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2008 Speakers Hon. Demetrios P. Agretelis (Ret.) Lynn Belzer, MSW, Consultant Teri L. Block, Esq., Partner Judge Cecily Bond, JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator Robert E. Buch, Esq., Partner Bruce Calvin, JD, Senior Vice President - Corporate Services Leah Cope, Vice President, Human Resources Dr. Jason A. Deitch, D.C., Founder and Chief Wellness Officer Lisa Dutro, Director of Human Resources Mary E. Farrell, Esq., Partner Peter Flanderka, Esq., Partner Yvonne Gardner, Vice President Talent Management & Organizational Effectiveness Mark P. Grajski, Esq., Partner Shannon M. Jenkins, Esq., Partner Barbara A. Johnson, Assistant Vice President, Grants, Risk Management & Human Resources Henry Lederman, Esq., Partner Audrianne Adams Lee, SPHR, President/CEO Barry Lesch, Esq., Partner Elisabeth (Betsey) H. Lyman, M.P.H., Deputy Director, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Michael Magatelli, Principal Mindy Mellini, Director Of Human Resources Diane O'Malley, Esq., Partner Rebecca Regan, M.A., CCP, Human Resources Consultant Maria C. Rodriguez, Esq., Partner Harvey Sohnen, Esq., Attorney Debra Taylor, Vice President Organizational Effectiveness Charles L. Thompson, IV, Esq., Partner Linda L. Usoz, Esq., Of Counsel Kathleen Webb, CPCU, Deputy Director, Interagency Support Division Tammy Jo Kenber, SPHR, CPP, Director, Human Resources Demetrios P. Agretelis Widely respected for his fairness, tenacity, and efficiency in successfully resolving even the most complex employment matters, Judge Agretelis brings his 20 year tenure on the Alameda County Superior Court, as well as six years as a full time ADR practitioner to each matter before him. His judicial patience and temperament allow him to effectively facilitate the parties arriving at a mutually acceptable settlement. Judge Agretelis has conducted numerous mediations and arbitrations in the following areas: Representative Matters
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
Background and Education
Lynn Belzer, MSW With her strong background in psychology and over 20 years of professional experience, Lynn provides a wide array of consultation services to individuals, teams and organizations. Working both independently and together with other professionals, she is very adept at developing the partnerships that are vital for her clients to increase their productivity and success and realize their goals. As a consultant, facilitator and coach, Lynn’s services include: meeting and project facilitation; leadership and organizational assessments; change management; training development and delivery; strategic planning; conflict resolution; leadership, managerial and team coaching and development; and critical incident stress management. Her client list has included: the State of California, University of California-Davis, Maloof Sports & Entertainment, the Sacramento Bee, California Condemnation Attorneys, and many other private and public sector organizations. Lynn received her Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University and her Master of Social Work degree from California State University. She currently serves as the Programming Chair of the Sacramento Area Organization Development Network, and was one of the founding team members of Sacramento Coaches. Teri L. Block, Esq. Teri Block is a partner at VanDermyden Block specializing in workplace investigations, training, and appellate advocacy. She works with public and private employers addressing discrimination and sexual harassment claims, as well as other forms of alleged workplace misconduct. Ms. Block also offers advice and counsel on disciplinary actions, recruiting practices, personnel policy and procedure, wage and hour concerns, and Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act compliance. As an appellate advocate, Ms. Block has argued successfully before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and California state appellate courts. Before joining VanDermyden Block, Teri practiced civil litigation for nine years in Sacramento, California. Although she specialized in employment law, she garnered significant experience in general business litigation, constitutional law, and civil appellate advocacy, having clerked for two years for Honorable Consuelo M. Callahan, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Block worked for ten years in public and private sector human resources handling personnel management, recruiting, collective bargaining negotiation, labor-management relations, employee assistance programs, and corporate communications. Judge Cecily Bond Hon. Cecily Bond (Ret.) has over 20 years of dispute resolution experience as a sitting judge and joined JAMS immediately following her retirement from the Sacramento Superior Court. Since joining JAMS in 2000, she has mediated, arbitrated, and has acted as discovery referee and/or special master on numerous employment-related cases involving a variety of legal issues including sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination (age, race, sexual and national origin), wrongful and constructive terminations, failure to promote, violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Ca;-FEHA, EEOC, defamation, wage and hour disputes, retaliation, and breach of employment contract. Her mediations and arbitrations have involved complex civil litigation often involving multi-party cases. As a trial judge, she has presided over numerous complex civil court trials and writ adjudications which required written determination of complex legal and factual issues involving virtually all areas of civil litigation. Background and Education: Judge, Sacramento Superior Court, 1980-2000 Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities: Recognized as a Top 30 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2006 Robert E. Buch, Esq. Robert Buch is a partner with Seyfarth, Shaw, a management labor law firm with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston, Houston, Atlanta and Brussels. Mr. Buch is a former chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Law Advisory Commission; member of the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization; former chairman of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Workers' Compensation Section; Certified Specialist, Workers' Compensation, State Bar Board of Legal Specialization; and member, State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Buch testified before United States Congress on workers' compensation issues and has chaired a Congressional Blue Ribbon Committee regarding asbestos injured workers. He has lectured extensively before California Self-Insurers Association, The Employers Group, and National Managed Health Care Congress. Mr. Buch has presented seminars for National Business Institute and Conference Development, Inc., and addressed American Trial Lawyers at their National Convention on numerous occasions. Academic Background: University of Southern California, B.A., 1969; M.S., 1970; Loyola University School of Law, J.D., 1973. Certified Specialist, Workers' Compensation Law, 1981. Associate Professor of Business Law, California State University, Northridge, 1976-1978. Publications: "The Role of an Occupational Variant in Determining Permanent Disability under California Workers' Compensation Law," 15 California Western Law Review 369, January 1980; "The Political Prisoner Syndrome," 20 Crime and Delinquency 2, April 1974; contributor to Lindemann, Barbara, and David D. Kadue, Primer on Sexual Harassment, (Bureau of National Affairs, Washington, D.C., 1992); coauthor, California Workers' Compensation Practice, June 2003, 4th Edition (California Continuing Education of the Bar); contributing author to Lindemann, Barbara, and David D. Kadue, Primer on Age Discrimination (Bureau of National Affairs, Washington, D.C., publishing in June 2001). Bruce Calvin, JD Bruce Calvin is the Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. Mr. Calvin is responsible for all Performant's human resources activities, including workforce development and organizational effectiveness, benefits and compensation, staffing, and HR processes and information management. Mr. Calvin is instrumental in building a high-commitment and performance based culture via a dedicated team of HR professionals who focus on creating a collaborative environment with emphasis on total business capabilities. He is personally engaged in the implementation of best practices in regards to competitive programs, policies, actions and audits with respect to executive/management/employee compensation, motivation programs and employee benefits and services. Mr. Calvin also ensures that employee relations are compliant with employment statues and labor laws. Mr. Calvin joined Performant after extensive executive roles with ESS Technology, Inc. and NEC Electronics. While at ESS Technology, he was a member of senior executive committee responsible for reengineering all financial, legal, IT & HR policies and procedures. He was also accountable as the Compliance Officer creating polices and procedures that resulted in zero post dating issues. Mr. Calvin received a Juris Doctorate from John F. Kennedy School of Law and a BS in business administration/ accounting from Troy University, Troy, Alabama. Leah Cope Leah Cope serves as vice president of Human Resources for Heald College. In that capacity, she develops and implements the strategic direction of Human Resources to align with Heald's overall business strategy. Prior to joining Heald, Ms. Cope served as human resource officer for Stanford University's Office of Development and Alumni Association and staffing manger for the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Leah received her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Florida and her M.A. in Human Resource Management from the University of North Florida. She also holds a Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) designation. Dr. Jason A. Deitch, D.C. Dr. Jason is the co-author of the bestselling book, Discover Wellness, How Staying Healthy Can Make You Rich, as well and founder of the Discover Wellness Center, an emerging leader in cutting edge wellness care. Combining the skills of a variety of health care professionals with the latest technology and revolutionary concepts, Dr. Deitch is redefining our approach to health care. Dr. Jason is the Chief Wellness Officer of The Masters Circle & WellCall, Inc., the nation's leading, coaching and practice building firm for wellness professionals. WellCall Inc. is the nation's leading wellness solutions provider to employers nationwide for over 10 years. Dr. Jason consults with and speaks to groups of employers, insurance brokers, wellness professionals and to the public to inspire them to discover how wellness is the ultimate solution to America's health care crisis. Dr. Jason believes that we live our lives based on what we feel and what we know. We can improve our lives when we either feel differently or learn something new. Dr. Jason is committed to seeing a healthier more powerful future, through healthier more powerful people. His enthusiasm and passion for constant growth and learning is contagious. Dr. Jason has been the official backstage Chiropractor for Alice's 97.3 Now & Zen festival since 1998 (http://www.radioalice.com/events/nowandzen/index.asp). He has worked with: Melissa Ethridge, the B52's, Beck, Belinda Carlisle of the GoGo's, members of the Wallflowers, members of Tears for Fears, and local SF radio personality Sterling James. In addition he has also been the backstage Chiropractor for the Dave Matthews Band in Golden Gate park concert September 12, 2004. Public speaker on health and wellness trends and the role of chiropractic care in family wellness: Appeared on Television, Radio Shows and Audio Tape Magazines Memberships: International Chiropractic Association Awards: Life University "Clinical Excellence" for most successful resident practice. Mary E. Farrell, Esq. Mary E. Farrell is a partner with the Labor and Employment Law Team of Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP. She has extensive experience representing both public and private employers in all aspects of labor and employment law including wage and hour compliance, employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits, privacy issues, proprietary rights & trade secret security issues, employee leave and accommodation issues, reduction-in-force and personnel policies and procedures. Mary has also handled complex business litigation and intellectual property matters. As an effective advocate, Mary has successfully resolved several disputes short of trial by way of dispositive motions and/or settlement negotiations. Mary is a sought-after lecturer at employment law seminars and, most recently, was the Keynote Speaker for California's Division of Workers Compensation Educational Conferences in Oakland and Los Angeles. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment Section of the Sacramento County Bar Association and is active in the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Trade & Commerce Association and the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association. Mary represents a diverse group of employers including trade associations, mortgage and real estate brokers, financial institutions, non-profit organizations, public employers, large manufacturers, specialty trades and others. Education: McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, J.D., with Great Distinction, 1994, Order of the Coif, Traynor Honor Society; California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, B.A. 1990 Peter C. Flanderka, Esq. Peter Flanderka is a partner of the Bononi Law Group, which specializes in employment and labor law; general civil litigation; insurance coverage, general business and commercial law, and real estate law. Mr. Flanderka came to the Bononi Law Group from the Pasadena office of Laughlin Falbo Levy and Moresi, where he specialized exclusively in management labor and employment law and general liability defense. Prior to that, Mr. Flanderka practiced labor and employment law and general liability defense with the firms of Walsh & Declues, Liebman, Reiner & Walsh and Kelley Drye & Warren in Los Angeles. Mr. Flanderka handles all types of employment and general liability litigation on behalf of management for both public and private sector employers, including defense of cases alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, civil rights violation, breach of contract, wage and hour violation, defamation and related emotional distress. He also defends Labor Code Section 132a discrimination claims and claims alleging serious and willful violation. Mr. Flanderka has represented employers in matters before all California-based state and federal courts, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, the California Labor Commission, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and the Federal Office of Civil Rights. Mr. Flanderka has assisted numerous employers in drafting their employee handbooks, personnel policies and procedures, employment agreements, and other documents and advises employers on day-to-day employment issues, including investigation of harassment and discrimination complaints, disciplinary action, wage and hour questions, and compliance with state and federal laws such the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Care Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the California Labor Code. Mr. Flanderka speaks to numerous employer groups on employment and labor issues and has authored articles on those topics, including "Family and Medical Care Leave Survival Guide: A Desktop Outline of the Law Affecting Employers." Mr. Flanderka is a member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of the American Bar Association, the California State Bar and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Yvonne Gardner Yvonne Gardner is Vice President, Talent Management & Organization Development, Sutter Health where she oversees and integrated function encompassing people, performance and reward. This includes organization development, change management, leadership development, training, workforce & succession planning, knowledge management, executive human resources, performance management & compensation. Sutter Health is among California’s finest healthcare networks, Serving more than 100 cities and towns with:
Sutter Health’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the people in the communities we serve through a not-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in health care services. Our vision is to lead the transformation of health care to achieve the highest levels of quality, access and affordability. Prior to Sutter Health, Ms. Gardner was a consultant with the HayGroup, where she managed engagements for key health care client organizations including: post merger organizational design, compensation strategy and programs aligned to support organization objectives and work culture alignment, behavioral based performance management systems, including competency model development, behavioral assessment and feedback, and organizational effectiveness assessment. Since joining Sutter Health in 1996, Ms. Gardner has played an integral role the development of Sutter’s Dashboard and provided leadership to Sutter’s performance management and overall people strategy, including the development of Sutter’s leadership standards and vision for talent management overall. Ms. Gardner attended the University of California at Davis where she graduated with honors in Political Science, Public Service. Mark P. Grajski, Esq. Mark Grajski is a partner in the Single Plaintiff and Wage & Hour practice groups in the firm's Sacramento office. Mr. Grajski has represented clients in state and federal courts, including jury and bench trials in individual and class actions, as well as appellate matters, mediations, arbitrations and administrative hearings. He devotes a substantial part of his practice to the defense of collective, class and hybrid actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state laws in federal and state courts. He also has extensive experience defending single and multi-plaintiff employment discrimination and harassment actions, as well as employment-related contract and tort actions. Mark received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis (1995) where he served as Senior Research Editor of the UC Davis Law Review. He earned his B.A. from Columbia University. Admissions: California Courts: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal and Ninth Circuits Affiliations: American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section) Representative Cases: Kelley v. Costco Wholesale Corporation (Sacramento County Superior Court, 2007) (defense verdict in age discrimination, harassment and retaliation case) (jury trial) Robbson v. Delta Dental of California (Sacramento County Superior Court, 2007) (defense verdict in four-plaintiff race discrimination/wrongful termination case) (jury trial) Thompson v. Costco Wholesale Corporation (Kern County Superior Court, 2006) (defense verdict in racial harassment and loss of consortium case) (jury trial) Alvarez v. Fox Transport, et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2006) (summary judgment in favor of putative joint employer in independent contractor misclassification class action) Urekew v. Tetra Holding (US), Inc. (United States District Court, Eastern District of California 2006) (summary judgment granted on all claims including sex discrimination and breach of contract) Issaian v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2004) (lead attorney in two week jury trial on breach of contract claims. Plaintiff recovered a nominal sum on only one count after making multi-million dollar demand) Shannon M. Jenkins, Esq. Shannon Jenkins became a partner of Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle in 2007 and is a frequent speaker on employment law topics to businesses around Southern California. Shannon is also a successful litigator who is a strong resource for business "best practices." Shannon has received many awards including American Jurisprudence Awards. She is an active member in the State Bar of California and Orange County Bar Association. Shannon's practice emphasizes civil litigation with a further emphasis in employment. Education: University of Oregon (B.A., 1992, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key Honor Society); Western State University College of Law, Fullerton (J.D. 1996) Bar Admissions: California, 1997; U.S. District Court, 1997; Central District of California, 1997 Barbara A. Johnson Mrs. Barbara Johnson is Clean Energy's Assistant Vice President of Grants, Risk Management and Human Resources. Barbara joined Clean Energy in 1998 with over 25 years experience in the Oil, Gas and Natural Gas Industries. She is responsible for the company’s human resources function worldwide. As Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Mrs. Johnson leads a service-oriented team structured to provide the policies and programs that executives, administrators and staff need to productively transact business in a healthy environment. Additionally, she works closely with the Executive Management Team to develop and implement a wide range of progressive initiatives that support the Company’s mission. Her attention to detail and dedication in coordination and meeting the administrative reporting requirements has developed a reputation as one of the best in the industry. Mrs. Johnson graduated from Vanguard University with a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management. Henry Lederman, Esq. Mr. Lederman's practice has been devoted almost exclusively in recent years to employment discrimination and wrongful termination litigation and appeals, including those related to the enforcement of arbitration agreements, as well as counseling with regard to issues arising under these rapidly evolving areas of the law. His clients include manufacturers, airlines, municipalities, physical fitness organizations, and food and beverage product companies. He also is Littler Mendelson's General Counsel. Education
Lectures and Presentations Mr. Lederman has served as an instructor for the California Continuing Education of the Bar and has given lectures, training sessions, and seminars with respect to wrongful termination and employment discrimination before employer organizations, corporations, and attorney groups. He is a court-certified mediator and as served in that capacity in numerous employment related cases. Activities
Cases/Courts/Judges Mr. Lederman is admitted to practice before numerous federal district and appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Audrianne Adams Lee, SPHR Audrianne Adams Lee, President and Founder of HR NETwork, Inc. brings twenty years of human resources experience and expertise from Fortune 500 high-technology and service companies including Marriott, ADP, Epson, and Western Digital. Audrianne has an extensive background and "hands-on" experience in the design and implementation of HR programs that keep employers in compliance, while motivating their employees towards increased business performance. HR NETwork, an HR outsourcing company, was designed to partner with businesses, relieving them of the burden and confusion of the complicated and highly regulated Human Resources systems. Audrianne holds a Bachelor's degree in Management. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, as well as certified in compensation development and design. She has an extensive background in developing and facilitating corporate training programs, including certification as a Franklin/Covey trainer. Audrianne is very active in the community, volunteering her time and services for many community projects. In part, for her efforts, she earned the Leadership of the Year Award presented by the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities for her outstanding support of young people with disabilities. Barry Lesch, Esq. Barry Lesch graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1975, started practicing state workers' compensation law the following year and has been doing so ever since. He is a senior partner at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi, working out of its Oakland office. Mr. Lesch is a certified specialist and a managing editor of the California Workers' Compensation Reporter, a well-regarded journal reporting on significant California decisions in workers' compensation and workers' damages for 35 years. He collaborated on the evidence chapter in the CEB book, California Workers' Compensation Practice (fourth ed.), several editions of the CEB guide to statutory deadlines in workers' compensation law and innumerable talks on current case law and significant issues in compensation law. Elisabeth (Betsey) H. Lyman, M.P.H. Elisabeth (Betsey) H. Lyman is Deputy Director, Public Health Emergency Preparedness for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). In that capacity, she is responsible for coordinating CDPH's emergency preparedness and response to all hazards, working with programs throughout CDPH. Ms. Lyman is the program manager for federal emergency preparedness grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Hospital Preparedness Program. Ms. Lyman has 30 years experience in CDPH, working in several program areas, including family health, Children's Medical Services, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition program; Medi?Cal, and vital records. Prior to assuming her current duties, she was the Assistant Deputy Director of Primary Care and Family Health. Prior to coming to California, Ms. Lyman worked for the New York Medicaid program and conducted managerial studies in community health centers in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Lyman has a master's degree in public health with an emphasis in medical care organization from the University of Michigan. Michael Magatelli Michael Magatelli is the founder of Magatelli Leadership Group, a Sacramento-based leadership development and executive coaching firm. For over 20 years, Michael has worked with senior management and leadership teams in challenging leadership roles to improve their effectiveness and organizational performance. In his role as trusted advisor and coach, he helps drive organizational change, align executive teams with company strategy, and build high performing leadership teams. Michael’s experience spans a variety of industries including banking, health care, high tech, retail food, professional services, manufacturing, and distribution. He has coached these companies and organizations through periods of high-growth, reorganization, and turn-around. In all cases, he offers customized organizational consulting based on the needs and intentions of the client, linking consulting and coaching solutions to desired business results. Prior to forming Magatelli Leadership Group, Michael performed sales and delivery of leadership coaching and consulting in Northern California for a Sacramento firm and as Regional Vice President for a global human capital consulting firm. Following completion of military service, Michael returned to California State University Humboldt to finish his Political Science degree while concurrently initiating his career in natural/organic food retail and wholesale. Michael is certified in multiple assessments including Lominger Voices, the MRG LEA and Personal Directions, Compass 360, Bigby Havis Assess and Hogan Assessments. Mindy Mellini Mindy Mellini serves as Regional Director of Human Resources for Heald College's Valley Campuses, including Portland and Honolulu. In this capacity, she oversees all human resources activities and provides support and direction in the areas of compensation, benefits, employee relations, staffing, training, and policy interpretation and implementation. Prior to joining Heald College, Ms. Mellini served as the human resources director for Jesuit High School, Sacramento, and as a human resources representative for Sutter Health, Sacramento. Mindy received her B.A. in French from Sonoma State University and holds a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) designation. Diane O'Malley, Esq. Diane O'Malley's practice concentrates exclusively on representing employers. Diane has expertise in traditional labor law, including union negotiations, grievance and interest arbitrations and unfair labor practice claims involving the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the AFL-CIO Teamsters, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Peninsula Automotive Machinists, to name a few. Diane also regularly counsels private and public sector employers both in and outside of California regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, contract and wage and hour claims. Diane's breadth of experience brings both substantive and practical knowledge to each commitment to provide legal services. Diane's singular purpose is serving her client's interests whether it consists of avoiding civil litigation, successfully resolving litigation in its early stages to avoid trial or drafting policies and procedures to protect her clients from legal exposure. Client advocacy impels all Diane's interactions with unions, opposing counsel and the court system. She has litigated cases for her clients in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Diane is a frequent lecturer and speaker. Each year, Diane provides training and seminars regarding new legal developments in California law and San Francisco Ordinances. She also provides mid and upper level supervisor training in areas such as discipline, terminations and performance evaluations and expertise and training to companies regarding union avoidance. Diane contributes significant time to providing pro bono legal services in her community. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Family Center, a service provider to San Francisco homeless families. She and other members of the firm continue to assist the Center. Recent Publications
Recent Speaking Engagements and Presentations
Professional Affiliations
Education
Admissions and Courts
Rebecca Regan, M.A., CCP Rebecca Regan is a graduate of the University of Arizona where she received her B.S. in Business Administration with a Personnel Management major in 1976. In 1992, she successfully completed required coursework to receive accreditation as a Certified Compensation Professional with World At Work (formerly American Compensation Association). Most recently, in 1999 she received her Master's degree from the University of San Francisco in Human Resources and Organizational Development. Rebecca began her career as a college recruit to work for American Hospital Supply Corporation. She then joined a division of TRW in a generalist role as a Personnel Administrator in a machine shop environment where the UAW held a strong presence. At TRW, she was a member of the company's contract negotiating team and participated in each step of the grievance procedure including arbitrated matters. She began her consulting career working for Dr. Reginald Goodfellow at Applied Research Consultants where she learned how to perform compensation and classification studies, primarily for public sector clients. This work prompted her interest in obtaining her certification in compensation. Her first exposure to the banking industry began when she joined First Nationwide Bank (now Citibank) as a Human Resources Consultant for their Loan Service Division. In this generalist role, she was responsible for all HR functions with a heavy emphasis on employee relations and compensation for a group of 330 employees. She was promoted to Vice President, Human Resources and when Ford Motor Company sold First Nationwide Bank to McAndrew & Forbes, she was responsible for the closure of the Loan Service division over a timeframe of eight months. She effectively managed this closure resulting in no legal action taken against the bank by any adversely affected employees. While at First Nationwide Bank, Ms. Regan began teaching in the Personnel Management Certificate program at the University of California, Davis Extension. She continued to teach in this program for five years. In 1995, she began her own consulting practice to provide human resources consulting services to businesses in the Northern California region. In more than six years of total operation, she has succeeded in growing her business through reputation and client referrals, and her clients include Raley's, CalPers, Tahoe City PUD, EdFund, The Money Store, Franklin Templeton, The McClatchy Company, River City Bank and many other firms. Her work as a consultant has involved the full spectrum of HR technical expertise, including recruitment, compensation studies (design and market studies), training & teaching, interim assignments as a HR Director for organizations, and employee relations, including investigations and written responses to DFEH, EEOC, DOL and sexual harassment complaints. Ms. Regan was also the Human Resources Director, Senior Vice President for River City Bank, the largest locally owned community bank in the Sacramento region from 1998-2001. In this role, she was responsible for all aspects of human resources including training & development, compensation & benefits, employee relations, recruiting & selection, and payroll administration. She oversaw a staff of three exempt and one non-exempt employees, reported directly to the Bank President/CEO and was a member of the Senior Management team of the Bank. In 2004-2005, she worked for The McClatchy Company as their Corporate Human Resources Director, supporting the corporate staff and acting in a consultative support role to HR staff located at 28 newspapers encompassing 10,000 employees. In this role, she worked closely with in-house legal department to answer all formal agency complaints and effectively resolve escalated employee relations issues involving multiple issues such as ADA, FMLA, CFRA, and workers' compensation. Ms. Regan is currently active with the Sacramento Area Human Resources Management Association, having been a former Board member for more than a decade. She is a member of World at Work (formerly known as American Compensation Association) and the Society for Human Resources Management. She is the Past President of the Sacramento Public Library Foundation, and serves as a member of the Personnel Committee for the Board of Trustees at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. Maria Rodriguez, Esq. Ms. Rodriguez is a partner in the Labor & Employment Department of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She represents and counsels employers in all areas of employment law, including state and federal wage and hour, discrimination and harassment matters, personnel issues such as coaching employees and documenting performance, non-discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence, privacy in the workplace and HIPAA. She defends employers in proceedings before the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, California Labor Commissioner, U.S. Department of Labor, and state and federal courts. Ms. Rodriguez is fluent in Spanish, which enables her to better serve the needs of some of our multi-cultural clients. Ms Rodriguez litigates on behalf of employers in wage and hour class actions, WARN class actions, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, breach of employment contract, unlawful business practices, non-solicitation, trade secrets, and other employment related cases. An undefeated trial lawyer, she has also successfully achieved difficult wins for her clients on summary judgment as well as obtaining low settlements in cases with challenging facts. But Ms. Rodriguez ultimately prides herself on helping clients avoid disputes through proactive planning. Ms. Rodriguez also trains and speaks on a multitude of employment and management related topics, including employee coaching and all aspects of human resources. Ms. Rodriguez has recently been honored as a Woman of Achievement by the Century City Chamber of Commerce. She has also been an Adjunct Professor of Employment Law at California State University, Fullerton in the Business Department. Education: J.D., Loyola Law School (1997); International and Comparative Law Journal; Chairperson, Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF); B.A., University of California at Los Angeles (1993); NCAA Division One Title Harvey Sohnen, Esq. Mr. Sohnen practices with the Law Offices of Sohnen & Kelly in Orinda. His law practice emphasizes representation of employees, with particular focus on wage and hour law cases, such as those involving overtime pay, meal periods and commissions. He also handles discrimination and wrongful termination cases. He has been identified as a "Northern California Super Lawyer" and has been the editor of the Contra Costa Lawyer since 2006. Mr. Sohnen received his B.A. from Columbia University, has an M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and obtained his J.D. from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Debra K. Taylor Debra Taylor is vice president, Organization Effectiveness for Health Net, Inc. Health Net is among the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Ms. Taylor plays a key leadership role in all aspects of human resources, including compensation, benefits, performance evaluation and rewards, staffing, equal employment and diversity, development, organization effectiveness and change management. Since joining Foundation Health Corporation, a predecessor company of Health Net in 1988, Ms. Taylor has played instrumental roles in the implementation of large-scale government contracts, human resources transformation and company restructures due to mergers, acquisitions and business realignment. Ms. Taylor earned her master's of science degree in Industrial Relations and bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Health Net’s mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company’s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to more than 6 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 7 million individuals in all 50 states. The company’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs. Charles L. Thompson, IV, Esq. Charles L. Thompson, IV, is a partner in Kauff McClain & McGuire LLP in California. He has extensive litigation and trial experience representing employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, and other employment-related cases. Mr. Thompson primarily counsels employers in all areas of employment law. This includes employee discipline and termination, ADA compliance in the workplace, and the Family Medical Leave Act. He assists employers in the area of layoffs and reorganizations. He also advises and defends employers regarding wage and hour compliance including independent contractor and exempt/non-exempt status issues. Mr. Thompson creates and provides workplace-training programs for California employers on sexual harassment, workplace violence, corrective action and discipline, workplace investigations, managing the borderline employee, and avoiding wrongful termination claims. He is frequently a featured speaker on various employment topics. Mr. Thompson received his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University, and earned his law degree from University of Texas School of Law. Linda L. Usoz, Esq. Ms. Usoz primarily represents public, private and start up companies in all aspects of employment law as well as a wide variety of commercial matters. Many of her clients are involved in claims, before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals, involving discrimination, wrongful termination, drug use, sexual harassment, invasion of privacy, violation of employee rights, trade secrets, preservation of intellectual property, commercial lease disputes, business purchase disputes, corporate dissolution, federal civil RICO, and IT licensing disputes. She advises and represents employers of all sizes on personnel administration matters: employee handbooks, employee and manager training, reductions in force, wage and hour issues, investigations of employee wrongdoing, affirmative action, employment contracts, hiring and firing of employees, and all other aspects of personnel administration. Ms. Usoz also has experience in negotiating and drafting complex business contracts, including those involving business or personnel outsourcing and licensing. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ms. Usoz was Of Counsel in the Employment Litigation Practice of a Palo Alto, California, law firm and a Shareholder in a San Jose law firm. Ms. Usoz is a member of the California State Bar and is admitted to the following Courts: California State Courts; Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals; US. District Court for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado ;Federal Circuit Court Ms. Usoz earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School (1987) and a B.A. from Carleton College (1984). Kathleen Webb, CPCU Kathleen Webb currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Department of General Services (DGS) Interagency Support Division, and oversees the Office of Public School Construction, Office of Fleet and Asset Management, and the Office of State Publishing. In this capacity, Kathleen works to ensure that the department, as the State’s business manager, provides our state with funding for the construction of safe schools, environmentally friendly transportation, and innovative printing solutions and services. Prior this appointment, Kathleen served Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Director of the Office of the Insurance Advisor, within the State and Consumer Services Agency. As a member of the State and Consumer Services Agency executive team, Kathleen served as the Information Security Officer, Business Continuity Coordinator, and as the Secretary’s risk management advisor for the largest and most diverse Agency in state government. She also served as a member of the Governor’s health care advisory team. In addition, Ms. Webb participates on the following: California Emergency Council, Governor's Emergency Operations Executive Council (GEOEC), the State Emergency Management (SEMs) Advisory Board, the California Readiness Advisory Workgroup, the Governor's Emergency Partnership Advisory Workgroup (EPAW), and the California Alluvial Fan Task Force. She has also served as a member of public boards, including the Girl Scouts, and is currently serving on the board for the California Center for Civic Participation – host for youth civic education programs throughout California (Capitol Focus) and the Annual California Roast in Sacramento. Kathleen is also a twenty year veteran in the insurance industry, and worked for State Farm Insurance in the capacity of claims management, regional catastrophe coordinator, agent, and statewide grassroots coordinator, all within California. She is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) designee. A fourth generation Californian, Kathleen Webb received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley, while also representing the school as a student athlete. Tammy Jo Kenber, SPHR, CPP As a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience, Ms. Kenber delivers a unique blend of employment-related knowledge and expertise. She specializes in labor relations and has worked for several employers with large groups of represented workers, including SEIU, Teamsters, CNA, and others. Tammy is currently employed by Comtek Computer Systems in Sacramento as their Director of Human Resources and in addition serves as President of SAHTEA, the Sacramento Area High Technology Employers Association. Tammy is a true change agent who works tirelessly to understand labor markets/conditions and deliver the most viable, cost-effective business solutions. Ms. Kenber has consulted for the past five years with numerous businesses in regards to employee handbooks, FMLA and COBRA administration, sexual harassment investigations, ADA/EEOC claims, and numerous other employment-related issues. She is a member of SHRM (National Society of Human Resource Management) as well as SAHRA (Sacramento Area Human Resource Association) and she has both her SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certifications. Ms. Kenber has been affiliated with Comtek Computer Systems since 2005. Ms. Kenber has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from University of Nebraska and professional certificates from UC Berkeley, Golden Gate University and the University of Phoenix. Ms. Kenber has spoken to numerous professional groups and organizations over the years on a wide range of employment-related topics covering benefits administration, plan design, salary administration, compensation, performance management, and organizational/leadership development.
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