A History Of Compassion And Credibility
[Timeline]
1961 –
James dismissed from position
1966 –
Founds Challenger, Gray & Christmas
1970 –
CGC begins working with companies like McDonald’s, Motorola, and Sears Roebuck & Company
1986-
Challenger begins annual Call-in Days, to provide free job search advice to those in need
1993 –
Challenger launches Job Cuts Report
1994 –
James Publishes Outplacement
1998 –
John Challenger succeeds father as CEO
1999 –
CGC begins to expand work globally
1999 –
CGC Recognized as Creator of the Outplacement Industry
2000 –
James publishes The Challenger Guide: Job-Hunting Success for Mid-Career Professionals
2003 –
John advises US House Committee on Small Business on issue of permanent job loss in global economy
2008 –
Great Recession
2016 –
Challenger celebrates 50 years in business.
2017 –
John Challenger gives testimony to the EEOC on the issue of age discrimination.
2019 –
James Challenger passes away
2020 –
Challenger provides emergency job search service to the American public during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 1966, when founder James E. Challenger started the first firm to offer career transition services and executive outplacement training, the concept “outplacement” was relatively unknown. He believed, as we do today, that taking care of exiting employees is simply the right thing for businesses to do.
James’ own dismissal led him to observe a lack of resources and support for those out of work. At this time, the conversation centered around what companies needed — not individuals.
James changed that.