Not just an HR association.
“Our goal is to provide our members with the most meaningful and appealing customer experience anywhere. We (the EA team) become not just an HR association, but a great experience where we strive to help our Members build truly great cultures and great organizations.”
Jack Hollister, President
The Employers’ Association
Service Area | Staff | Board
Who We Serve
Manufacturing
Financial Services
Professional Services
Health Care
Not-for-profit
Government
From two-person companies to corporations with thousands of employees, our member organizations come in all different sizes and represent a broad spectrum of industries including manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, automotive, community service agencies, municipal and county governments, educational institutions, and more.
More than 700 organizations are members of the EA. We’re humbled to say that many of them have been with us for more than 20 years.
Chances are, we already
know your neighbor.
We’d like to know you, too!
Counties of Service
Fulton
Hillsdale
Mercer
Putnam
Williams
Hancock
Huron
Monroe
Sandusky
Hardin
Lenawee
Ottawa
Seneca
Henry
Lucas
Paulding
VanWert
We’re ready to serve you.CONTACT US
Why We Exist
Mission:
The Employers’ Association serves regional employers in their efforts to build great cultures by providing Human Resource Management Information and Consulting, Training and Development and Workplace Wellness.
Vision:
Partnered with members to build great cultures and great organizations.
Who We Are
Corporate Team
Jack Hollister
Since 1997, Jack has led The EA as its president, developing the overall direction of The Association and managing its day-to-day activities. He also trains and consults in the areas of leadership development, strategic planning and the utilization of the DISC profile for team-building purposes. In his spare time, Jack enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and golfing.
Sarah Beddoes
Sarah is the EA’s marketing guru. She maintains the EA’s website, coordinates our social media presence and designs direct mail, eblasts, flyers and marketing pieces. As the EA’s resident travel bug, Sarah enjoys exploring new places she has never been, as well as spending time with her family and friends, reading, movies, and soccer.
Rebecca Byers
Rebecca maintains the books for the EA. She has a fine arts background and discovered her love of accounting in her second career. She loves a well-designed spreadsheet and enjoys streamlining processes and finding new ways to be more efficient. In her free-time she enjoys making art, reading and playing with her dachshund Edith.
Shamika Winfree
Shamika recently completed her degree in Business Administration and is excited to start her career and put her degree to use! She is very goal oriented and passionate and will stop at nothing to achieve her dreams while enjoying life to the fullest with her husband! Shamika enjoys her administrative career behind the scenes and assisting others while continuing to learn as much as she can. Her favorite things to do other than looking into the world of fashion and architectural design, is to go sightseeing and explore new cultures throughout the world. She loves to fly and is constantly looking for new places to travel, explore and shop with her family and friends.
Karin Roadarmel
Karin is the first friendly face you see when visiting the EA and the voice you hear when calling in on the phone! She has a variety of roles within the EA such as invoicing, registration, assisting with On-Site Learning & Consulting, Seminar Learning, and assisting Jack...just to name a few! She loves spending time with her son and is a HUGE Ohio State Buckeyes and Buffalo Bills fan!
HR Solutions Team
Bob Bethel, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Bob’s career in human resources has led him through a number of area organizations. EA members tap into his extensive experience via our HR Hotline and by engaging him for training and consulting projects. Bob is involved in the HR Professional community as a past Director of the Ohio SHRM State Council and in the local community as a Springfield Township Trustee.
Kelly Beard
Kelly is your go-to for labor law posters and survey information. A recent grad from Bowling Green State University with a Master’s in Business Administration, she is new to the HR world and is looking forward to the experience working at The EA. When not working, she enjoys traveling to new places, golfing, spending time with her family, friends, and her ginger cats, Timon & Pumba. She is an avid Cleveland Indians fan, her favorite destination is always the ballpark!
Phyllis Cole, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Phyllis brings 25+ years of HR experience to the EA, and assists with various projects related to HR. Phyllis is active in the HR Community holding various Officer positions for Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) as well as being active on the Ohio SHRM State Council’s HR Conference committee. Phyllis earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toledo and her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Findlay.
Sheila Eason, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Sheila brings 20+ years of experience in human resources. As a member of the EA team, Sheila assists members with HR Audits, Handbook development, On-Site and Seminar Training, job analysis, job description development, and recruitment. She serves in the local HR community as President-Elect for the Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association. Sheila enjoys spending time with her husband, Rodney, and two children, Donavan and Nia & watching their favorite sports teams: Buckeyes, Browns and Cavaliers.
Colleen House, SHRM-SCP
Colleen is a Human Resources professional with 18+ years of experience. She has held HR operational and leadership positions in manufacturing, retail and healthcare not-for-profits. In her role as HR Consultant with the EA, she brings with her the experience, perspectives and lessons learned in her various roles to assist EA members with their HR needs. Colleen cherishes time spent with her son, and when he isn’t keeping her busy, she enjoys reading and traveling.
Mary Marquardt
Mary is a graduate from Lourdes University, with a Bachelor's in Human Resources Management. As a member of the EA team, Mary assists members with HR Audits, handbook and job description development, and recruitment. She is an active member in the HR community with NOHRA. When not working, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and furbaby, Ellie. She has a love for reading, sunshine, and boat rides. In the summertime, you can catch her in her garden or in the water!
Cheryl Riggs
Cheryl is a Human Resource Professional working for the EA for over 12 years. She’s been in a variety of roles, and currently works in the background on surveys. (So you may recognize her by her email!) Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, Andy, and their 4 crazy, energetic kids. She has a love for adventure, and traveling with her family, especially trips to Disney World.
On-Site / Consulting Team
Dave Tippett, PHR, SHRM-CP
Dave is well-known in the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan business community for his enthusiasm, training creativity and commitment to helping people work better, together. He provides customized training content, delivered with an innovative and interactive approach. Aside from training, Dave is also a published playwright and author. He and his wife, Jill, live in Gibsonburg.
Seminar Learning Team
Terry Vernier
Terry truly enjoys getting to know the EA members as he plans and manages our public seminars and conferences. Outside the office, he likes attending classic car shows, reading, and spending time with his wonderful family and friends. His biggest challenge is not stopping to pet every dog he happens to see.
Judi Roe
Judi is no stranger to the world of HR and Customer Service and loves interacting with the EA’s members as the Membership and Seminar Learning Assistant. In her spare time, Judi loves movies, concerts, crafting, and turning trash into treasure. Her ideal day at home is filled with home and garden projects. Judi serves on the Board of Trustees for The Weston Public Library.
Wellness Team
Kelly Knaggs
Kelly is responsible for the overall planning, development and implementation of EA Workplace Wellness services for Association members. She believes in ‘getting to the root’ of a challenge; and is passionate about wellness and developing healthy workplace cultures. A seasoned healthcare professional, small business owner and coach; Kelly’s collaborative relational style brings a realistic yet optimistic approach to problem solving and professional development. Kelly enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, travel and Do-It-Yourself projects.
Megan Garris
As an EA Wellness Manager, Megan enjoys working with her groups to set health goals and to improve quality of life. She is responsible for coordinating and implementing internal and external wellness challenges and activities, assisting with health assessments, and conducting wellness screenings with her groups. Megan enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and playing volleyball.
Sally Lanning
Sally’s passion for health and wellness is about helping to improve the quality of life for others. Her background in corporate wellness and health coaching help her clients achieve their wellness goals. Sally enjoys being active with her two young children. She hopes to pass on her love of fitness, health, and the outdoors to them.
Lauren Calkins
Lauren brings her background in Corporate Wellness and Health Advising to the EA in her role as a Wellness Consultant. She is passionate about helping others set goals to achieve optimal total wellness. When she’s not scripting a to-do list, planning out healthy meals for the week, or chasing around her young daughters: Emma and Ella, Lauren enjoys hiking, landscaping, and traveling.
Hannah Dennis
As a holistic health advocate, Hannah believes in balancing all aspects of wellness. She attended Miami University of Ohio where she studied Health Promotion, Nutrition, and Developmental Psychology. She uses her education and corporate wellness background to help others be the best versions of themselves. Hannah enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and playing volleyball. In her spare time, she loves creative activities such as photography and traveling.
McKenzie Hirschfeld
McKenzie brings her education from Bowling Green State University, and background of working in the healthcare field to the Wellness Consultant role. Although she is new to wellness, she also has a very competitive drive from her experience working in College Athletics, to bring out the active lifestyle in others. In her free time, McKenzie enjoys being on the lake, running around Metroparks, and going to football games.
Paige Johnston
In the wellness consultant role, Paige enjoys having a hands-on approach assisting her clients in implementing their organizations health and wellness goals. Paige is responsible for organizing onsite Health Checks, implementing the group’s wellness initiatives, and helping organizations see the benefit of their wellness program. In her spare time Paige enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and all things related to Pittsburgh Steeler Football.
Rachel Massey
Rachel went to school at Otterbein College where she earned a B.A. in Health Promotion and Fitness. She brings over 10 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, spending 7 of those years programming for the government and military. Rachel also has worked in other settings, such as corporate wellness and hospitals. She has a passion for developing and implementing wellness programs and initiatives. In her free time, Rachel likes to spend time outdoors, boating, traveling and filling her Amazon shopping cart.
Desirae Stewart
Desirae works primarily behind the scenes to help with the wellness department's goals and objectives; but that doesn’t take away from her strong passion for customer service and client satisfaction. She is new to the wellness world but brings with her a background in employer sponsored health plans. Self-care and quality of life are important to Desirae and she’s excited to work in a role that promotes the two. When not working she enjoys, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Shannon Vinci
Shannon recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with her Masters of Science in Health Promotion. Her experience with health and wellness ranges from teaching and coaching individuals to improve and achieve their wellness goal(s) to planning, implementing, and evaluating programs for a healthy lifestyle in worksite wellness. She enjoys positively promoting health, giving back to her community by volunteering for Girls on the Run, staying active, and cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Kentucky Wildcats!
Brandi Williams
Brandi uses her many years of experience in community health programming to create innovative programs and approaches for her clients. She loves helping others find wellness solutions for their individual lifestyles. Brandi is an avid yogi and enjoys singing and playing her guitar, the Cincinnati Reds, and the BGSU Falcons.
We’re ready to serve you.CONTACT US
Our Board of Directors
Robert F. Deardurff
President
Phoenix Technologies
Chairperson – 2018 – 2021
Adele M. Jasion
Partner
Gilmore, Jasion & Mahler, Ltd
Chairperson Emeritus
2017 – 2020
Scott Armey
Senior VP of Human Resources
The State Bank & Trust Co
2017 – 2020
Wes Beham
Audit Partner
Gilmore, Jasion & Mahler, Ltd
2019 – 2022
Sheri Caldwell
Vice President – Human Resources
North Star BlueScope Steel
2017 – 2020
Marc Fruth
Executive Vice President, Human Resouces & Consumer Services
Sauder Woodworking Co.
2017 – 2020
Andrea Gurcsik
Senior Manager, Global Talent Acquisition
First Solar, Inc.
2018 – 2021
Jennifer Kranz
Director of Human Resources
Style Crest Enterprises
2017 – 2020
Kate Murawa
Global Director, Talent Management
O-I
2018 – 2021
Jeff Schulte
VP of Human Resources
Genacross Lutheran Services
2019 – 2022
Judy Seibenick
Executive Director
Hospice of Northwest Ohio
2018 – 2021
Demetria Simpson
President & CEO
Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority
2019 – 2022
David M. Smigelski
Attorney
Spengler Nathanson, P.L.L.
2018 – 2021
David Stark
Vice President of Human Resources
The Fremont Company
2019 – 2022
Sarah Zibbel
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Libbey Inc.
2017 – 2020
Through an array of HR Solutions, Learning Opportunities and Hands-on Consulting, we empower our members to achieve and surpass their business and organizational goals.