Sandeep Acharya
Co-Founder | CEO
Welcome to Aqore, the industry-leading provider of innovative staffing software solutions that exceed expectations. Our unwavering passion for delivering exceptional products and services drives everything we do. We are dedicated to fostering an inspiring work environment that empowers our team and ensures every client interaction is extraordinary.
With a profound belief in delivering the best products and services, we are committed to creating a company that people truly adore.
Taking inspiration from the word “adore” and “q” from the revolutionary realm of “Quantum” technology, our name, “Aqore,” symbolizes our commitment to excellence. We continuously strive to develop cutting-edge staffing software solutions that propel our clients and employees forward, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The Aqore Team comprises a passionate and dedicated group of professionals working collaboratively towards shared goals. With diverse backgrounds, expertise, and a passion for excellence, Aqore team members bring their unique skills and perspectives to contribute to the success of projects and initiatives. Through effective communication, cooperation, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results, Aqore team members foster a productive and positive work environment, driving innovation and achieving remarkable outcomes.
Aqore co-founder Sandeep Acharya has over 25 years of experience in staffing software technology. His career path is akin to that of co-founder and friend Samar Basnet. Upon graduating from St. Cloud State University with a Marketing and Computer Information Systems degree, Sandeep was immediately offered to serve as Director of Operations for Tempworks Software.
It was this early chapter in Sandeep’s career that offered him insight into the multifaceted world of the staffing industry. Like his friend and colleague, he recognized existing staffing software functionality gaps. Rather than attempting to reinvent an already established software brand, Sandeep and Samar teamed up in 2006, and they designed and launched Avionte. Avionte quickly became the #1 staffing technology solution among staffing companies nationwide. However, technology is ever-changing. And so, our founders set out to re-engineer an enhanced product from scratch; thus, AQORE was born! With a propensity for continuously keeping their finger on the pulse of their client’s needs, they designed a unified system unseen in the industry – Zenople!
Aqore’s product, Zenople, directly results from Sandeep’s ability to anticipate industry needs and Samar’s data analytics and engineering skills. The marriage of these talents has given them an edge over their competitors time and time again.
And while most of his passions are centered on technology, Sandeep manages to sneak in rare moments of solace in the outdoors and travel.
Co-Founder, Samar Basnet, has over 25 years of expertise in high volume Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) and proven success in project implementation, data conversion, and process re-engineering.
After earning a Statistics and Computer Information Systems degree from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, Samar jump-started his career with Tempworks Software, serving as Senior Product Manager. In 2006, Samar, accompanied by his long-time friend and colleague, Sandeep Acharya, designed an enhanced software exclusive to the staffing industry, Avionte. In addition to being a co-founder, Samar also served as Chief Software Architect. Avionte quickly became the #1 staffing software in the industry!
Samar’s innovative and creative nature and refusal to remain stagnant gave him an insatiable urge to take the staffing solutions technology to the next level. Then, he and Sandeep founded Aqore and began architecting a fully comprehensive software solution, Zenople. Samar’s desire to continuously be ahead of industry standards has made him a well-sought-after mentor to young technical engineers. He enjoys daily walks to inspire creativity and is a devoted husband, father, and friend.
Steve began his staffing career in 2000 at Robert Half International (RHI) as a recruiter and business development specialist. Thriving in a people-focused industry, he held various leadership roles at RHI. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to join the boutique staffing firm Jackson/Wabash, where he helped build the young business into one of Chicago’s fastest-growing staffing firms, winning numerous industry awards.
In 2009, after Jackson/Wabash was sold to a Fortune 1000 company, Steve co-founded Brilliant LLC. He played a key role in transforming Brilliant into an award-winning staffing firm that tripled its sales annually, even during the recession. This experience honed his skills in operations and technology within the industry.
When Steve and his partners sold Brilliant in 2018, Steve stayed with the private equity firm, driven by his passion for the staffing industry. After three years, he felt the itch of seeking a new challenge within the industry, transitioning to the software solutions side of staffing. In 2021, Steve joined Aqore as Vice President of Sales and Customer Retention. His exemplary performance and leadership led to his appointment as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), where he continues to drive the company’s success.
Steve’s deep understanding of the staffing ecosystem, from recruitment to operations, positions him as a strategic leader at Aqore. Collaborating closely with Sandeep, Samar and Laura, Steve is committed to o delivering exceptional technology solutions and unparalleled customer service. His focus on transparency and accessibility ensures Aqore’s clients receive the support they deserve.
Steve holds a degree in Communications and Rhetoric Studies from Marquette University. He enjoys spending time with his family, discovering new craft breweries, and cheering on Marquette during college basketball season.
Laura Schmitz is the Chief Operating Officer at Aqore, where she leads operational execution, client success, and organizational performance across the business. Known for her disciplined, results-driven approach, Laura focuses on turning strategy into scalable processes that drive measurable outcomes for both the company and its clients.
At Aqore, Laura is responsible for aligning people, process, and technology to ensure consistent delivery and operational excellence. She works closely across teams to streamline implementation, strengthen customer experience, and drive adoption of Aqore’s all-in-one staffing platform—helping agencies simplify recruiting, onboarding, payroll, and back-office operations while improving visibility and decision-making.
Laura is recognized for her ability to lead complex operational and technology transformations without disruption. She has successfully guided organizations through high-stakes transitions by maintaining focus on execution, accountability, and measurable impact ensuring performance, revenue, and client trust remain intact throughout change.
Her leadership style emphasizes clarity, ownership, and continuous improvement. By building strong operational frameworks and empowering teams to execute with precision, Laura ensures that strategy translates into real, sustainable results.
She is a true Pisces and loves water, matched with her passion for travel; in her free time, you can probably find her on a beach, next to a lake, or on a river somewhere in the world with her best friend, aka her husband.
David, an accomplished sales executive, boasts over 25 years of success cultivating teams and enacting sales strategies that bolster ambitious business and financial expansion goals for both burgeoning and established enterprises. He is motivated to unearth fresh leads and tenaciously follows every communication route.
His skill lies in forging connections and adeptly resolving business challenges, making him a respected figure in leadership. He can nurture highly driven sales teams, emphasizing responsibility for tasks, strategic planning, and top-notch customer service.
With over 20 years of experience in staffing and recruiting software, Rich brings an unwavering commitment to excellence in his role as Regional Director of Sales and Customer Retention. His impressive track record includes driving significant growth, enhancing process efficiencies, and fostering long-lasting client relationships by delivering exceptional service and value.
Rich’s deep understanding of market dynamics and the unique needs of staffing and recruiting firms has enabled him to help hundreds of organizations boost productivity, streamline operations, and increase revenue. His strategic approach combines consultative sales techniques with a personalized touch, consistently achieving high client satisfaction and retention rates.
At Aqore, Rich collaborates closely with a talented team dedicated to fostering a customer-centric culture. By leveraging data-driven insights and contributing his expertise, he helps implement strategies that drive client success, operational efficiency, and long-term loyalty.
Outside of work, Rich enjoys spending time with his family, attending his son’s lacrosse games, golfing, and coaching youth lacrosse.
Carrie Liddicoat is a seasoned Business Analyst and Product Champion with over 15 years of expertise in HR and staffing. Passionate about bridging technology and people, she excels in transforming ideas into impactful solutions. With a background in HR and staffing, Carrie brings a unique perspective to her work, consistently delivering innovative strategies that drive operational efficiency and employee engagement. Her commitment to driving positive change and her ability to align business objectives with innovative solutions make her a valuable asset to Aqore.
With a diverse background spanning over 16 years in service, retail, and wholesale management, Angela has successfully transitioned her experience and knowledge into the technology industry and serving staffing clients. Her skill set includes customer success, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and strong interpersonal skills, all underpinned by her fluency in both Spanish and English.
Outside of work, she’s a passionate mixed martial arts enthusiast, a hobby that reflects her belief in the importance of discipline and physical well-being. When she’s not practicing martial arts, she’ll be out on a hike or her favorite pastime to spend time with family, including her cat, Izellah.
Jeremiah brings a thoughtful, solutions-driven approach to his role as Training and Sales Engineer at Aqore. With a diverse background spanning process engineering, property management, IT, and staffing, he thrives at the intersection of technology, human connection, and operational excellence.
He is passionate about uncovering hidden value in workflows, streamlining efficiency, and creating systems that empower people to perform at their best. Known for his innovative mindset and collaborative spirit, Jeremiah helps clients and teams leverage smart technology to achieve clarity, creativity, and impact.
His commitment to continuous improvement and purpose-driven innovation makes him a valuable asset to the Aqore team.
Jim brings his passion for helping people and almost 20 years of staffing experience to add value to our clients. He has run a full cycle desk in the staffing industry, performed back-office duties, managed teams and regions, and was heavily involved in business operations. What he loves best is being on the client side of implementation, building a training and development program, and delivering training.
When Jim is not helping his clients, he spends time with his family and sits on a non-profit board called the Giving Group. If you meet Jim face to face, check out his socks, they are pretty colorful!
Mahsa is a dedicated professional with a wide range of skills and a strong focus on providing exceptional customer service. She has a particular knack for technical documentation, ensuring that complex concepts are easily understood. Regarding project management, she’s frequently a go-to person with top-notch skills in organization and efficiency. Mahsa loves motivating and guiding coworkers and clients to achieve success.
When Mahsa isn’t working, you can see her watching movies, diving into mystery novels, solving puzzles, or whipping delicious meals. And above all, she treasures the moments spent with family.
Mindy has worked in the Staffing industry for over 12 years, emphasizing the light industrial market. She holds a deep understanding of staffing operations- both in the field and in back-office support. This perspective allows her to understand our customers’ unique journey and short- and long-term needs.
Mindy is a dynamo ready to help firms improve processes and gain the efficiencies needed to get the best ROI from their systems and tools.
When you meet Mindy, she may be asking herself, “Is pizza an acceptable breakfast?”.
Anuj has been actively involved in the staffing industry for the past two years, assisting clients and providing technical support and training. He focuses on helping clients navigate their staffing needs and ensuring they receive guidance and assistance. Clients often recognize him for his great attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
When he’s not immersed in work, he finds great joy in exploring the outdoors. Hiking has become one of his favorite activities, allowing him to connect with nature and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
Bishal is an accomplished Data Engineer and Project Manager passionate about leveraging data-driven insights. He has played a pivotal role in numerous development and implementation initiatives. Bishal thrives on challenges and derives great satisfaction from identifying innovative solutions to complex problems. His ability to quickly grasp new concepts and his willingness to learn and teach have been instrumental in delivering positive outcomes.
Outside his professional endeavors, Bishal indulges in outdoor pursuits such as hiking, trekking, and other adventurous activities. He is an avid soccer enthusiast as a spectator and player. Additionally, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and exploring new destinations through travel.
Melina is our accomplished Senior Data Engineer with unparalleled data manipulation and engineering mastery. With a proven track record of designing and implementing intricate data pipelines, Melina consistently delivers solutions that empower data-driven decision-making.
Beyond technical expertise, she is a collaborative team player known for her systematic approach to problem-solving. Her deep understanding of data architecture and commitment to optimizing processes makes her invaluable to our data engineering team.
Melina’s experience and skillset elevate our data infrastructure, reflecting her dedication to maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Our team brings together staffing industry expertise, technology, creativity, and a shared commitment to helping staffing companies move forward.
Co-Founder | CEO
Co-Founder | CSA
Chief Revenue Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Regional Director of Sales and Customer Retention
Regional Director of Sales and Customer Retention
Business Analyst and Product Champion
Senior Manager of Training & Innovation
Training and Sales Engineer
Sr. Client Services Manager
Senior Manager Of Client Services
Client Services Account Manager
Client Services Account Manager
Client Services Support Lead
Client Services Engineer
Director of PMO
Project Manager
Client Service Engineer
Project Consultant
Project Manager
Project & Database Manager
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