Rick Hammell is the Founder and majority shareholder of Atlas, a groundbreaking company he established in 2015. With a keen eye for identifying market gaps, Rick's entrepreneurial journey began at his dining room table, where he recognized the pressing need for solutions that could empower companies to expand into new markets efficiently, rapidly, and with strict adherence to compliance standards. Driven by his dedication to streamlining global expansion, Rick pioneered the innovative Direct Employer of Record business model, specifically designed to support companies with ambitious international aspirations, while fostering equitable opportunities for businesses to compete on a global scale. Under Rick's visionary leadership, Atlas has experienced a remarkable transformation, evolving from a local startup into a renowned global tech firm, boasting an impressive network of 19 offices worldwide. This extensive reach enables Atlas to provide exceptional support to clients in over 160 countries.

The caliber of Rick's accomplishments has garnered recognition from prominent analyst firms, including Nelson Hall, IEC Group, and Everest Group. These esteemed organizations have acknowledged Atlas as a dominant leader in the Employer of Record industry. Additionally, the Global Payroll Association (GPA) bestowed the coveted title of #1 Employer of Record provider for 2023 upon Atlas, acknowledging Rick's strategic vision and effective leadership.

Rick's expertise and thought leadership extend beyond his entrepreneurial ventures. He is an accomplished author, having penned the insightful book "Getting Sh*t Done!: The Millennial CEO." Moreover, Rick's exceptional contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem earned him the prestigious Ernst & Young (EY) 2021 Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year award, a testament to his indomitable entrepreneurial spirit and the profound positive impact he has made on the communities he serves.

Currently serving as the Chairman of the Board at Atlas and retaining the position of majority shareholder, Rick remains dedicated to supporting the company's continued growth and success. However, his passion for positively impacting people's lives and advancing Human Experience Management through technology continues to fuel his visionary pursuits. Rick steadfastly pursues his ambition to create pathways that enable all businesses to compete globally in emerging ventures and investment opportunities, further contributing to a more equitable and interconnected world.

Atlas enables innovative companies to compete in a global economy, believing that businesses should employ whomever they want, wherever the talent exists. As the largest Direct Employer of Record (EOR), Atlas is an expertise-enabled technology platform that delivers flexibility for companies to expand across borders, onboard talent, manage compliance, and pay their global workforce without the need for a local entity or multiple third-party providers. With entities in over 160 countries, Atlas brings localized experience & expertise into an enterprise-grade technology platform that supports thousands of companies and remote teams. Unlike solutions that use third-party providers, the Atlas platform is uniquely designed to deliver end-to-end EOR solutions and improved user experiences, and provide self-service capabilities and real-time insights that lead to improved business outcomes.