Nearly 20 years ago, Stephen Shields opened the doors to his first Express Employment Professionals franchise determined to not only run a successful staffing franchise but to also plug into his community to make a difference.

In those two decades, the successful franchisee has smashed goals and helped raise leaders. In celebration of his accomplishments, Shields was recently named Express Employment Professionals 2018 Franchisee of the Year at the company's International Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.