MT-SHRM Board Members

Bob McKown
President

Bob is President & Corporate Vice President of XMi Human Resources, assisting organizations with employee relations issues, payroll, administration of all types of core and supplemental benefits plans, retirement programs, leadership and organizational development, strategic, tactical and practical human consulting, succession planning, transition management and outplacement. He can be reached at 615-301-3043.

Goal: “To increase volunteer opportunities for our membership while providing programs that help to advance the HR profession.”

Art Smith, SPHR, CCP,
President-Elect

Art is managing partner of AG Smith & Associates, an HR project management firm working with HR professionals and business leaders to help maximize their peoples engagement and thereby their contributions to the business. He can be reached at 615-260-8909.

Goal: “To support and serve membership of MT-SHRM through strategic, focused leadership and continued growth of the organization, which will advance the profession and support the HR professional.”

Kellie Conn, SPHR,
Past-President

Kellie is the director of human resources for Paradigm Group, an insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm located in Nashville, Tennessee. She can be reached at 615-515-3307.

Goal: “To continue to promote the HR Professional as a strategic business partner and to make MR-SHRM a resource for the HR practitioner to successfully meet the challenges of this role.”

Susan Heard , SPHR
Communications Chair

Susan is vice president of Paradigm Group, which specializes in group insurance, employee benefits, and HR consulting for employers in the Mid-South and across the country. She can be reached at 615-356-7865 x 3304 .

Goal: “To provide compelling, informative and timely information about our organization and its people to our members and our communities.”

Aimee Hull, PHR
Finance Chair

Aimee is Manager, Human Resources Administration at ENA, a world class technology company providing technology solutions to K-20 education, library and government sectors. She can be reached at 615-312-6061.

Goal: “To bring our organization's finances to the next level and prepare us for additional programs and membership activity in 2007-2008."

Betty J. Johnson, MBA, SPHR
Membership Chair

Betty is the Vice President of Employment Services for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. She oversees both the HR function and the mission-related workforce services. Betty is an MT-SHRM past president. She can be reached at 615-346-1238.

Goal: “To develop a workable process for receiving and welcoming new members of
MT-SHRM and develop strategic plans for membership growth.”

Tish Meshew, SPHR,
Member Relations Chair

Tish is human resources director for Community Health Systems, a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban markets throughout the United States. She can be reached at 615-465-8520.

Goal: “To organize and develop the people resources of MT-SHRM in order to provide the critical link to accomplish the goals and mission of our organization."

Kevie Mikus, SPHR,
Programs Chair

Kevie is vice president client services with The HR Group, a provider of comprehensive solutions in employee benefits, HR management and outsourcing. She can be reached at 615-244-8484.

Goal: “To provide educational opportunities for MT-SHRM members that advance the HR profession and serve HR professionals.”

Mark Peters, Esq.,
Legal Advisor

Mark is a partner in the Labor and Employment practice group, and Chair of the Healthcare Employment Law Practice subgroup, at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. He represents management exclusively in a variety of industries throughout the United States. He can be reached at 615-850-8888.

Goal: “To provide strong leadership and quality legal advice on all human resource and management issues affecting the membership, the Board of Directors and the MT-SHRM officers.”

Kara Shea
Legislative Chair

Kara is an employment attorney with the law firm of Miller & Martin, PLLC. She handles employment litigation, counsels employers on compliance issues, and provides supervisory training on wage and hour, FMLA, discrimination, and other critical employment law issues. Kara can be reached at 615-244-9270.

Goal: “To inform and advise MT-SHRM on local, regional and national labor and employment legislative matters of significance and relevance to the membership and to serve as a resource on creative and proactive strategies for resolving disputes in the workplace.”

Leslie Garrett-Stephens
Workforce Planning Chair

Leslie is Senior Associate with Mercer, a global leader for trusted HR and related financial advice, products and services. She can be reached at 615-604-0461 .

Goal: “To support the role of expanding quality employment opportunities through workforce development, search out and implement diversity in the workplace, and embrace the social responsibility for the betterment and growth of the community in which we work and play.”

Mel Waymaster, SPHR,
Professional Development Chair

Mel is Director of Human Resources for Correct Care Solutions, a Nashville, TN based correctional healthcare management organization. He can be reached at 615-324-5756.

Goal: “To provide opportunities that will allow our members to strengthen their professional HR skills, thereby promoting excellence in themselves and their organizations.”