Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2022

EDDIE ESQUEDA
“I officially joined the Express family last year after working in the background for many years. I started my career in residential construction and found my way working for the largest gaming property in South Mississippi, working in the engineering department, specializing in plumbing.
After 16 years of working in the gaming industry, I had to the opportunity to join my wife in the dream of a lifetime: ownership. My wife, Joy, and I have moved down to Tampa, overseeing the Brandon, Florida, location as franchise partners, where I am solely responsible for business development. Express is not only a way for me to carve a better path for my family, but to also make a difference in the community by helping local businesses find great talent.”
JOSH HUGUET
“I am from Hammond, Louisiana, and have been with the company for 11 years. I started with Express in our North Shore location and worked a recruiting desk for several years. Currently, I am the general manager of our Metairie location and have plans on making partner in the coming years. I love this company because it gives me a chance to continue to coach young leaders and gives me the opportunity to win, and I love to win. Also I get to change people’s lives for the better, and the more that I do that, the more I get a chance to change my own.”
DAPHNEY JONES
“I have been with our Auburn office since shortly after it opened in 2015. I originally hired in as the business management role and quickly transitioned into the general manager position. I was raised in Dothan, Alabama, moving to Auburn in 2010, and received my bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in biomedical science with a minor in chemistry. Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my two little girls and husband, Britton.
Before Express I was working as a sales rep for a dental and medical supply company. What keeps me with Express is our culture – the “family” environment is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and the possibilities are limitless. You can truly do and be anything you want to be in this company, and you have an amazing support system in the process. In the future, I will be a franchise partner with Jason Poole in Auburn, as well as multiple other locations.”
KAYLEN CARLTON
“I was born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama. I started working at the young age of 14. I’m not afraid of hard work, and always knew my tenacity and refusal to be average would always take me somewhere great, and boy was I right.
I found my first opportunity with Express in Auburn, Alabama, as the front office coordinator in January of 2018. After I got my feet under me, I quickly moved into a recruiting role, to general manager, then to sales manager all in under 2 and a half years. I now have been with the company for going on 4 years, and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.
I had the opportunity to transition into a regional training developer role out of our regional office in Biloxi, and that is now where I reside with my boyfriend. My next step will be to move into the role of VP of operations for our Metairie, Baton Rouge, and Hattiesburg locations.
Some of the many amazing things about working in this organization are the endless opportunities, support, and intentional care for others to grow personally and professionally. I will forever be grateful to this organization for giving me the room to grow into who I am today, and the business woman that I will be 10 years down the line.”
30 | January 2022 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
VP of Franchise Development General Manager General Manager Franchise Partner