Rick Deslauriers

How do you apply your faith and Catholic values at work?

By always encouraging employees to spend time with their families, creating a family-first culture. Direct and honest communication, always trying to do the right thing, and blending the human aspect with the business’s needs are all ways that my faith is applied at the workplace.

Please tell a story about a time when applying your faith at work really made a difference.

When it becomes clear that an employee isn’t a good fit with our business and needs to find something new, I try to minimize the economic impact on them and their families with a generous severance. Fair pay, fair severance, and fair opportunity are all ways I apply my faith.

Who or what has been most inspirational to you in bringing your faith to the marketplace?

Mary DesLauriers, Father John Bauer, Father Roger Hessian, Jim Ryan introducing me to Demontreville [Jesuit retreat house], and Ralph Douglas, Mark Lucke and my other monthly Mass and breakfast buddies have all been inspirational to me in my faith.

What achievement at work are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of staying in business for 11 years, which is statistically hard to do, and seeing my co-workers achieve success.

In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?

I have experienced God’s presence in the workplace by creating a culture of honesty, fairness, and positive encouragement, which can be challenging in a sales profession.

Profile

Age: 54

Company: Recruiters of Minnesota

Title: President and founder

Parish: St. Therese of Deephaven

Spouse: Mary

Children (names): Katie, Amy, Michael

Activities: Serves at St. Therese parish festival each year, ran the baseball booster club for many years at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, awarded a Volunteer Service award at the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Hall of Honor dinner in January 2013 for efforts within the BSM community, served as volunteer equipment manager for the Bennett Family Baseball Park