Board of Directors
President
Jeanne Pritt, MSOD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
People Outcomes, LLC
People Outcomes is an organization development and human resources consulting firm focused on leveraging strengths through strategy, leadership development and culture. Jeanne brings decades of senior leadership experience, MS in Organization Development and Coaching Certification from McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte and BA in Psychology from Penn State University.
Jeanne was recognized as “2023 Union Co. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Excellence Finalist”, “2022 NCSHRM HR Professional of the Year”, “2021 UCHRA HR Professional of the Year”, “2021’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Union County”, “2020’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Waxhaw” and “2019’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Union County”. She has also served in many leadership roles in community organizations.
President Elect
Tara McAlister
Tara McAlister, SHRM-CP, RCC, brings over 27 years of experience in human resources, coaching, and organizational strategy to her work at Emerald Financial Group. She is passionate about helping business owners and individuals align their goals, values, and people, believing that when life and business are aligned, everything grows stronger.
Tara's journey into financial wellness consulting began in the field of HR, where she advised leaders on how to grow and scale their businesses by investing in their employees. She held strategic HR roles at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, supporting both clinical and administrative teams within a large multi-specialty practice in talent acquisition, training, organizational development, and employee relations. At Insperity, she collaborated closely with business owners across various industries to deliver tailored HR solutions that promoted compliance and cultivated positive workplace culture. Most recently, Tara served as an HR Advisor at Catapult Employers Association, partnering with hundreds of small and mid-sized companies throughout the Carolinas to navigate complex workforce challenges, strengthen leadership, and align people strategies with business goals.
These experiences helped Tara recognize the deep connection between business success and personal financial health, particularly for founders and closely held companies. This insight led her to join Emerald Financial Group, where she employs a unique perspective on business owner planning, succession strategy, and organizational health. Her background in coaching and HR equips her with the ability to ask the right questions, simplify complex decisions, and assist clients in creating actionable plans.
Tara holds certifications as a SHRM Certified Professional and a Registered Corporate Coach. She serves on the board of Union Diversified Industries and the Union County Human Resources Association, is a member of the Advisory Board for Caregiver Mental Wellness, and leads the Leadership Committee for My Breast Friend’s Wedding, a signature event raising funds for Go Jen Go, which supports women with breast cancer in the Charlotte region. She frequently speaks and writes about leadership, employee experience, and the importance of aligning people strategies with business growth.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys spending time with her family in the garden, cheering for her favorite sports teams, and finding opportunities to meet new people—whether at local events or during spontaneous conversations over coffee. She is passionate about building community, creating meaningful connections, and helping others recognize their worth both in business and in life.
Past President
Brenda Robbins, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Growth Ready HR, LLC
Brenda is the President of Growth Ready HR, LLC, an HR consulting organization she started in 2023 after retiring from the electric utility industry. She has 35+ years of experience in all facets of Human Resources across beverage manufacturing, big-box retail, and the electric cooperative utility industry, including 20 years in management positions. Brenda has over 7 years of teaching experience at the post-high school level. Currently, Brenda is an adjunct instructor at Wingate University, teaching Human Resource Management.
Brenda currently holds her SHRM-SCP (SHRM) and SPHR (HRCI) certifications and is qualified to facilitate SHRM Certification courses. She earned her Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University and her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Denver.
Since moving to North Carolina, Brenda has actively served her community by participating in initiatives to promote workforce training and development, partnering with Union County Public Schools Career & Technical Education and the Union County Chamber of Commerce. Brenda is very active in UCHRA, both through her board participation and by facilitating the chapter's SHRM Certification Program. In 2019, Brenda was the recipient of the UCHRA Paula H. Harvey HR Professional of the Year. At the state level, Brenda has been an active member of the NCSHRM State Conference Committee since 2022 and served as State Conference Chair for 2025 and 2026.
Treasurer
Nancy Rutherford, SHRM-SCP
Self Employed
Nancy Rutherford is retired from the corporate world most recently in HR management in a manufacturing environment. She now consults with businesses in all aspects of human resource management including benefits administration. Her career includes more than 30 years in human resources, corporate administration, and accounting.
Nancy has earned PHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and has actively served on the board of Union County Human Resource Association for six terms.
Treasurer
Tiffany Weaver
Turning Point Inc.
Tiffany currently is the Director of Finance & Administration for Turning Point, Inc. Turning Point, Inc. is a non-profit who deals with domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in Union County. She has over 27 years’ experience in accounting and 25 years’ HR experience. She believes in giving back to your community and is a part of several organizations. Currently, she is the Treasurer for Kiwanis Club of Monroe, on the Union County Chamber board, on Workforce Development Task Force committee (UC Chamber), and on Women in Business committee (UC Chamber). In the past Tiffany was a Union County Chamber Ambassador for 11 years, she completed Union County Chamber Leadership Union in 2018, 2023 & 2024, has been named 100 Most Powerful Women in Union County, and was the 2020 Ambassador of the Year and 2020 Kiwanian of the Year.
Tiffany grew up in Pebble Beach, California. She enjoys spending time with her family. She loves the outdoors, being out with nature, camping, all sports (very competitive), dance and spending time with her friends.
Secretary
Tanisha Bomani, SHRM-SCP
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business, Michigan State University- Eli Broad College of Business, a Master of Business Administration from Wingate University, and holds her SHRM-SCP certification from Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Tanisha brings a strong educational foundation to her leadership approach. As a member of the Leadership Union cohort in 2022, she further strengthened her expertise in leadership and community engagement.
With over 25 years of experience across Government, Higher Education, and private entities—19 of those in leadership roles—she specializes in strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development. She has a proven track record of optimizing workforce performance, enhancing employee retention, and driving profitability, making her a trusted leader in HR strategy and operations.
In addition to her professional achievements, Tanisha serves on the Union Academy Board of Directors and is presently the Secretary of the Executive Committee, demonstrating her passion and commitment to education and community leadership.
In her spare time, she gives back to the community by teaching Zumba to senior citizens in Union County, promoting health and wellness through movement and music.
Co-Vice President of Membership
Erica Moore
LOBA-WAKOL,LLC
Erica Moore is the HR Supervisor for Loba-Wakol North America in Wadesboro. Loba-Wakol is a joint venture between two 100-year-old German companies that manufacture adhesives, finishes, and other products for the flooring, upholstery, mattress, and metal packaging industries. Erica has been in the flooring industry for over a decade and a Loba-Wakol team member for the past 6 years. She was recently recognized with Loba-Wakol North America as the 2024 recipient of the NC Governor’s Award for Outstanding, Family Friendly Employer.
Erica is excited to join the UCHRA Board not only to support the organization but to share and network with other HR professionals.
Co-Vice President of Membership
Christina Snethen, SHRM-CP
Union Power Cooperative
Christina Snethen is the Manager of Human Resources at Union Power Cooperative. Union Power Cooperative is a distribution electric cooperative located in Monroe, NC. Christina obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Finance from Coastal Carolina University. While Christina’s education was primarily focused on Finance, she has taken on the challenging responsibilities of Human Resources throughout her career. Christina is very involved in the workforce development efforts in her local community as she sits on the Workforce Development Task Force Committee at the Union County Chamber of Commerce. She also sits on the board for the Carolinas Energy Workforce Coalition.
Christina grew up in Myrtle Beach, SC and is a beach girl at heart. She enjoys doing anything and everything outdoors. She is a social butterfly and enjoys spending all of her spare time with her family, husband Cas, daughter Kennedy and son Crew. Her passion is helping others and traveling.
Inclusion and Government Affairs
Lakeysha Medlin
Town of Marshville
Lakeysha has spent several years excelling in Corporate America, with a focus on Human Resources and Corporate Training. She currently serves as the Human Resource Manager for the Town of Marshville.
Passionate about fostering inclusion and equity, she is a dedicated community advocate and a graduate of the Racial Equity Institute. As a co-founder of a Diversity Book Club, she created meaningful spaces for dialogue and learning, which have led to invitations to join multiple Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committees. In addition, she holds a certificate in Personal Identity-Based Leadership Training (IPOM), further solidifying her expertise in leading with authenticity and purpose. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering individuals, promoting diversity, and driving systemic change within organizations and communities.
Workforce Readiness
Laurie Primm
Builders FirstSource
Laurie Primm is a Human Resources manager and serves multiple locations for Builders FirstSource in Indian Trail, Monroe and Locust, NC. Laurie received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Legal from Campbell University. She currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Chair for UCHRA. For Laurie, the best part of working in Human Resources is the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping people and having a positive impact on their professional and personal lives.
Co-Vice President of Programs & Certification
Elizabeth Brackett, SPHR,SHRM-SCP
BrackettHR
Elizabeth owns the Charlotte based HR consulting firm, BrackettHR, providing companies with HR support in all areas of Human Resources. Her consulting firm also facilitates a variety of human resources classes, including compliance and leadership.
Elisabeth, a South Carolina native, has worked in the Greater Charlotte HR community for nearly 30 years. In her career, she has worked as a HR Director, Vice President of Human Resources, HR business partner, generalist and recruiter. She has worked as a HR consultant for almost 20 years, including over 10 years on the advice line for the Employers Association / Catapult. Elisabeth has provided HR support for hundreds of diverse companies across all industries, including financial services, manufacturing, retail and service companies.
She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and holds the SHRM-SCP certification as well.
Co-Vice President of Programs & Certification
Crystal Brookshire, SHRM-SCP
Brookshire Growth Partners, LLC
Crystal Brookshire, MBA, SHRM-SCP, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Brookshire Growth Partners, LLC, an organization development consulting company offering an array of services including HR consulting, Leadership Development, and Creative Talent Acquisition Solutions. Crystal has a passion for supporting individuals and companies on their path to growth.
Crystal received her Masters in Business Administration from Wake Forest University and her Bachelors in Psychology and Management & Society from UNC-Chapel Hill. A lifetime learner she followed her passion for leadership development and became a John Maxwell Team Certified Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Webmaster
Amy Bates, SHRM-CP
CIRCOR
Amy is currently serving as the Senior HR Manager and Business Partner for CIRCOR in Monroe, a global manufacturing company producing pumps for commercial and Department of Defense contracts. She began working at CIRCOR when it was Colfax in 2016 as a Payroll Administrator and has had several roles within HR including Corporate HR Manger, Global Mobility and HR Analytics. Her focus is on keeping the “Human” in Human Resources. She drives opportunities for CIRCOR Monroe to give back to their community like school supply drives, feeding the homeless, and supporting the Ronald McDonald House with annual t-shirt campaign.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Queens University and jokes that she uses her degree daily working with adults in manufacturing. Amy recently was awarded the US Patriot Award which is given in recognition for going over and above supporting our military.
While serving on the Board, Amy hopes to continue to support this group while showing others the huge impact it can have on personal growth, the feeling of being a part of something great, and the ability to leverage off other HR professionals in this ever-changing world we live in.
Webmaster
Michelle Taylor, SHRM-CP
DFC Manufacturing Group, LLC
Michelle is the East Coast Senior HR Generalist for DFC Manufacturing Group, LLC dba Stafford Cutting Dies, where she has worked for the past 15 years wearing multiple hats to take care of the business and the workforce that makes it happen. Her career focus is human resources, and she recently obtained her SHRM-CP.
Michelle joined the Union County Human Resources Board of Directors not only to support the organization but to continue to develop her skills and add to her experience through the educational programs and the networking opportunities with other HR professionals created by active participation in the association.
Board Advisor
Robert Guy, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Chief People Officer
EPI Breads
Bob started at EPIC Baking Company in 2024 leading the HR functions currently in Atlanta, GA and Muskegon MI. Bob was most recently the Chief People Officer at Darnel, Inc., a global food packaging manufacturer in Monroe, NC. He was instrumental in establishing Darnel, Inc. in 2006, creating and developing the HR function as well as being a business partner for all functions within the company. Bob also served as the HR leader for an audio sound manufacturer in Fort Mill, SC where he served over 17 years. He is a true industry leader. He is passion about developing leaders and he is an expert in building organizational capability.
Bob has served on the NCSHRM Executive Board and UCHRA for several years and previous UCHRA President in 2012. Bob also works closely with several Economic Development Commissions, where his influence has been critical to the growth agenda of the organizations that he serves.
Member Engagement
Keith Guercio
Carolina Cooperative Federal Credit Union
As manager of business development for Carolina Cooperative Federal Credit Union, Keith strives to connect companies and their employees to the CCFCU. This relationship provides tremendous value to member companies' benefit packages which sets them apart when attracting high quality applicants for employment. Keith enjoys assisting all strata of employees with their financial health and planning.
In addition, Keith has managed his sales territory for Herff Jones for thirty years specializing in providing scholastic products and services to our area high schools. Keith has been recognized for customer service excellence throughout his career and has received the company’s highest honor, the Hall of Fame Award.
Member Engagement
Kristen Winchester, SPHR
Kristen holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which she earned in 2012. With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, Kristen has developed a deep expertise in HR strategy, employee relations, and organizational development. In 2021, she earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, further solidifying her commitment to professional excellence and her leadership in the field.
Currently, Kristen applies her HR skills and business acumen to their family-business, ML Winchester Grading, Inc., where she contributes to the company's growth and success by managing key HR functions.
Outside of work, Kristen spends most of her time on a ball field watching her two boys, Ty and Jax, play baseball. She also loves taking trips to the beach with her family to relax and make memories together.
