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About OI Partners - Lifocus
Since our inception in 1995 as a Full Service Talent Management Firm, OI Partners - Lifocus has continued to grow and excel in Outplacement, Career Counseling, Coaching and Leadership Development. We have gained the trust and confidence of many companies in virtually every industry in New England. Our personalized services and flexibility have helped to establish a reputation of providing client services that go beyond expectations.

We are part of OI Partners Inc., an International Consulting, Coaching and Training Firm. While we remain locally owned and operated, our affiliate offices provide resources on a global scale.

We take extreme pride in delivering the most personal and completely private outplacement, career management and coaching services. We customize our services to fit the specific needs of each individual and client company. As one client recently shared, "I felt like I was in a fishbowl after I was downsized in 2006. My dignity was compromised, and as a result, I never returned to the outplacement firm. "

Unlike many outplacement/career management firms where attendance to workshops and seminars with strangers may be recommended or required, OI Partners - Lifocus provides truly personalized one-on-one counselor to client services (the lowest ratio of counselor to client in the industry 20-1), not diffused among a number of so called “specialists”. Our counselors take great interest in our clients personal success, striving to become their confidante and partner from program start to finish.

Private meetings are scheduled at regular weekly intervals to ensure program follow through as well as counselor mentorship and advocacy to help achieve their transition goals sooner. We continually follow up with our clients both during and after process completion to ensure 100 percent satisfaction.

We strongly believe that the collaborative working relationship established between the counselor and the client is the cornerstone to a successful, rewarding and speedy career transition.
Our Mission
Our mission is to join in an equal partnership with client companies as well as individual clients. We are a partnership determined to cause success by listening and responding. We believe that value is derived by assistance provided and success achieved. We will focus our efforts and work diligently on customizing a plan that will meet or exceed your expectations.
Testimonials
"THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. IT WAS THE STRATEGY DEVELOPED BY OI-PARTNERS - LIFOCUS THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE."
International Director

"THE ENTREPRENEURIAL COUNSELING BY THE TEAM AT OI-PARTNERS - LIFOCUS PROVIDED NOT ONLY THE TOOLS, BUT ALSO THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND REINFORCEMENT THAT STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS WAS THE RIGHT DECISION."
Former Vice President of Operations

"MY ANTICIPATED JOB SEARCH TIME WAS CUT IN HALF THANKS TO THE JOB LEADS OBTAINED THROUGH OI-PARTNERS - LIFOCUS."
Buyer/Planner

'WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW OPPORTUNITY RON IS EMBARKING ON AND WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OI-PARTNERS - LIFOCUS FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND SUPPORT. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL YOU'VE DONE."
Wife, Corporate Quality Assurance Mgr.
Our Colleagues
 
S. Thomas Wharton
Managing Partner
Debora Saccoccio
Director of Business Development
Renee E. Bucklin
Senior Consultant
Don Lovejoy, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant
Amy Zervas
Executive Assistant

S. Thomas Wharton, Managing Partner

Tom Wharton is the founder and President of Lifocus Inc., established in 1994, and Managing Partner of OI Partners. He attended Bowling Green University where he studied Business Administration and photography. He also has numerous certifications in Information Technology. In addition, he brings 25 years of Corporate experience as a Regional VP, having had responsibility for recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, retention, performance management, and succession planning, overseeing 1000+ staff employees. Tom is also a Certified Executive Coach. He is considered an authority on issues related to career coaching and career counseling, having authored many articles on related subjects. Tom has also written and copyrighted "Strategies for Success", a program followed by countless numbers of individuals while conducting their job search/career change campaign.

Tom has been a guest speaker and provided pro-bono workshops to several non-profits including the Donley Rehabilitation Center, Kent House, CCRI, Bryant College, Johnson & Wales University, Warwick Vets High School, Windom High School, and others. Mr. Wharton has professional affiliations with SHRM, NEHRA, HRM-RI, ACF International and is a life member of the Two-Ten Foundation.
He is also very active in the community having served as an ambassador to the Chamber of Commerce, a Board of Trustees member and mentor to children through the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, provided corporate sponsorship and served as a volunteer speaker for Junior Achievement. Tom is a member of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni and is past President of the Rhode Island Search and Rescue Team. He is CPR certified and advanced first aid trained. In addition, Tom has worked with the RI Special Olympics as a volunteer, as well as being a CASA volunteer (Court-appointed special advocate for abused, neglected and dependent children) with the Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families. Tom is an avid fisherman who also has a passion for travel, scuba diving, the outdoors and camping, having visited all 50 states, all Canadian Provinces as well as several International locations. He has one daughter, Monica, and 2 grandchildren who reside in Cincinnati. Tom resides in Warwick, Rhode Island with his long time pet Cockatoo, Tootsie. Tom can be reached at 401.884.7959 X301 or .

Debora Saccoccio, Director of Business Development

Debora brings 10+ years of executive level/entrepreneurial background in business development, strategic planning, seminar development, training and management. She has spent most of her career within the healthcare arena where she had demonstrated her skills by increasing the bottom line for various companies. Debora received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rhode Island College and a second degree in Cardio/Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist from Community College of RI and completed a certification program in project management from Bryant University. She has an ease in communicating with individuals at all levels and enjoys developing long lasting relationships. A native to Rhode Island, she understands the culture and personality of our state.

In addition, Debora has conducted business internationally and respects each company’s distinct management style. She has also been active with the Small Business Development Corporation, a board member for the American Marketing Association and presently active with Business Leadership Network and Chamber of Commerce. Debora can be reached at 401.884.7959 X302 or email, .

Renee E. Bucklin, Senior Consultant

Renee is human resources professional with experience in high-tech, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing industries. She earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island. As a human resources generalist, Renee has been responsible for employment, employee relations, training and administration for businesses of various sizes. Prior to joining forces with OI Partners - Lifocus, she also worked as an outplacement consultant with Drake Beam Morin, traveling to company centers to present job search-related classes, as well as working with individual clients.

She is a human resources consultant to small business, specializing in transactional issues, policies/procedures, and recruiting. Renee has been a member of SHRM since 1988, including the two Rhode Island chapters since 1995. She has served on the Rhode Island State council since 1996 in various positions, including State Council Director, Communications Director and currently as Treasurer. She is also a member of two Chambers of Commerce, and serves on the Board of the East Greenwich Animal Protection League. Having worked in Northern Virginia, Boston, MA suburbs and Amherst, MA, Renee now resides in Warwick, RI with her husband, Richard Marzilli, and dog, Vinny. Renee can be reached at 401.884.7959 X303 or email, .

Don Lovejoy, Ph.D., Senior Consultant

Don has a Ph.D. in Health and Human Services and a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Columbia Pacific University. He has worked as a Family Therapist for 15 years in the mental health/substance abuse field. He coordinated research and implementation in a Performance Improvement Initiative to improve effectiveness of prevention and treatment services in a four-site outpatient treatment facility. Don is a RI Certified Chemical Dependency Professional. He developed and has conducted workshops on Stress Reduction and Recovery for 25 therapists at the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Association. He taught a course in Family Dynamics at Rhode Island College. In addition, Don gave a presentation entitled "An Alternative to Stress" to 300 IRS employees. Dr. Lovejoy has spoken in churches, libraries and treatment agencies on topics such as promotion of mental-health and prevention of substance abuse. Dr. Lovejoy is dedicated to teaching people scientifically validated holistic health approaches that help them realize their full potential through a higher level of mental health and physical well being. Dr. Lovejoy is a member of the RI Zoological Society and the Sturbridge Village Society. He has authored two books; one on how meditation improves your life, entitled The Journey into Our Unbounded Nature and a book of poems entitled Scenes from the Heart. His interests include reading, writing, meditation, exercise and traveling with his family. Don can be reached at 401.884.7959 X304 or email, .

Amy Zervas, Executive Assistant

Amy brings 10+ years of business administration experience in marketing and administrative support. She has spent most of her career in two manufacturing companies in marketing positions that included work in direct mail programs, trade shows and concept design for corporate brochures, websites and promotional material. She has collaborated on numerous marketing projects and provided administrative support for the sales department. In addition, Amy works with students at a community college in writing and reading. Amy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from URI and also obtained a MA degree in Adult Education from URI. She enjoys working in an executive assistant role as part of a team to help clients reach their goals. Amy can be reached at 401.884.7959, Ext 300 or .