Co-Founder and CEO John W. Allen to Retire After 30 Years Company Names Jeff Williams as CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Innovation
G&A Partners, a leading national HR outsourcing provider and professional employer organization (PEO), today announced that co-founder and CEO John W. Allen will retire after more than 30 years leading the company’s growth and transformation. Following a comprehensive succession planning process led by the Board of Directors, the company has appointed Jeff Williams as incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective July 13, 2026.
Allen will remain actively involved during a planned transition period and will continue serving on the company’s Board of Directors, while maintaining an ownership stake in the business. He will also serve as a Senior Advisor to the executive team on a go-forward basis.
Since co-founding G&A Partners in 1995, Allen has helped grow the company into one of the nation’s leading PEOs and HR services providers, serving more than 6,000 clients and 130,000 worksite employees nationwide, with over 850 employees across the country. G&A Partners expanded nationally from its Houston beginnings, completed 30 accretive acquisitions, strengthened its reputation for client service excellence and workplace culture, and earned repeated recognition for its growth, including a record-breaking 20 appearances on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
“Building G&A Partners alongside our incredible employees, clients, and partners has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Allen. “We started with a mission to deliver world-class HR services that empower people to achieve their dreams and pursue their passions. I’m proud G&A has grown into an organization that positively impacts thousands of companies and hundreds of thousands of workers across the country. I’m humbled by what we’ve built together and excited about the company’s future under Jeff’s proven and mission-aligned leadership.”
Jeff Williams brings deep leadership experience in the HCM, PEO, benefits administration, professional services, and insurance industries. He has achieved an exceptional track record of driving growth and innovation for tech-enabled services leaders.
As President and CEO of Aptia, a leading professional services firm providing benefits administration, pensions, health, and insurance solutions, Williams led the company’s successful carveout from Marsh McLennan. During his tenure, Aptia transformed into a standalone market leader that delivered strong client outcomes, industry-leading NPS performance, and a compelling new brand.
Prior to Aptia, Williams served as an executive and corporate officer at Paychex, where he managed a $1.5 billion P&L and helped propel the company’s mid-market and Administrative Services Organization (ASO) business to 17% compound annual growth. Earlier in his career, Williams held executive positions at Alight, ADP, and Aon, as well as companies acquired by Vodafone and Rogers Communications.
Across his leadership roles, Williams has built high-performing go-to-market engines, expanded margins, strengthened client performance, and led organizations with thousands of employees to strong operating results while creating thriving workplace cultures.
Williams will partner with the G&A executive leadership team to deliver on the company’s strategic direction and continued investments in client experience, service capabilities, and growth initiatives as demand for outsourced HR and workforce management solutions accelerates nationwide.
“I’m honored to join G&A Partners at such an exciting moment in the company’s journey,” said Williams. “John, Tony Grijalva, and the leadership team have built an extraordinary organization with an outstanding reputation and tremendous momentum. As workforce challenges continue evolving for employers nationwide, G&A Partners is uniquely positioned to help small and mid-sized businesses grow, support their employees, and navigate the future of work. I’m excited to partner with this talented team to build on that foundation and continue expanding the company’s impact.”
PEOs and HR service providers have become essential growth partners for small and midsize companies, providing the expertise and infrastructure these businesses need to navigate rising healthcare costs, evolving workplace regulations, and increasing demand for employee retention and workforce flexibility. Allen’s and Williams’ strategic transition plan, along with Allen’s upcoming Senior Advisor role, ensure continuity in G&A Partners’ leadership and its unmatched commitment to service excellence and innovation.
According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), businesses that use a PEO grow faster, experience lower employee turnover, and are significantly less likely to go out of business compared to companies that manage HR internally. The PEO industry now supports millions of worksite employees nationwide and continues to expand as companies seek strategic partners to manage increasingly complex HR, benefits, payroll, and compliance responsibilities.
“I could not be happier to welcome Jeff to the G&A Partners family,” Allen added. “His leadership will guide and build on our exceptional organization, and the people who’ve made it all possible. I hope his time at G&A will be as rewarding and inspiring as mine has been.”
Explore Hrtech Articles for the latest Tech Trends in Human Resources Technology
