The Judge Group, a leading professional services provider based in Pennsylvania, said Tuesday it has opened a Phoenix, Arizona, office to centralize recruiting for ongoing support within West Coast markets.

"Phoenix represents a major market for us, and we are thrilled to now have an office there to better serve our clients in the region," The Judge Group President Brian Anderson said.

Brian Merin, a 20-year veteran of The Judge Group who was promoted to director for the expansion, will oversee the Phoenix operation’s hiring and training of new sales and recruiting teams to provide IT talent solutions.

Merin received a bachelor's degree in administration of justice, with a minor in psychology, from Penn State. Widely regarded as a top producer in IT contract and permanent placement recruiting, Merin mentors new employees and has also been instrumental in the company’s global initiatives.

"Brian has spearheaded many big initiatives for us, and with his leadership, our Phoenix office will deliver Judge's top-ranked services to the entire Southwest region," Anderson said.

With services delivered via a network of more than 30 offices across the United States, Canada and China, The Judge Group serves more than 30 Fortune 100 companies and places over 4,500 professionals annually across a wide range of industries.

The Judge Group's Phoenix office is located at 2201 East Camelback Road, Suite 228, and can be reached at 602-385-0070. The company is headquartered in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.