Taking care of business, so you can get back to yours
Our company was founded by Aaron Tennant, who saw a need for his own businesses to outsource accounting, payroll, IT, and HR. He didn’t need a full-time person for each of his companies, so the idea of sharing these functions at one centralized location made a lot of sense. From those beginnings, Total Solutions was born. We now serve many businesses throughout the region who have that same need – they want to be efficient with their resources and focus on their business. We help by providing the services that keep them running; IT, human resources, accounting, payroll, and marketing.
In January of 2019, Aaron handed over the reins to our current President, Melissa Pepper. Melissa’s high-energy leadership and focus on quality has allowed the company to continue down the path set by Aaron in 2015, accelerating the business and improving client relations with a personal touch.
We understand you may not need a full-time person for all back-office needs, but you do need someone you can trust when the need arises. We work with each client to customize their service – providing as much or as little time as they desire to help them run. Our services are highly customizable and built for each client we work with. Our goal is to take care of business, so you can get back to yours.
In January of 2019, Aaron handed over the reins to our current President, Melissa Pepper. Melissa’s high-energy leadership and focus on quality has allowed the company to continue down the path set by Aaron in 2015, accelerating the business and improving client relations with a personal touch.
We understand you may not need a full-time person for all back-office needs, but you do need someone you can trust when the need arises. We work with each client to customize their service – providing as much or as little time as they desire to help them run. Our services are highly customizable and built for each client we work with. Our goal is to take care of business, so you can get back to yours.
MEET THE TEAM
Aaron Tennant
CEO Aaron started Total Solutions in 2015 to help fellow business owners manage their back-end office functions. A business owner himself, he realized he could grow his business faster by outsourcing functions like IT, HR, payroll, and accounting. Tennant has more than twenty years of experience in transportation and has held many positions in the industry before owning several companies, including Simplex Leasing, P2 Leasing, Tennant Logistics, Cen-Trux, Tennant Yard Management, B&B Truck and Trailer Service, and Cantrell's Towing. |
Melissa Pepper
President Melissa graduated summa cum laude from Augustana College and earned her MBA from University of Iowa. She and her husband Dan have two sons, Grayson and Brooks. She enjoys the mom life, strong coffee, long runs, and podcasts. |
Sarah Kramer
HR Director Sarah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Northern Illinois University, is certified as a Profession in Human Resources (PHR), and has created the goal of obtaining her SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Sarah is also a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). |
Shelly Rogers
HR Generalist Shelly attended Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL studying Business Administration, and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She has 14+ year of human resources experience. |
Zach Gatton
Director of Marketing Zach is a graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. He currently resides in Bettendorf with his wife Lydia. In his free time, he enjoys being terrible at golf, playing basketball, and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes. |
Rachel C. Vickers
Marketing Coordinator Rachel earned a BMA from Wartburg College in 2009 and an M.M from the University of Minnesota in 2011. A native of DeWitt, IA, Rachel is dedicated to investing in the local arts and theatre community. In her spare time, she works as an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Augustana College and teaches voice lessons privately from her home. |
Kyle Menster
Accounting Supervisor Kyle is a 2016 graduate of St. Ambrose University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting degree, with a minor in Organizational Leadership. He currently resides in Davenport, IA where he enjoys playing tennis and volleyball in his free time. |
Lisa Sears
Accounts Payable Specialist Lisa is a proud graduate of Augustana College, where she earned degrees in Accounting and Business Administration – Marketing. She currently resides in Geneseo, IL, with her husband and son. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family. |
Cindy Klemme
Payroll Cindy Klemme joined the Total Solutions team in January 2015. Cindy works on processing payroll, payroll taxes and year end forms. Prior to joining the Total Solutions team, Cindy worked at Tennant Truck Lines where she processed driver paperwork and helped in the safety department. Cindy has attended payroll training class through Skill Path. With her attention to detail and organization, Cindy is always working to streamline the payroll process for clients. Cindy has three children and enjoys attending all their events. She loves spending time outside and with family and friends. |
Allie Girardin
Accountant Allie was raised outside of Augusta, GA and graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the College of Charleston. She now resides in Bettendorf, IA with her sister and French bulldog named Betty. In her spare time, she is attempting a yoga class or trying out a new cooking recipe. Depending on the time of year, she is either cheering on the Pats, Celtics, Bruins, or Red Sox. (Her father is from Maine and had no sons) This past fall, she mastered “Sporty Sister Sundays,” in which her sister and her try out new restaurants around the area that have the Pat’s game on. Her sister, Kelley, now understands what a first down is, which is a success her father never achieved. |
