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A Little Bit About Us

Who we are and how we do things

Our Story

From its inception in 2008, Candid Research was designed to meet the challenging demands of the employer. You see, we understood there was a problem getting FCRA-compliant reports quickly. In fact, Candid was formed precisely to solve that problem when our staffing company decided it would no longer tolerate waiting 3-10 days and sometimes losing qualified applicants because the background check was still pending. Not only were the reports taking taking too long, they were also costing too much and often contained irrelevant or inaccurate information. After changing vendors several times and getting similar results, we decided to bring background checks in-house. Our goal was to evaluate the cause of unacceptable delays in each county and find a way to streamline the process, without compromising quality. What we found were many opportunities for optimization. While each jurisdiction has its own set of circumstances and restrictions, we were able to create systems that could be relied on for timely and accurate results, consistently –and that’s how Candid Research was born. In 2014, we sold the staffing company and soon many of our staffing competitors became our background check customers. Today, we have hundreds of satisfied clients across the U.S.A. receiving same-day results on searches that used to take weeks with other providers.

Our Mission

To attract and retain excellent customers by delivering the best customer service and turn-around time in the industry.

Our Philosophy

We believe that our decisions and actions impact our customers, employees, vendors, and the communities we serve. By always exercising sound judgment guided by our values, and maintaining solid systems, we earn and retain the trust and loyalty of those we serve.

Our Values

Our Management Team

In order to deliver the best customer service, we start with great people. Meet those that lead our team.

Patricia Sotelo – President

Pati is responsible for creating the systems and assembling the exceptional team that defines Candid’s excellence. Her relentless drive and passion resonate through the organization daily. As Pati often states, “Our dedication to customer service doesn’t merely set us apart—it elevates us.” Before her journey with Candid, Pati helmed a successful staffing company in Orange County, California for over thirty years.


Gabriel Ramirez – Operations Manager

Boasting a distinguished 25-year tenure with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept, Gabe brings a wealth of experience to our team. His strategic mind, profound industry knowledge, leadership skills, and invaluable insight from his law enforcement career converge to ensure we deliver accurate reports with unmatched turnaround times. His dedication to excellence further solidifies Candid’s prominent standing in the background check industry.


Andrea La Rosa – Customer Service Manager

Andrea heads our Customer Service Dept. with a commitment to outstanding customer experiences. Implementing key service policies, her analytical mindset keeps us at the forefront of service excellence. Andrea collaborates closely with other departments and ensures a unified and seamless approach to all customer interactions. Her commitment to excellence has made a significant difference in how we engage and serve our valued customers.


Felipe Ramirez – Verification Specialist

Phillip is our trusted expert in employment and education verifications. With a keen eye for detail, he meticulously reviews and authenticates each document, ensuring the utmost accuracy and authenticity in every report. With a firm commitment to data privacy, Phillip strictly adheres to compliance standards. Both clients and candidates appreciate his clear communication and steadfast dedication to the verification process.


Rebecca Roeser-Budai – Researcher

Holding a law degree from Chapman University, Becca is proficient in navigating complex data landscapes and ensures every piece of information uncovered is accurate and pertinent. Becca’s diligence is paramount in upholding our reputation for comprehensive and reliable background checks. Clients trust in her ability to sift through vast records, ensuring informed decisions backed by rigorous research.



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