Speakers

• Jenny Cochran
  VP, Human Resources Temple-Inland Inc.
  
  

  Jenny Cochran joined Temple-Inland in 1997 and currently leads the human resources core services functions which includes compensation and benefits, HR systems and reporting, payroll and processing, and HR services and training. Cochran has extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational design and change management. She also serves on the benefits administration committee, information security oversight and governance committee, and corporate governance committee. Prior to her current role, Cochran was Director of Compensation and has held several key positions in compensation at Temple-Inland.

  Cochran is a board member and treasurer for ‘I Live Here, I Give Here,’ an organization to grow Texas philanthropy. She is also a Young Leaders Society member for United Way, a member of the University of Texas at Austin chapter for Beta Gamma Sigma and a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. Cochran is a Senior Professional in Human Resources, Certified Compensation Professional and Certified Public Accountant. She holds a B.S. from Texas A&M
  University and an M.B.A. from The University of Texas.

• Mick Collins
  Principal Consultant SuccessFactors
  
  

  Mick Collins serves as the lead strategy consultant for SuccessFactors workforce analytics and/or workforce planning clients, including Aetna, Nike, Pearson, Amway, Wawa and McGraw-Hill. In this capacity, Collins provides executive engagement, data analysis, change management consulting and workforce planning/analytics training. He also performs pre-sales consulting support and product marketing activities.

  Prior to assuming this role, Collins served as VP of Marketing, founding and leading Inform’s North American marketing group. Formerly, Collins was a senior consultant with CLC Metrics, the former joint venture partnership established by Inform and the Corporate Leadership Council. He led research teams focusing on HR for the Corporate Leadership Council and strategy/R&D for the Corporate Strategy Board, two divisions of the Corporate Executive Board.

  Collins has conducted speaking engagements on a variety of human capital measurement topics at Inform’s North America, European and Asia-Pacific conferences, IHRIM, The Wharton Council and numerous HR.com webcasts, among others. Collins has a Master’s in Political Science from Virginia Tech and an Honours B.A. in Economics and Politics from the University of Leeds, England.

• Chuck Davidson
  Chairman and CEO Noble Energy, Inc.
  
  

  Chuck Davidson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Noble Energy, Inc. Noble Energy is a leading independent energy company which has been engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas since 1932.

  Noble Energy’s operations include significant producing assets in the U.S., as well as in China, Equatorial Guinea, Israel and the North Sea. Noble Energy has been publicly traded since 1972 and is currently a member of the S&P 500 index.

  Before joining Noble Energy, Davidson was Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Vastar Resources, Inc., a publicly owned subsidiary of ARCO, which merged with BP in 2000. In total, he has nearly 40 years of energy industry experience.

  Davidson has a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s in Management from the University of Texas. He is a member in numerous professional and industry trade organizations. He is also involved with several Houston community organizations.

• Steve Diotte
  Partner Mercer
  
  

  Stephen Diotte is a Calgary-based Partner serving as the North American Energy & Resources Leader for Mercer. With more than 25 years of corporate and consulting experience, Diotte advises corporations on complex human resources issues.

  Prior to joining Mercer in 2009, Diotte spent eight years as a partner with a global professional services fi rm, serving as both the Director of Operations and the Human Capital Energy & Resources Leader. His areas of expertise include human resources strategy, the management of change, organizational and performance improvement, labor/management relations, organization design, human resources transformation, and talent management. In the past three years, he has completed more than 20 workforce-planning assignments for oil and gas and mining clients.

  In 2006, Diotte published Managing the Talent Flow, a study of how the energy and resources sector is responding to the talent shortage. In 2008, he launched the publication of The HR opportunity: Achieving value through strategic workforce planning. Most recently, he published The Talent Crisis in energy: Where are we now.

  Diotte holds an M.B.A. from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario and a Master’s of Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto.

• Kari Durham
  SVP, Human Resources Goodman Global, Inc.
  
  

  Kari Durham is SVP of HR for Goodman Global, Inc. Durham has more than 20 years of experience in HR. She joined Goodman from Dell Inc., where she led the HR function for Dell’s global supply chain. During her time at Dell, she held various roles including HR leader for Dell Americas Operations.

  Previously, Durham worked for Flextronics International as VP of Americas, Human Resources and for Solectron Corporation, where she held a variety of roles including VP of HR for the Americas region. Durham holds an M.B.A. from The Broad Graduate School of Business at Michigan State University and also holds an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

• Mark Ehrnstein
  Global VP, Team Member Services Whole Foods Market, Inc.
  
  

  For more than 12 years, Mark Ehrnstein has been a highly visible, true ‘face’ of Human Resources at Whole Foods Market. Ehrnstein joined Whole Foods Market in 1999 as the Director of Team Member Services for the Northern Pacific Region where he led all Team Member Services activities for 21 stores, serving 3,500 team members. In 2003, he became the Director of Team Member Services in the Southwest Region where he led the development and administration of HR policies and practices for the five-state region with more than 7,000 team members.

  In 2009, Ehrnstein was named Whole Foods Market’s Global Vice President of Team Member Services. In this role, he oversees six global sub-teams, ultimately serving more than 62,000 team members throughout the company’s 12 regions in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. In 2005, Ehrnstein was recognized by leadership as a ‘National Global AllStar’ most notably for his leadership in the Hurricane Katrina response. Throughout his career, he has received a total of three ‘Global AllStar’ awards and two ‘Regional All*Star’ awards.

• Will Emmons
  Area Vice President CareerBuilder
  
  

  Will Emmons is Area VP for CareerBuilder, the nation’s largest online job site and the global leader in human capital solutions. In his role, Emmons is responsible for sales strategies and revenue growth within CareerBuilder’s enterprise sales, strategic accounts group and integral accounts group.

  Emmons covers a variety of Fortune 5,000 companies within his region that spans throughout the southeast. As AVP, Emmons works with corporations to solve problems andanswer tough questions relating to human capital including hiring trends, labor shortages,market fluctuations, job seeker behavior and workplace issues. Emmons joined CareerBuilder in 2002 and held a variety of positions prior to becoming AVP including national account sales, Area Sales Manager and VP of Corporate Marketing.

  He holds an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and an undergraduate degree from Texas A & M University.

• Bill Ennis
  SVP, Human Resources Academy Sports & Outdoors, Ltd.
  
  

  Bill Ennis joined Academy Sports & Outdoors in 2008 and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources. In this role, he oversees training and development, compensation, employee relations, and benefits for all associates in the company. Prior to joining Academy Sports & Outdoors, Ennis spent more than 19 years with Stage Stores, May Department Stores and Federated Department Stores in multiple capacities, including HR, stores, buying group, store operations and finance areas. Ennis graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas.

• Mayerland Harris
  VP, Human Resources H-E-B Food Stores
  
  

  Mayerland Harris is a dynamic and influential leader and team builder with more than 26 years of retail experience in human resources and store operations. She leads a team of more than 50 HR professionals including field managers, recruiters, training and development managers and a full administrative staff. Harris is directly responsible for providing leadership to all HR functions for nearly 75 H-E-B stores, the Central Market Division and the manufacturing, warehousing and transportation divisions. She develops the strategic direction of the department to ensure alignment with key business initiatives. Her leadership team is accountable for the implementation of policies and programs including employment, employee relations, benefits, compensation, training and employee assistance. Harris received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and was awarded an M.B.A. from Texas A&M University. She is a certified SPHR.

• Sherri Lee
  VP, Human Resources & Administration United Space Alliance
  
  

  Sherri Lee is Vice President of Human Resources, Communications and Public Relations for United Space Alliance. She is responsible for providing leadership for all human resources activities including employee relations, staffing, benefits, and awards and recognition. She also oversees all security and public relations functions including internal and external communications, marketing communications, and employee engagement.

  Lee has more than 20 years of experience in numerous human resources leadership roles. Prior to her current position, Lee served as Human Resource Director for Houston Operations and the Staffing Process Owner at USA. She came to USA in 2003 from The Boeing Company, where she served as the Human Resources Manager. Prior to that, she worked at McDonnell Douglas.

  Lee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management/HR and a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science/Psychology from the University of Houston. She is also a graduate of Leadership Texas, a statewide women’s leadership development
  program. She has received her SPHR certification from the Society of Human Resources Management. Lee is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and the Bay Area Human Resources Management Association.

• Dale W. Meyerrose
  Former Associate Director & CIO, Office of National Intelligence
  
  

  The Honorable Dale W. Meyerrose is currently Vice President and General Manager for Cyber Integrated Solutions for Harris Corporation. He is responsible for leading all aspects of strategy, business development and program execution for Harris cyber growth initiatives across the corporation. Meyerrose has more than three decades of military and government experience in cyber, communications, information technology, intelligence, command and control operations, and space support. Most recently, he was the first President-appointed,Senate-confirmed CIO and Information Sharing Executive for the U.S. Intelligence Community in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. While on active duty, he served as CIO in three major U.S. Air Force Commands and three unified Combatant Commands. Meyerrose retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2005 with the rank of major general. Among Meyerrose’s many professional awards are the ‘International AFCEAN of the Year,’ the ‘Executive CIO Top 10 Leaders and Innovators Public Service Award’ for excellence in public leadership, and Computer World ‘Fed 100.’ He was also recognized by the Government Computer News for ‘Outstanding Information Technology Achievement in Government.’

• Dr. Ellen Ochoa
  Deputy Director Johnson Space Center
  
  

  Dr. Ellen Ochoa currently serves as Deputy Director, Johnson Space Center. Selected by NASA in 1990, Dr. Ochoa became an astronaut in 1991. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Ochoa has logged more than 978 hours in space.

  NASA awards include the ‘Distinguished Service Medal,’ ‘Exceptional Service Medal,’ ‘Outstanding Leadership Medal,’ and four ‘Space Flight Medals.’ She is the recipient of numerous other awards, including the ‘Harvard Foundation Science Award,’ ‘Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award,’ ‘The Hispanic Engineer Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Humanity,’ the ‘Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award,’ and San Diego State University Alumna of the Year.’ She also has two schools named after her: Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Pasco,WA, and the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy, CA.

  She holds a B.S. in Physics from San Diego State University, an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Dr. Ochoa is a member of the Optical Society of America, the American Institute of
  Aeronautics and Astronautics, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies.

• Kim Oliver
  VP, Human Resources CVR Energy, Inc.
  
  

  Kim Oliver leads human resources at CVR Energy, Inc., having been appointed to VP earlier this year. She is responsible for all human resources activities at both CVR Energy and at CVR Partners, LP, a master limited partnership for which CVR Energy serves as general partner and is a majority unit holder. Prior to joining CVR Energy, Oliver worked in a variety of accounting and HR positions at Koch Industries and its subsidiaries in Houston, including in HR for Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. Before Koch, she worked at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., in both payroll and alumni affairs.

  Oliver holds an Associate’s in Applied Science in Business Administration, from Tompkins Cortland Community College in New York, and attends Ashford University, where she is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. Oliver holds a PHR certification and she is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and World At Work.

• Jim Pruett
  Group VP, Human Resources & Support Services Spectra Energy Corp
  
  

  Jim Pruett is Group VP of Human Resources and support services for Spectra Energy Transmission, Spectra Energy’s natural gas transmission, storage, gathering and processing, and distribution business. Pruett joined the company as a labor relations representative. After a series of promotions, he has served in roles including VP of HR for Duke Energy Gas Transmission and VP of HR for DEGT and Duke Energy Americas in 2004. He was named to his current position in 2006.

  Pruett worked previously as a labor relations representative for Chrysler Corporation in Detroit and as Personnel Manager for Colt Industries. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with honors, from William
  Jewell College and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He also earned a Master’s degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University. Pruett is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Professional Association for Compensation, Benefits and Total Rewards. In addition, he serves on the board of directors for Communities in Schools.

• Omar Reid
  Director, Human Resources City of Houston
  
  

  Omar Reid is the Human Resources Director for the City of Houston. He provides guidance and initiates policies, and is responsible for financial and administrative
  activities for all city departments. Reid’s focus in HR is to continue as a strategic partner with other city departments in managing the city’s workforce of more than 22,000 employees. He has more than 25 years of HR and specialized management experience with a Fortune 100 Corporation.

  During the first 365 days of leadership, Reid collaborated with HR executives to develop the mission statement for the department. The HR goal is to exceed the expectations of stakeholders by committing to shared values and achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction. HR is a value-added partner with 24 departments in city management providing high-quality safety, personnel policies, training and development, labor relations, health benefits, wellness initiatives, compensation systems and employee assistant programs. Reid’s major projects include a benefits transition from insured to self-insured status and implementation of a citywide employee wellness program.

  Reid earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Houston and a Master’s degree from Texas Southern University. Reid is a published author of The Traffic of Life: Characteristics of Effective Leadership.

• Libby Sartain
  Author/Speaker
  
  

  After a distinguished 30 year career in HR, Libby Sartain is now an active business advisor and board member to several start-ups and Fortune 500 organizations. As CHRO of both Yahoo! Inc. and Southwest Airlines, Sartain led significant business transformation initiatives as a member of executive leadership teams and guided global HR efforts focusing on attracting, retaining and developing employees. She focuses in developing employment brand strategies to grow the workforce exponentially and establish a company reputation as a leading employer.

  Sartain serves on the boards of directors of ManpowerGroup and Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc. She has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Society for HR Management in 2001 and was named Fellow of the National Academy of HR in 1998. HR Executive named her as one of the ‘25 Most Powerful Women in HR’ in 2005.

  She holds an M.B.A. from the University of North Texas and a B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. Sartain has also co-authored, edited and contributed to many strategic HR leadership books.

• Susan Shepherd
  VP, Global Human Resource Operations Albemarle Corporation
  
  

  Susan Shepherd is Vice President of Global People Solutions for Albemarle Corporation, a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered specialty chemicals for a wide range of industries. In this role, she is responsible for human resources due diligence for all of the company’s merger and acquisition activity along with directing the implementation of a new global human resources software system and leading the employee communications strategy.

  Shepherd joined Albemarle in 1986, and has extensive experience in labor relations and human resources operations. She is an active member in the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women — Circle of Red in support of Women’s Heart Health. Shepherd earned a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and a Master’s degree from the University of Houston in Clear Lake.

• Cy Wakeman
  Author & Thought Leader
  
  

  Cy Wakeman is a dynamic, well-respected national keynote speaker with an uncanny ability to quickly diagnose group interplay and tailor strategies to exactly fit the goals of the client organization. She is a well-known thought leader and is featured as an expert blogger for Fastcompany.com. She is also a contributing author or featured expert to a variety of magazines, newspapers and online publications including Pink Magazine, Women’s Health and The New York Post. Her book, Reality-Based Leadership is receiving rave reviews across the nation.

  Wakeman has a unique background, which combines four successful business start-ups with 18 years working and consulting in a variety of arenas including manufacturing, government, high-tech and healthcare. With expertise in leadership and change management principles, she has ensured the business-readiness for multi-million dollar ERP and IT project implementations, created and implemented management development programs, provided executive coaching and conducted business process re-engineering. Wakeman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and a degree in Social Work. She also received her M.S. in Health Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Development.

• David Wilkins
  VP Taleo Research Taleo
  
  

  David Wilkins has been a workplace thought leader for more than 15 years, pioneering innovative approaches in employee productivity and performance, recruiting and retention, and communications. As Vice President of Taleo Research, Wilkins is responsible for primary and secondary research in the talent management and broader HR space. He also communications research findings through papers, webinars and social channels. Wilkins is an active speaker at industry events and conferences as a thought leader, innovator and keynote presenter. In addition to numerous studies and white papers, he has also written articles for CLO Magazine, Training Magazine, and Talent Management magazine.

• Dean Woods
  VP, Human Resources CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
  
  

  Dean Woods is Vice President, Human Resources, and serves as Head of HR with direct responsibility for all HR functions at the corporate and business unit level. Woods began his career with the company in 1986 and served in various Human Resources management positions in compensation and benefits, organizational development and training. In 2008 Woods implemented a company wide effort to improve awareness of the company’s diversity status and to assist management in closing any gaps. In 2004 Woods designed and implemented the HR strategy in conjunction with the spin off and ultimate sale of Texas Genco.

  He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Louisiana Tech University, and a master’s degree in special education from Appalachian State University. Woods also is a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School’s Human Resources Executive Program, and Strategic Product Innovation, SPI, Inc. in Montreal, Canada.

  Woods is past President of the Northwest Louisiana Healthcare Coalition and served two terms as a member of the Louisiana Health Care Commission. He is on the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House here is Houston, and serves as the Chairman of the Personnel Committee. He is also a past board member of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana. He also serves as a sponsor and volunteer for Compassion International. Woods is a co-author of two infant health related articles which appeared in professional health journals, the Institute of the American Rural Health Association Proceedings, and the Journal of Primary Prevention.