After 35 years, GroupOne Background Screening HR Director Jan Cavender has decided to call it a career. Today is officially her last day at the office. She announced her retirement two months ago, and has graciously worked with her replacement, Leah Whitworth, since then.
Jan started her career at the DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) in 1990, working with a small staff at the Dallas offices on Inwood Road under former President/CEO John Gavras. She was here for the formation of GroupOne Background Screening in 1995 and the DFWHC Foundation’s Data Initiative in 1999, serving as HR Director for those two entities since their inception. During her tenure, she has seen the staff grow to 35-plus and has endured corporate moves to two different locations, most recently to the present offices in Las Colinas/Irving. She has also worked with present GroupOne President/CEO Stephen Love during his entire tenure here.
Jan grew up in Oklahoma and has been a life-long fan of the Oklahoma Sooners football team, actively participating in DFWHC’s Annual Football Friday. During that event, employees would meet in the conference room at lunchtime for barbecue, dessert and iced tea, adorned in the jerseys of their favorite football team a day prior to the Longhorns/Sooners game at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl. Jan also enjoyed playing the Boomer Sooner anthem over the company’s PA system, much to the frustration of Longhorns fans.
Staff members held a retirement party for Jan last week and presented her with a hand-made sculpture created by artist Alicia Keleman titled “Spring Waterfall.” She was also provided with a leather journal booklet signed by every employee, thanking her for her decades of dependable service. Jan was the longest tenured employee at DFWHC, the DFWHC Foundation and GroupOne. She and her husband are looking forward to their retirement and spending time with their grandkids. Congratulations Jan and you will be missed!
