Karl Ahlrichs, Expert Speaks
In a world of specialists, Karl Ahlrichs, SPHR is first and foremost a Human Resource consultant and hiring process expert. He has the answers to today’s questions. He has lived (and worked) in the real world of business. Today, he is a founding partner in ExactHire, a consulting firm focused on aligning applicants with organizational values. He has run a career center in Louisiana, another in Appalachia, and helped restructure Apple computer in Silicon Valley. He has directed videos in Chicago, marketed software in Orlando, launched an office of Right Management Consultants in San Diego, and consulted on Human Resources in Indianapolis. He is very involved in SHRM and was awarded the 2003 HR Professional of the Year for the State of Indiana.  Ahlrichs is currently enrolled in Butler’s MBA program to learn the language of finance. He is qualified to administer many assessment tools, and has a background with hiring, training, and writing as a focal point.

 

Bob Basl, EHS Technology Group, LLC
Bob Basl is the Manager of Environmental Consulting for EHS having a background in mechanical and environmental engineering. Currently, Bob’s emphasis is on managing facility-wide regulatory compliance projects for a number of industrial clients involving a variety of environmental issues including process evaluations of air and water pollution control systems, BAT/BACT determinations, hazardous waste management, air pollution emission inventories, asbestos identification and remediation, SARA Title III compliance, process air/water permitting, and ISO 14001 implementation. Bob’s experience also includes the design of industrial ventilation systems, with special emphasis on air pollution control projects.  In addition, he has acted as a liaison with local, state and federal regulatory agencies in environmental compliance matters. As a RAB-trained ISO 14000 lead auditor, Bob has over 100 man-days of environmental auditing experience.

 

Lynn Bertsch, University of Kentucky Institute for Workplace Innovation
Lynn Bertsch is the Director, Employer Engagement for the University of Kentucky Institute for Workplace Innovation. She has over 25 years professional and management experience, working for several Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Pitney Bowes, Wang Laboratories, DuPont, and Westinghouse. In addition, she has worked for an affiliate of Central Bank (Kentucky Finance Corporation) and Kentucky State University. Before joining the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Workplace Innovation, she was Manager, Organizational Development in Human Resources and responsible for all facets of organizational development programs, including talent and performance management, leadership development and culture transformation. Lynn has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Virginia Tech.

 

Thomas J. Birchfield, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC
Thomas J. Birchfield is a member in the law firm of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC. Tom has spent the last 20 years practicing exclusively in the areas of labor and employment law and regularly counsels employers regarding their rights and obligations under the various employment law statutes. Tom is a 1988 graduate of Indiana University School of Law and is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in Kentucky and Indiana.

 

Angela McCorkle Buckler, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
Angela McCorkle Buckler is a partner with the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP where she concentrates her practice in the areas of employment law and commercial litigation. She represents employers in various aspects of employment law, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, harassment and wage and hour. She counsels and assists employers with personnel policies, employee handbooks, compliance with federal and state laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act and other general employment issues. Ms. Buckler also represents clients in litigation matters such as contract and business torts, asbestos litigation, will contests and fiduciary litigation. She received her Juris Doctor from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in 1998 and her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Louisville. Ms. Buckler is a member of the American, Kentucky and Louisville Bar Associations and the National Association of Women Lawyers. She is the current President of the Women Lawyers Association of Jefferson County and current Chair of the Louisville Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section.

 

Brian Bullock, AARP
As Coordinator of AARP’s Financial Security Team, Brian Bullock is responsible for supporting AARP state offices in implementing AARP’s Financial Security initiatives such as smart investment training, avoiding investment fraud, and auto 401(k) employer outreach. He has been with AARP for 8 years. Prior to that, Brian served as Project Director for the Senior Medicare Error Patrol Project of Washington DC, a consumer education and information project in the fight against Medicare and Medicaid fraud, waste, error, and abuse. Brian is a graduate of Virginia Union University.

 

Peter Burke, Best Companies Group
Peter took the lead in creating Best Companies Group in January of 2004. Since its inception, Best Companies Group has established and manages 23 “Best Places to Work” programs in 19 states, 2 cities, one in Atlantic Canada and one national program in the US. Peter creates and executes the strategic plan for the company which includes finding and creating new programs, establishing and developing partner relations and overseeing the operations of Best Companies Group. Prior to starting Best Companies Group, Peter spent 7 years as the associate publisher for the Central Penn Business Journal in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Peter is a proud alum of Boston College where he received a degree in Economics.

 

Bill Campion, Hanna Resource Group
Bill has held executive level positions in Marketing and Human resources during his 28 years of business experience. Most recently he was the Executive Vice-President and Chief WOW Officer for Thomas & King, Inc., one of Applebee’s largest and most successful franchisees. During his 14 years with Thomas & King, Bill was the architect of their WOW culture which has been acknowledged as one of the primary reasons for the company’s success. Mr. Campion is a high energy, entertaining speaker who is known for engaging his audience. When asked about his teaching philosophy he quotes one of his heroes, Walt Disney – “I’d rather entertain and hope they learn instead of teach and hope they are entertained”.In his role with Hanna Resource group he now spends his time working with companies to help them with corporate communications and culture development.

 

James D. Cockrum, Frost Brown Todd LLC
James D. Cockrum represents a wide range of employers - from Fortune 100 companies to sole proprietors getting their first start. He successfully defended suits involving the application collective bargaining agreements to the construction of $100,000,000 facilities, collective action wage and hour claims, and class action suits involving changes to group health insurance benefit plans. Jim has successfully handled discrimination matters, non-competition agreement disputes and many other aspects of the employer-employee relationship. Jim has been repeatedly selected for inclusion in peer and professional groups, including Best Lawyers in America, Chambers & Partners "America's Leading Business Lawyers" and Kentucky Superlawyers. Jim lectures throughout Kentucky and the region, including Labor and Employment Law Updates sponsored by local and district associations of Kentucky and Louisville Bar Associations, the Mid-American Human Resources Symposium, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and its local affiliates, various private agencies and employers, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, and at the annual meetings of our Kentucky Society of Human Resource Managers.

 

Ray Davis, Hanna Resource Group
For the past 18 years Ray Davis has been working in his third career, consulting with companies and coaching individuals on career management and career transition issues. For ten years he was Managing Principal of Right Management’s Lexington, KY office. During the prior 20 years he was involved in marketing, sales, strategic planning and business development for manufacturing companies, including Oneida, LTD., as VP Sales and Marketing for one of its divisions. He earned an MBA from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky.

 

Debra H. Dawahare, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLP
Debra H. Dawahare is an equity partner in Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, and is Co-Chair of the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group and a member of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. She concentrates her practice in employment law and general litigation. She also trains and counsels employers about a wide range of employment issues, such as handbooks, policies, hiring, discipline, discharge, unemployment, and compliance with laws against harassment and discrimination. She has a B.A. from Centre College and an M.A. and J.D. from the University of Kentucky. She is a contributing author, The Kentucky Employer’s Guide to Hiring and Firing, published in 1999 by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and recently reprinted, and was the organizing editor and a contributor to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s recent guideline to Unemployment Compensation in Kentucky. She has been listed in Woodward/White’s 2006, 2007, 2008 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®, in Chambers U.S.A. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and recognized by her peers as a Kentucky Super Lawyer.

 

Kenneth J. Dietz, Jones Dietz & Swisher PLLC
Mr. Dietz is a Member of the law firm, Jones Dietz & Swisher PLLC., with offices in Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati. His practice area of concentration is defending employers in Kentucky workers’ compensation claims. He previously served as chair of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation/Social Security section and as an Adjunct Professor at the Chase College of Law, where he taught workers’ compensation law. He has been selected as a Kentucky “Super Lawyer” in 2008; selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America 2003 to present; and was named to The National Registry of Who-s Who in 2000. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Kentucky University in 1985 and a Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Rodney E. Driscoll, Frost Brown Todd LLC
Mr. Driscoll is an Associate Attorney of Frost Brown Todd LLC and practices in the employee benefits and executive compensation area. He provides technical analysis and support for senior member attorneys in the employee benefits practice group on all facets of compensation and benefits plan design and management for tax exempt and for-profit organizations.

David Eastman, Big Hahuna of Love, Fun and Money
Eastman is the founder and Big Kahuna of Love, Fun and Money, a personal and professional development company that teaches Success Skills for the 21st Century. He holds a B.A. and M.Ed. from Indiana University and has won awards from both the American Society for Training and Development and the National Speakers Association. Highly in demand as a keynoter, David speaks at conferences and conventions throughout the country to a broad cross section of professional groups including engineers, veterinarians, physicians, sales managers, librarians, educators, and small business owners.

 

Eric Ellis, Integrity Development
A leading consultant in the field of organizational development and cultural diversity management, Eric Ellis believes in linking strategic interventions to bottom-line business results. As the president of Integrity Development, Ellis has appeared on national forums for organizations including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Food and Marketing Institute. Previously, Ellis had been Managing Director of Inroads Greater Cincinnati/Dayton, a training and development organization, and Program Director for the University of Cincinnati’s Division of Evening College and Continuing Education. He has a M.A. in Planning from the University of Cincinnati where he also completed two years of post-graduate studies focused on organizational development. His B.A. is in Business from Wright State University where he was a member of their NCAA Division II National Championship Basketball team.

 

Cathy Fyock, Innovative Management Concepts
Cathy Fyock is a CSP, SPHR, and an Employment Strategist with Innovative Management Concepts. Cathy has been helping organizations develop strategies to recruit and retain top talent in an aging and changing workforce for more than 20 years. She has been a speaker at SHRM’s annual conference since 1986, and she’s been a faculty member for the HR Generalist program for 15 years. She is a past chairman of the Human Resource Certification Institute board (in fact, her signature may appear on your PHR or SPHR certificate!), and a past-president of the Louisville SHRM chapter. Cathy currently serves as the Diversity Director for the KY SHRM Council. She is the author of five books, including her newest book, The Truth About Hiring The Best. She also serves as Director of Recruiting for Resources Global Professionals, an international consulting firm.

 

Pam Goedde, Human Element
Pam Goedde holds a BA from Hanover College and an MPA from Indiana State University. She has worked in the HR field for over 30 years. She received the SPHR certification in 1993 and served on the Board of Evansville-area Human Resource Association (EHRA) for 18 years and 2 of the years as President. She received EHRA’s first HR Professional of the Year in 1995. She has served on the Indiana HR State Conference Committee for 14 years of which she was the conference chair for 3 years. She currently co-teaches the SHRM certification course at the University of Southern Indiana.

 

Shannon Antle Hamilton, Stites & Harbison LLP
Ms. Hamilton is with the law firm of Stites & Harbison LLP. She is the Co-Leader of the firm’s Employment Law Service Group. Her practice emphasizes employment litigation and an active counseling practice covering all types of personnel and human resource issues. She defends civil and administrative actions involving a wide variety of discrimination, harassment and other employment claims. Ms. Hamilton is a co-author of Understanding Personnel Law & Human Resource Issues: A Guide to Kentucky & Federal Laws & Regulations, and A Ten Step Program to Eliminate Sexual Harassment, published by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

 

Debbie Reiss Hardesty, Frost Brown Todd LLC
Ms. Reiss is a Member of Frost Brown Todd LLC and practices in the Firm's Corporate Department. She heads the Firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. Debbie also spends part of her time on various business succession issues.

 

Susan L. Harmansky, Papa John’s International
She has over thirty years experience in the human resource field, including previous positions with the US subsidiary of E.ON AG, Providian Corporation, the national headquarters of the Presbyterian Church USA and the Farm Credit System. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Louisville and an MBA from Bellarmine University. She has held the positions of president of the Louisville Society for Human Resource Management, state director for Kentucky of the national Society for Human Resource Management and chair of the Board of Directors for the Human Resource Certification Institute. Susan has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources since 1990 and is a recipient of the Louisville SHRM Award for Professional Excellence. She has served in numerous professional and community leadership roles and is a frequent presenter at business conferences. 

 

Demetrius Holloway, Stites & Harbison PLLC
Mr. Holloway joined Stites & Harbison in September 2000, and is an Associate with the firm’s Employment Law Service Group. Mr. Holloway has defended a variety of administrative actions and civil suits involving allegations of sex, race, age, national origin, disability discrimination, FMLA violations, racial and sexual harassment claims, and a wide variety of common law tort claims. Mr. Holloway has conducted internal investigations involving claims of employee misconduct, employee drug use, sexual and racial harassment, and workplace violence. Mr. Holloway is a frequent public speaker on issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

 

Robert D. Hudson, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC
Robert D. Hudson is a member of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC's Labor and Employment Practice Group. He currently serves as Chair of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Covington Business Council Foundation, and as a Board Member for the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation in Northern Kentucky. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Covington Business Council, a former President of the Northern Kentucky Human Resource Association, a former President of the Northern Kentucky Chapter of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, and the former President of Be-Concerned, Inc., a Covington Kentucky charity which provides food and clothing to over 1000 families on a monthly basis. Rob has been a frequent presenter and author on labor and employment law topics for over 20 years.

 

Nikki Jackson, Personnel Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky
Mrs. Jackson was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve as our Personnel Cabinet Secretary on December 12th, 2007. She has thirteen years of experience in Human Resources and has worked for several organizations in senior leadership roles to include: Norton Healthcare, CW Johnson Xpress, Philip Morris USA, Georgia-Pacific Corporation and ADP. Secretary Jackson is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the Florida Bar-Labor and Employment Law Section. Secretary Jackson is well versed in a multitude of HR disciplines. She has authored several leadership development courses and has been a featured keynote speaker. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami, School of Law and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Hampton University. Secretary Jackson lives in Louisville with her husband Vince and their two children, Justin (12) and Jada (3).

 

H. Douglas Jones, Jones Dietz & Swisher PLLC
Mr. Jones is the founder and Member-in-Charge of the law firm, Jones Dietz & Swisher PLLC, with offices in Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati. He has 25 years litigation experience, including the defense of employers in Kentucky workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Jones has served as President of the Kentucky Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Section, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 1978, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1982. Mr. Jones has been selected as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” (2003–2007). He enjoys an “AV” (highest) rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Jones is the sole Kentucky member of the National Workers Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN.com) where he serves on the Executive Committee/Board of Directors (2007– present).

 

Mauritia Kamer, Stites & Harbison PLLC
Mauritia Kamer is Counsel to the firm based in its Lexington office. She has been with the firm since 1999 and is a member of the Labor & Employment Law Service Group. Her practice emphasizes employment litigation and preventative counseling for management clients. Her employment litigation practice is representing corporate clients in employment discrimination lawsuits, wage and hour litigation, and trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. Her experience includes counseling management and representing employers before administrative agencies, state and federal trial courts and arbitrators in matters arising under FMLA, Title VII, FLSA and ADEA. She spends considerable time working with clients on preventative measures, including drafting employee policies, counseling on disciplinary actions and investigations, and negotiating severance and release agreements. She also represents employers in obtaining immigrant and non-immigrant visas on behalf of their employees.

 

Laurie Goetz Kemp, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton, L.L.P.
Laurie Kemp joined Woodward, Hobson & Fulton’s Louisville office in 1996 after graduating cum laude from the University of Louisville School of Law. Laurie’s primary areas of practice are employment law, workers’ compensation and Longshore Act litigation. Her practice includes all aspects of pre-litigation investigation, evidence and witness preparation and trial and appellate work. Her practice also includes responding to and participating in agency investigations and administrative proceedings, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Kentucky Labor Cabinet, United States Department of Labor and Kentucky and Indiana Workers' Compensation Boards.

 

Michael Kirk, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs
Michael Kirk is a member of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP’s Health Care and Labor & Employment Law Teams. Mike concentrates his practice in employment law – defense including defense in employment-related litigation and in charges filed with the EEOC and state commissions on human rights, as well as advising human resources officials on a variety of employment issues. Mike has been a presenter at numerous public seminars and presentations to client management on topics such as sexual harassment, internal investigations, diversity issues, employee handbooks, and hiring and firing issues. He is a member of the bars of Kentucky and New York, the U. S. District Courts for Eastern and Western Kentucky, and the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

 

Brooks Kubik, Stites & Harbison PLLC
Brooks Kubik is a Member of the Stites & Harbison PLLC Labor & Employment Law Service Group. He has been practicing employment law for over 25 years, and is a frequent lecturer on employment topics. Mr. Kubik is the author of Drafting an Employee Policies Manual and a co-author of Understanding Personnel Law & Human Resource Issues: A Guide to Kentucky & Federal Laws & Regulations, and A Ten Step Program to Eliminate Sexual Harassment.

 

Teresa Lovely, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Teresa Lovely is Business Coordinator for Worksite Wellness with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Her role focuses on worksite wellness program education for private business. Lovely has nearly 15 years experience in worksite wellness program implementation and development. Her work has achieved national recognition and has been featured in publications such as USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, WebMD, and various human resource and wellness publications. Teresa holds a degree in Health / Wellness Promotion, a graduate certificate in Health Promotion Management and several certifications including Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Wellness Program Director, and Certified Advanced Fitness Specialist. Lovely serves on the Wellness Councils of America National Advisory Panel. She is a regular speaker and presenter on worksite wellness programs.

 

Donza Luckett, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald
Donza Luckett is a member of the Immigration Team, Japan Team and Corporate and Commercial Practice Group of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC. Ms. Luckett has focused primarily on immigration law throughout her 20-year career. She works closely with the Firm’ s attorneys to assist corporate clients with I-9 compliance issues, nonimmigrant visa petitions, employment-based immigrant petitions and labor certification applications, naturalization applications, and immigration compliance relating to mergers and acquisitions ions.

 

Dee Mason, Working Partners®
Dee Mason is president of Working Partnersâ, which offers a comprehensive, integrated system of services for individual employers all the way to large third-party providers and government agencies who are developing or maintaining a drug-free workplace (DFWP). With more than 18 years’ experience and 1,700 clients nationwide, Dee is a recognized leader in the field of DFWP and a much sought-after guest speaker on this topic by hundreds of organizations across the nation including several times for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Ohio and Kentucky SHRMs over the last decade. Her hallmark is making the technical topic of DFWP understandable; consumable in bite-sizes; and definitely interesting for each member of the audience she stands before.

 

Terry L. Mattingly, Human Development Company
Mr. Mattingly is President and Co-Owner of Human Development Co., which provides Employee Assistance Programs and Training to over one hundred and twenty corporate clients and organizations. Mr. Mattingly spent over thirty years in corporate management practicing the skills he teaches. He is certified by an international training company, the HayGroup, to coach and facilitate, using the Emotional Competency Inventory (ECI 360 degree assessment inventory). Mr. Mattingly attended the University of Louisville and graduated from Air University (USAF).

 

Peter McCue, Papa John’s International
Peter McCue is a thirty year veteran Human Resources professional who is presently SVP, Human Resources at Papa John’s International. Born in the UK, but residing in the U.S. for the last fifteen years, McCue’s career includes substantial experience in large-scale blue chips technology organizations to medium-sized consumer good companies to raw start-ups. Prior to his current role, McCue was SVP, Human Resources of Spectrum Brands, an Atlanta based Consumer Goods company. McCue’s background includes various senior, global HR roles in Hewlett Packard, Motorola and Coors Brewing Company. A graduate in history, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, McCue is a member of Louisville HR Society and has been a prior speaker at various HR conferences and events both in Europe and the U.S..

 

Tollie Miller, Papa John’s International
Tollie Miller currently heads up recruiting and succession management for Papa John’s International, Inc. at the company’s headquarters in Louisville. Tollie has held Human Resources positions at two other Louisville companies – Aegon and Atria Senior Living Group. In Tollie’s 20 years as an HR practitioner, she has worked as a generalist and in the areas of benefits, recruitment, training and development. In addition to the restaurant business, she has held HR roles in the hospitality, newspaper publishing, financial services and senior care industries. Tollie has enjoyed the opportunities (and unpublishable stories) that come with working as an HR professional whether it is in a 2-person HR shop, national start-up, operations field organization or publically-traded global headquarters. A Political Science graduate of Indiana University, Tollie is a member of LSHRM, SHRM and has held her SPHR since 1996.

 

Dianne Moore, Creative Energy Options
Dianne Moore, M.A., is a Senior Consultant with Creative Energy Options, Inc., a dynamic leadership development firm. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the University of St. Thomas’ Center for Business Excellence and a partner in Excelerated Leadership, LLC. Dianne has served as a Human Resource Manager for 3M as Senior Development Consultant, Manager of Team Building Services and Director of Organization and Talent Development for Imation. Dianne is a highly experienced speaker and facilitator, having presented over 30 workshops to various departments of 3M, along with multiple workshops and presentations for Wells Fargo, American Chemical Society, and Fair Isaac.

 

Donna King Perry, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton, L.L.P.
Donna King Perry practices in the areas of labor, employment and general litigation. Her practice includes all aspects of pre-litigation investigation, evidence and witness preparation, trial and appellate work, and responding and participating in agency investigations, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. Donna provides training to management, supervisory and human resources personnel and is a regular speaker at continuing legal education seminars. Donna’s clients include among others Norton Healthcare, the University of Louisville, the Louisville Water Company and GAP, Inc.

 

Glenn Rodriguez, McKendree University
Dr. Glenn Rodriguez is Dean, McKendree University Kentucky Campuses. He has presented to the SHRM National Diversity Conference, and has been honored as one of the top 25 Hispanics in Kentucky. His most recent research is on the effect of the Hispanic/Latino population in Kentucky and the cultural effects of integration. He holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, MBA from Marshall University, and a PhD from University of Louisville.

 

William Search, EHS Technology Group, LLC
Bill Search is a Registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Safety Professional and is currently the Manager of Process Safety with EHS Technology Group, LLC. He is responsible for a broad range of process environmental, health and safety services to assist in the strategic development and implementation of compliance systems in a variety of industrial sectors. Incorporating over 35 years of industrial and consulting experience, Bill helps clients to develop proactive environmental, health and safety strategies to comply with federal, state and local regulations and to implement plans, programs and systems such as process audits and safety reviews, OSHA compliance program development and customized program training and implementation assistance.

 

Craig P. Siegenthaler, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald
Craig P. Siegenthaler attended the University of Virginia where he graduated with a B.A. in English in 1987. In 1990, Mr. Siegenthaler received his Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law. In 1997, Mr. Siegenthaler joined Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC, in Louisville, Kentucky, which is recognized for having the premier labor and employment group in Kentucky.

 

Betty Spohn, Behavioral Medicine Network
Betty Spohn is Director of Business Services, HR Officer and HIPAA Privacy Officer for Behavioral Medicine Network, a not-for-profit company that provides managed mental health services, substance abuse treatment and Employee Assistance Program services to employers in Kentucky. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky, where she was a project director and adjunct associate professor for several years. She is also an experienced HR professional and management/leadership trainer, and the author of several papers and articles on management and training skills.

 

Alison M. Stemler, Frost Brown Todd
Alison M. Stemler concentrates her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. Ms. Stemler advises employers regarding compliance with IRS and Department of Labor rules on the design, implementation and administration of retirement plans and welfare plans such as health, life and disability insurance plans. She also regularly advises employers regarding incentive compensation, including equity-based compensation and executive benefit plans.

 

Jeff Stucke, Human Element, Inc.
Jeff Stucke earned a BA from Indiana University and a MA in Counseling. He was in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Dallas, TX for 5 years and consulted and trained for the Flowermound, TX Chamber of Commerce. He is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor.Jeff is a consultant with Human Element, Inc. which offers leadership training, coaching, and consulting services.

 

Molly Sutherland, Hanna Resource Group
Molly Sutherland is a partner with Hanna Resource Group, a consulting firm specializing in enhancing the value of the people driving your business. Our mind-set is all about the people, thus we are “The People Equity Expertssm ” Molly has consulted top leadership teams in areas such as: strategic alignment, performance coaching, marketing and communications, implementing lean behaviors in non-manufacturing environments, as well as other development strategies. Molly holds an MBA from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. She is a Bingham Fellow and a MBA adjunct faculty member of Bellarmine University in the Rubel School of Business.

 

Jennifer E. Swanberg, Univeristy of Kentucky Institute for Workplace Innovation
Jennifer E. Swanberg, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Institute for Workplace Innovation (iWin) at the University of Kentucky, and an associate professor in the UK College of Social Work with joint appointments in the Colleges of Medicine, Business & Economics and Public Health. Her research has focused on quality workplaces as a business and work-life effectiveness strategy, access to workplace flexibility among under-represented working populations, and the use of human capital and quality employment as a form of economic development. Dr. Swanberg’s research has been published in top-tier research journals, and she has appeared as a national and international work-family expert on television and radio including MSNBC, CNN, CBS, NPR, and BBC. She has been recognized by Alliance of Work-Life Progress as one of the profession’s Rising Stars, her research has been recognized as among the top research articles by the Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award for Excellence in Work-Family Research, and she is the work-life columnist for Business Lexington, Lexington’s premier business publication.

 

Kenji Tashiro, Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC
Kenji Tashiro (Louisville office)In 1995, Mr. Tashiro moved to the U.S., and attended the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville from which he received his Juris Doctorate in 1999. In 2000, Mr. Tashiro joined Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC. He is a member of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC. He is currently the Immigration Team Co-Chair.

 

Patricia Thurman, Tricia Thurman Training
Patricia Thurman began her work career as a high school teacher, then moved into training for Kentucky state government. She provided training and consultation services for various state agencies for 14 years. By 1999, she had completed the Certified Public Manager Program (CPM), a nationally accredited certification. From 2000-2004, she held the position of Director of the Division of Employee Development for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort, Ky. As Director, her division was responsible for developing, conducting, and coordinating an annual 21 hours of training for 6000 employees statewide. After 32 years of service in state government, she retired in June 2004 to form her own training and development business. She currently provides training for local governments, area businesses, and manufacturing companies on more than 40 topics which include as Dealing with Conflict, Teambuilding, Communication, Preventing Sexual Harassment, as well as many customized seminars.

 

Nigel Travis, Papa John’s International
Nigel Travis is a British national and was born in Woodford Essex England and attended schools in Essex. Nigel completed his education at Middlesex University in London with BA Honors Business Studies specializing in personnel management. His HR career spans several companies including Kraft, Rolls Royce, Massey Ferguson, Parker Hannifin, Grand Metropolitan, and his final HR position was SVP HR Burger King in Miami, FL where he lived following the take over of Burger King and Pillsbury by Grand Met in 1989. Nigel moved into general management in 1991 becoming Managing Director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Burger King. Nigel joined Blockbuster in 1994 as VP Europe and in 1997 was promoted from SVP Europe to President International. In 1998 he took over operations for 3,500 USA company locations of Blockbuster as well as international operations in his new role as President Worldwide Stores Division. Nigel was again promoted in 2001 to President and COO of Blockbuster Inc responsible for all business aspects including 9,000 stores worldwide. He joined Papa John's on January 31, 2005 as EVP becoming President, CEO and Board Member on April 1, 2005. Nigel's interests are mainly sports, including American football, soccer and cricket. Nigel has three children; one resides in London, and two live with he and his wife Joanna in Louisville, KY.

 

Shelly Trent, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Shelly Trent, SPHR, is the Southeast Regional Manager for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) where she has worked for over seven years. In that capacity, she supports 160 SHRM chapters and 12 state councils in the Southeast U.S. Shelly’s background includes human resources, college career services, and business and industry training. Prior to joining the staff of SHRM, she was an active SHRM volunteer leader beginning in 1996, serving on her local chapter’s board of directors, on a state council, the Area II board of directors, and as vice-chair of the national HRD committee. Shelly is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and obtained her master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in HR. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Louisville in human resources development and career counseling.

 

Carrie A. Van Daele, Van Daele & Associates, Inc.
Carrie A. Van Daele is President/CEO, Founder of Van Daele & Associates, Inc. Carrie has built a training & development practice from scratch into a highly successful, well-recognized business. An impressive client list that includes Fortune 500 corporations to medium and smaller size companies is a testament to Carrie’s special talents and hard work.  Her company was founded in 1987 as a training & development firm in the areas of leadership, train the trainer, continuous process improvements, team building, strategic planning, sales/marketing, workforce development and general business consulting. Carrie is a published author of a book called The Fifty-Best Training Techniques published by Crisp Publications in Menlo Park, California. Her book can be found at (ISBN 1-56052-352-2), www.courseilt.com/crisplearningseries/Fifty-MinuteSeries. Her AA degree from Evangel Bible College, BS from Indiana University and MSM from Indiana Wesleyan have provided the academic degrees to consulting. Her industry experience has provided the real “hands-on” bruises, bumps and wisdom to consulting.

 

Sarah E. Walsh, Kentucky State Data Center
Ms. Walsh is the Health Research Coordinator for the Kentucky State Data Center at the University of Louisville’s Urban Studies Institute. She also serves as the Program Officer for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Local Data for Local Action Initiative. Prior to joining the Data Center, she coordinated the development and dissemination of the Provider’s Practice PreventionSM professional education series at the Kentucky Cancer Program. She has presented outcomes and evaluations from PPP projects at state and national conferences. Ms. Walsh’s professional interests and experience span numerous aspects of health promotion, including maternal and child health, cancer prevention and early detection, cultural competency and access to care, with a particular emphasis on tobacco dependence. She holds a master of public health degree from Boston University Health and is a Certified Health Education Specialist.

 

Angela Wells, McKendree University
Angela Wells is Director, Radcliff Campus of McKendree University. She recently completed her MBA with a concentration in International Business. During her studies she participated in a field research project comparing and contrasting HR policies and practices by multinational firms and local businesses in Central America. Angela holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Training and Development from the University of Louisville and a MBA from McKendree University.

 

Trasee Whitaker, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton, L.L.P.
Trasee is the Human Resource Manager for Woodward, Hobson, and Fulton, L.L.P., a regional, full service law firm with offices in Lexington and Louisville. She has been with the firm for 10 years and has over 19 years of exempt Human Resources experience. Trasee is the Chair of the Kentucky SHRM State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management. She is the Past President of the Louisville Society for Human Resource Management and has held a variety of leadership positions in LSHRM, KYSHRM, and other community organizations.Trasee graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Communications and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Cristina de Mello e Souza Wildermuth, The Effectiveness Group
Cristina de Mello e Souza Wildermuth, M.Ed., M.A., is an author, master facilitator, coach, and researcher specializing in leadership development, employee engagement, and personality diversity. Cristina is the Executive Partner of The Effectiveness Group, author of “Diversity Training,” published by the American Society Training & Development (ASTD) and recently had articles published by the Journal of Commercial and Industrial Training and ASTD’s T&D magazine. She is currently the vice president and president elect for the Lima, OH SHRM chapter. Currently, Cristina is a doctoral candidate at Bowling Green State University, conducting research on the relationship between employee engagement and individual personality traits.
 
Mel Wildermuth, The Effectiveness Group
Mel Wildermuth, is an author, master facilitator, coach, and program developer specializing in leadership development, personality diversity, and experiential training design. An Executive Partner and the Creative Director of The Effectiveness Group, Mel is a dynamic speaker and a highly creative instructional designer, having developed numerous “theme-based” training programs and simulations in leadership, engagement, diversity, and team building. He is a certified rhythm circle facilitator and a master trainer in the Five Factor Model of personality. Mel is currently writing a book on employee engagement.