Express Employment Professionals, the seventh-largest US staffing provider and the third-largest industrial staffing firm, formally announced that co-founder Bill Stoller is CEO and named fellow co-founder Bob Funk as president.

In addition, the company named Stoller as chairman of the board and Funk as chairman of the executive committee and vice chairman of the board.

As CEO, Stoller will have day-to-day operational authority and decision-making responsibility at the company.

“My goal moving forward is the continued success of Express,” Stoller said. “We are the premier staffing company in the US, Canada and South Africa, and serving the needs of our Franchisees, their clients and associates is paramount to the continued growth of Express.”

Stoller and Funk agreed to this change several years ago, setting the stage for a transition leading into the Express’ 35th anniversary, according to the company.

“Despite this change in leadership there will be continuity,” Funk said. “It’s business as usual at Express, and that’s good for business and for all our people.”

The change at Express Employment Professionals previously came to light in media reports.