IES Team

Karla Hertzog

Karla is Chairman of the Board (COB), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and majority owner of Innovative Employee Solutions. Though no longer active in day-to-day operations of the company, Karla continues to serve as a key advisor in company policy and financial decisions.

Karla began her career with TOPS Staffing Services in Denver, Colorado in 1971, and was promoted and relocated to San Diego to start a new branch in 1974. Karla went on to grow the company to approximately $50M in annual revenues, later becoming President of TOPS, and ultimately its sole owner. In March of 1998, Karla sold the assets of TOPS Staffing Services, but retained the company’s payrolling division, which was formally renamed Innovative Employee Solutions, Inc. in 1999. Under Karla’s supervision, the company grew significantly and currently has revenues of over $70 million.

In the past 35+ years Karla has worked diligently for her industry and community. She was 1993-94 Chair of the American Staffing Association (ASA), where she also served on the Board of Directors for 10 years; a founding director of the San Diego Chapter of California Association of Temporary and Staffing Services (CATS); and Past President of the Independent Staffing Associates (ISA), an organization committed to innovation and excellence. She currently makes a significant contribution to her community by serving on the boards of a number of organizations, including the YMCA of San Diego County and Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation.