LETTER FROM THE NAPEO CHAIR

The past year has shown just how much progress can be made when our members, staff, and partners are aligned on what matters most: advocating for smart policy, delivering value to our customers, and keeping the PEO model moving forward.

We’ve had some real wins worth pausing to celebrate. First and foremost, we’ve launched our brand new NAPEO website, which now offers a cleaner user experience and a clearer window into the work we’re doing to support and represent this industry. It’s more than a facelift. It’s a functional shift in how we show up for members, policymakers, and prospective customers. If you haven’t explored it yet, I encourage you to do so.

We’re also seeing tangible legislative success in Oregon, where two important industry bills were signed into law. This is proof that our continued, steady presence in statehouses is making a difference. These bills modernize an outdated PEO statute and codify our ability to offer either client-level or PEO-level unemployment insurance, helping ensure that PEOs can continue to thrive in Oregon. At the federal level, we also introduced HR 3223—bipartisan legislation that will protect PEOs from being held liable for payroll tax credits that are inappropriately claimed by our customers. This is a long game, and this bill represents an important next chapter.

NAPEO has been busy internally, too. We’re onboarding a wave of new staff who are already making an impact. We’ve amended our bylaws to better reflect how we operate today—ensuring our internal structures keep pace with the size, scope, and ambition of our membership. And I know by the time this column goes to print, many of you will be gearing up for the Annual Conference & Marketplace in Austin—sure to be our largest ever.

And finally, our PAC is on track for a record-breaking year. That’s a credit to all of you who see the value in showing up, every election cycle, to make sure the voice of the PEO industry is heard loud and clear. Your continued engagement is key to our success—thank you.

This will also be my final column as Chair of the NAPEO Board. To have a front-row seat to this industry’s resilience, creativity, and collective will has been a privilege and an honor. I’m especially grateful to the NAPEO staff, my fellow Board members, and all of you—our members—for your trust and partnership over the past year. You’re in good hands with Bill Maness, who I know will bring energy, perspective, and deep commitment to the work ahead.

There’s more work ahead, but the future of our industry is looking brighter than ever. Thank you all for being a part of it.