Welcome to Chief of Staff, LLC, a leading Hospitality Support Agency, specializing in various staffing solutions and offering temporary to permanent opportunities. We excel in the recruitment and placement of food service personnel from every facet of the industry, while striving to provide rare commodities in business today: Honesty, Integrity, and Uncompromising Service.
Why Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff, LLC takes great pride in the high quality of our experienced staff and in the exceptional service we continue to provide to our clients. Having years of experience in labor assessment and placement, we are confident in supporting any hospitality need, we are the industries Fearless Leader in Hospitality Staffing.
In recent years, we have recognized National Standards rising to an unprecedented high in regard to the economy’s demand for peak performance, at all times, all awhile emphasizing minimal overhead and maximized production. We have strived to cater to these standards and needs by providing support with the right talent, at the right place, and at the right time, resulting in maximized productivity and performance.
In addition, allowing for our talent to work when they want to work, and where they want to work.
Business Benefits
- Open and can Service 7 days a week!
- Chief of Staff, LLC can service any size function
- Company Culture strives for continuous motivation- Our talent is motivated and respected, in turn, producing the highest levels of customer service!
- Chief of Staff, LLC Takes care of all necessary insurance (Liability and Workers Compensation)
- Payroll, Taxes, and Fees covered by Chief of Staff, LLC
- All Employees Background Checked
- Reference Checked
- DRUG Tested (Upon request with applicable fee)
- Resulting in reduced client expenses in areas such as Advertising, Human Resource Efforts, and Unemployment Costs
- Additional Business does not have to be turned away due to lack of staffing capabilities. Venues such as Catering companies, function facilities, convention centers, and other large or small facilities benefit from being able to call on reliable staffing alternatives
- Quality Seasonal Assistance
- Reduced risks of under or over staffing during peaks/dips throughout the year
- Ability to recruit specific to a current need
- Training Potential Employee costs are reduced
- Reduced risk and costs associated with Business Expansion
- There is a decrease in time-lag between job openings and fulfillment
- Employee Costs reduced
- If requiring a contingency plan, we are the first company to rely on to put your plan into action
- All I-9 Requirements are fulfilled through Chief of Staff, LLC
Meet The
Bruce Hafford
Founder and President
Bruce Hafford, Chief of Staff, LLC’s President and Founder, attended the University of Vermont, and brings to the table over 20 years of food service and hospitality experience. He began by working at his family’s restaurant at a young age and is where he learned the basic meaning of Hospitality. As a student, Bruce worked for Marriott Food Service, where he started as a dishwasher, prep cook, and then line-cook. After college, he worked in Boston, MA as a bar-back and a bartender. One of the establishments regular patrons took notice of Bruce’s aptitudes, and ultimately offered him a position with his start up Hospitality Staffing Agency. Bruce had accepted the offer and quickly immersed himself wherever needed; taking on roles such as back-of-the-house and front-of-the-house coordinator, banquet bartender, banquet captain, and even as a cook when needed. He maintained client communications, managed his own staff, and continued to excel in every area. By the time he had made the decision to branch off on his own, he had learned every aspect relative to the Hospitality Staffing Agency through his active years within the organization. Bruce, since, has been working towards continued success with Chief of Staff and brings vast knowledge and leadership to the organization. He has cultivated Chief of Staff into the Fearless Leader in Hospitality Staffing while offering an opportunity for talent to work when they want to work and where they want to work, all a while supporting clients alike, by providing the right support, at the right place, and at the right time. His mission to improve the Hospitality Industry for the better, forever, is being achieved one individual at a time.
Benjamin J. Hafford Sr.
Co-Founder and Vice President
Ben Hafford was raised in upstate Chatham, NY. He came from, what many would consider, modest beginnings, and holds close to him the lessons and experiences he acquired throughout his adolescence. When finished with High School, Ben attended the University of Albany and worked at a local Sub Shop. Throughout the years, Ben has held various jobs including setting up trade shows, selling vacuums, working at Saratoga race track, painting houses, and window cleaning. Although his hospitality background includes dishwashing, doorman, waitstaff and bartender roles, his greatest passion stemmed from his culinary experiences. Ben credits his Mother and Grandmother as being the major influences and much of the reason on why he loves cooking. Comfort foods and hosting Dinner Parties for friends and family are among some of his favorite activities. Ben’s main goal with Chief of Staff, LLC is to continue to better the communities and to be a force in changing the Hospitality Industry for the better, forever. Ben enjoys watching those who work for the company, succeed, and become better versions of themselves. He believes that, at Chief of Staff, we change the community one person at a time. Some of Ben’s interests includes sports and live music and being an active player and Board of Director’s member for the Wooden Bat Baseball League. His passion for baseball transcended into the company when he founded the Chief of Staff Chiefs Baseball team in 2006 and he continues to be a player/manager. The team recently won their 2nd League Championship in 2018.
Ed Lederman
Partner and Director of Sales and Collections
Ed Lederman grew up in Bayside Queens, NY. Traveling and experiencing new food and beverage spots is amongst some his favorite past times, however, his favorite dinner spot is close to home, in Brookyln NY at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse. He has been an active Chief of Staff, LLC Partner from the inception in 2005 and has worn a multitude of hats throughout his time with the Company. Ed’s life-long passions include boat racing and traveling; Costa Rica being his top getaway destination. He considers himself a thrill seeker and does his best to get the most out of every experience and opportunity.
Courtney Lane
Billing and Payroll Specialist
Courtney Lane went to Berklee College of Music majoring in Music Business. While attending school, she worked at several restaurants bartending and serving and developed a love for the Hospitality Industry. Having an extreme passion for wine, she acquired her Sommelier certification. She loves being outdoors and is an avid runner and has completed several marathons as well as Spartan and Tough Mudder races. Her main concentrations, in addition to Chief of Staff, LLC, is being a proud mom of three beautiful children who are her motivation in all aspects of life.
Dana Kellier
Director of Operations
Dana Kellier grew up in Columbia, CT and remained heavily involved with sports, academics, and school programs. She attended College in Providence, RI studying English and Criminal Psychology. She was introduced to the hospitality industry at a young age working as a server/ bartender and had spent three years harmonizing several positions within the Hospitality and Media/Entertainment Industries. She traveled often as an active Brand Ambassador, Promotor, Event Coordinator, and Brand Manager. She moved to Hartford County in 2015 where she onboarded with Chief of Staff and has since occupied various roles within the company. Her goal is to further develop personally and professionally while actively spreading Chief of Staff’s mission, positively impacting individuals and communities alike. Her favorite past-times include writing, reading/learning, spending time with her husband and kids, and enjoys thrill seeking when given an opportunity to do so.
Ramon Dejesus
Director of Employee Relations
Ramon Dejesus was born and raised in Hartford, CT. He had immersed himself into the Hospitality Industry at the young age of sixteen and has passionately been a force in this industry ever since. He has been with Chief of Staff, LLC for over thirteen years and has taken on a multitude of roles within the company. He continues to learn and grow given the ever-changing nature of the Hospitality Industry. His greatest joy is when he is with his children and grandson. He loves baseball, basketball, and football, and McDonald’s Oreo Mcflurries are one of his guilty pleasures. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motor cycle, reading to learn, traveling, and helping others.
Michael Walker
Lead Event Manager
Michael Walker’s introduction to the Hospitality industry began at 15 when he acquired a Buss Boy position in New Haven, CT. With a passion for the environment and an eagerness to learn, he made it a goal to learn the ins and outs of everything food and beverage. He excelled at serving, bartending, cooking, and cost management analysis and has had many opportunities to train all Hospitality Staff Types, as well as open restaurants across the country. Now, as a manager for Chief of Staff, LLC, he has the opportunity to utilize his acquired skillsets and experience to continue to train and travel throughout the North East, while continuing his education in Hospitality, and working alongside some of the most talented chefs and event managers in the industry. Some of his many interests include: fine wines, craft beers, spirits and service styles.
Jonathan Rios
Recruitment Coordinator
Jonathan Rios was born and raised in Hartford, CT. He studied Criminal Justice and Law at CCSU in New Britain, CT and was an active part of their Division 1XC and Track and Field Team and specialized in middle distance as an 800m Specialists. Professionally, Jonathan has immersed himself in Hospitality culture and is currently Chief of Staff, LLC’s Recruitment Coordinator. Some of his many interests include, reading, writing poetry, running, and eating and preparing food- especially Soul Food and Seafood!
Amy Mase
Recruiter
Amy Mase was born into an Italian family, all passionate for the Hospitality Industry, and has since led a life dedicated to the same. Her Father owned a restaurant, resulting in Amy becoming an efficient host, server, and bartender. Amy went into Business with her father in 1998 and opened the Bulkeley Restaurant in New London, CT. This experience provided Amy an opportunity to learn every role. She gravitated towards Front of the House Management and recruitment. In 2011, they sold the restaurant and Amy has worked in a multitude of management roles since. In early February 2018, Amy became a Banquet Captain and Recruiter for Chief of Staff, LLC and has since been traveling throughout the North East, seeking out some of the area’s best talent. Some of her interests include: blow glass classes, riding motorcycles, and traveling.
Nick Levine
Lead Personnel Coordinator
Nick Levine is currently Chief of Staff, LLC’s Lead Personnel Coordinator. He pursued his education at ECSU and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. He is looking to utilize his background to further grow and cultivate his experience with COS. He considers himself a sports fanatic and religiously follows baseball, football, and basketball. His extreme passion for music has brought him to learn how to play the Trumpet, Guitar, Bass, and Piano and plays with a Jazz Combo group once a month. Throughout the next several years, professionally, he plans to continue to develop his experience and role within the company, and personally, continue to learn new instruments and consider balancing work while furthering his education in hopes of securing a Master’s in Business.
Julian Jackson
Personnel Coordinator
Julian Jackson is currently a Personnel Coordinator for Chief of Staff, LLC. He grew up in Bloomfield, CT and pursued his studies at Manchester Community College, graduating with an associatedegree in Media Communication/Journalism. Passions and interests include; playing his Jazz Alto Saxophone, co-hosting several Connecticut based media outlets, and Fly-fishing.His goal is to positively influence those around himand toimpact society in a positive manner.
Samantha Dellone
Personnel Coordinator
Samantha Dellone graduated from UMass Amherst in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in biology. Her first exposure to the Hospitality Industry ensued when she was offered a Wedding Venue Coordinator position over one of her Summer breaks. She participated as a Leadership figure for the UMass Drumline and was awarded the Avedis Percussion Scholarship. Her interests include: percussion instruments, such as the marimba and vibraphone, movies, and reading. Her aspiration is to be the best and happiest version of herself through out each phase of her professional and personal life.
Jay Hathaway
Office Coordinator (Boston)
Jay Hathaway was raised in Stratham, NH, where his parents not only taught him how to make a memorable meal but also how to be gracious and hospitable. After graduating high school, he joined an Americorps program called City Year. There, he served two years giving back to a part of the community. From there, attended Wheelock College – Boston University, where he received his degree in both Environmental Studies and Political Science & Global Studies. With a lifelong passion for Hospitality, Jay is right at home as Office Coordinator for Chief of Staff, LLC’s Boston Office. Some of his many passions include: live music, poetry/spoken word, travel photography, outdoor adventures, and learning at all levels.
Through providing an equal opportunity for all and consistently striving for a Win (employee), Win (client), Win (company) outcome in all circumstances, and by offering constant training and mentorship for the employee, Chief of Staff, LLC is able to provide dedicated, sincere, and unequivocal hospitality service to its community and client.