Trainer Bios

Bob Bethel, SPHR, Vice President—HR and Learning Services, The Employers’ Association
Bob is a graduate of the University of Toledo, with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in English. He began his career at The Andersons in retail management.  After many years in retail management, he started his career in Human Resources as the Employment and Recruitment Manager for The Andersons.

Since leaving The Andersons, he has served in Human Resource manager/director positions at S.E. Johnson, Michigan Paving and Materials, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, The Douglas Company, and Bittersweet Farms. During his career he has also served in leadership capacities of several organizations, including the Toledo Christian Schools Board of Directors, the Toledo Area Human Resource Association (TAHRA), Ohio Human Resource Conference Committee, and the Ohio SHRM State Council, serving as President or Chair of each organization. He is also serving a sixth term as a Springfield Township Trustee. Bob holds a certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) with the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Phyllis Cole, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Senior HR Consultant, The Employers’ Association
Phyllis brings 30 years of HR experience to The EA and assists member companies with various projects related to HR. She brings experience from the private, public, and non-profit industries. After serving the public in both federal and local government for 25 years, Phyllis retired from Lucas County in 2019 before joining The EA in September 2019.

Phyllis earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toledo and her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Findlay. She attained certification for Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

In addition to her HR expertise, Phyllis has served in leadership roles in the HR Community holding various Officer positions for Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) including President in 2013. She also served on the Ohio Human Resources Conference committee (through Ohio SHRM) as well as the Toledo Area HR Associations’ Conference (THRAC) for many years.

Jack Hollister, Executive Consultant, The Employers’ Association
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.

Renea Quire, Training Specialist, The Employers’ Association
Renea holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Leadership and is a certified facilitator for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.  She has experience in public, private, and union environments.  Renea has worked for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities for many years in a combination of positions including supervisory and HR training and orientation responsibilities.  Renea joined the EA in December 2022.

Dave Tippett, PHR, Senior Trainer, The Employers’ Association 
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 has a rich history as a problem solver and provider of excellent training over the past 30 years.

Before coming to The Employers’ Association, he worked and trained for a large behavioral healthcare organization. Before then, Dave was a Human Resources Director in Toledo for ten years.

Dave has provided training for a number of area companies and organizations, including Campbell Soup, General Motors, Whirlpool, Libbey Inc., Sauder’s Woodworking and Signature Bank to name a few. He is also Past President of two area SHRM chapters, served a Co-Chair for three large regional HR conferences, is a published and award winning playwright, author, above average husband and father to several “fur children”. Dave and wife, Jill, make their home in Gibsonburg, OH. Dave is a graduate of the University of Toledo and holds a Professional Human Resources certification from the Society of Human Resources

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