Gladney Darroh

I believe hard work, honesty, and persistence can change a life. I was born in Houston, Texas, in 1950, the youngest of three brothers. My father was a cattle trader and my mother a homemaker. We were always taught to work for what we wanted—selling pecans, mowing lawns, or running lemonade stands.

In 1962, my father’s cattle feedlot business failed, leaving us broke. We moved to Palestine, Texas, to live with my grandmother. I worked through high school—shining shoes, selling tickets at the drive-in, and cleaning shops. My grandmother once told me, “We are not poor. We just don’t have much money—but we have everything else.” That stuck with me.

Back in Houston in 1966, I sold Cutco knives and then took a commission job at a shoe store, where I excelled. I later paid my way through the University of Houston, earning a degree in Economics while working full-time at Industrial Welding School, helping underprivileged students get welding jobs. That job showed me the power of second chances.

In 1977, I founded Piper-Morgan Associates, starting with two phones in a borrowed office. I placed my first candidate within a week. Over the years, I became one of Houston’s top recruiters, known for honesty, integrity, and long-term relationships.

Outside of work, I’ve spent decades giving back—supporting Today’s Harbor for Children, funding a voice therapy app for Parkinson’s patients, and creating This American Family, a musical that raised money for charity.

My life has been shaped by simple values: work hard, stay honest, and always give back. My mother taught me, “You only take with you what you leave behind.” I try to live by that every day.