Meet the Team

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Also known as...

Gpa and AJ

Andy O'Connor

President, A.J. O'Connor Associates

Andy O'Connor

President, A.J. O'Connor Associates

Andy's focus is on building new, and maintaining existing client relationships, some of which date back to the company's inception. Celebrating 34 years in business in 2017, Andy has expanded AJO's service offerings and broadened our footprint to achieve global reach in more than 20 countries.

Most Unusual Job: Crawling into catch basins and cleaning them out as a summer helper for the DPW.

Favorite Pastimes: Hanging out at the Jersey Shore, Avid Skier and Cyclist, Annual Police Unity Tour Rider/Marshal.

Little Known Fact: Appeared on the front page (as Police Officer O’Connor), giving Charlie the monkey a drink of water from a water fountain after he escaped from the University.

Professional Bio

Shannon Bock O'Connor

SVP, Operations & Talent Management

As SVP, Operations & Talent Management, Shannon drives operational initiatives that strengthen AJO's brand and service offerings. She also manages coach and consultant sourcing for our Talent Development and Consulting Practices; Talent Development delivery; and key client accounts.

Most Unusal Job: Working as a wardrobe assistant for the cast of Richard II, (a rather stinky endeavor).

Favorite Pastimes: Chasing after her two crazy little boys, escaping to the theatre, reading, shopping and spending time at the NJ shore with family and friends.

Little Known Fact: Shannon is a professionally trained singer (but we can't get her to sing to us).

Read more and contact Shannon Bock O'Connor

Also known as...

Dr. Steve

Steve Safier Ph.D

EVP, Strategy & Impact

Steve Safier Ph.D

EVP, Strategy & Impact

Steve Safier heads AJO’s Consulting practice and strategic initiatives. He has previously served in President, COO, CHRO and Senior Consulting roles, having worked for Panasonic, the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, Hay Group and Korn Ferry.

Most Unusual Job: Counting (eating) candy as an Inventory clerk for a national candy retailer.

Favorite Pastimes: Traveling, reading and daydreaming of playing 3^rd base for the Yankees.

Little Known Fact: Steve was a psychologist on a locked psychiatric ward.

Professional Bio

Fred Bunsa

VP, Client Engagement

Fred leads our Client Engagement activities where he combines his consulting, coaching and sales expertise to help companies develop their leaders and teams. Prior to joining the AJO Leadership Team, Fred was an AJO Executive Coach who also ran his own Leadership Development company for a number of years.

Fred has a way of truly understanding the needs and value drivers of clients. He is skilled at connecting the talents and capabilities of the firm to enable clients to grow their people and reach their goals.

Most Unusual Job: Copy Editor for a sky-writing company.

Favorite Pastimes: Family reunions at Long Beach Island, music, running, stand-up comedy, audio books and walking by Faith.

Little Known Fact: Fred met his wife in Algebra I (the first time he ever developed an interest in "figures"). He is blessed to have 7 children -- no twins; no adoptions; 1 wife...

Professional Bio

Marie Tanzi

VP, Career Transition Services

Marie heads AJO's Career Transition practice, supporting our clients and program participants in Career Transition Services. Since joining AJO in 2001, Marie has become a key force behind AJO's reputation for responsiveness, exceptional quality and highly personalized attention.

Most Unusual Job: A Junior Draftsperson for AT&T creating layouts, plans, drawings and visual graphics for board meetings, marketing and shareholder meetings.

Favorite Pastimes: Cooking and spending time with nieces & nephews.

Little Known Fact: Marie prepares salads for a dinner meal for 70 shut-ins every six weeks.

Professional Bio

Bill Accordino

VP, Talent Development

Bill heads AJO's Talent Development Practice. He's uniquely qualified since he's delivered all AJO services and also brings a blend of consulting and corporate leadership experience to this role. During his corporate career, Bill has held senior roles in banking, finance and human resources where he led key initiatives including major reorganizations; merger integrations; HR strategy, planning and technology; as well as leading teams of 40+ HR professionals.

Most Unusual Job: Building manholes and installing storm sewers, driving a 21 speed dump truck, grunt man (mixing cement and carrying brick up six story scaffolding), doing sidewalks and curbs ........all with the same company.

Favorite Pastimes: Reading biographies, going to the beach in the summer, fall, winter and spring, and spending lots of time with my three grandchildren.

Little Known Fact: I proposed to my beautiful bride of 39 years after dating for only 3 months.

JoAnn Graziano

VP, Finance & Administration

As Vice President of Finance and Administration, JoAnn ensures seamless delivery and client satisfaction in all areas of her responsibility, working closely with our customers, external service providers, associates and the community.

Most Unusual Job: As part of a company audit, JoAnn had to count thousands of White Castle hamburgers.

Favorite Pastimes: Walking/hiking with her two dogs, landscape design and travel.

Little Known Fact: JoAnn trained in automotive repair and spark plug maintenance.

Professional Bio

Pam Grosicki

VP, Marketing & Communications

Pam is responsible for all things related to marketing and communications at AJO, including our website, blog and social media marketing. She also supports AJO's strategic initiatives and new service development.

Most Unusual Jobs: Making cotton candy at a beachfront kiosk/cafe (known as candy floss in the UK) and other summer jobs on the production lines of Yardley and Matchbox Toys factories.

Favorite Pastimes: Shopping, hiking, magic puzzles and listening to audio books.

Little Known Fact: In 2025, Pam will have lived half her life in the U.S. and the other half in the U.K. which explains the funny accent.

Professional Bio

Renee Guzanek

Manager, Curriculum Development

Renee is enthusiastic about learning and has focused on people development for over 25 years. Since 2013, she’s been designing and developing learning programs for AJO's clients, often serving them in the dual roles of instructional design and program management.

Most Unusual Job: Dinner cook at a large nursing home when she was just 19 years old – with no institutional cooking experience.

Favorite Pastimes: Drinking craft beer, living life out loud with family and friends and home renovation.

Little Known Fact: Owner of a very large collection of children’s books, thanks to a short career as an elementary school teacher.

Professional Bio

Laura Bogaards

Manager, Client Engagement

Laura supports our Executive/Leadership Coaching and Team & Leadership Development practices, juggling all the balls that keep day to day operations running smoothly.

Most Unusual Job: Reader for the blind while in college.

Favorite Pastimes: Tennis, Skiing, Bird Watching, Hiking, Listening to NPR.

Little Known Fact: Laura was an attorney in a previous career.

Suzanne Russo

Data Management Specialist

Suzanne supports AJO's data management needs across all practices, including research, data analysis and custom report preparation. In addition, she supports the implementation of enhancements to AJO's Portal.

Most Unusual Job: In her senior year of high school Suzanne worked for a credit reporting agency verifying the employment of mortgage applicants.

Favorite Pastimes: Spending time with family and friends, hiking, baking and days at the beach.

Little Known Fact: At age 7 Suzanne appeared on a TV show “The Mary Kelly Puppet Party” that aired on a local station on Sunday mornings.

Kyle O'Connor

HR Studio Podcast Founder & Host

Kyle leads and hosts AJO's HR Studio Podcast, providing digital content to the HR Community in general, and to new and aspiring HR leaders in particular.

Most Unusual Job: Selling cutlery.

Favorite Pastimes: Traveling the world, meeting new people, the great outdoors, working out and learning.

Little Known Fact: Kyle lived in Buenos Aires for 6 months in college and while there, he learned how to tango.