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Tapping retirees’ talents

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Times Staff Writer

A potential brain drain as baby boomers leave the workforce has led at least one company to carve out a role linking aging scientists and engineers with companies in need of their talents.

“When they retire they find themselves wanting to remain engaged,” said Brad Lawson, chief executive of Indianapolis-based YourEncore. “We provide them with an outlet.”

As it turns out, a lot of employers wish to engage their services, typically for short-term projects. Started in 2003 with early support from Procter & Gamble Co., Eli Lilly & Co. and Boeing Co., YourEncore has expanded to a network of more than 22 companies in a growing range of industries, including medical devices, food and defense.

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At the same time, its pool of retirees has grown from 300 to 3,000.

The tale underscores the reality that individuals with coveted technical skills -- even those who have reached retirement age -- remain valued commodities.

In one case, the firm linked a retired rocket scientist who was an expert in avalanche prediction with a consumer products company that wanted to reduce the clumps in its powdered detergent. In another, it hooked up a retired expert on miniature electric motors with a company that wanted to develop such a motor for a hand-held appliance.

Retirees can register with YourEncore for free by going to www.yourencore.com.

Companies, which pay a fee, may search the database for the expertise they seek. The experts become employees of YourEncore, which pays them at their former wage level adjusted for inflation, plus a 20% premium.

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“Really sophisticated, specialized skill is in demand someplace in the world by someone,” Lawson said. “Making that connection is what we do for retirees.”

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jonathan.peterson@latimes.com

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