Linda Hertz, SPHR, joined the CSSHRM Board in 2009 as Vice President and Program Chair and started her Presidency in July 2010. Her HR involvement in Colorado Springs goes back to the 1980’s when CSSHRM’s predecessor was chartered. She had the good fortune to attend the first Colorado State Conference in Keystone in 2003 and has been at every State conference since. Linda has over 25 years Human Resources Management and Generalist experience, as well as expertise in Compensation, Staffing, and Organizational Development. She is currently the HR Director for The Resource Exchange, the Community Centered Board for El Paso, Park and Teller counties in Colorado. Its mission is to build independence for people with developmental disabilities. Linda spent many years in HR with HP and its spin-off Agilent Technologies, and more recently has worked for several federal contractors, where she’s gained an appreciation for the challenges of small business (and small HR departments!) Linda is also an adjunct Business Professor for Pikes Peak Community College and has volunteered extensively for Colorado Springs School District 11, with special interest in student achievement. She has served on several non-profit community Boards and taskforces and believes in giving back to the community. Linda graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Industrial and Labor Relations with her Masters, and her BA in French, German, and International Relations. She has studied and worked in Europe and came to Colorado for the opportunities to experience the mountains, outdoor adventures, and the sunshine! She has two Millennial-age children, both graduates of the University of Colorado, Boulder, who keep help to keep her in tune with today’s entrants to the workforce. Her goal for CSSHRM for the next year is to provide quality educational development for HR professionals and to foster an environment of mutual support and sharing for members of our ever-changing profession.
Connie Pierson has 15 years of HR experience and keeps her SPHR current.
She has been on the CSSHRM board since March 2009 as the Director of the Ambassador Program, Membership Chair, and now as the VP/President Elect.
Connie has been with Progressive Insurance as an HR Consultant in the contact center for the last 4 years. Prior to this, she worked as an HR Manager/Consultant for The Personnel Department with employees in 38 states. Her specialty is employment law and employee relations.
She enjoys reading case law, swimming, hiking and over all fitness.
Kristi Banks, SPHR – 5 years HR Generalist experience, 9 years HR mgmt experience at The Resource Exchange, currently employed at ITT as a Benefit Analyst overseeing corporate benefit programs worldwide for approx. 7,000 employees, 2 years small business HR Consultant experience specializing in employee relations, handbook, policy and procedure development, management consulting/coaching and advising on day to day HR operations. I have two boys ages 14 and 18 and in my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling.
Angela reinvented her HR consulting company in 2009 to focus on out-of-the-box diversity training. She goes beyond the typical diversity topics of ethnicity, age, color, gender... to create real understanding of differences among people. Her focus is on helping people find a personal connection to diversity, inside and out. By providing tools to help them SHIFT™ their perceptions, training participants realize that there is room for understanding the differences of others while maintaining their personal values, beliefs and identity.
Angela is certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. She has conducted over 25 HRCI credit-approved training sessions on a variety of topics from discriminatory practices and sexual harassment to HR training for company owners and discipline and termination.
Complimenting her diversity training services, Angela is an instructor and advocate for Kidpower of Colorado Springs where she lives her diversity values by engaging school-age children in embracing their own internal power to stay away from abuse, assault and abduction. After all, belief and confidence in one’s self is the most powerful self-protection tool a person can have.
Membership
BIO
Marnel Mola, SPHR Mountain States Employers Council
Marnel Mola joined the CSSHRM board in July 2010. Marnel works for Mountain States Employers Council as a Human Resource Consultant and has over 15 years of Human Resources experience specializing in Employee Relations, Performance Management, Benefits and Compensation. Marnel graduated Cum Laude from Regis University with her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in HR Management. Marnel holds her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification as well as her SPHR-CA.
A certified HR professional that has the responsibility for the daily oversight and operations of the HR department within Memorial Health System. Directly responsible for areas of Employee Relations, Leave Management, HR Service Center, Employee Records and Retention, and the Name Badge Office. A national member of Society for Human Resource Management, American Society for Training and Development and American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration for over 7 years. Serve as the Program Director for Colorado Springs SHRM and Membership Director for Colorado Healthcare Association for Human Resource Management.
Liz Aragon joined CSSHRM back in 1999 as part of the membership team. She has been on the CSSHRM Board the whole time moving from Membership to Treasurer, to Vice President and then President. In 2010 when she moved from the President's role she took on the role of Website Chair.
Liz has worked at ComCor as the Human Resources Coordinator since 1998 and prior to that worked in the HR field with AAFES.
Liz Received her BS/BA in Business Adminstration with an emphasis in Human Resources in 2002. She obtained her PHR in 2004.
Registration Co-Chairs
BIO
Heather Jungst Harris IT Corporation
Heather Jungst has been a member of CSSHRM and national SHRM member for 3 years. Became a board member in July of 2009 with CSSHRM. Has 2 years of HR experience working at Harris IT Services as an HR Generalist. Received a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Received PHR in December of 2008.
Liz Aragon joined CSSHRM back in 1999 as part of the membership team. She has been on the CSSHRM Board the whole time moving from Membership to Treasurer, to Vice President and then President. In 2010 when she moved from the President's role she took on the role of Website Chair.
Liz has worked at ComCor as the Human Resources Coordinator since 1998 and prior to that worked in the HR field with AAFES.
Liz Received her BS/BA in Business Adminstration with an emphasis in Human Resources in 2002. She obtained her PHR in 2004.
Student Liaison board member between Colorado Springs Society for Human Resource Management and colleges and universities in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
My goal is to network with as many people as I can and help them be successful.
Currently, I am a business owner of Facials and More and a Juice Plus Distributor. I've decided I'm not going to be part of the recession so I have my own businesses and I am heavily involved in networking with great business people in Colorado Springs.
I believe if you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want.
Becky Strickland, SPHR has worked in the field of Human Resources for 20 years. Becky has a strong background in recruitment, employee relations and training. In March of 2007 she joined Time Warner Cable as a Human Resources Manager for the customer contact center. Prior to joining TWC she has worked in telecommunications with Sprint and T-Mobile in Human Resource Management positions. Becky has also worked as a college instructor for CNM community college as a instructor of Human Resource Management, and in recruitment positions for PANTEX and Presbyterian Healthcare Systems. Becky holds a MBA from Colorado State University from Fort Collins and a BBA and BS degree from New Mexico State University. She has lifetime certification as a SPHR through the Human Resource Certification Institute. Her professional accomplishments include being an item writer for HRCI for the PHR/SPHR test from 2005-2007, SHRM Special Expertise Panel Member for Staffing and Workforce Readiness 2005-2008, SHRM Human Resource Technology Special Expertise Panel Member 2001-2003 and currently serves on the National Task Force for Job Descriptions for SHRM. She has held numerous volunteer leadership positions with local SHRM chapters in New Mexico and is excited to serve the CSSHRM chapter in the HRCI leadership capacity this year.
Liz Biewen Wilson holds an SPHR. She received her Master of Business degree from the University of Florida and her Bachelors of Arts degree from Purdue University. She started her career with and spent over 12 years with the Walt Disney Company in Florida and California. She has also worked in manufacturing, higher education, and, most recently, government contracting. Liz’s current portfolio includes work with the Colorado Springs military community working as an advisor and facilitator for service members transitioning to civilian or government employment. Her specialized training skills include working with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) clients. Additionally, Liz provides staffing support to the Colorado Springs office of 10Til2 Part-Time Employment Services. Liz’s career experience includes front-line management and a variety of professional and leadership roles. Her HR expertise is rooted in training and development leadership roles, which led to broad generalist experience with an emphasis on operational excellence, leadership coaching and team development. Liz is a Qualified MBTI Facilitator and was certified by the National Veteran’s Training Institute as a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) trainer. Her most recent SPHR recertification was in 2008. Liz has attended SHRM Annual Conferences in Washington, DC and San Diego. Liz is currently CSSHRM’s Public Relations and Marketing Chair.
Legislative
Darren Reed Progressive Insurance
BIO of Darren Reed
With over 12 years of professional Human Resources experience, Darren Reed currently works as an internal Human Resources Consultant at Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. In his role Darren partners with business managers to pro-actively develop solutions to Human Resources related issues and initiatives. Darren manages employee relations issues and conflict resolution, and is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic HR programs at Progressive. Previously, Darren has worked as a Human Resources Manager in the hospitality (Marriott International) and health care arenas. Darren also currently serves as a member of The Society for Human Resource Management's Employee Relations Special Expertise Panel. He holds a B.S. from Ohio University and is certified as a PHR.
His life’s work has been providing insurance and financial advice. As a result of his many years experience and a strong commitment to education he has achieved designations as a Qualified Financial Planner, Registered Financial Consultant, Certified Retirement Counselor and Certified Financial Educator.
In addition to managing assets as an Investment Advisor Representative he also provides clients with Value Based Financial Planning. Due to his commitment to financial education to the community he has conducted educational workshops through the Heartland Institute of Financial Education, Junior Achievement and at most locations of the Pikes Peak Library System.
Diversity Co-Chairs
BIO
BIO
Shirley Martinez Colorado Springs Utilities
Shirley Martinez joined the CSSHRM board in 2009. Shirley works for Colorado Springs Utilities as an EEO Specialist Senior and Diversity Advisory for their DELTA Team. Shirley specializes in EEO programs, ADA programs, Military Mobility programs, Diversity, FMLA, Employee Relations, Staffing/Recruiting, and Organizational Management. Shirley has 15 years in the Army JAG Corps as a Senior Court Reporter and Senior Paralegal and Law Firm Manager for the Army. Shirley has over 25 years in the Human Resources field either as a generalist or in the legal or labor department arena. Shirley is currently Co-Chair for the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum – CSDF, Co-Chair for CSSHRM Diversity Committee, member of the El Cinco de Mayo Inc, member of NAACP, member of Urban League, Facilitator for INROADS, member of Martin Luther King Jr., Committee, member of National SHRM. Shirley graduated with her Master’s degree in Psychology and License Professional Counseling (LPC) from Regis University in Denver, Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology, Park College, Currently, in her doctorate program with University of Phoenix, for Organizational Management DM. Shirley also attended Court Reporting School at the Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island and her paralegal degree, from University of Virginia Law School (Judge Advocate’s General Corps). Shirley also has her Colorado notary and is certified to conduct investigations. Shirley is a 22 year veteran of the Armed forces (army) retired from the military.
Carla Elam-Floyd joined Denver Water in 1995 as Manager of Human Resources. Member of American Water Works Association and participant on Workforce Strategies Committee. Member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals, International Personnel Management Association and the Colorado Human Resource Association. Co-chair of the Colorado Springs chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management’s Diversity Committee. Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Bachelor of Arts degree in French from University of Colorado at Boulder; course work in French literature, government and translations at the University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix; Post-graduate work in organization and development at Webster University. Certifications earned as a Wellness Speaker from theNational Wellness Institute; Internal Auditor from the Institute of Internal Auditing and Fraud Examiner from the American Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.Joined Denver Water in 1995 as Manager of Human Resources . Member of American Water Works Association and participant on Workforce Strategies Committee. Member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals, International Personnel Management Association and the Colorado Human Resource Association. Co-chair of the Colorado Springs chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management’s Diversity Committee. Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Bachelor of Arts degree in French from University of Colorado at Boulder; course work in French literature, government and translations at the University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix; Post-graduate work in organization and development at Webster University. Certifications earned as a Wellness Speaker from theNational Wellness Institute; Internal Auditor from the Institute of Internal Auditing and Fraud Examiner from the American Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Current Workforce Readiness Chair. A Human Resource Professional for the past 7 years with an emphasis in Talent Management and Recruiting. Currently the Sr. Recruiter with the U.S. Olympic Committee. Her passion is providing educational resources that aid in career readiness, enhancement and advancement for youth and adult age groups.
