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A full-time career man, a hobby farm, a muscle car museum, and, oh yeah, raising grandkids with the enthusiasm of a sugar-rushed Santa? Enter Dean Carras, a man who’s worn more hats in the screening industry than a milliner’s showcase. From his early days wrangling fax machines to his new role as VP of Background Verification Solutions at IDI, Dean’s career is a masterclass in adaptability, grit, and a whole lot of charm. Oh, and did we mention he’s also a Mason, a Shriner, and a proud member of PBSA’s Leadership Development Committee? You won’t want to miss this episode.

Pro Conversation You don’t want to miss!

From Magistrate to Master of Data
Dean’s unique journey from being a magistrate in North Carolina to becoming a legend in compliance and data acquisition. His early days involved feeding an endless parade of fax machines—talk about hands-on experience!

The Evolution of Screening
Dean shares his thoughts on the biggest industry shifts, from the challenges of data transparency to the exciting (and slightly scary) possibilities of AI.

Life on the Hobby Farm and the Muscle Car Museum
When he’s not in the office or at a PBSA conference, Dean is surrounded by animals, grandkids, and classic cars. His family’s “Wheels of Yesteryear” museum in Myrtle Beach is a must-visit for car enthusiasts.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Wheels of Yesteryear Museum – Explore Dean’s family collection of classic muscle cars: Wheels of Yesteryear
• Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) – Learn how PBSA shapes the industry: PBSA Website
• Leadership Opportunities at PBSA – Get involved and build your brand within the screening industry.

Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining conversation with Dean Carras! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps more than you know. Share this episode with a friend or colleague, and let’s spread the word about the fascinating world of background screening.

See you at the next episode!

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/

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Imagine juggling a high-powered background screening career, chauffeuring kids to sports meets, and still finding time to perfect your golf swing—all without breaking a sweat. If that sounds like a superhero origin story, it’s probably because you haven’t met Mallory Opperman yet. In this episode, Mallory takes us on a joyride through her career, from the Wild West of paper-packed screening days to revolutionizing workflows with lean processes. Spoiler alert: she’s better at improving operations than I am at sinking a putt—and that’s saying something.

Pro Conversation You don’t want to miss!

• Mallory’s Start in Screening: From criminal research assistant in 2007 to senior project manager today, Mallory walks us through her career journey, including her early days navigating manual processes and faxes (yes, faxes!).
• Leaning into Efficiency: A deep dive into Mallory’s expertise in lean processes—reducing waste, enhancing teamwork, and even saving trees by ditching all that paper.
• Life Beyond Screening: Mallory opens up about balancing her career with family life, competitive dance, cross-country meets, and the occasional (mini) golf swing.

Connect with Mallory Opperman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-oppermann/

If Mallory’s journey from paper-heavy days to cutting-edge efficiency has inspired you, be sure to hit that subscribe button! Don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more folks discover the magic of Behind the Screens. And hey, share this episode with a colleague or friend who could use a little inspiration.

Until next time, keep those background checks sharp, and remember—stay curious, stay compliant!

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/

Send us a text

Let me introduce you to my guest for this episode, the brilliant and humble Scott Paler, Esq. Scott isn’t just a partner at the DeWitt law firm—he’s also a soccer dad, Packers fan, and a man who once had a very memorable lunch chat with Dr. Ruth. Join me as we explore Scott’s unique path from law school to the forefront of compliance and litigation in the screening industry. Spoiler: we even chat about his upcoming Italian adventure and life as part of a two-lawyer household!

Pro Conversation You don’t want to miss!

• [00:01:50] How Did We End Up Here?: Scott recounts his unexpected journey into the world of background screening, from his days at Seyfarth Shaw to leading the charge at DeWitt.
• [00:14:11] Balancing Family, Soccer, and Law: Between cheering at soccer tournaments and rooting for the Packers, Scott finds time to juggle his impressive career, family life, and even a passion for travel. Italy, anyone?[00:19:35] The Evolution of Screening Compliance: Scott offers his insights on the tug-of-war between automation and individualized assessment in background screening, all while navigating the growing tidal wave of legal regulations.

Resources:

• Connect with Scott Paler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpaler/
• Learn about PBSA: Visit the PBSA website for information on conferences and resources.

If this episode made you chuckle, think, or want to book a ticket to Italy, let us know! Subscribe to Behind the Screens so you never miss an update, and leave us a review to share your thoughts. Your support helps us bring these engaging conversations to life.

Got an idea for a future guest or topic? Drop us a line or connect with me on LinkedIn. Until next time, keep navigating those compliance waters—and maybe take a page from Scott’s book: balance it all with a good Packers game!

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/