NACS Human Resources Forum

Joanne M. Loce, president of Loce Consulting LLC, is an executive coach, consultant and speaker on topics related to strategic human resources, organization and leadership development, culture, change management, and talent management. She brings over 20 years of experience partnering with business leaders to create Human Resources strategy and delivering people related processes that contribute to the bottom line in a variety of industries, including financial services, automotive, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, insurance, chemicals, non-profit, and public agencies and education. Her current coaching and consulting clients include Fortune 500 companies in various industries, state government, and leaders in small to mid-sized firms.

Ms. Loce served as a Program Director for The Conference Board, leading ten industry conferences on talent management, performance management, and the development of emerging leaders. Her most recent corporate role was the Vice President of Talent Management and Organizational Development for Genworth Financial. Ms. Loce was responsible for leading talent management strategies and processes, recruiting, succession planning, and leadership development across global Genworth. Prior to joining Genworth Financial, Ms. Loce worked for Capital One Financial, General Motors, and the Federal Reserve System where she held a variety of roles in which she coached and consulted with senior executive leadership, provided Human Resources strategy and support for her clients, and led enterprise-wide talent management, leadership development, and cross-functional change efforts.

Joanne is a speaker and consultant on topics such as Integrating Succession Planning with Business Cycles, Change Management, Culture Transformation, Leadership Development, Organizational Capabilities, Building Effective Teams, and Talent Management. She is a former member of The Conference Board Talent Management Executives Council and has been an expert panelist for topics related to maximizing the full potential of the workforce for companies, professional associations, colleges and universities. She is currently an adjunct faculty member with the Community College Workforce Alliance.

Ms. Loce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Providence College, an MBA/MILR from Cornell University, and a Leadership Coaching Certificate from Georgetown University. She resides in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

I was fortunate to join The Spinx Company in April 2017 after spending eight years with a South Carolina-based credit union in a variety of roles including HR, Facilities management and Accounting. I also spent 17 years at BI-LO, a regional grocery chain, in HR, Pricing, Merchandising and Training. Initially hired as an HR Generalist at Spinx, I was named Benefits Manager after a recent realignment within the HR department. An active supporter of Spinx charity efforts, I am a member of many committees and task force groups within the organization. In addition to memberships with SHRM and the Greenville Chapter of SHRM, I also obtained my PHR certification last year. I am a graduate of Greenville Technical College and studied at Francis Marion University. I reside in Greenville, SC, with my husband, Brad, and have two grown step-children. Free time finds me Jazzercising, kayaking, boating and spending time at our beach cottage.

Caroline Brown is an attorney with Fisher Phillips. Since she joined its Atlanta office in 2001, her primary practice has been advising clients nationwide on preventive issues, representing employers in government investigations, and conducting compliance audits with respect to wage practices. A substantial portion of her practice focuses on wage and hour law, including minimum wage, overtime, timekeeping, and exemptions under federal law. Caroline also assists employers in efforts to ensure compliance with state wage-hour and wage-payment laws, including designing compensation plans, paid leave policies, and garnishment procedures.

I started my HR career after graduating Anderson University in 2008. I have been in the HR field for 9 years, starting out in staffing and recruiting with a local agency. I then transitioned into Safety and HR Management positions in manufacturing and retail before joining Ricker Oil Company in 2015. My passion for Human Resources lies in employee and process development across all aspects of the HR function. Working with a creative and talented team, I am honored to take part in processes ranging from recruiting and onboarding, to creating and delivering innovative training programs, to employee and Leadership support throughout the employee life cycle.

Katie Fraley has been the benefit administrator since October 2013 for Campbell Oil and BellStores. Prior to her start in human resources, she worked in child protective services and spent ten years in insurance sales as an agent and office manager. Her social work and sales experience provided an appropriate foundation for the skill set required of a human resource professional in a retail industry. Katie’s undergraduate degrees are in criminal justice and political science from the University of Akron. She earned her PHR certification in November 2016 and is currently working on her MBA with a concentration in organizational leadership at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Presently Katie is responsible for health insurance and ACA compliance, life insurance, 401k plan, leaves of absence, unemployment, workers compensation, and the wellness program. She most enjoys problem solving and coming up with creative solutions to employee issues with her peers. Going forward, Katie hopes to take on additional areas of responsibility to assist her organization with transition and growth.

Tabatha George is an associate in the New Orleans office. She specializes in employee benefits, including retirement and welfare plans and healthcare reform. She has particular expertise in Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance including defending companies against employer mandate penalties and preparing 1095-C reporting. She also focuses on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance and data breaches involving health plan information.

Before joining the firm, Tabby was a Simpson Thacher fellow with the Harvard Project on Disability and practiced for two years in New York as a transactional attorney.

Tabatha was included in Louisiana Super Lawyers - Rising Stars in 2016.

Jayme Gough is a Research Coordinator for the NACS Research Department. She joined NACS in June of 2017 after having worked for the Alexandria City Public Schools for two years. In addition to collecting and synthesizing data for the annual State of the Industry Compensation Report, she manages the internal and external surveys, as well as assists with the State of the Industry enterprise and consumer insights portfolio. Jayme holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Bates College and a Project Management certificate from Georgetown University.

Tanner Krause leads the human resource functions of Kum & Go which includes talent acquisition, total rewards, systems, and administration, learning and development, and the business partner team. The team, known as Grow People at Kum & Go, provides support to more than 5,000 associates in more than 400 across 11 states.

Tanner’s work experience with Kum & Go dates back more than twenty years, when he began working part-time in stores. With nearly ten years of store experience, plus four different internships with Kum & Go, he became a District Supervisor in the Des Moines, IA area in 2013. Following completion of his MBA, he became Kum & Go’s Director of Operations in 2016. At the start of 2017, Tanner took on his current role as the Senior Vice President of Grow People. Tanner’s passion for Kum & Go’s associates and stores is a highlight in every role he has held within the company. Tanner also provides strategic direction and HR support to several other businesses in the Krause Holdings portfolio.

Prior to his Kum & Go history, Tanner worked through the E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Management Development Program, working as a Sales Representative for Wirtz Beverage Group (IL) for two years before joining Empire Merchants (NY) as a Field Sales Manager. He appreciates the opportunities provided to him by the Gallo family, as well as their commitment to skill development and career pathing.

Tanner received two Bachelor’s in Business Administration degrees from Loyola University in Chicago in 2010 – Finance and Economics. Additionally, Tanner is a member of the most successful graduating class in Loyola Ramblers Men’s Soccer history. In 2016, he graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration from DePaul University, concentrating in Business Strategy.

Living in Des Moines, IA with his wife, Hannah, the two share a passion for community development. Tanner is a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa Board of Directors and volunteers as a youth soccer coach. Hannah is a member of the Food Bank of Iowa.

Lynda began her Human Resources career in 1993. She began working at Toot n’ Totum in 2009. She is currently the HR/Risk Management Director for Toot n’ Totum/Westgate Car Care Centers/Mr. Payroll/SUPA which employees 1,000 employees at 80 convenience stores, 9 car care centers, 8 Mr. Payroll check cashing stores, and a fuel hauling division. She is certified in HR through HRCI and SHRM. Previously, Lynda was a legal assistant. She holds a BS in Political Science.

Jamie is a partner at WorkXO Solutions, a culture management firm that uses culture analytics and customized consulting to drive company growth, innovation, and engagement. He brings 25 years of experience in conflict resolution, generational differences, and culture change to his work with leaders around the world. Author of two books (When Millennials Take Over, and Humanize), Jamie has a Master’s in conflict resolution from George Mason and a certificate in OD from Georgetown, where he serves as adjunct faculty.

Erin is the vice president of education and media at NACS. She leads the content teams responsible for the association’s media platforms as well as education at NACS events, including the NACS Show. Erin also serves on the NACS executive leadership team. Previously, Erin was the managing editor of The American Prospect magazine, a monthly liberal political magazine. Erin is a past board member of the Washington Women’s Leadership Initiative and is a past president for Association Media & Publishing’s Board of Directors.

Erin has an M.A. in professional writing and editing from George Mason University and a B.A. in English from Mary Washington University. She attended the NACS Leadership Executive Program at Cornell University and an Executive Finance program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business.

I currently lead the Human Resource Department of The Spinx Company which includes Talent Acquisition, Leadership and Development, Total Rewards/ Benefits and Compensation, Employee Relations and Safety. The team provides support to more than 1,400 associates across South Carolina and our Transportation Company. I previously worked as an Accountant for over 20 years at various companies in the Philadelphia area, including WaWa. I received my bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Widener University. In 2005 I was recruited to South Carolina, by my current company, Spinx for the position of Controller. I have since held positions as Controller, Chief Information Officer, EVP of Recruiting and Training and my current role as EVP of Human Resource. In December of 2016 I passed by Shrm-cp, so next step in my education is obtaining a master’s degree in human resources. I am more than halfway to completing this at Villanova University.

I reside in Greenville with my husband John and have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. When I am not studying or doing homework, I try to enjoy time with my husband and children.

Erica Tietz has almost a decade of recruitment expertise in entry level to executive positions. After graduating with honors from Coe College with Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Erica joined the Kum & Go team and has served in a variety of functions including Division Recruiter, Consulting Manager and most recently her role as Senior Talent Acquisition Manger.

Erica currently leads the recruitment function for Kum & Go’s Store Support Center (corporate headquarters). Erica is passionate about providing a superior candidate experience and creating an employment brand that is not only innovative, but resonates with the culture of Kum & Go. She is currently attending the University of Iowa to obtain her MBA. She holds both the PHR and SHRM-CP certification.

Erica and her husband, Ben, reside in a suburb of Des Moines. They have two children, Ro, 2 and Bode, 6 months.

Kurt Weigel is the Recruiting Manager for Weigel’s Stores, Inc. Currently Weigel’s has 66 stores, a bakery and dairy. He recruits, handles customer concerns, works in Operations, and oversees the Weigel Family Christmas charitable event. He has been with the company for 14 years. Prior to joining Weigel’s, Kurt taught middle school for 10 years in Charlotte. He has coached high school track, soccer, and basketball. He enjoys the outdoors, running, playing golf, and hiking. Kurt resides with his wonderful wife and two girls, Karley and Abby.

Pamela Williams is a partner in the firm’s Houston office. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has more than twenty years of experience handling labor and employment litigation matters in arbitration, as well as state and federal courts.

Pamela has litigated individual, class, and collective actions, including claims involving allegations of discrimination, retaliation, medical leave violations, failure to provide accommodations for religion and disability, wage and hour violations, and workplace torts. She has also assisted clients in dealing with administrative charges before the Department of Labor (DOL), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and state agencies such as the Texas Workforce Commission.

In addition to her litigation experience, Pamela also assists clients with compliance, training, and workplace investigations. She also has drafted employment handbooks, policies and procedures, separation agreements, employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, and covenants not to compete.