Claim OwnershipBehind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen
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© 2025 Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen
Description
"Behind the Screens" is a podcast that brings you up close and personal with the people in the background screening industry. Hosted by Les Rosen, each episode features in-depth, human-interest interviews with a diverse range of guests—including business executives, employees with extensive screening experience, vendors who serve the industry, and legal and compliance experts.
These conversations dive into the personal stories and insights of those who know the industry best, offering a fresh perspective on the people driving background screening. Whether you are part of the industry or just curious, "Behind the Screens" delivers authentic, non-marketing-focused stories from the world of background checks.
Your host: Les Rosen is an Attorney, former owner of a screening firm, the chair of the steering committee that founded PBSA and the first co-chair of PBSA, as well as author of the "Safe Hiring Manual," and frequent presenter nationwide.
According to attorney and industry veteran Vince Pascarella, "For those of you who don't know, Les Rosen was the chief architect of the PBSA predecessor NAPBS, and its first Chair and unofficial Executive Director. Simply put, no Les Rosen then, no PBSA today."
For more information, see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
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47 Episodes
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Send us a text What do background screening, the Indian Army, and vinyl records have in common? On the surface, nothing—until you meet Chetan Desai. From serving as a weapons instructor and mountaineer to founding one of India’s first background screening firms, Chetan’s story is proof that discipline, curiosity, and just a little obsession (with both compliance and perfect sound systems) can take you far. Today, he’s not only building Secure Search but also shaping the global industry throug...
Send us a text Think carrying the PBSA gavel is all formality and boardrooms? Think again. When three Chairs sit down together, you get a mix of wisdom, war stories, and a few moments that prove even industry leaders don’t take themselves too seriously. In this episode, I bring together Tim Gordon, Chad Ascar, and Scott Maloney—the current chair, the immediate past chair, and the chair before the past chair—for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the future of background s...
Send us a text What if the very foundations of background screening—the databases, the processes, the standards—were shaped by someone who once started out answering phones as a young mom just trying to make it work? That’s the story of Catherine Aldrich Brame. From building the first national criminal databases at CDB Infotech, to scaling Accurate and HireRight, to co-founding Five Diamond Screening, Cath has been at the heart of every major leap in our industry. She’s also one of the origin...
Send us a text What does leadership look like when it’s built on resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in people? For Susie Thomson, it looks like a career that has taken her from the ground floor of her family business to the top ranks of global background screening. She helped create Security Watchdog, guided its growth through acquisition, and today leads as COO of Matrix while shaping the global future of screening through PBSA. Now on track to become the first European Chair of...
Send us a text What happens when you take four professionals from different corners of the background screening industry—each with unique expertise, bold ideas, and a willingness to shake things up—and put them together on one stage? You get disruption. In this special episode, I sit down with Andrew Cashman, Tressa Fullard, Kevin Horval, and Oakley Smith—four innovators who came together at PBSA Mid-Year to challenge the status quo and reimagine the future of screening. From rethinking appli...
Send us a text What if the path you thought would be temporary turned out to be the foundation of a lifelong calling? That’s the story of Bobby Shank. With a degree in finance and even a chapter of life spent in Costa Rica, Bobby never expected that joining his family’s business, Roundstone, would anchor him in the background screening industry for good. What started as “just a job” became a career marked by resilience, vision, and leadership. Along the way, joining PBSA turned out to be the ...
Send us a text Imagine a professional who lives and breathes accuracy, thrives under the weight of compliance, and leads teams through constant industry evolution—then drop her into the challenging arena of public records and high-stakes client expectations. That’s Michelle Leblond, a master at turning complexity into clarity. In this episode, Michelle takes us inside her journey from curious newcomer to trusted industry voice, sharing insights on evolving regulations, client relationships, a...
Send us a text How does a criminal defense attorney end up transforming the background screening industry? In this special 40th episode, I take a turn in the guest seat to share my unexpected journey—from representing clients in the courtroom to founding Employment Screening Resources and writing one of the earliest FCRA compliance manuals. Along the way, I learned that doing things right isn't just good law—it's good business. If you've ever wondered how passion, persistence, and a little bi...
Send us a text 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 journey from a tiny retail job in a fishing village to becoming the APAC Chair of PBSA is noth...
Send us a text 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, a man who has quietly and powerfully helped shape the profession: Curt Schwall. From founding Scree...
Send us a text 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 contracts like TSA screening, leading PBSA initiatives, and championing consumer protection—all ...
Send us a text 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 adapt to change—she anticipated it, shaped it, and inspired an entire industry to keep up. Dawn shares ...
Send us a text 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-scenes realities of managing compliance in a rapidly changing industry, the power of internal net...
Send us a text 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 Hound Labs. But what sets Larry apart isn't just his resume—it's his philosophy. Larry believes leaders...
Send us a text 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 offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of regulation and real-world impact. This isn’t just a legal...
Send us a text 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 legislation, Larry didn’t just witness the evolution of screening law—he helped write it. From defendin...
Send us a text 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 future of background screening. She didn’t inherit a company—she built one. AB Global was born from ...
Send us a text 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 chair. Laura opens up about pivotal career moments, including navigating the sudden loss of a mentor, ...
Send us a text 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 didn’t just witness the industry evolve—he helped engineer it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just fi...
Send us a text 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 international brand management eventually led him back to India—just in time to take the reins of a family l...
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