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Meet the Council

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State Council Officers

Holley Little

State Director


Picture of Holley Little

(501) 850-8987

Southern Bancorp

Holley Little has been volunteering for ARSHRM and its local chapters since 2002. She currently serves as the ARSHRM State Director. She served CAHRA as President and also received the CAHRA Rising Star award. She has served ARSHRM as Foundation Director, Core Leadership Area Director, and Chapter Advocate Director. Holley has served on numerous ELLA and ARSHRM State Conference committees co-chairing the State Conference in 2011. Holley received the ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year in 2016.
She is an appointee on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and served as President of the Board of Education for Benton Public Schools. Holley directs the Talent Acquisition efforts for Southern Bancorp.

Donna Merriweather, SHRM-SCP, SPHR 

Past State Director


Picture of Donna Merriweather

Cyrus Works

Coming soon!

Michael L. Smith, SHRM-SCP, PHR, IMPA-SCP

State Director-Elect


Picture of Michael L Smith

(501) 537-7345

Clinton National Airport

Michael L. Smith is the Human Resources Manager for Clinton National Airport (LIT). In this role he oversees the administration of all HR functions for the Airport including staffing, compensation, benefits and employee relations.
Michael has over 18 years of experience working in both private and public sector HR. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in HR Management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and three different professional HR certifications through HRCI, PSHRA and SHRM.
He currently serves as the State Director Elect for the Arkansas SHRM State Council. Prior to this appointment, he held multiple board positions on the state council, in addition to serving as a volunteer leader for the Central Arkansas HR Association and Arkansas Public Employers HR Association. Michael is also a commissioned officer in the Arkansas Air National Guard, with previous mission deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Amy Fisher, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Director of Finance


Picture of Amy Fisher

(479) 524-7128

John Brown University

Amy Fisher is the Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Risk Management & Government Relations at John Brown University. In this role, she is responsible for Human Resources, Payroll, and the Campus Post Office. Amy is the Client Co-Chair for the Ellucian HR Track Team planning committee. Amy is active in the Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association as President-Elect for 2017. She is serving as the Finance Chair for the 2017 Arkansas Human Resources Conference and Exposition. Amy has an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and Ethics and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Nikki Skinner, PHR, SHRM-CP

Secretary


Picture of Nikki Skinner

(870) 672-4272

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Rachel ‘Nikki’ Skinner currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Farmers and Merchants Bank at its Headquarters in Stuttgart. She has worked in all functions of the HR Department since 2010.
Nikki has been a member of SHRM since 2013 and has served multiple years on both the ARSHRM Conference Committee and the ELLA Conference Committee.

Steve Schulte, J.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Governmental Affairs Director


Picture of Steve Schulte

(501) 604-8180

FirstStaff

Steve Schulte is the President of FirstStaff and a principal at the Schulte Law Firm. FirstStaff is a staffing solutions provider based in Little Rock, Arkansas.The Schulte Law Firm practices mainly in employment law, contract matters, estate planning, and business matters.Steve graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law.He also has a Master in Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas and a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas.
Steve has lifetime Certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) He also holds SHRM–SCP certification and is a Certified Staffing Professional (CSP). Steve was previously selected as the Arkansas SHRM Professional of the Year and as the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association’s Outstanding Member. He also received the Arkansas SHRM Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award and the Arkansas SHRM Jim Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award.He previously served as State Director of the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management and is currently serving as its Government Affairs Director. Steve has previously served as President and Board Chair of the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association.
Steve has served in leadership of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Arkansas, the Arkansas Staffing Association, the Arkansas Institute of Industrial Engineering and currently serves as a Board member and Treasurer of the Humane Society of Pulaski County.

 

Wayne Young

General Legal Counsel


Picture of Wayne Young

(501) 370-1402

Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP

H. Wayne Young is a partner with Friday, Eldredge & Clark and a member of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. He was named the 2017 Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award Recipient by the Arkansas SHRM. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and effort in local, state or federal legislative advocacy on behalf of the Human Resources profession. He is a member of CAHRA and was awarded the association’s Legislative Advocacy Award for 2018. 
He has been recognized for his work in labor and employment by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South by Super Lawyers where he was named "Rising Star." He is on the Board of Directors of Women and Children First and he is the past president of the Little Rock Downtown Kiwanis Club. Wayne currently serves as General Counsel to the Arkansas State Council of the Society of Human Resource Management.
He graduated summa cum laude from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and attended law school at the William H. Bowen School of Law at UALR where he was a Bowen Scholar. Wayne was a Bowen Scholar at the University of Little Rock School of Law and won the Bogle-Sharp Award for Most Likely to Succeed in the Practice of Law in 2003.

Tim Orellano, PHR

Professional Development Director


Picture of Tim Orellano

(501) 227-9373

The Human Resource Team

Tim Orellano is the President of The Human Resources Team, a Little Rock based human resources management consulting company. His consulting firm provides assistance and resources in preparation, training, support and implementation of Affirmative Action Plans with Positive Solutions. He works with a wide and diverse range of industries including banks and financial institutions, utilities, health care, technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, nonprofit, construction, and service organizations. He has over 30 years of experience in all areas of functional areas of HR as a Director of Human Resources in manufacturing, service and financial industries and in his consulting firm with clients’ coast to coast. He is a top-rated speaker on the topic of Affirmative Action compliance for SHRM and conferences. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Member Award from the local SHRM chapter and the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, the Arkansas Human Resources Professional of the Year Award, was finalist for the SHRM National Award for Professional Excellence, the Jim Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Resources, and the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award. He is the 2024 ARSHRM Governmental Affairs Director.

Korenda Allen, PHR

Core Leadership Area Director


Picture of Korenda Allen

Beaver Water District

Korenda Allen is the Director of Human Resources for Beaver Water District, located in Lowell, AR. Korenda has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arkansas State University with a minor in Economics. Korenda is an active member of Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK) and serves as the SHRM Foundation Chair which supports, educates, empowers, and develops the next generation of HR professionals. As the Core Leadership Director, Korenda represents Arkansas on the AR SHRM State Council. Korenda has ten years of human resource experience and holds a Professional Human Resource Certification (PHR). She is an active member of American Water Works Association’s Workforce Strategies Committee and serves on the NWA Workforce Committee.

Tara Mauk Arthur, PHR, SHRM-CP

Communications and Awards Director


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(501) 624-2172

SFLIC

Tara Mauk Arthur serves as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Services and the Chief Human Resource Officer and Compliance Officer for Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company headquartered in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Tara is a long-time SHRM volunteer having served as the Membership Advisory Council (MAC) representative for the SHRM Southwest Central Region in 2010-2011, and as the State Director for Arkansas SHRM in 2008-2009. She has held many volunteer positions within the SHRM state council and chapter structure, including chapter president, WCASHRM Manager's Seminar chair, Arkansas Employment Law and Legislative Affairs (ELLA) Conference chair, State Conference Chair, and worked on multiple conference committees. In 2007, Tara was named the Arkansas HR Professional of the Year and in 2021 was the recipient of the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy award.

Dale Clinton, PHR

At-Large Director


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Arkansas Blue Cross

Blue Shield

Dale Clinton is currently a Human Resource Business Partner with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s NWA Corporate Center in Springdale, AR where he supports over 800 exempt and non-exempt employees in a variety of business lines. Prior to joining ABCBS, he spent his 30+ year career in the recruitment and staffing industry working for one of Arkansas’ largest staffing firms. He chaired the Arkansas SHRM HR Conference & Expo in 2022. Dale is a member of SHRM and serves as the At Large Membership Director on the ARSHRM State Council.

Sheila Moss, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Workforce Readiness Director


Picture of Sheila Moss

(479) 717-7090

Information Solutions

Sheila Moss is the owner of the consulting group Information Solutions Team. She travels the nation each year presenting human resource related topics and providing training programs for corporations, financial and educational institutions, non-profit organizations and many more. She is considered a subject matter expert in employment eligibility compliance and is widely known as the “I-9 Lady.” Her consulting group has increased its nationwide presence with an initiative to increase positive workplace behavior through national speaking opportunities and corporate training events while specializing in social intelligence, conflict resolution, culture development, team building, leadership and more.
Sheila has been a frequent speaker at the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (ARSHRM) conferences as well as numerous other events nationwide. She has facilitated for the University of Arkansas Global Campus and has worked in the banking industry. In 2019, Sheila became a certified instructor of SOCIAL STYLE & Versatility® In 2017, Sheila was named NOARK HR Professional of the year. In 2018, she received the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award from ARSHRM. She was the ARSHRM ELLA Conference 2018 Conference Chair and the ARSHRM Annual Conference 2020/2021 Conference Chair. She was named ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year in 2021.

Shayne King, SHRM-SCP, PHR, IPMA-SCP

Foundation Director


Picture of Shayne King

(501) 303-3114

Birch Tree

Communities, Inc.

Shayne King serves as the Director of Human Resources for Birch Tree Communities, a behavioral health care provider with eleven locations throughout Arkansas.
Shayne has served many years on the Board of Directors of the West Central Arkansas Society of Human Resource Management (WCASHRM) in various capacities, including president. She has also served in multiple positions for the ARSHRM state council and ELLA Conference Committee.In 2022, Shayne was named ARSHRM’s Outstanding HR Professional of the Year

Broderick Daniels

Diversity Director


Picture of Broderick Daniels

(501) 850-8999

Southern Bancorp

Broderick Daniels is the Director of Human Resources for Southern Bancorp, where he is responsible for managing the HR Business Partner and HR Operations functions, including employee relations, engagement and communication, talent management, benefits, payroll, legal compliance, leave of absence administration and various employee initiatives. Broderick has over 22 years of experience in human resources. Broderick has served as a volunteer leader in several organizations including Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management State Council, Black Human Resource Professionals Network, Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. Broderick holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Arkansas State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.

Glenda Caton, SHRM-SCP

College Relations Director


Picture of Glenda Caton

(501) 515-8533

Caton Consulting, LLC

Glenda Caton is a Senior Certified Professional who has 20+ years of Operations, Management and Human Resources experience. She is a strategic partner who focuses on assisting Small Business owners to achieve and maintain compliance in all areas of Employee Relations. The services she offers create an extra layer of protection for the business as well as promoting a culture of inclusion and retention. These services include but are not limited to creating handbooks, standard operating procedures and policies, benefits management, performance management, leadership & staff training, harassment investigations, onboarding and offboarding, creating employee relations programs and Inclusion/Diversity initiatives, and management of FMLA/ Workers’ Comp and ADA cases.

Misty Carr, SHRM-CP, PHR

Certification Director


Picture of Misty Carr

(870) 316-5972

ABB

Misty Carr is Sr. HR Business Partner for ABB in Jonesboro, AR. Misty has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development from University of Arkansas. Misty has 20 years of HR experience and holds SHRM-CP and Professional Human Resource Certification (PHR) certifications. Misty is an active member of Northeast Arkansas SHRM (NEASHRM), and has held several board positions, including two terms as Chapter President. She currently serves as Certification director for both NEASHRM and ARSHRM.

Misty and her husband live in Paragould with their two miniature schnauzers, and her son is a Freshman at UALR. Misty enjoys volunteering in her community and serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Northeast Arkansas and is a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In her free time, Misty loves to read and travel.

Doreen Mattes, SPHR

Membership Engagement Director


Picture of Doreen Mattes

(501) 851-2500 x234

City of Maumelle

Doreen R. Mattes is the Director of Human Resources for the City of Maumelle, Arkansas. Doreen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She serves on the UA Little Rock College of Business Human Resource Advisory Committee, the Arkansas SHRM State Council as Membership Engagement Director, and on the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association (CAHRA), a SHRM affiliate, where she serves as the Vice-president of Membership. As a Human Resource Management Consultant,

Doreen frequently serves as a subject matter expert, panelist, and guest speaker on a variety of Human Resource Management topics including, Talent Planning and Acquisition, Learning and Development, Total Rewards, and Employee and Labor Relations; as well as an online facilitator for HRReview, Inc. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) and a certified Associate Professional in Human Resources International (aPHRi™).

Nia Rieves, SHRM-CP

Emerging Professionals Director


Picture of Nia Rieves

(501) 622-5131

Arkansas School for

Mathematics, Sciences & The Arts

Nia Rieves serves as the Director of Human Resources and Campus Culture at the Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts in Hot Springs, AR.Prior to working at ASMSA, Nia worked in the higher education and nonprofit industry.With over 20 years of experience in leadership, human resources, and consultation to small businesses in HR practices and professional development, she enjoys networking and sharing experiences with HR professionals across the state.

Nia is a member of SHRM and has been a WCASHRM member for 3 years.In 2023, she will be serving her second year as College Relations Director for WCASHRM, volunteering at the ARSHM state conference, and serving on the state council as Emerging Professionals Director.Nia holds a Master of Business Administration/Human Resources Management from UA Little Rock and a SHRM-CP certification.

Patti Airoldi, MA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Social Media Director


Picture of Patti Airoldi

(501) 396-0333

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Patti Airoldi is the Human Resource and Risk Manager for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Patti is a long-time SHRM member and volunteer. She has served numerous years and in various capacities on the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association (CAHRA), including a term as president. She’s also served in a number of positions for the ARSHRM State Council and on several state conference committees. In 2018, Patti was the recipient of CAHRA’s Russell Gunter Member of the Year Award and was named ARSHRM’s Outstanding HR Professional of the Year in 2019.

Conference Contacts
2024 ARSHRM State Conference Chair Broderick Daniels

2024 ARSHRM State Conference Chair
Broderick Daniels
Southern Bancorp
(501) 850-8999

Broderick Daniels is the Director of Human Resources for Southern Bancorp, where he is responsible for managing the HR Business Partner and HR Operations functions, including employee relations, engagement and communication, talent management, benefits, payroll, legal compliance, leave of absence administration and various employee initiatives. Broderick has over 22 years of experience in human resources. Broderick has served as a volunteer leader in several organizations including Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management State Council, Black Human Resource Professionals Network, Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. Broderick holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Arkansas State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.

2024 ELLA Conference Chair Rickie Smith

2024 ELLA Conference Chair
Rickie Smith
Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP
(501) 212-1298

Rickie Smith is the director of public relations at Wright Lindsey Jennings in Little Rock, where she provides leadership and strategic direction for the marketing, media and communications efforts of the firm’s 80+ attorneys. She has been in the field of legal marketing for more than 12 years in Little Rock and has a background in journalism. Rickie has been involved in the HR community for more than a decade as a long-time CAHRA and SHRM member. She served as CAHRA president in 2020 and co-chair of the ELLA Conference in 2010 and has been on numerous other planning and conference committees for ARSHRM. An active community volunteer, Rickie is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas and has held many roles at First United Methodist Church of downtown Little Rock. She and her husband Sam have three pups and love to spend their free time at Lake Ouachita with family and friends.

2023 ARSHRM State Conference Chair Cindy Ruffing

2023 ARSHRM State Conference Chair
Cindy Ruffing, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
(479) 215-3120

Cindy Ruffing is currently a Director of Human Resources for Northwest Health providing leadership to both Siloam Springs Regional Hospital & Physicians’ Specialty Hospital in northwest Arkansas. With over 25 years of leadership experience across a variety of industries, along with years of experience as an entrepreneur, Cindy provides human resource strategies with business growth and performance.

Cindy shares her experiences as a frequent speaker at HR and workforce conferences statewide. Cindy draws upon her understanding of human resource strategies and trends to educate fellow HR professionals on topics that matter the most. She holds a master’s degree in organizational management, has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the HR Certification Institute and a Senior Certified Professional by the Society of Human Resources Management.

Cindy’s recent recognitions include 2021 ARSHRM HR Best Practices Award, Northwest Health Director of the Year - Siloam Springs Regional Hospital 2020, NOARK HR Professional of the Year in 2019, and 2018 Director of the Year Northwest Health – Physicians’ Specialty Hospital. Cindy currently serves as President to the Northwest Arkansas SHRM Chapter, Education Committee Chair for ASHHRA, serves on National ASHHRA Board and is a past Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce in Siloam Springs where she resides with her husband, one (of four) children, two rescue dogs and a gecko.

2023 ELLA Conference Chair Amy Fisher

2023 ELLA Conference Chair
Amy Fisher, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
John Brown University
(479) 524-7128

Amy Fisher is the Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Risk Management & Government Relations at John Brown University. In this role, she is responsible for Human Resources, Payroll, and the Campus Post Office. Amy is the Client Co-Chair for the Ellucian HR Track Team planning committee. Amy is active in the Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association as President-Elect for 2017. She is serving as the Finance Chair for the 2017 Arkansas Human Resources Conference and Exposition. Amy has an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and Ethics and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Past Council Directors
ARSHRM past director 2017 - 2019 Donna Merriweather

Past State Director (2020 - 2022)

Donna Merriweather, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 2017 - 2019 Cathleen Hoffman

Past State Director (2017 - 2019)

Cathleen Hoffman, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 2014 - 2016 Michelé Burns

Past State Director (2014 - 2016)

Michelé Burns, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CCP, CBP, GRP

ARSHRM past director 2012 - 2013 Kelly DeStefano

Past State Director (2012 - 2013)

Kelly DeStefano, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 2010 - 2011 Ed Wheeler

Past State Director (2010 - 2011)

Ed Wheeler, PHR

ARSHRM past director 2008 - 2009 Tara Mauk Arthur

Past State Director (2008 - 2009)

Tara Mauk Arthur, PHR, SHRM-CP

ARSHRM past director 2007 Steve Schulte

Past State Director (2007)

Steve Schulte, J.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP

ARSHRM past director 2004 - 2006 Don A Marr

Past State Director (2004 - 2006)

Don A. Marr, PHR

ARSHRM past director 2003 - 2004 Susan King Meadors

Past State Director (2003 - 2004)

Susan King Meadors, PHR

ARSHRM past director 2002 - 2003 Hal Wyatt

Past State Director (2002 - 2003)

Hal Wyatt, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 2000 - 2001 Mike Evans

Past State Director (2000 - 2001)

Mike Evans, PHR

ARSHRM past director 1996 - 1999 Lin Little

Past State Director (1996 - 1999)

Lin Little, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 1991 - 1995 Tim Orellano

Past State Director (1991 - 1995)

Tim Orellano, PHR

ARSHRM past director 1989 - 1990 Merle Young

Past State Director (1989 - 1990)

Merle Young, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 1986 -1990 Kathleen McComber

Past State Director (1986 - 1988)

Kathleen McComber, SPHR

ARSHRM past director 1985 MJ Howard

Past State Director (1985)

M.J. Howard

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