Veteran-founded talent solutions company honors York’s legacy, rooted in a mission to help veterans find meaningful work and connect employers with skilled professionals.

Contract Professionals, Inc. (CPI), a veteran-founded talent solutions company headquartered in Waterford, Michigan, today announced the retirement of Steve York, the company’s Founder and longtime CEO. York retires after 44 years with CPI.

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Steve York, Founder and longtime CEO of Contract Professionals, Inc. (CPI), retires after 44 years of leadership, service, and commitment to connecting people with meaningful work.

York, a U.S. Air Force veteran, founded CPI on March 2, 1982, with a mission that was personal from the start: helping put veterans to work. What began as one veteran’s vision grew into a company that has connected employers and job seekers across defense, mobility, engineering, skilled trades, information technology, finance, and professional services for more than four decades.

For York, CPI was never just a staffing company. It was a commitment to people, relationships, service, and doing the work with care. One phrase became part of the company’s culture because Steve lived it and expected it: “Do it right the first time.”

That standard helped shape CPI’s reputation for integrity, follow-through, and specialized recruiting support in high-demand technical markets. It also helped build a culture of loyalty inside the company. Many CPI employees have worked alongside York for decades, a reflection of the trust, consistency, and purpose he brought to the organization.

“CPI was never just about filling jobs,” said York. “It was about people, relationships, trust, and helping our clients succeed. I am incredibly proud of what this company has become, and I am grateful for every employee, client, candidate, and partner who has been part of the journey.”

As York enters retirement, CPI will continue under the leadership of Jack W. Van Tiem, who now serves as President and CEO.

“Steve built CPI with vision, grit, and a deep belief in people,” said Van Tiem. “His legacy is felt throughout this company, from the employees who have spent decades here to the clients and candidates who have trusted CPI over the years. We are honored to carry that legacy forward.”

York’s retirement marks an important moment in CPI’s history, but the company remains focused on the same purpose that guided its beginning: connecting skilled professionals, including military veterans, with employers who need talent they can trust.

“After 44 years, I leave CPI with confidence in the people who will carry it forward,” York added. “The company is in good hands, and I look forward to watching CPI continue to grow and make an impact.”

About Contract Professionals, Inc.

Contract Professionals, Inc. is a veteran-founded talent solutions company headquartered in Waterford, Michigan. Since 1982, CPI has connected employers and job seekers across defense, mobility, engineering, skilled trades, information technology, finance, and professional services. The company provides temporary, temporary-to-hire, direct hire, and executive search support for organizations seeking specialized talent in high-demand technical markets.

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Steve York built more than a company. He built a culture of service, loyalty, and doing the work right the first time.