Antonio R. Grijalva, chairman and CEO; John W. Allen, president and COO; G&A Partners


Antonio R. Grijalva, chairman and CEO, G&A Partners


Business Services, Finalists
Antonio “Tony” Grijalva and John W. Allen experienced a lot before joining together to lead G&A Partners.
Grijalva arrived in the United States at 19 with $25 in his pocket and a desire to become a self-sufficient individual. Allen spent two years in South Korea on a mission trip for his church and returned to the U.S. with a passion to help minorities, especially those who wanted to start their own businesses.
Each got a chance to fulfill their dreams through G&A. The company evolved from a CPA firm to a professional employer organization that provides a variety of staffing and HR services to its clients.
Both men say the key to making it work is developing and maintaining a corporate culture that is centered on ethical and professional values. The culture has got to permeate through every level of the organization and be something that employees believe in.
John W. Allen, President and COO, G&A Partners

The growth of G&A did not come without struggles. Grijalva, chairman and CEO, and Allen, president and COO, were not always confident enough in their instincts and that occasionally got them into trouble. They hung on too long to employees who couldn’t do the job and ended up hurting the organization.
But they learned from their mistakes and built the company into a success. They’ve stayed in touch with their people and work hard to make sure employees have what they need to do their jobs.
It’s a philosophy that makes for productive employees and happy clients and keeps the company poised for even more success in the future.
How to reach: G&A Partners, www.gnapartners.com