Agenda ★ Boot Camp ★ Register

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.

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Who Should Attend

• Benefits/Risk Administrators                                      
• City Administrators     
• City Attorneys
• City Managers                                              
• City Secretaries  
• Compensation Managers                                         
• Human Resources Directors       
• Human Resources Staff Members                            
• Police and Fire Chiefs
• ….YOU!                                        

Location

All events will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center, 3100 Town Center Tr, Denton, TX 76201

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 19	After April 19
*Members	$350	$545
Non-Members	$475	$545
Pre-Conference Boot Camp	By April 19	After April 19
*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 Haley Archer 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 $100 cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is received by April 19. No refunds will be honored after April 19.

Hotel Accommodations

Embassy Suites is sold out at the TMHRA Group rate.

They might have some vacancies, but they will be at a higher room rate, and TMHRA has no contractual say in getting the rate reduced. Our obligations to the Embassy Suites has been fulfilled.

Alternative Hotel Accommodations

Please visit Discover Denton’s hotel webpage listing for housing options.  

Please be aware of housing poachers if contacted about booking hotel rooms for the 2024 TMHRA Annual Conference. The only TMHRA-endorsed hotel for this event is The Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton 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.

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 19 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.

Questions?

Contact the TML Affiliate Services Department at 512-231-7400 or [email protected].

Agenda

Tuesday, May 7

Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice.
Please check the app for current updates.

Wednesday, May 8

Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice.
Please check the app for current updates.

Concurrent Sessions

10:15–11:15 a.m.

FLSA – Dangers of Misclassification and White Collar Revisions — Are You Ready?
Julia Gannaway, Attorney, Ross | Gannaway | Clifton PLLC
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

The Government Information You Share, May Be Held Against You!
George Hyde, Law Partner, Hyde Kelley, LLP
—
Pioneer 1-2

6 Essential Questions to Ensure You Are Getting the Most From Your PBM
Lisa Gish, RN, MHA, CPB, Director of Client Experience, TrueScripts
—
Pioneer 3-4

11:15–11:45 a.m.
Networking
—
Ballroom Foyer

11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch
—
Eagle 1-2

Concurrent Sessions

1:00–2:00 p.m.

Confessions of a 30 Year EEOC Employee
Rodney Klein, Owner, Rodney Klein EEO Training
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

Legal and Practical Considerations of Payroll Software Implementation
Catherine Clifton, Partner, Ross | Gannaway | Clifton, PLLC
—
Pioneer 1-2

Non-Traditional Pathways to the City Management Suite — How HR Professionals are Uniquely Poised for City Leadership
Claire Powell, City Manager, City of Lewisville, and Shante Akafia, Assistant City Manager, City of Lewisville
—
Pioneer 3-4

2:00–2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
—
Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Care for Self to Care for Others  
Craig Barnes, IPMA-SCP, Loss Prevention Training Specialist – Human Resources, TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

Why it’s a Bad Idea to Send Your Employees to the Doctor
Stephen Gray, Work Shield
—
Pioneer 1-2

Navigating the Challenges of Public Safety Executive Recruitment
Chief Chris Connealy, Associate Vice President, Clear Career Professionals 
—
Pioneer 3-4

3:30–3:45 p.m.
Networking Break
—
Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

3:45–4:45 p.m.

Becoming an Employer of Choice in the New World of Work
Robert (Bob) Lavigna, Public Sector Senior Fellow, UKG
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

Money Talks – Multigenerational Financial Planning
Darrell Ellisor, Senior Vice President, HUB, and Susan Blassingame, Senior Account Manager, HUB
—
Pioneer 1-2

Title VII – It’s Not Just Roman Numerals
Jared Pope, CEO/Founder, Work Shield
Pioneer 3-4

5:00–7:00 p.m.
Embassy Suites Evening Reception
—
Grand Foyer

Invitation-Only Dinners

6:00 p.m.

New Member Dinner
New TMHRA members over the past year are encouraged to attend, meet our board members, and network with other human resources professionals.
LSA Burger
Sponsored by HUB, TCG Consulting, and First Financial Group of America

Past Presidents’ Dinner
TMHRA past presidents reunite for dinner and to mingle.
Hannah’s – 111 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201
Sponsored by TMRS and Workshield

Thursday, May 9

Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice.
Please check the app for current updates.

Concurrent Sessions

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Great Customer Service for Governmental Employees
Mark Stephens, Esq., Learning Facilitator, Stephens Training and Consulting
—
Kincaid/Chilton

Creating Sustainable Retiree Medical Plans
David Gibson, CEBS, Vice President, Client Services, Holmes Murphy & Associates
—
Pioneer 1-2

Attract Top Talent with Compelling Job Posts and Recruitment Marketing Tactics
Michael Hurwitz, President, Careers in Government
—
Pioneer 3-4

11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
TMHRA Networking Luncheon
—
Eagles 1-2

Concurrent Sessions

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Empathy is Essential: How Second-Chance Hiring Can Improve HR for All
Cheri Garcia, Cornbread Hustle, Inc.
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

Rethinking “Culture”: What It Might Be, What It Definitely Isn’t and What HR’s Supporting Role Should Be
Jeffrey Ross, Esq., Deputy Director of HR, City of Farmers Branch
—
Pioneer 1-2

Leveraging Data to Inform Communications Strategies and Engage Our People
Kril Cunningham, Senior Vice President, Lockton Dunning
—
Pioneer 3-4

2:00–2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
—
Pioneer 3-4

Concurrent Sessions

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break
—
Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

5:00–7:00 p.m.
Embassy Suites Evening Reception
—
Grand Foyer

• Downtown Denton Pubs: Eastside/ Austin Street Truck Yard • Miss Angeline’s • Denton County Brewing Company • Oak Street Draft House
• Cheese provided by local Ten:One Artisan Cheese.
• Nuts, olives, and homemade pickles/carrots also included with some stops.
• Transportation provided, co-sponsored by Visit Denton

—
Downtown Denton

Friday, May 10

Sessions and speakers are subject to change without notice.
Please check the app for current updates.

6:00–8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and TMHRA Business Meeting
—
Grand Foyer/Breakfast Area

8:30–9:00 a.m.
Business Meeting

All TMHRA members are requested to attend, as this meeting includes board member nominations.
—
Kincaid/Chilton

Concurrent Sessions

9:00–10:15 a.m.

Elevating Employee Excellence: Growth and Development Initiatives
Dee Maddox, Owner and Founder, DMX Consulting —
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

Communicating with Emotional Intelligence
Rebecca Miears, Director of Human Resources, City of New Braunfels & Panel from City of New Braunfels
Chief Keith Lane, Police Chief, City of New Braunfels Chief Ruy Lozano, Fire Chief, City of New Braunfels Pioneer 1-4

10:15–10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
—
Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

10:30–11:45 a.m.

2024 Employment Law Update
Vathana Sivanesan, HR Consulting & Benefits Counsel, Compliance, OneDigital
—
Kincaid/Chilton Ballroom

The ART of Emotional Intelligence
Stevie Dawn Carter, CEO, Empathi
Pioneer 1-4