Member News   Updated 9/1/2007

Congratulations to HRM-RI Members Whose Companies Have Been Named "Best Places to Work in Rhode Island" for 2007

HRM-RI extends congratulations to our members whose companies have been named "Best Places to Work in Rhode Island" for 2007. Of the 14 organiza-
tions which received this recognition in the Large and Medium Categories, we are proud to report that eight are represented in HRM-RI.

In the Large Category:

Advanced Financial Services, Inc.
Deanna Roy, VP Human Resources

Amgen
Trish Lovering, HR Manager

BankNewport
Wendy Kagan, SVP Human Resources; Diane Karcz, Assistant VP

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Eric Gasbarro, VP Human Resources

Cox Communications
Mary Connor, HR Manager; Kimberly O'Keefe, Director Employee Relations & Training; Susan Kaspari, Sr. Employee Relations Specialist; John Laurent, PHR, Employee Relations Specialist

In the Medium Category:

Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd.
Steven Loffredo, HR Manager

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP
Valerie Kane-Curtis, HR Manager

United Way of Rhode Island
Lynn Corwin, HR Director; Evelyn Thomason, HR

To see the complete listing for 2007, to learn more about the process/criteria used for evaluating companies, or to get information about how your organization can register to be included in the 2008 "Best Places to Work in Rhode Island" program, visit: http://bestplacestoworkri.com.

Quinn Participates in Career Leadership Day at CCRI

Debra Quinn, Chair of HRM-RI's Workforce Develop-
ment Committee, recently participated in a Career Leadership Day held at the Community College of Rhode Island's local campus in Newport, RI.

The event, organized by the Youth Opportunities Center, gave Newport County students the oppor-
tunity to network with business leaders, artisans and entrepreneurs. For more of this story, visit: http://newportdailynews.com/articles/
2007/08/30/news/news3.txt

Watterson Joins HR Xpress as Senior HR Consultant

HR Xpress, Inc. recently appointed Lynn Watterson, SPHR, Past President of HRM-RI, as senior human resources consultant. This was announced by Joyce Maynard, SPHR, VP and co-founder of HR Xpress. Joyce is also a member of HRM-RI.

In her new position, Lynn is responsible for client relations, training, and strategic advisory consulting on employee relations, affirmative action plans and compliance issues. While experienced in all aspects of human resource functions, Lynn’s primary areas of expertise are benefits and compensation manage-
ment and employee communications.

Prior to joining HR Xpress, Lynn held several HRM positions including human resource manager at Cranston Print Works Company, and more recently with Cingular Wireless. She has also consulted to businesses throughout the region in the manu-
facturing, education, and service industries.

She currently serves as employer liaison for the Workplace Solutions program in the Division for Life-
long Learning at the Community College of Rhode Island, and as an adjunct instructor at Providence College. She holds an MBA from Bryant University, a BA from Rhode Island College, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Society of Human Resource Management.

Lynn is a long-time member and Past President of HRM-RI, and an active member of the Rhode Island State Council of SHRM. Previously, she served on the board of Options for Working Parents and volun-
teered as a member of the United Way's Building Adult and Neighborhood Independence Panel.

"Lynn not only has a wealth of theoretical knowledge of human resources but also the valuable practical experience of a seasoned professional in the field,” states Joyce Maynard. “We have been associated with Lynn for over 25 years through industry associa-
tions and as a trusted advisor in our formative years as a company. She is truly an asset to our staff
and our clients who will certainly benefit from her consultation expertise."

HR Xpress, Inc. is a human resources services firm supporting employers throughout Southeastern New England. The firm offers business-driven, multi-tiered solutions to the most basic or complex HR challenges. J & N Staffing Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of HR Xpress, is a recruiting and placement firm serving local, regional and national employers from entry-level to executive search. Both firms are located at 1395 Atwood Avenue, Suite 203, Johnston, RI 02919. Phone: (401) 946-9600; Web: www.hrxpressinc.com.

HRM-RI Members Participate in Senior Judging at PAIS

On May 11th, several HRM-RI members participated along with a group of approximately 85 judges in evaluating presentations made by seniors at the Providence Academy of International Studies (PAIS). Volunteer judges included Judy Clare, Chair of HRM-RI's Business and Education Committee, and Debra Quinn, PHR, Chair of HRM-RI's Workforce Readiness Committee. Click here to learn more!

2007 Sons & Daughters Scholarship Recipients Announced

HRM-RI is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 Sons & Daughters Scholarships. Members with college students were invited to submit their student's name in a random drawing for a $500 scholarship to be used for educational expenses.

This year's scholarship recipients are:

Meagan Gelfuso, daughter of HRM-RI member, Doreen Gelfuso, PHR, of Residential Properties. Megan will begin her junior year at Rhode Island College and is majoring in elementary education

Grace E. Fox, daughter of Mary B. Fox of APC, will begin her freshman year at Assumption College. She will be majoring in accounting.

Congratulations to Megan and Grace. We wish them much success.

New SHRM Video Features Bair, Butler, and Lulli

Three Rhode Islanders are featured in a new video on the SHRM website which shows SHRM members taking an active role in lobbying Congress during SHRM's 2007 Law and Legislative Conference: Debra Bair, Director of Finance & Administration, Residential Properties; Cynthia Butler, SPHR, HR Consultant, Butler & Associates; and Linda Lulli, SPHR, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, Bryant University.

Linda Lulli and Cynthia Butler are Governmental Affairs Co-Directors for the Rhode Island State Council of SHRM, and all three are members of HRM-RI.

You can view the video at: http://www.shrm.org/video/07leg/07visits.html

"What an honor to have three eloquent HR Professionals from Rhode Island be the shining stars of this video," said Elissa O'Brien, SPHR, RISC Director and HRM-RI member, in a recent message to State Council members. "Once again, Rhode Island is in the spotlight for our outstanding Governmental Affairs Program."

Program Committee Membership Grows

Renee St. Germain, Chair of the HRM-RI Program Committee, extends a warm welcome to the following members who have recently joined that Committee: Crystal Brown, Human Resources Manager, Securitas USA; Lisa O'Donnell, Job Market Consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison; Mary Moody, Human Resources Manager, FM Global; and Catherine Nield, SPHR, Director of Human Resources, Access TCA, Inc.

These new members have already started working with Renee and the other members of her group -- Monica Coughlin,
PHR, Corporate Human Resources Manager for The Moore Company, and Lori Searles, PHR, Human Re-
sources Business Partner at Searles Consulting.

The Committee is developing programs for HRM-RI's 2007-08 meeting calendar and welcomes all suggestions from HRM-RI members. To learn more about the Program Committee or to get contact information for its members, click here.

Gray Earns SPHR Certification

Congratulations to HRM-RI member Herbert Gray, Vice President of Human Resources at Cranston Print Works, who passed the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Re-
sources) exam on June 8, 2007.

Gallo & St. Germain Receive Promotions

Stephanie Gallo graduated from the University of Rhode Island in August 2007 with a Masters in Labor Relations & Human Resources and was promoted to Senior Director of Human Resources at The Children's Workshop.

Renee St. Germain, Chair of HRM-RI's Program Committee, was recently promoted to the position of Vice President of Human Resources for the Casual Male Retail Group, Inc.

Congratulations, Stephanie and Renee!

Lulli Receives Recognition Award

Linda S. Lulli, SPHR, Associate Vice President, Human Resources at Bryant University, and Co-chair Government Affairs of the RI State Council SHRM, recently received a Special Recognition Award for her dedication to developing HR professionals, and for her service, dedication and advancement of the HR profession. The award was presented at the 9th Annual Legislative & Employment Law Update on April 26, 2007.

Linda has held several volunteer leadership positions at HRM-RI, SHRM RI State Chapter, and SHRM National for over 15 years. Linda has a passion for Government Affairs and has also served as State Director and HRM-RI President.

So deserving of this award, Linda has left her mark -- building and growing the human resources organizations she has been affiliated with and supporting, developing, and befriending so many HR professionals who have had the opportunity to work with her.

Members Featured
in SHRM Legislative Audio Presentations

HRM-RI members Linda Lulli, SPHR, and Cynthia Butler, SPHR, are featured in new SHRM audio presentations on legislative topics such as Employment Verifications and the FMLA. To hear these informative legislative sound bites on the RI State Council site click here.

HRM-RI Members Win Prizes in
HR Voice Contest

Congratulations to HRM-RI members Carrie Beers, Beth Crawford, Maria Fratiello, PHR, and Doreen Gelfuso, PHR, who recently won prizes in the HR Voice Contest. Winners were announced at the 9th Annual Legislative & Employ-ment Law Update in April.

Thank you to Heminways Restaurant, the Executive Development Center at Bryant University, and Café Paragon for donating the generous prizes.

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