Vern is an accomplished Human Resources and Learning and Development professional. He has held senior level positions both as an SVP of HR and as a Chief Learning Officer. He has worked with organizations as diverse as Dunkin Donuts, the American Chemistry Council, the American Bankers Association, and Lee Hecht Harrison. He became a certified trainer for Contacts Count in 2006 and in 2021 bought the company.
Vern has helped numerous individuals – from undergrads to CEO’s improve their ability to build the relationships needed to improve their performance and achieve their professional goals.
Vern holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Change from George Washington University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vern-schellenger
And a bit more….
Sports junkie. Life-long learner. Laid-back. Career management expert. Networking thought leader. Customer service fanatic. Gym rat. Master trainer. Works hard, plays hard. Patient and Persistent. Sometimes a bit stubborn. Strategic thinker. Music-lover. Dances like nobody’s watching.
Debbie Grace Fletcher, SCSEP Case Manager, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES).
Debbie Fletcher is a Certified Workforce Development Professional. She has been providing employment services to Northern Virginia residents for over nine years through the Department of Family Services. Including Bridges to Success Program and Energy Assistance Program.
She currently works with mature job seekers returning to the workforce by developing training opportunities and providing career guidance.
Her greatest passion is to empathize with clients, listening, encouraging, and helping them to look for strategies to satisfy their needs.
Chip Lankert is the Lead HR Strategist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where in develops relationships with FEMA staff sections and people in career transition to find the best fit for both. He has also worked in the Office of the Chief Security Officer at FEMA where he served as the Staff Assistant to the Personnel Security Division Director and served as a Public Trust Clearance adjudicator determining eligibility for fitness and suitability of Federal employees and government contractors during steady state and disaster operations.
Chip is a former Military Policeman and Counterintelligence Specialist with the United States Marine Corps where he conducted counterterrorism evaluation, executive protection and both physical and personnel security. He also
recruited police informants, counterintelligence specialists and counterintelligence sources. Chip is also a former Counterintelligence Agent, Counterdrug Intelligence Analyst, and Recruiter with the Virginia Army National Guard. His experience includes security and intelligence support to the Immigration & Naturalization Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington-Baltimore HIDTA, and Virginia State Police. As a counterdrug supervisor, he recruited personnel for the counterdrug program. As a Recruiting and Retention Manager, he received numerous awards for exceeding both the recruiting and retention missions and was the top Retention Manager in the State of Virginia for two consecutive years.
Chip served in a volunteer position as a training instructor for new members of an international business referral organization for the Greater Richmond Area. He conducted two classes monthly for eight to thirty-five business owners and salesmen and substituting as an instructor for veteran members on various business topics.
Chip received his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College and his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Robert Roop is a tested and successful Human Resources executive with years of experience in human resources management. Robert started his career with the Marriott Corporation as an entry-level recruiter. When he left Marriott 15 years later, he was a Regional Director of Human Resources. His region included 30,000 nonexempt and 3,000 exempt employees.
After leaving Marriott, Robert joined the Humane Society of the United States where he was promoted to Vice President, Human Resources. At the Humane Society, Robert developed and implemented a nationwide
compensation program and enterprise-wide change management program. He also collected performance data across the organization that was the foundation for developing a succession planning program. Robert then joined the American Diabetes Association as Chief Human Resources Officer, where he developed a nationwide talent acquisition program and a new fundraising approach.
Robert joined Montgomery College as Chief Human Resources Officer after leaving the American Diabetes Association. Under his direction, Montgomery College developed a market-driven compensation program that saved over $2 million a year. He also served as chief union strategist and was a co-lead negotiator in negotiations with three unions.
Currently, Robert is the vice-chairperson of the Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, and consults, and teaches in the graduate Human Resource Program at Webster University. At Webster, he teaches human resources management courses, including compensation, benefits, labor relations, and the HRM capstone courses. Robert has a SHRM – SCP certification and teaches SHRM certification preparation seminars. Robert is included in Webster University’s Panel of Experts (http://experts.webster.edu) and has completed the Coaching Program approved by the International Coach Federation. Robert has a master’s degree in Community Counseling Psychology.
Robert G. Roop, MA, SHRM-SCP, roroop@webster.edu | 301-525-9505
Tamara Smith is a Management and Program Analyst (Recruiter) in the Office of Human Resources, Corporate Engagement. Also current the National Chairperson for Education, Recruitment, & Training (ERT) for the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE), and HQ Region Conference Coordinator.
With over 20 years of Federal Government Service, most of her Federal Service was working with attorneys. Once coming to FAA nine and a half years ago under ATO Diversity office, Tamara took an interest in diversity and recruitment.
In her role in the ATO Diversity, her passion for really assisting others came to light in assisting in the hiring initiative of Persons with Disabilities. Since then, Tamara has played a significant role in outreach to Persons with Disabilities, continues to be a resource for external organizations and consumers for employment to FAA.
Katherine Ponds has a diverse background that encompasses leadership roles in for-profit, non-profit, and public sector organizations.
With over 20 years in the career and talent management sector, Ms. Ponds currently serves as Executive Vice President for Meridian Resources Inc., a career and talent management consulting firm, where she oversees product development, marketing, and relationship management.
In addition to her professional career, Ms. Ponds currently serves as a volunteer Community Ambassador and Speaker’s Bureau representative for AARP. In this capacity, she represents AARP at various community events where she frequently speaks on a variety of topics including, caregiving, job search and career development for individuals 50 years of age and older.
The insights and expertise Ms. Ponds brings to AARP reflect not only her extensive knowledge and expertise associated with talent and career management, but also her personal experience as a volunteer board member for a variety of non profit organizations.