Meet the Team

Yuri Kovalenko, CEO and Co-Founder

An entrepreneur is defined as a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks to do so. In his professional career, Yuri clearly lives up to the definition of an entrepreneur. He has the determination and vision to take a business idea and develop it into a successful business.

Born in Ukraine in July 1983, he is the youngest child in the family. In 2000, Yuri completed nursing school and then went on to earn a pharmaceutical degree in 2005. In 2001, Yuri opened his first business in Ukraine. He opened a successful machinery recycling business that supported warehouse plants in Kiev. He maintained that business until he decided to come to the United States in November 2007.

When he arrived in the United States, he started working at local hospitals in the Baltimore area, where he practiced his degrees in the medical field. During the next three years, Yuri learned the steps necessary to open a business in the U.S. As he worked in the hospitals, he saw the hospitals’ needs for skilled clerical and light industrial staffing. Here he saw an opportunity to both train and match job seekers with local businesses. In March 2011, alongside his business partner, Andrey Gustov, Service Industry Solutions opened its doors. Beyond his staffing services, his new franchise, Transworld Business Advisors, focuses on business brokerage and franchise development.

Yuri is married to Ellen, with three kids, Veronica, Alexandra and Kiera. Yuri enjoys extreme sports, is an avid swimmer and billiards player. He is committed to developing his leadership skills and putting his new skills into practice with his personal ventures after graduation.

Andrey Gustov, CFO and Co-Founder

Attention to detail is defined as having the ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved. Andrey can assess a plan and identify the areas of opportunity and growth. The attention to detail enables him to foresee the course of action necessary and manage the risk involved.

Andrey was born in Russia in November 1979. He graduated from Kuban State Agricultural University and earned his bachelor degree in science and production technology. In 2002, Andrey moved to the United States and began working in the staffing industry. He started as an operations manager and moved up to vice president for a staffing company.

During his tenure there, he learned the industry and identified areas where he could improve the services that clients expected from a staffing company. In March 2011, alongside his business partner, Yuri Kovalenko, Service Industry Solutions opened its doors. Andrey also earned his real estate salesperson license in 2012. If that was not enough, he also joined the venture with his business partner Yuri at Transworld Business Advisors.

Andrey is married to Anastasia with one child, Sophie.

Ivonne Escobar, Vice President of Operations

Motivation and leadership are two traits that truly define Ivonne. She has a passion and commitment to develop leaders and teach others how to grow.

Ivonne was born in January 1977 in Puerto Rico. At the age of 11, she moved to United States when her family decided to move to provide the children with better opportunities. She joined the U.S. Army and was able to travel all over the world while in the service. During the time she spent in the military, she earned various awards for her accomplishments. After leaving the military, Ivonne started a career in sales. She was quickly identified by the leadership team and was promoted to a leadership role within three months.  Ivonne successfully developed a sales team that achieved high levels of success. She has an extensive background in sales, team building and management. In 2015, she joined SIS as the operations manager.

Ivonne is married to Mynor, with three kids, Riveka, Rakel and Mynor Jr. She enjoys reading, music, and learning.