Los Angeles HR Star Conference Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Speaker Information Patrick J. Kuhse is the President of Speaking of Ethics. From Harvard to Stanford to Boeing, he has lectured across the United States on the subject business ethics. His clients include national and international corporations, professional associations, law enforcement agencies, and major universities. With a wide range of business experience, including over 15 years as a principal with a financial services firm, Patrick explores the seemingly unimportant decisions that are common in the workplace. His expertise in white-collar crime is uniquely translated into the personnel challenges facing HR on a daily basis. Mr. Kuhse's particular emphasis is on the erosion of values, workplace ethics, and the underlying reasons behind critical thinking errors. As you will see, he is uniquely qualified to explore the critical thinking errors that underpin moral and ethical dilemmas both in the workplace and in life. His personal experiences, observations and reflections concerning the causes and prevention of fraud both entertain and provoke attendees to think more deeply about their own behaviors. Tracy L. Cahill, through her professional corporation, is a Partner of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and has practiced labor and employment law on behalf of management since 1992. Ms. Cahill is an experienced employment litigator and specializes in advising human resource executives and in-house counsel on difficult federal and California employment issues, including sexual harassment investigations, terminations, leaves of absences, accommodation requests, trade secret protections, covenants not to compete, and wage and hour issues. She also has expertise in auditing employment practices. In addition, Ms. Cahill conducts training for human resource executives, supervisors and other employees. She received her undergraduate degree from Yale College and her law degree from the University of Southern California Law Center. Ms. Cahill is a featured speaker for continuing legal education and professional management groups. This will be Tracy's ninth year as a featured presenter at the Los Angeles HR Star Conference. Laura Petroff is a Labor and Employment Relations Partner and Managing Partner of Winston & Strawn's Los Angeles office as well as a member of its Executive Committee. In her practice, Ms. Petroff represents major, publicly traded and mid-sized domestic and foreign corporations in all aspects of employment relations, including employment relations litigation and counseling. She has extensive experience defending employers in class actions and single plaintiff cases, including wage and hour claims, sexual harassment claims, and discrimination cases involving a wide range of allegations. In addition to litigation matters, Ms. Petroff's experience includes negotiations, training, investigations, the preparation of employment policies and procedures, employment contracts, confidentiality agreements, and non-competition agreements. Ms. Petroff's representative clients include the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Canyon Partners, Fortune Brands, Gap, Inc., Harris Bank, HemaCare Corporation, LVMH, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Nellson Nutraceutical, Inc., UBS Financial Services, Inc., ViewSonic Corporation, and WaterPik Technologies. Ms. Petroff received a B.A. from Denison University in 1977 and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1980. Ann Feyerherm, Ph.D. is the Director of the M.S. in Organization Development Program at Pepperdine University and Chair of the Organization Theory and Management Discipline, as well as an Associate Professor of Organization and Management. She previously spent 11 years as a manager of organization development at Procter & Gamble, where she was involved in employee relations, organization design, and corporate downsizing. As a consultant, she has worked with Healthways, Honeywell, Frito-Lay, and Boeing on projects such as improving multifunctional teams, creating learning organizations, negotiating effectively, leadership development and managing change. Dr. Feyerherm has conducted research on the role of leadership in negotiating regulatory policy, with particular interest in mediation and negotiation of environmental issues and inter-organizational collaboration. In addition, she is interested in increasing human capacity through strength-based approaches. Her work has been published in the Leadership Quarterly, The Graziadio Business Report, and in Practicing Organization Development: A Guide for Consultants. She regularly presents at the Academy of Management where she holds leadership positions. Dr. Feyerherm earned her doctorate fom the University of Southern California. Leonora "Lenny" Schloss is a Partner at Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP, and heads its Los Angeles employment group. Ms. Schloss advocates a proactive approach to preventing employment disputes, and therefore counsels and trains employers on day-to-day employment problems involving wage/hour issues, leave rights, discrimination and harassment, discipline and dismissal, and workplace privacy. In addition, she performs workplace investigations regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment and Sarbanes-Oxley violations. Ms. Schloss drafts policies, handbooks, and agreements clarifying employer expectations for employees. She also represents employers in lawsuits involving discrimination, wage/hour and leave violations, wrongful termination, unfair competition, breach of contract and all other employment-related claims, as well as union arbitration matters. Ms. Schloss represents employers in administrative proceedings before local, state and federal agencies such as the California Labor Commissioner, the DFEH and the EEOC. Lester S. Rosen is the President of Employment Screening Resources, a national background screening company headquartered in Novato, California. He is an attorney at law, as well as a nationally recognized consultant, writer and speaker on the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), pre-employment screening, and safe hiring issues. In addition, Mr. Rosen is the author of the first comprehensive book on employment screening, The Safe Hiring Manual Complete Guide to Keeping Criminals, Imposters and Terrorists Out of Your Workplace – a book that is now considered a classic. Mr. Rosen was the chairperson of the steering committee that founded the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), the professional trade organization for the screening industry, and served as the first co-chairman in 2004. In addition, he has qualified and testified in the California and Arkansas Superior Court as an expert witness on issues surrounding safe hiring and due diligence. Mr. Rosen's speaking appearances have included numerous national and statewide conferences. Gregory Sims, SPHR is the Director of Human Resources for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has been a practitioner and consultant in human resources for over 30 years. Gregory’s HR experience includes both the public and private sector having worked for organizations such as the County of Los Angeles Personnel Department, California State University, Los Angeles, Hughes Helicopters and International Medication Systems. In addition, Gregory has also served as an adjunct professor at Keller Graduate School of Management teaching courses in Human Resource Strategic Development and Diversity. He is a Life Member of PIHRA (Professionals In Human Resource Management) having previously served on its Board for nearly 10 years and as President of the Association in 2001. Gregory did his undergraduate work at Occidental College and Immaculate Heart College and holds an MBA from the University of LaVerne. Helene Wasserman is a Partner in the Los Angeles office of the national labor and employment law firm of Ford & Harrison LLP. She has devoted her entire career to partnering with employers, of all sizes and in all industries, with regard to all of their labor and employment law needs. From drafting employee handbooks, conducting training, and engaging in other forms of “preventive lawyering,” to representing companies in multi-million dollar class action or other forms of employment litigation, Helene’s experience spans every aspect of employment law. In addition, Helene hosts the EmployerHelpCast, which is a podcast devoted to providing helpful insights to employers on a wide variety of topics, ranging from overcoming a fear of firing and hiring the right employees to defining corporate culture, job sharing and managing employees in a multi-generational workforce. Bobby C. Chung is an attorney practicing exclusively in immigration and citizenship law. Before entering private practice, Mr. Chung served as an Attorney Advisor with the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. He has over 10 years experience in immigration law with an emphasis in business-related and employment-based immigration. Mr. Chung has counseled a wide range of organizations, including Fortune 500 corporations, mid-size companies, small organizations, and start-up enterprises. His firm represents corporations, universities, hospitals, and other organizations, as well as entrepreneurs and individuals throughout the United States. Mr. Chung is a member of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Chung graduated from the University of Southern California and obtained his Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law. Debbie McGrath is the CEO of HR.com, a company committed to delivering HR best practices and helping organizations build great businesses through community, collaboration, research, shared best practices and measurements. Prior to starting HR.com, Debbie owned The CEO Group, a Canadian and European entity that created job board software, talent management software, HTC career magazines and career fairs. In August of 1998, The CEO Group was sold to Kaplan (now BrassRing.com), a fully-owned subsidiary of the Washington Post Company. During her tenure, Debbie served as President of the Canadian and European operations, as well as Vice President of Worldwide Sales. Complementing her extensive background in human resources, publishing and the Internet, Debbie also holds a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration through the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Cindy Ventrice is the President of Potential Unlimited. With over 20 years of experience as an employee loyalty specialist, management consultant, speaker, and workshop leader, Cindy consults with organizations wishing to implement or improve recognition programs. Besides offering guidance on design and implementation, Cindy also trains and coaches managers. Having worked with front-line supervisors to CEOs from 14 countries, Cindy understands the challenges of managing for global and generational differences, as well as how to work with a dispersed workforce. Her clients include Cisco, MIT, WorksafeBC, State of California, Bell Canada and State Farm Insurance. The author of the best-selling book, Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works, and the companion guide, Recognition Strategies that Work, Cindy has been quoted in The New York Times, HR Executive, Workforce Magazine, and The Likeability Factor. Kaushik Ranchod is an attorney practicing exclusively in immigration law, with a focus on business and employment-based immigration. Mr. Ranchod has advised clients from small and large firms in many different sectors, including healthcare and technology. Mr. Ranchod was admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court in 1998 and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. He is actively involved in the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) and is delegation member for the American Immigration Lawyers Foundation, a prominent immigration non-profit organization. In addition, Mr. Ranchod served on the Board of Directors for the South Asian Bar Association in Northern California and is a member of The Indus Entrepreneurs, also known as Talent, Ideas, and Enterprise (TIE), an organization dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship. Mr. Ranchod graduated from the University of Southern California as valedictorian of his major and was added to the Trojan Wall of Fame. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings, in San Francisco, California. Phillip R. Maltin is a Partner in the Employment & Labor Law department of Silver & Freedman. A trial lawyer, employment counselor and dynamic speaker, in representing his clients, Phil combines his knowledge of substantive law with the experience he gained as both a criminal prosecutor and private lawyer. For the past nine years, Phil has prosecuted criminal cases for the City of Los Angeles through the Fellowship Program of the prestigious Trial Advocacy Project, where he is also an assistant instructor. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Health Law in the undergraduate and graduate schools at the University of LaVerne. In addition to practicing law and teaching, Phil speaks regularly on employment law, evidence and trial tactics. His presentations include training in how to identify liars in the workplace, on the witness stand and in personal life; how to avoid sexual harassment claims; and how to achieve success as a supervisor. A dedicated practitioner, Phil publishes articles in a variety of journals and newspapers, including the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Phil received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University and received a Graduate Fellowship and a Faculty of Humanities Scholarship for his graduate work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He graduated from DePaul College of Law. Henry Lonsdale is President and Founder of California Payroll where he is responsible for the overall vision and management of the company, as well as new business development. Henry has over 15 years of payroll and HR industry experience. He started his payroll career with Paychex where his sales performance consistently landed in the top 7% of the company’s national payroll sales team and earned him numerous sales awards, including Circle of Excellence. In addition, Henry was Co-founder and Vice President of Sales for Precise Pay and the Director of Recruiting and Training for a leading regional rental car service. Henry is an active member of several clubs and associations, including the Brentwood Rotary, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, American Payroll Association (APA), Independent Payroll Providers Association (IPPA), and The Payroll Group (TPG). Henry also serves on the Board of Directors of the Tri-Valley Chapter of the NCHRA. Bill M. Butkovich is a Vice President of Benefits in California with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and a Group Security Specialist. Bill was awarded his certification as an Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist through the National Institute of Fraud Risk Management, one of the leading authorities on identity theft in the United States. In Bill's years of experience in benefits and group security issues, he has trained members of law enforcement and Homeland Security organizations on identity theft and on ways to mitigate exposure. In addition, he has conducted dozens of trainings for companies from a wide variety of industries. Bill is a popular national speaker and has presented to groups ranging in size from 50 to 17,000 people.  Denise McCommins is President of Just Imagine Professional Image Service. A popular speaker with hundreds of presentations to her credit, Denise has conducted programs for clients from a wide variety of industries, including: Blue Shield of California, CIGNA Healthcare, Curves, Ernst & Young, L.A. Care, Little Company of Mary Hospital, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Northrop/Grumman, San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, and TRW. Denise's work in the healthcare industry resulted in a case study published in Images in Health + Care. In addition, her advice has been featured in national trade magazines in the banking and healthcare industries. Denise’s engaging presentations, workshops and personal coaching sessions impart practical tips and techniques, including business etiquette and how to build a versatile, professional wardrobe based on body type and budget. Braden Albert is the Founder and President of the HR Star Conference and its parent company, Abbington Court Media. A graduate of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Braden began organizing job fairs and trade shows in the mid-1990's. Intrigued by the idea of bringing people together for a shared, learning experience - and impressed by the impact such an experience can provide - Braden organized his first HR Star Conference in 1999. Today, the scope of the HR Star Conference includes annual events in Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California; and Cleveland, Ohio. Over 2,550 HR professionals attended an HR Star Conference in 2007. Ever eager to explore new formats and innovative concepts, Braden recently added the HR Executive Summit to his event portfolio. The HR Executive Summit is a discussion-based, roundtable forum designed exclusively for Vice Presidents and top-level Directors of HR held each June.