Speakers

John Benson is Executive VP for HR, Communications, and IT at construction and development giant Skanska. Based in the Washington, DC area; John works directly with Skanska’s Infrastructure Development group where he is a member of the group’s executive team. John is known for his unique blend of proven change leadership skills, including HR, Performance Management, Execution of Strategy, and Project Management. An in-demand speaker, John has held leadership and HR positions in the construction, development, software and tourism fields.

Dr. Dixon has over 30 years of experience in strategic HR leadership, and management roles. A dynamic speaker, Dr. Dixon specializes in the role of technology in HR, and is known for his expertise in helping organizations build, retain, and reward high-performing teams.

Heather Owen is board certified in labor and employment law in Florida and has counseled and successfully defended employers in all areas of employment law. Heather has been recognized by Best
Lawyers in America® and is a popular speaker at national SHRM conferences.

Jathan Janove, principal of Janove Organization Solutions, is a highly respected attorney, executive coach, blogger, acclaimed speaker, and internationally published author. Jathan specializes in helping organizations create fully engaged working environments that maximize employee potential.

Dr. Fetzer has over 15 years of experience coaching leaders across the world as part of her leadership consulting firm and as a principal consultant for DecisionWise. She also is a professor in the Marriot School of Business at Brigham Young University’s Organizational Leadership and Strategy Department.

Jim Goh has represented management in all aspects of employment counseling and litigation for more than 25 years. Jim is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Law, one of only 10 management-side employment attorneys in Colorado to earn this honor.

Steven Katz defends employers in complex employment litigation matters, class and collective actions, and multi-plaintiff disputes. He concentrates his practice in wage-and-hour litigation, and has represented clients before the California and United States Supreme Courts.

Ellen Kearns represents management in a full range of traditional labor and employment issues, including NLRB proceedings, negotiations, and arbitration. Ellen has appeared before federal and state courts litigating employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge cases, and wage/hour matters, among others.

Nicole Mouskondis currently serves as the Co-CEO of Nicholas & Company, Inc., a foodservice distribution company. She began at Nicholas & Company as the Human Resources Assistant, and worked up through the department to become the VP of HR. Nicole holds a master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership (MASCL) from Seton Hall University.

Tim Newton has more than 20 years of experience in representing employers in litigation involving ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and other state and federal laws. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and is a sought-after presenter of national harassment and diversity training sessions.

As president of the West Division of Oldcastle Materials (North America’s leading construction materials supplier), Scott leads a team of over 4,000 people in 10 states. Since joining Oldcastle in 1996, Scott has held leadership positions in HR, marketing, safety and operations management.

Alyssa Peters is a partner in the Macon, Ga., office of the Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete law firm. She devotes her practice to defending and counseling employers in various employment law matters, and she specializes in class-action litigation, wage-and-hour compliance and employee leave policies.

With forty years of experience arbitrating and mediating cases involving terminated employees, Ross Runkel has a unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t work. He is an attorney, former law professor, in-demand arbitrator, and inveterate blogger on current issues in labor and employment law.

David has 15 years’ experience defending employers before state and federal courts and agencies. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and has served as both President and Director of Legislative Affairs for SHRM’s HR Tampa chapter.

A former U.S. Assistant Attorney, Julius Turman represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters including discrimination claims, wage/hour, covenants not to compete, and employment agreements. He heads Constangy’s San Francisco office.

A nationally known leadership coach, Frank was asked by his partner Marshall Goldsmith to design and train the international network of coaches who practice Goldsmith’s methodology of Stakeholder-
Centered Coaching. Dr. Wagner has coached hundreds of key leaders, helping them gain commitment, foster teamwork and work across organizational boundaries.

Monica possesses over twenty years’ experience in employment law litigation and claim prevention services. She practiced law with Parsons Behle & Latimer and Janove Baar Associates before joining EC in 1994. Monica’s specialized areas include employment law advising, management consultation, internal investigations, claim resolution, workforce training, and policy development. She also develops and conducts seminars and specialized training. As the Utah President and member of MSEC’s Board of Directors, Monica leads the future growth and development of the Utah office. She is licensed to practice law in Utah.