Download PDF

Work experience

1986Present

Chairman & CEO

Founded in 1948, Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE symbol: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. RHI is a recognised leader in professional staffing and consulting services, and is the parent company of Protiviti®, a leading independent internal audit and business and technology and risk consulting firm.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net income was $283.2 million or $1.65 per share, on revenues of $4.0 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2005, net income was $237.9 million or $1.36 per share, on revenues of $3.3 billion.

In 2005 and 2006, respectively, RHI was named to Forbes Global 2000 list of the world's largest companies and the Forbes Platinum 400 list of the best big companies in America. The firm has also consistently appeared on Fortune magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies." Fortune's list rates firms based on criteria ranging from long-term investment value and quality of management to innovativeness, employee talent and social responsibility.

Summary

I am chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. I have led the growth of Robert Half International Inc. from a small franchisor with revenues of $7 million in 1986 to an international operating company in the staffing industry with revenues of $4.2 billion in 2007.

I also author books on related subjects. My most recent being Human Resources Kit For Dummies® (IDG Books Worldwide), The Fast Forward MBA in Hiring (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) and Job Hunting For Dummies®, Second Edition (IDG Books Worldwide).

A Few of My Books

Award Winner

Entrepreneur of the Year

News Release 

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL’SHAROLD “MAX” MESSMER, JR. NAMED ERNST & YOUNG

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

2007 NATIONAL WINNER

Harold “Max” Messmer, Jr., chairman and

chief executive officer of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE:RHI)

was named today the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 national award winner in the Services

Now in its 21st year, the awards recognize leaders and visionaries who demonstrate

innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class

businesses.

Since purchasing Robert Half International in 1986, Messmer has grown the company from a $7 million business to a $4.2 billion enterprise. Messmer was honored as the national winner in the Services Category at a gala in Palm Springs. Awards were given in nine additional categories.  All Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year winners were selected by an independent panel of judges from approximately 400 regional award recipients.

Robert Half International is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company was founded in 1948 and is based in Menlo Park, California.

Messmer went against colleagues’ advice when he chose to leave his successful corporate law position to purchase a temporary staffing business. Messmer wanted to work in a people-topeople industry, and saw this business as rich with entrepreneurial opportunities.

Rejecting Conventional Wisdom Pays Off

Messmer continued to buck conventional wisdom, building a company-owned operation by

acquiring independent franchises rather than build a large company. Those gambles paid off

with a growing demand for professional temporary staffing. As the company extended beyond financial staffing services, so did the demand for other professional disciplines such as technology, marketing and creative, high-end office administration and even law.

Education

Juris Doctorate

Graduated Cum Laude.

Bachelor of Science

Loyola University New Orleans - College of Arts & Sciences

Graduated summa cum laude and as the class valedictorian.

Created withVisualCV