Pensacola’s business community has a new leader at the helm of one of its most established companies. Kara Bloomberg has stepped into the role of President at Landrum, marking a new chapter for the 55-year-old company that has become synonymous with connecting people to opportunities throughout Northwest Florida.
From Staffing to Strategic People Solutions
Landrum has undergone a significant transformation that reflects the changing needs of modern businesses. The company recently dropped “HR” from its name, signaling a shift from traditional human resources services to comprehensive people solutions.
“It isn’t necessarily just sitting in a traditional HR box anymore,” Bloomberg explains. “It’s really thinking about how businesses work with their people and how they’re using people to improve their business and grow.”
This evolution has positioned Landrum as more than a staffing agency. The company now offers leadership services, executive search capabilities, and consulting that extends far beyond Northwest Florida’s borders, serving clients across California, Colorado, Texas, and throughout the nation.
Background: Bloomberg stepped into the role after serving as Chief Operating Officer since 2018. During her seven-year tenure at Landrum, she has led multiple successful corporate acquisitions and spearheaded numerous market expansions, effectively navigating complex scenarios to position the company for sustained growth, while staying true to its long-standing reputation for providing exceptional, relationship-based service to its clients.
Downtown Pensacola: A Strategic Move
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Landrum to reimagine their workspace, ultimately leading to their move from Davis Highway to a collaborative space on Garden Street in downtown Pensacola. The decision reflects both practical considerations and a commitment to being part of the city’s vibrant growth.
- “We wanted to be a part of that too,” Bloomberg notes, describing the energy and opportunities that downtown Pensacola offers. The new location serves as more than just office space—it’s a hub for hosting events, training sessions, and bringing together clients from various industries to share insights and foster connections.
Navigating the AI Revolution
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, Bloomberg advocates for a thoughtful approach, prioritizing human connections. She asks clients, “As tech emerges, whether that’s AI, no matter what it is, what’s your philosophy as leaders as to how it fits into your business?”
- She sees AI as an opportunity for workforce enhancement rather than replacement. “We find there’s never just a cookie-cutter solution,” she explains. “There’s my current workforce, and I want them to be able to grow and evolve and be who we need for the future. So there’s some commitment that I have to make to training and education and upskilling.”
At Landrum, technology serves as “a bridge to help our employees have even more time with our clients.” The company’s approach focuses on automation of repetitive tasks: “Can we have some tasks that get automated that are maybe more repetitive, that don’t necessarily need a people interaction? And can we take those people that are working and great in our company and have them bring even more value to our clients by building better relationships, spending more time with them?”
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Great conversation! It’s interesting to hear how companies are evolving and re-thinking traditional HR and talent challenges. I love the idea of fractional executives for smaller companies and the conversation around upskilling the workforce in the age of AI.