Our Team

Since 1986, Payroll 1’s core value - "personal service comes first" – has remained the same.

  • Chip Dawson

    Chip Dawson

    Co-Founder and Chairman

    Chip Dawson earned a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown and a J.D. from the University of Michigan. While evaluating his career options, he foresaw the potential of payroll outsourcing and chose to usher in the industry where he has served since. Chip co-founded Payroll 1 in 1986. Contemplative and analytical, Chip’s personal ethic of service has set the tone for securing our loyal and satisfied clients, enabling Payroll 1 to become one of the largest privately-held payroll companies in America.

  • Elaine Kelly

    Elaine Kelly

    President and CEO

    Elaine earned her degree from the University of Michigan and went on to Coopers and Lybrand where she not only practiced as a CPA, but worked extensively in the firm’s recruiting, training and staff development programs. Payroll 1 has enjoyed the many benefits of Elaine’s extensive and varied professional experience since she joined the company in 1992.

  • Peter Hanley

    Peter Hanley

    Co-Founder and Chief Software Developer

    Before payroll outsourcing, Peter Hanley manually produced payroll for a national retailer. Recognizing the power of the computer, he went on to co-found Payroll 1 and became its first, and remains its foremost, software developer. Today, Peter, with his team of technical professionals, continues to research and implement the latest business rules and technologies to ensure that the payroll system continues its evolution.

Our History

The vision: Capture the potential of the emerging trends in business outsourcing and systems automation by leveraging the power of the personal computer and personal service. And so, Payroll 1 was born.

Today, Payroll 1 has grown to become one of the largest independent, privately-held payroll processing companies in the United States. Our executive team has deep payroll industry experience. Rounding out the company's leadership are tenured managers, CPAs, and other accredited professionals with decades of industry experience.

With regional offices across the country, proprietary software, and a team of service-oriented staff members, many of whom have earned the certified payroll professional designation, Payroll 1 services clients in all 50 states, regardless of tax jurisdiction.