Second Generation Entrepreneur and CEO, Dionne Fleshman Becomes Second Generation Tuck Graduate

COLUMBIA, SC – Six weeks ago, Dionne Fleshman, President and CEO of The DESA Group (TDG), completed an executive business course at Dartmouth’s prestigious Tuck Business School.

Tuck is a premier business school with an intense executive education program. It is a program that immerses senior executives in a broad, strategic management experience with emphasis on personal leadership transformation. Leadership programs at Tuck provide executives with opportunities to learn among a select group of their peers, from a broad range of backgrounds, representing a richly diverse mix of global organizations, industries, and countries. Fleshman completed “Building a High-Performing Minority Business”, which was offered in May.

Fleshman is a second-generation entrepreneur and a second-generation Tuck graduate. Diane Sumpter, founder of DESA, Inc., also completed leadership programs at Tuck several years ago.

Fleshman, who has over two decades of operational and managerial experience, is already certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). “Completing the course was extremely rewarding,” said Fleshman, “mainly because it has changed the way I think about the company in terms of business development.”

“One of the things you always hear people say is, ‘stay in your lane, perfect what you’re good at’” explains Fleshman. “What I learned at Tuck is that I need to make very sure that my lane is as broad as it needs to be.” “If I can enhance my own lane enough, then there’s no need to change lanes.” “That’s a different approach,” emphasizes Fleshman. “It’s not about thinking of a new thing, it’s about changing the way we think about the things we’re already doing,” she concludes.

Fleshman’s company, The DESA Group, is a full-service human resources and staffing solutions firm that provides effective solutions for human resources and staff augmentation, customized plans for work environments, and successful project management services.

TDG President Dionne Fleshman Earns Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification

COLUMBIA, SC (January 24, 2012)—Dionne Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of The DESA Group, Inc. (TDG) has recently earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute.

The SPHR certification (the highest designation in the industry) signifies that Fleshman possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary in human resource management to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the field.

"Certification as a senior human resources professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and to the human resource profession," said Susan Meisinger, SPHR, president and chief executive officer of the Society for Human Resource Management. The Human Resource Certification Institute awards two levels of certification: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SPHR. Fleshman has now achieved both certifications.

To become certified, Fleshman passed a comprehensive examination and demonstrated a strong background of professional human resource experience. Earning this industry-coveted certification shows that Fleshman has committed herself and her firm to provide the highest quality solutions for human resource and staff augmentation services.

TDG Succeeding In Fifth Year Under President's Leadership

TDG is finding success in today's grim economy under the leadership of Dionne Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the firm.

Previously a "20 under 40" honoree, Fleshman credits much of the company's success to several strategic partners she's met while participating in groups like Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina.

"While serving on various boards in my community, I've met several people who have either helped or inspired me to grow my business further. During my time with Leadership Columbia I met my accountant, Rod Dooley, Jr., and Jessie Smith of First Citizens, both of whom have been instrumental in providing viable financial strategies for the company. I also serve on the Forest Lake Elementary School Foundation and the Human Resources Committee at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, so I continually meet people succeeding in business," says Fleshman. "I've learned that networking and community involvement provides endless opportunities to learn and grow from others."

Not only does Fleshman learn from the community around her, she's soaked up all she can from her mother, Diane Sumpter, one of Columbia's renowned minority entrepreneurs. Sumpter began DESA, Inc. in 1986 – a multi-division consulting firm. Since 2007, Sumpter has mentored her daughter as Fleshman manages the second generation business, TDG. Sumpter is well versed in how to succeed in small business and guided her daughter to the U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) program as well as the MBDA Business Center – Columbia, SC. Both outlets proved to be key in TDG's success in preparing, negotiating and winning contracts. In fact, this year TDG won its first international contract for meeting management in Thailand, making Fleshman's client base both domestic and global.

Fleshman is also a certified Professional in Human Resources and is currently studying for her senior certification. A graduate of South Carolina State University and Mercer University, Fleshman's passion for education helps at home as well. When not in the office, Fleshman is with her husband, Tyrell Fleshman, and their two sons. Her oldest son is in the ALERT Program, while her other son, a child with autism, is involved with the Early Autism Project and the special education department of Richland County School District Two. Fleshman spends as much time as she can making education a priority for her family, which is something she says her mother instilled in her a long time ago.

HUBZone Status Granted by the SBA

The DESA Group (TDG) has been awarded HUBZone status by the Small Business Administration. With this, TDG now holds the following certifications:

• 8(a)
• HUBZone
• Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business

Dionne Fleshman, a skilled and knowledgeable executive with more than 15 years of experience, leads TDG. Ms. Fleshman holds a Master's degree in business administration as well as a Professional in Human Resource (PHR) certification.
TDG is an event and conference management firm servicing clients in the federal and private sectors. It also offers Staff Augmentation services that use a technology driven approach to allow clients to select from a wide variety of highly skilled and trained professionals working around the globe.

TDG collaborates where you need it most to implement solutions, integrate systems, optimize performance, and most importantly, ensure that your operations are cost-effective, on-time and within budget. Whether hiring TDG to manage an event or support your HR department, trust that every task will be done accurately and quickly. Simply put, TDG is designed for your success.