Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen

Send us Fan Mail What kind of person can turn a local startup into a global standard-setter—navigating legal landscapes, scaling teams, and staying human through it all? That’s the kind of trailblazing journey we explore in this episode.  In this episode of Behind the Screens , I had the privilege of sitting down with Summa McCosker, a dynamic force in the background screening world, whose 27-year...

Send us Fan Mail Can one person transform background screening by mastering compliance, reshaping operations, championing public access, and still give back through mentorship and public service? Meet the man doing exactly that, and discover how leadership is built one deliberate choice at a time. In this episode, I sit down with someone I’ve known since the earliest days of background screening,...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to shape an entire industry from the inside out—while mastering compliance, leading operations, and serving the public good? It takes vision, grit, and a whole lot of hats—and this episode is proof of exactly that.  In this episode, I sit down with Nancy Alt, founder of Tweak the Core, who’s spent decades navigating complex mergers, standing up massive federal co...

Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you combine relentless curiosity, unmatched versatility, and a passion for people? You get Dawn Standerwick—a powerhouse in the background screening industry whose career defies simple titles. From onboarding and marketing to compliance and criminal records, she’s worn every hat and rocked them all. In this episode, I sit down with someone who didn’t just adap...

Send us Fan Mail How do you transform operations, compliance, and public records into a career you love—and lead others to love it too?  Kathleen Nottingham didn’t just find her path in background screening; she built it brick by brick, puzzle by puzzle, from public record researcher to SVP at ScoutLogic and a seat on the PBSA Board of Directors. In this episode, Kathleen shares the behind-the-sce...

Send us Fan Mail From rural Oklahoma to boardroom strategy sessions—how does one man turn old-school values into modern industry influence? In this episode, I sit down with Larry White—a man whose title should come with the initials GSD (Gets Stuff Done). Larry is the current COO at JDP and has been a leader at some of the most influential names in the industry including ChoicePoint, EBI, and Houn...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how the perspective of a former FTC insider could reshape your understanding of compliance in background screening? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Kuehn, who’s journeyed from enforcing federal consumer protection laws at the FTC to guiding companies through the ever-evolving maze of FCRA compliance. With a sharp legal mind and a deep sense of empathy, Becky offer...

Send us Fan Mail What if the unsung architect of your industry was never after the spotlight—just the truth? In this episode of Behind the Screens , I sit down with Larry Henry—the very first lawyer dedicated to background screening compliance under the FCRA, dating back to 1981. Who was defending FCRA compliance before most of us knew what that even meant. From military courtrooms to national leg...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever met someone who knew what they wanted to do with their life at age 12—and then actually did it? Almost every guest on this podcast has shared how they stumbled into background screening by accident. But not Brittany Bollinger Boyle. While most kids were dreaming about being astronauts or rock stars, Brittany was dreaming about FCRA compliance, data privacy, and the f...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Laura Randazzo—a powerhouse professional whose journey from entry-level verification specialist to Chief Operating Officer and national voice in background screening is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, we trace her path through the rapidly changing landscape of screening technology, regulatory hurdles, and leadership both at Verified First and as a former PBSA cha...

Send us Fan Mail I sat with Derek Hinton for this week’s episode—a pioneer who’s been shaping the screening industry since 1984. From helping launch the first digital driving records to building CRA Zoom and co-authoring the Criminal Records Manual , Derek has played a pivotal role in how compliance, accreditation, and innovation collide. This episode is a rare chance to learn from someone who did...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tech-savvy engineer with a passion for mangoes, a background in global consulting, and an MBA from New York turns his attention to building one of the most respected background screening companies in the world? In this episode, I sit down with Sachin Aggarwal, Director at AMS Inform, to explore how a career that started in cosmetics manufacturing and internatio...

Send us Fan Mail How does a guy go from managing concrete budgets in Virginia to shaping international privacy frameworks from Milan to Singapore? The answer lies in one of the most unexpected—and inspiring—career journeys in the background screening industry. In this episode, I talk with the elusive “third amigo” himself—Andy Hellman—a man whose career path looks more like a ball of yarn than a s...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever stopped to think about what grit, perseverance, and a little bit of luck it takes to build a background screening business from scratch? Imagine navigating a world of fax machines, colored file folders, and constant tech disruption—all while trying to stay ahead of the curve. In this episode, I sit down with Marc Linchuck to uncover the true behind-the-scenes story o...

Send us Fan Mail What do you get when someone with a passion for art, a mind for science, and a heart for community winds up leading innovation in public safety and background screening? You get someone like Krisy Bucher. In this episode, I sit down with Krisy—Vice President of Portfolio Marketing at Equifax Workforce Solutions—whose journey proves that purpose and profession don’t have to be sepa...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to lead in one of the most complex, fast-evolving, and compliance-heavy industries around—while wearing multiple hats and still managing to stay grounded? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and background screening veteran, Vince Pascarella. Vince isn’t just a compliance guru—he’s worn every hat in the business, from general counsel to sales lead...

Send us Fan Mail How do you build a background screening program that’s both legally compliant and business-friendly? How do you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of employment law, global screening regulations, and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance—without slowing down hiring? In this episode, I sit down with Kelly D. (Kubacki) Uebel, General Counsel at Asurint, to discuss the challe...

Send us Fan Mail What if the way you’ve always done things is no longer the right way? In a world where compliance, technology, and industry needs are rapidly evolving, drug and occupational health screening is no exception. In this episode, I sit down with Todd Shoulberg, a seasoned expert in the field, to explore the major shifts impacting drug testing today. We cover everything from the role of...

Send us Fan Mail How did an HR expert turn into one of the most influential voices in background screening? W. Barry Nixon has seen it all—from corporate HR to pioneering workplace violence prevention and shaping the global background screening industry. In this episode, I sit down with Barry to discuss his unexpected career path, the evolution of background screening, and his work in building one...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to stay ahead in the background screening industry while juggling a passion for music, fly fishing, and skiing? Jason Morris has done it all. From shadowing private investigation cases as a kid to launching one of the most recognized background screening companies, he’s built a career on curiosity, adaptability, and bold decision-making. In this episode, I sit do...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you say “yes” to unexpected opportunities? For Judy Gootkind, it meant building a remarkable career in background screening, co-founding a successful business, and becoming a respected industry leader. In this episode, I sit down with Judy to talk about her unexpected journey from accounting to background screening, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and wh...

Send us Fan Mail Is navigating the world of background screening getting more complex by the day? With ever-changing compliance laws, privacy concerns, and evolving technology, businesses need to stay ahead—or risk falling behind. In this episode, I sit down with Alonzo Martinez, Associate General Counsel at HireRight, to unpack the biggest legal and technological trends shaping the industry. From...

Send us Fan Mail How do you stay ahead in a world where privacy laws are constantly shifting? How can businesses manage legal risks without slowing down growth? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Coy, co-chair of the Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, to break down the legal challenges shaping background screening today. From navigating FCRA compliance and interna...

Send us Fan Mail How do you navigate an industry where lawsuits aren’t a matter of "if" but "when"?  How do you balance legal compliance with running a successful business? And what’s it like being one of the most recognized legal minds in background screening? In this episode, I sit down with Pam Devata, an equity partner at Seyfarth Shaw and a leading expert in background scr...

Send us Fan Mail How do you take a failing business unit and turn it into a multimillion-dollar success? What’s it like to be at the forefront of an industry before it even exists? And why is giving people a second chance so important? In this episode, I sit down with industry pioneer Fred Giles, whose career spans law enforcement, polygraph examinations, and leading some of the biggest names in b...