First Advantage Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

First Advantage has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, technology, operations, and finance.

Driven by a commitment to innovation, First Advantage provides comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions, enabling customers to build fully scalable, configurable screening programs and solidifying its market impact across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Leadership Roles at First Advantage

  • Chief Executive Officer - Scott Staples
  • Interim Chief Financial Officer - Richard Dziadzio
  • Chief Operating Officer (Americas) - David Sumoski
  • Global Chief Operating Officer - Douglas Nairne
  • President, Data, Technology & Experience - Joelle Smith
  • President - David Pinkus
  • President - Jon Olson
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Maureen Lally
  • Chief Technology Officer - Charlie Oyler
  • Controller - Jessica Fellers
  • Scott Staples - Chief Executive Officer

    Scott Staples, the Chief Executive Officer at First Advantage, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Staples guides the organization in delivering comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions, ensuring customers can build scalable and configurable screening programs. This leadership involves overseeing all major business units and driving growth initiatives across global markets. The Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the company's mission to provide trusted insights that empower decision-making. Staples's focus remains on enhancing the company's market position and fostering innovation within the identity and background screening industry. By setting clear objectives, Scott Staples ensures the company consistently meets evolving client needs and industry standards, solidifying First Advantage's reputation for reliability and excellence in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
    Scott Staples

    Richard Dziadzio - Interim Chief Financial Officer

    Richard Dziadzio, the Interim Chief Financial Officer at First Advantage, provides critical financial oversight and strategic guidance. Dziadzio manages the company's financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring fiscal health and stability. This leadership role involves safeguarding company assets and optimizing financial performance across all business segments. The Interim Chief Financial Officer plays a key part in financial planning and analysis, supporting strategic decision-making and investment initiatives. Richard Dziadzio's expertise ensures compliance with financial regulations and drives efficiency in financial processes. By maintaining robust financial controls, Dziadzio supports First Advantage's mission to deliver reliable identity and background screening solutions while ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.

    David Sumoski - Chief Operating Officer (Americas)

    David Sumoski, the Chief Operating Officer (Americas) at First Advantage, manages and optimizes operational functions across the North American region. Sumoski oversees the delivery of comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions, ensuring seamless execution for clients throughout the Americas. This role involves leading teams dedicated to service delivery, client support, and operational efficiency. The Chief Operating Officer (Americas) focuses on enhancing the customer experience and driving operational excellence within the region. David Sumoski's leadership ensures that First Advantage's screening programs are implemented effectively and meet stringent compliance standards. By refining operational processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Sumoski directly contributes to the company's growth and market leadership within the Americas.
    David Sumoski

    Douglas Nairne - Global Chief Operating Officer

    Douglas Nairne, the Global Chief Operating Officer at First Advantage, directs worldwide operational strategies and execution. Nairne oversees the delivery of comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions across all international markets, ensuring consistent service quality and efficiency. This leadership encompasses managing global operations, optimizing supply chains, and driving process improvements to support scalable screening programs. The Global Chief Operating Officer focuses on enhancing operational performance and client satisfaction on a global scale. Douglas Nairne's strategic initiatives ensure First Advantage's infrastructure effectively supports its expanding client base across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. By implementing best practices and fostering operational excellence, Nairne strengthens the company's ability to provide trusted insights worldwide.
    Douglas Nairne

    Joelle Smith - President, Data, Technology & Experience

    Joelle Smith, the President, Data, Technology & Experience at First Advantage, leads the strategic direction for data utilization, technological advancement, and customer experience enhancement. Smith oversees the development and integration of data analytics capabilities and technology platforms that underpin First Advantage's comprehensive screening solutions. This role is crucial for ensuring the company provides cutting-edge identity and information solutions that empower clients to build effective screening programs. The President, Data, Technology & Experience focuses on leveraging data insights to drive product innovation and elevate the overall client journey. Joelle Smith's leadership ensures that technological investments align with market demands and customer expectations, reinforcing First Advantage's commitment to delivering exceptional value and a seamless user experience across its global operations.
    Joelle Smith

    David Pinkus - President

    David Pinkus, the President at First Advantage, drives strategic initiatives and business development across key market segments. Pinkus focuses on expanding First Advantage's reach and impact by overseeing critical business units responsible for delivering comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions. This leadership role involves fostering strong client relationships and identifying new opportunities for growth. The President ensures that the company's offerings align with evolving industry needs and regulatory landscapes. David Pinkus's strategic vision contributes significantly to First Advantage's mission of empowering organizations with trusted insights for informed decision-making. By championing innovation and operational excellence, Pinkus reinforces the company's position as a leader in the background screening industry.

    Jon Olson - President

    Jon Olson, the President at First Advantage, directs strategic growth and operational effectiveness within designated business areas. Olson focuses on enhancing the delivery of First Advantage's comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions, ensuring clients can build robust and scalable screening programs. This leadership involves driving key initiatives that support market expansion and client acquisition across various sectors. The President is instrumental in aligning departmental objectives with the company's overarching goals for innovation and service excellence. Jon Olson's strategic oversight contributes to strengthening First Advantage's competitive position and its ability to provide trusted insights. By fostering collaboration and implementing efficient processes, Olson ensures the company consistently meets and exceeds client expectations in the dynamic identity verification landscape.

    Maureen Lally - Chief Marketing Officer

    Maureen Lally, the Chief Marketing Officer at First Advantage, architects and executes the company's global marketing strategies. Lally drives brand awareness and market penetration for First Advantage's comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions. This role involves overseeing all demand generation, product marketing, and corporate communications efforts. The Chief Marketing Officer ensures marketing initiatives directly support the company's objective of enabling clients to build scalable, configurable screening programs. Lally's leadership focuses on communicating the value proposition of First Advantage's offerings to diverse customer segments across its operational geographies. By analyzing market trends and customer insights, Maureen Lally shapes the go-to-market approach, fostering strong customer relationships and driving revenue growth. The strategic direction provided by Lally ensures First Advantage maintains a competitive edge in the identity and background screening sector.
    Maureen Lally

    Charlie Oyler - Chief Technology Officer

    Charlie Oyler, the Chief Technology Officer at First Advantage, spearheads the company's technological innovation and infrastructure development. Oyler directs the engineering and product development teams responsible for creating and enhancing First Advantage's comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions. This leadership ensures the platform's scalability, security, and reliability, enabling clients to build robust screening programs. The Chief Technology Officer oversees the integration of cutting-edge technologies to maintain First Advantage's competitive advantage in the market. Oyler's strategic focus involves driving digital transformation and optimizing the technological backbone that supports global operations across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. By championing technological advancements, Charlie Oyler ensures First Advantage delivers state-of-the-art solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clientele and solidify its position as an industry leader.
    Charlie Oyler

    Jessica Fellers - Controller

    Jessica Fellers, the Controller at First Advantage, manages the company's accounting operations and financial reporting. Fellers ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial data, overseeing general ledger functions, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. This role is vital for maintaining compliance with accounting standards and supporting the financial health of First Advantage's comprehensive screening solutions business. The Controller plays a key part in internal controls and financial analysis, providing essential data for strategic planning and operational decision-making. Jessica Fellers's meticulous approach guarantees that financial records accurately reflect the company's performance and support its mission to provide reliable identity and information solutions. Fellers's oversight contributes to the fiscal stability required for First Advantage's continued growth and market leadership.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding First Advantage Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads First Advantage?
    First Advantage is led by Scott Staples (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Richard Dziadzio (Interim Chief Financial Officer) and David Sumoski (Chief Operating Officer (Americas)).
    Who is part of First Advantage’s executive team?
    The executive team of First Advantage includes leaders such as Scott Staples (Chief Executive Officer), Richard Dziadzio (Interim Chief Financial Officer), David Sumoski (Chief Operating Officer (Americas)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does First Advantage have?
    First Advantage has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in First Advantage’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of First Advantage includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer (Americas), Global Chief Operating Officer, President, Data, Technology & Experience.