General Information | Registration | Agenda | Seminar Materials
General Information
Benefits of Attending
The TMHRA Annual Conference is designed for professionals in human resources and other city departments charged with human resources related issues. The general sessions are geared toward optimizing productivity, enhancing personal development, increasing knowledge, and strengthening the foundation of the human resources functions of municipal government. Additionally, the conference offers multiple concurrent breakout sessions in three different tracks: 1) employment law; 2) benefits and wellness/risk/employee relations; and 3) best practices.
New This Year: TMHRA Boot Camp
TMHRA’s Boot Camp will cover the basics of the Fair Labor Standards Act, legislative hot topics, and compensation.
The Boot Camp is limited to the first 100 registrants so register now.
(Separate registration fee)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
City Administrators City Managers
Human Resources Directors Human Resources Staff Members
Compensation Managers City Attorneys
Benefits/Risk Administrators Police and Fire Chiefs
City Secretaries YOU!
Location
All events will be held at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center, 7 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554
Registration
Online Registration only. On-site registration will not be available.
*Membership applications take 48-72 hours to process from time of submission. You will not be able to register at the member rate until your membership application is fully processed. Visit our membership page for details.
The annual conference and pre-conference are separate fees. You may register for either or both events.
| Annual Conference | By April 21 | After April 21 |
| *Members | $350 | $545 |
| Non-Members | $475 | $545 |
| Pre-Conference Boot Camp | By April 21 | After April 21 |
| *Members | $100 | $100 |
| Non-members | $125 | $125 |
Sponsor Registration
All Sponsor staff is required to register online for the conference. Please choose the “sponsor comp” option to use your complimentary registrations. The complimentary registration does not include the pre- conference. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Lisa Norris at [email protected].
Cancellation and Substitute Policy
If you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If you cannot send a substitute, a $75 cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is received by April 21. No refunds will be honored after April 21.
Hotel Accommodations
The Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center, located at 7 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX 77554. The hotel has extended a $165 per night group rate based on single/double occupancy for dates of May 16-19. Shoulder nights and number of guests in your room can affect your rate. Please book your room by April 24, 2023. Do not delay as the block can sell out prior to the deadline. Due to COVID-19, some hotel facilities or services may not be available during your stay. Self-Parking is complimentary, Covered Self-Parking is $10 per day and Valet is $22 per day.
Please be aware of housing poachers if contacted about booking hotel rooms for the 2023 TMHRA Annual Conference. The only TMHRA-endorsed hotel for this event is Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center. Please note we are NOT working with any other companies to provide housing. If you receive any pirating emails or calls, please refer them to Lavern Gaines at [email protected] or 512-231-7447.
Continuing Education Credit
The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
A certificate of completion and meeting code will be provided onsite.
Well Traveled Wellness Challenge
Welcome to the 2023 TMHRA Annual Conference Well Traveled Wellness Challenge sponsored by HES. Activities can be completed throughout the week to earn points and win prizes!
Seminar Materials
All speaker presentations and handouts will be posted on our seminar materials page as they become available.
Meeting Accommodations
Meeting accommodations requests such as dietary restrictions must be submitted to Lavern Gaines by April 21 to be considered.
Attire
The conference attire is casual so please dress for comfort. Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket to the sessions in the event the meeting rooms are cold.
Health and Safety
Please view the most up-to-date COVID public health recommendations here:
- National guidelines via the CDC website
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) | Texas DSHS
- COVID-19 | Galveston, TX – Official Website
Questions?
Contact the TML Affiliate Services Department at 512-231-7400 or [email protected].
Tuesday, May 16
Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice. Please check the app for current updates.
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
TMHRA Boot Camp (Recording)
1:00-1:05 p.m.
WELCOME
1:05-2:15 p.m.
FLSA 101
Attendees will learn about pay issues facing cities, including police and fire, the partial overtime exemption under 7K. Other topics that will be covered are pay statutes for cities with a certain population, how to calculate regular rate of pay for proper overtime, and other related Texas statutes.
Julia Gannaway, Partner, Ross | Gannaway | Clifton, PLLC
2:15-3:30 p.m.
Compensation 101 – It’s Not Just About the Money
Panelists: LaShon Ross, Director of Human Resources, City of Plano; James Edwards, Director of Human Resources, Town of Prosper, and Kristi Wong, Director of Human Resources, City of Sachse
3:30-3:45 p.m.
BREAK
3:45-5:00 P.M.
Noteworthy Legislative News for Newbies (or ANYONE really!)
Rachel Raggio, Associate Attorney for Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla, & Elam, LLP (TOASE)
Moody II Ballroom
Wednesday, May 17
Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice. Please check the app for current updates.
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
For all conference attendees
Moody Ballroom Foyer
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
President’s Welcome (Recording)
TMHRA President, Andre Houser, Director of Human Resources/Civil Service, City of Conroe
Program Chair Welcome (Recording)
Cat Schlueter, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Manager, City of Azle
Moody II Ballroom
8:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Keynote Address – Be an Inspired Leader (Recording)
Joe Serio, Ph.D. Motivational Speaker on personal leadership
Moody II Ballroom
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break
Moody Ballroom Foyer
10:45 – 11: 45 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Impact of the Secure Act 2.0 Description; Provisions at a Glance (repeated at 3:45 p.m.)
David Rodriguez, Director of Government Services, TCG Advisors, a HUB International Company
Vine Meeting Room
Performance Management – Your Deed to Success (repeated at 1:00 p.m.) (Recording)
DeAdrian “Dee”Maddox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DMX Consulting
Moody II Ballroom
Culture: Effective Use of Employee Surveys
Alexa DeMelo-Cevallos, Ph.D., City of Irving
Innovation and Performance Team from Irving
Ivy Meeting Room
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch and TMHRA QC Presenation
Moody I Ballroom
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
TMRS Overview (repeated at 2:30 p.m.)
Colin Davidson, City Services Manager, Texas Municipal Retirement System
Vine Meeting Room
Performance Management – Your Deed to Success (repeated from 10:45 a.m.)
Effective performance management is crucial for any organization’s success as it helps to align employee goals with organizational objectives, identify strengths and weaknesses, and provide feedback for growth and development. To ensure effective performance management, organizations must establish clear performance expectations, provide timely and regular feedback, and offer opportunities for skill development and growth. Additionally, managers must be trained to provide constructive feedback, set achievable goals, and offer coaching and support to their employees.
This program is perfect for:
• Organizations that want to improve the employee experience
• High-performing teams and competitive organizations
The audience will leave with:
• Mindset Shift regarding performance objectives
• Improved organizational effectiveness
DeAdrian “Dee”Maddox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DMX Consulting
Moody II Ballroom
Executive Coaching
Join Randy Cantrell, Executive Coach and Podcaster, Lauren Safranek, Human Resources Director at City of Frisco, and Lisa Norris, Human Resources Director at City of Grand Prairie as they share wisdom, value and benefits of professional coaching and mentorship in an organization. Explore how coaching and mentorship can elevate yourself, your leaders and your organization to achieve high performing teams. We will share our practical experience and discuss the impact coaching had on us and our cities, how it has increased our performance, as well as small group coaching for HR leaders we are currently exploring.
Randy Cantrell, Executive Coach and Podcaster; Lisa Norris, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources/Civil Service Director, City of Grand Prairie, and Lauren Safranek, Director of Human Resources, City of Frisco (repeated Thursday at 1:00 p.m.)
Ivy Meeting Room
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
Moody Ballroom Foyer
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
TMRS Overview (repeated from 1:00 p.m.)
Colin Davidson, City Services Manager, Texas Municipal Retirement System
Vine Meeting Room
FMLA/ADA/Worker’s Compensation
Catherine Clifton, Partner, Ross | Gannaway | Clifton, PLLC
Join us for a conversation about complying with FMLA and coordinating both FMLA and Workers’ Compensation in compliance with the ADA. If you haven’t faced a complicated leave situation yet…it’s just a matter of time. We’ll discuss challenges in compliance and practical solutions for keeping cities in compliance.
Ivy Meeting Room
Positive Interaction with Difficult People: Strategies for Success in Every Interaction (Recording)
Joe Serio, Ph.D. Motivational Speaker on personal leadership.
Moody II Ballroom
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break
Moody Ballroom Foyer
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Impact of the Secure Act 2.0 Description; Provisions at a Glance (repeated from 10:45 a.m.)
David Rodriguez, Director of Government Services, TCG Advisors, a HUB International Company
Vine Meeting Room
Mold and Culture – How Does It Spread?
Craig Barnes, TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool
Ivy Meeting Room
Stress Management For HR Professionals (repeated Thursday, at 2:30 p.m.)
YouTurn Health – Co-Presented with Cheree Bontrager, Director of Human Resources, City of University Park
Moody II Ballroom
6:30 p.m.
New Member Dinner (Invitation Only)
New TMHRA members over the past year are encouraged to attend, meet our board members, and network with other human resources professionals.
Sponsored by First Financial Group and HUB | TCG Consulting
7:00 p.m.
Past Presidents Dinner (Invitation Only)
TMHRA past presidents reunite for dinner and to mingle.
Sponsored by TMRS and Workshield
Thursday, May 18
Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice. Please check the app for current updates.
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration
Moody Ballroom Foyer
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
For all conference attendees.
Moody I Ballroom
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Policy Change Trends Post Pandemic (Recording)
Moderated by Craig Barnes, TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool – Panelists Rick DeOrdio, Director of Human Resources, City of Burleson; Kathy Shields, Retired Director of Human Resources, CPS HR Consulting; Linda Spacek, Director of Human Resources, City of San Marcos
Moody II Ballroom
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
Moody II Ballroom Foyer
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Investigations/Employee Relations (repeated at 3:30 p.m.) (Recording)
Cara White, Partner, Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla and Elam, L.L.P.
Moody II Ballroom
Benefit Trends – Large and Small Organizations (repeated at 2:30 p.m.)
Trey Smith, Vice President, Employee Benefits Practice Leader, HUB
Vine Meeting Room
Recruit and Retain a Diverse Workforce
Kembre Roberts, PhD, Senior Vice President, Lockton Dunning Benefits
Ivy Meeting Room
11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
TMHRA Awards Luncheon
Moody I Ballroom
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Compensation Trends (repeated at 3:45 p.m.)
Matt Weatherly, President,Public Sector Personnel Consultants
Ivy Meeting Room
Running Effective HR Staff Meetings – They Are Crucial to Teamwork and Productivity (Recording)
This presentation seeks to ask and answer the profound question, “Do we really need to have this meeting?” And, if we do, how may we have a productive, effective meeting that uses only the time necessary to accomplish the goals of the needed and move forward.
Here is a list of objectives for the program:
- Understanding the Problem with Meetings
- Creating a Process to Determine Why Have the Meeting
- The Elements of a Needed Meeting
- Meeting Preparation and Agenda Creation
- Setting the Ground Rules for the Effective Meeting
- Evaluating the Meeting Once It is Over
Mark Stephens, Esq., Learning Facilitator, Stephens Training and Consulting
Moody II Ballroom
Executive Coaching
Join Randy Cantrell, Executive Coach and Podcaster, Lauren Safranek, Human Resources Director at City of Frisco, and Lisa Norris, Human Resources Director at City of Grand Prairie as they share wisdom, value and benefits of professional coaching and mentorship in an organization. Explore how coaching and mentorship can elevate yourself, your leaders and your organization to achieve high performing teams. We will share our practical experience and discuss the impact coaching had on us and our cities, how it has increased our performance, as well as small group coaching for HR leaders we are currently exploring.
Randy Cantrell, Executive Coach and Podcaster; Lisa Norris, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources/Civil Service Director, City of Grand Prairie, and Lauren Safranek, Director of Human Resources, City of Frisco (repeated from Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.)
Vine Meeting Room
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
Moody II Ballroom Foyer
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Active Shooter/Killer and Non-Public Safety Training
Dr. GM Cox, Retired Police Chief and previous Director and Assistant Professor of MPA program, Tarleton State University
Ivy Meeting Room
Benefit Trends – Large and Small Organizations (repeated from 10:30 a.m.)
Trey Smith, Vice President, Employee Benefits Practice Leader, HUB
Vine Meeting Room
Stress Management For HR Professionals (repeated from Wedesday, 3:45 p.m.) (Recording)
YouTurn Health – Co-Presented with Cheree Bontrager, Director of Human Resources, City of University Park
Moody II Ballroom
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break
Moody Ballroom Foyer
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
From Reactive to Proactive: How Chat GPT Can help Municipalities Stay Ahead of the Curve – (Recording)
Frank Mulcahy, Distinguished Business Leader and Renowned International Speaker, Mulcahy Associates and Ernesto Verdugo, Thought Leader. Trend Hunter, Behavioral Expert
& International Change Catalyst
Moody II Ballroom
Compensation Trends (repeated from 1:00 p.m.)
Matt Weatherly, President,Public Sector Personnel Consultants
Ivy Meeting Rooms
Investigations/Employee Relations (repeated from 10:30 a.m.)
Cara White, Partner, Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla and Elam, L.L.P.
Vine Meeting Room
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Co-sponsored by Lockton Dunning Benefits
Moody I Ballroom
Friday, May 19
Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice. Please check the app for current updates.
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and TMHRA Business Meeting
Moody II Ballroom
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Legislative Update (Recording)
Bettye Lynn, Owner, Lynn Law
Moody II Ballroom
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break
Moody Ballroom Foyer
10:45 a.m. – Noon
Taking Control of Your Career (Recording)
Do you ever feel like you aren’t moving in the direction you want? Are you unsure what you want out of your career? In this workshop, we walk through practical, easy-to-implement steps to improve your career.
Krystal Yates, President, EBR HR Experts
Moody II Ballroom