Who is HRACO

(HRACO) is a member organization of local Human Resource professionals who are also members of the National Association; The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

HRACO offers professionals in the Human Resources field opportunities for skills enhancement as well as tools to obtain certification as professionals in the field of HR.  We meet the third Wednesday of each month and have speakers on various HR-related topics.

SHRM - The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management.  Representing more than 180,000 individual members, the Society's mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most essential and comprehensive resources available.  As an influential voice, the Society's mission is also to advance the human resource profession to ensure that HR is recognized as an essntial partner in developing and executing organizational strategy.  Founded in 1948, SHRM currently has more than 500 affiliated chapters within the United States and members in more than 100 countries.

Mission Statement

HRACO's mission is to provide opportunities for education, networking and community connection to human resource professionals in Central Oregon.

The mission of SHRM is to serve the needs of the human resource management professional by providing the most essential and comprehensive set of resources availbale.  In addition, the Society is committed to advancing the human resource profession and the capabilities of all human resource professionals to ensure that HR is an essential and effective partner in developing and executing organizational strategy.

President Sandy Stephenson Bend Chamber of Commerce Phone 541.382-3221 sandy@bendchamber.org Sandy has spent 20 years in HR and Accounting.  She has worked for the Bend Chamber of Commerce as Director of Finance & HR for the past 12+ years and previously worked in the construction industry.	Past President Nancy Lumpkin, PHR ClearOne Health Plans Phone  541.330-8108 nancy.lumpkin@clearonehp.com Nancy has been on the HRACO Board for 4 years having served in the positions of President-Elect and Education/Certification.  She has been an HR Professional for over 13 years and is currently the HR Manager of ClearOne Health Plans.
Secretary Amber Bennett, PHR American Licorice Phone 541.749-4705 amberbennett@amerlic.com   Amber has 8+  years of experience in all areas of HR. Her background includes positions as Recruitment and Staffing both as a Sr. Specialist and Manager. She is currently an HR Generalist for American Licorice Company. Amber has a BA degree in Business from Saint Leo University and is in her second year serving on the HRACO Board.	President Elect Cindy O'Neal, SPHR Cardinal Services  Phone 541.389.4259 x2405 cindy@cardinal-services.com Cindy has her MS in HR Management and is currently the Regional Manager/HR Advisor for Cardinal Services and a member of the Corporate Executive Team.  She has served as a member of HRACO Program Committee since 2008.
Education/Certification JoAn Mann, MBA-GPHR Prep Profile Systems, Inc. Phone 541.382.1401 ja@prep-profiles.com   JoAn is an entrepreneur in HR related curriculum, author of the Bend-based strategic HR assessment, the PREP Personal Strengths Profile, and has a strong client base in team building, coaching & career transitions.  She received her MBA from University of Denver, Bachelor’s and Teaching Certification from The Colorado College.	Picture Not Available Program Chair Marian Thomas, PHR Deschutes Public Library Phone 541.312-1024 mariant@dpls.lib.or.us Marian serves as the HR Director for the Deschutes Public Library.
Treasurer Dana Barz Danamics  Phone 541.550.0272 dana@danamics.net   Dana holds a German 5 year program Masters Degree in Training and Organizational Development. She has worked in training management for 15+ years, and has been working as an independent consultant implementing initiatives to foster organizational and operational effectiveness for 10+ years.	Membership Karen Turner Express Employment Professionals Phone 541.330.1585 karen.turner@expresspros.com Karen  has spent the past 14 years in Human Resources and Recruiting and has a BA in Organizational Management with an emphasis in HR Management from George Fox University. She is currently the Vice President of Express Specialized Recruiting Group.
Legislative Affairs Katie Tank, JD  Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Phone 541.749.4011 ktank@schwabe.com Katie is a Partner in the law firm of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt.	Webmaster Patti Ribb Awbrey Dental Group 541.383.0754 patti@awbreydental.com Patti has been in the HR field for 25 years as a Generalist specializing in employee relations, strategic management, training and HRIS. She is trained in software technology/programming , designed and executed HRACO’s new website/branding and was recently named the  2009 HR Professional of the Year.
Member at Large Kurt Barker Karnopp Petersen LLP 541.318.9806 mailto:keb@karnopp.com  Kurt, a partner at Karnopp Petersen, currently serves as the Chair of the firm's Employment Law department.  As an employment law and litigation attorney, Kurt has been defending and counseling employers in all aspects of the employment relationship for the last nine years.	Member at Large Sally Sorenson, SPHR MEDISISS 541.728.1051 mailto:sorensonsally@yahoo.com Sally is the Human Resources Manager for Medisiss, Owner of Sorenson Consulting, LLC, and an Associate of da'namics.  With 20 years of HR generalist experience and a degree in Management and Human Relations she is dedicated to helping organizations to attract, protect, develop, and retain their human resources.