Council Support Services Team

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Director, State Conference 
Jim Gallo, SPHR 

Bio:  Jim Gallo, SPHR has over 20 years of practical and executive management experience in the areas of human resources, marketing, and operations in the service and healthcare industries.  Jim has been teaching human resources at the collegiate level for over 15 years at various universities including Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University and Broward College.  Currently, he is the Associate Director for The Center for Organizational Effectiveness, a consulting company that provides human capital measurement and talent management strategies to organizations.  An active volunteer leader, Jim has served on both local and state SHRM-affiliated boards.  In January 2011, he was inducted into the Human Resource Association of Broward County's Hall of Fame and in 2013 was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award from the HR Florida State Council.

Home Chapter:  HRABC

954.815.8400 | jim.gallo@hrflorida.org 

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Director, Facilities 
Michele Burns

Bio: Michele Burns has worked for Kelly Services for over 28 years and is currently the District Manager for Okaloosa and Walton County.  Michele has served in many positions on the Emerald Coast Chapters Board and has been a member since 1989.  Michele also served on the HR Florida State Council as District Director for Region 1.  She currently holds the Facilities Chair on the HR Florida State Council.  Her Marketing Degree is from the University of West Florida.  Michele has been active in many community events and currently is a member of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge 1795, and on the Board of the Okaloosa Public School Foundation.  Michele and her husband Dave live in Fort Walton Beach. 

Home Chapter:  SHRM Emerald Coast

 

 | michele.burns@hrflorida.org

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Director, Awards & Recognition 
Jenna Dobbins, SPHR 

Bio: Jenna Dobbins, SPHR has been practicing her out-of-the-box problem solving skills in human resources for over 10 years for industries such as manufacturing, construction, transportation and solutions outsourcing. She’s a self-described builder by nature, having a true passion for rolling up her sleeves and developing stronger, leaner, and more effective processes to impact the human resource needs of an organization. She received a masters degree in education with an emphasis on instructional leadership and organizational development from Jacksonville University, was recognized as HR Professional of the Year by SHRM Jacksonville, and currently serves on the HR Florida State Council. She works with Pontoon Solutions, a workforce solutions provider, as a human resources manager and can frequently be found cheering on and photographing her kids at their flag football games.

Home Chapter:  SHRM Jacksonville

904.360.2757 | jenna.dobbins@hrflorida.org

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Director, Public Relations 
Kara Palmer Smith 

Bio:  Kara Palmer Smith is an experienced workforce, community, business and economic development professional. She joined the staff of CareerSource Capital Region in 2013 and currently serves as Senior Director. She is also the volunteer Public Relations Director for the HR Florida State Council.
                                                  
Kara spent six years at the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Tallahassee/Leon County, Inc., where she last served as the Director of Business Development. She was responsible for project development, management of seven industry sector roundtables and International Business Development.  Prior to that, she worked at ECHO/Jubilee Job-Link, where she worked her way up the ranks to Director of Employment and Media Services.
 
Kara holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Florida A&M University, and a master's degree in Sport Management.
 
Very active in her community; Kara has been featured in the Tallahassee Democrat's STYLES community profile; a member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter; past member of the Big Bend SHRM's board of directors. She is married and lives in Tallahassee.

Home Chapter:  Big Bend SHRM

kara.palmersmith@hrflorida.org

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Director, Social Media & Webmaster 
Layla Bonis, SHRM-CP, PHR

Bio:  Layla has worked in the HR field for 20+ years and has experience in multiple industries. She has held positions with Tampa Electric Company, Lazydays and Mushroom Golf in various roles including payroll, benefits, safety, workers compensation, marketing, document control and human resources management throughout her career. She joined Rev1 Power Services in February 2008 and is their Human Resources Director and Business Manager. Layla is responsible in overseeing the payroll, benefits, insurance programs for all employees, employee relations, maintaining compliance, policies and procedures and handles the everyday operation and maintenance of the business domestic and international needs and provides Accounting support with Accounts Payable. She is proficient in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Layla is currently serving the HR Florida State Council in the capacity of Social Media and Webmaster; HR Tampa Board member as Secretary. She has served on the HR Tampa Board of Directors since 2011 in various roles including Membership, Communication, as well as serving 4 years in the Webmaster role. 

Home Chapter: HR Tampa

layla.bonis@hrflorida.org | @hrflorida | www.hrmouthofthesouth.org

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Editor, HR Florida Review Magazine
J. Lenora Bresler, JD, SPHR, ASC

Bio:  Graduating from law school at age 20, J. Lenora Bresler is a leadership and engagement speaker, author, trainer, and coach. She is the founder and president of Bresler Training, LLC., specializing in supervisory training, employment law, conflict resolution, visioning, diversity and inclusion, and change management. Bresler Training's motto is "creating the best leaders, teams, and relationships on earth." Known for her humorous and substantive speaking style, J. Lenora is a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences throughout America. She is the author of three books including Instant Insight: 15 Questions to Great Relationships and is the editor of the HR Florida Review and HR Florida Newswire. She is the past president of Mid-Florida SHRM and teaches the SHRM certification review courses at Valencia College and Polk State College. She also currently serves as the HR Florida Conference and Expo. entertainment chair. J. Lenora is the incoming president of Lakeland Metro NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). A singer, pianist, actress, and Bible teacher, she lives in Lakeland with her husband and teenage son.

Home Chapter: Mid Florida SHRM

jlenora.bresler@hrflorida.org 

 

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Registrar 
Traci Ball, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Bio:  Traci has worked in the HR field for the past 15 years and has experience in multiple industries working in various roles within human resources disciplines.  She joined Florida Credit Union in September of 2015 as their Vice President of Human Resources.  In 2009 she earned her Master's Degree from Rollins College and in 2010 her SPHR certification.   

Currently Traci is a member of North Central Florida SHRM and in 2017 will serve on the Chapter Board as the President-Elect/Vice President of Membership.  She has previously served on the HR Florida State Conference Team in 2009 and 2010 and is a published author and an avid runner.  

Home Chapter:  North Central Florida SHRM

352.895.9226 | traci.ball@hrflorida.org

 

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