company, hire someone who has actually worked the queue. Operations experience is the foundation everything else is built on. * Get involved in PBSA government relations. The legislation being worked on right now affects every company in this space, and the people doing that work need support.  Subscribe on Spotify or wherever you listen, and follow us on YouTube. Thanks to our sponsor, http://preemploymentdirectory.com PreemploymentDirectory.com [http://preemploymentdirectory.com], publisher of Background Buzz and numerous other resources. And a special thanks to W. Barry Nixon.

Episode 64: The Queen of Screen: Tammy Cohen on Building Infomart, PBSA, and 35 Years in Background Screening

Tammy Cohen is the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Infomart and one of the most celebrated names in background screening. Known across the industry as the Queen of Screen, Tammy has spent over 35 years shaping how screening companies are built, led, and run. In this episode, Les sits down with Tammy for a conversation that is part origin story, part industry history, and completely entertaining. From quitting her job over a Glock handgun to writing one of the first checks to fund NAPBS, Tammy shares the real story behind Infomart, the lessons, the people, and the philosophy that has kept her going for decades. Pro Conversation You don't want to miss! * Being invited to the founding table of NAPBS was a defining moment for Tammy. Validation from industry peers early on can shape your entire career trajectory. * Go to every single booth at PBSA. You leave with industry knowledge and a new friend every time. * Rub it and run. When problems hit, deal with it and keep moving. Dwelling on setbacks will not get you down the road. * You do not have to know how to run a business before starting one, but you must learn fast. The operation side alone will not sustain a company. * Building experts within your team is its own form of legacy. Infomart's average team tenure is 10 years, and that depth of experience is a real competitive advantage. Subscribe on Spotify or wherever you listen, and follow us on YouTube. Thanks to our sponsor, PreemploymentDirectory.com, publisher of Background Buzz and numerous other resources. And a special thanks to W. Barry Nixon.

Episode 63: Patti McGowan on Mentorship, Culture, and the Evolution of Background Screening

In this episode, Patti walks me through her entrepreneurial journey, starting from a typing service with an IBM Selectric III at age 21 to building a successful background screening company, SPI (Select Personnel International). We dive into the early days of background investigations back in 1984 and how she transitioned from domestic PI cases to corporate screening. But what really impressed me throughout our conversation was her unique approach to leadership and team building. Patti reveals why she prioritizes hiring college students, why meeting people where they are matters, and how treating your staff like family leads to decades of loyalty. She's got employees who've been with her for 10, 15, and even 20+ years—that says something special about a business. Whether you work in the screening industry or are just curious, stick around for authentic, unfiltered stories you won't hear anywhere else. This is what Behind the Screens is all about. Key Takeaways: * The Origin Story: How Patti turned a $300 investment in a typewriter into a thriving business with 21 employees. * Industry Evolution: The transition from manual background checks in the 1980s to modern screening practices. * Building Loyalty: Why Patti’s staff stays with her for 10, 15, and even 20+ years. * Mentorship Matters: The value of hiring college students and high school interns to bring fresh energy into the workplace. * Workplace Culture: How rewarding employees with company cars, vacations, and a supportive environment drives success. Did you enjoy my conversation with Patti? Make sure to subscribe to Behind the Screens on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode! Leave a review and let me know your biggest takeaway from today's chat. Platinum Sponsor: PreemploymentDirectory.com [https://preemploymentdirectory.com/], publisher of the Background Buzz! Connect with US: * Les Rosen⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/]- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/ * ⁠Follow us on Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6cdoC8363EtwgDkHWocCXY]: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cdoC8363EtwgDkHWocCXY [https://open.spotify.com/show/6cdoC8363EtwgDkHWocCXY] Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200]- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200 [https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200] Have feedback, guest suggestions, or sponsorship inquiries? Reach out to me at screeningpros200@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Episode 62: Women in Screening: Journeys, Growth, and Mentorship

In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with an incredible panel of women leaders across the background screening industry to talk about how they built their careers, what keeps them engaged, and how the industry continues to evolve. What stands out is a shared theme: no one planned this career, but once they entered the industry, they stayed. Why? Because of the constant change, the investigative nature of the work, and the real impact on people’s lives. We also explore how women are shaping the future of screening through leadership, collaboration, and a more holistic approach to problem-solving. This is a conversation about growth, mentorship, and finding your place in an industry that never stands still. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why background screening becomes a long-term career for many professionals * How curiosity and problem-solving drive success in the industry * The evolving role of women in leadership across screening organizations * Why mentorship and community are critical for career growth * How PBSA supports education, networking, and industry standards * The importance of collaboration, empathy, and listening in leadership * Practical advice for newcomers entering the screening industry This episode is for you if: * You’re building a career in background screening, HR, or compliance * You want to learn from experienced women leaders in the industry * You’re navigating career growth, leadership, or mentorship * You’re curious how others built long-term careers in screening * You want real-world advice on thriving in a fast-changing industry Connect with US: * Les Rosen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/]- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/ * Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cdoC8363EtwgDkHWocCXY [https://open.spotify.com/show/6cdoC8363EtwgDkHWocCXY] * Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200]- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200 This podcast is sponsored by: The Preemploymentdirectory [https://preemploymentdirectory.com/], publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/