CenTex SHRM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chapter officers’ nominations and their election shall occur each August at a regular meeting. Annually a President-Elect shall be nominated and elected. The President-Elect position upon completion of one year term automatically moves to President, which is a one year term. Upon completion of one year term as President, President moves to Past President, one year term. Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for two year terms. Nominations for Treasurer shall be made in odd numbered years and nominations for Secretary shall be made in even numbered years. Staggered elections allow for continuity within the board from year to year. The current elected officers are noted below.

PRESIDENT - HEIDI POWELL, PHR, SHRM-CP

Heidi is the Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition Operations for McLane Company.  She has been a member of the CenTex SHRM since 2012. She currently holds the position of the Chapter President and has served in past years as Treasurer, Past-President, President-Elect, Program Chair, Conference Chair, and Communications Director of the Chapter. Heidi has also served as Membership Director for SHRM Texas.  In 2022, Heidi was awarded the Volunteer Leader of the Year by SHRM Texas for her work as a SHRM Volunteer Leader.  Heidi is a business professional with expertise in Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Account Management, Sales and Marketing, Project Management, and Talent Acquisition Operations Management. Heidi has over 21 years of HR experience and over 26 years of management experience providing solution focused support to companies in supply chain, healthcare, telecommunications, retail, IT, administrative, and manufacturing industries. Heidi obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. Heidi also holds her Professional Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute and her SHRM-CP from the Society of Human Resources Management.  Heidi is passionate about the chapter providing opportunities for HR professionals to develop a local network of HR business partners that support each other in the world of work as well as obtain PDCs on current, relevant, and actionable monthly trainings and the opportunity to grow professionally. 

PRESIDENT ELECT - JULIE ESCAMILLA

Julie is the Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education (WCE) at Temple College. She began working at Temple College in 2015 and has served in various roles in WCE. Julie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Texas A&M University - Central Texas. She obtained her Masters in Higher Education Leadership at Texas A&M University – Central Texas. Her current role is focused on Workforce Training and Talent Development. She has a passion for helping others learn and grow! 

SECRETARY - CIERA POPE, SHRM-SCP

Ciera Pope is a SHRM-SCP certified Human Resources leader with over a decade of experience championing people-first strategies across dynamic, complex organizations. As Senior Manager Team Member Relations-Employee and Labor Relations at Hilton Grand Vacations, she dives the Team Member Relations function with a focus on cultivating inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace. Outside of work, she finds balance and inspiration through her love of fitness and travel—whether she's crushing a morning workout or exploring new destinations, Ciera brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life that she does to her professional mission.

TREASURER - PAM BASS

Pamela Bass is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Spradley Property Management, LLC in Temple, Texas.  She has over 35 years’ experience in Accounting, Finance and Payroll with Human Resources mixed in the fields of public accounting, healthcare, construction, small business management, banking and property management. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Payroll Officer and Human Resources Officer at Spradley Properties.  Her current responsibilities include recruitment, benefits, payroll and all accounting functions. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University.  While this is her first position with CenTex SHRM she is excited to join the team and is confident she will bring valuable experience to this position. 

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - AMY HAYES, PHR, SHRM-CP

Amy Hayes is currently the HR Director of Wellness and Benefits Temple Independent School District in Temple, TX. She is an experienced Human Resources (HR) professional with over 22 years in the field. She received her both her undergrad and masters degree in Human Resources Management from Tarleton State University, earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) in 2009 and her SHRM-CP from SHRM in 2015.

Amy has worked in all areas of HR to include, but not limited to: Employee Relations, Staffing and Recruitment, Leadership and Employee Development, Benefits/Compensation, and Training/Performance Development.

Amy is passionate about helping businesses make the most of their resources and talent and helping employees make the most of their role in the organization.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR - ALISON BECHTER

Alison Bechter recently relocated to the Temple area from Austin and co-owns Anchor Talent & Consulting. With almost 20 years in the field, she has extensive experience spanning talent acquisition, management, recruiting, and consulting across diverse sectors. Over the years, she has innovatively shaped and consulted on various programs, including recruitment, internships, college recruiting, and onboarding processes. Alison is passionate and dedicated to elevating hiring procedures, aiming to improve the experience for both candidates and hiring teams. Beyond professional pursuits, Alison is deeply devoted to her family and kids. She is often found cheering from the sidelines of a sports field or arena. She serves as an active board member for the Academy FFA Booster Club and is passionate about volunteering. Alison's commitment extends to mentoring early careerists and students, offering guidance through mock interviews, resume workshops, and providing professional mentorship, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR - BELINDA RICHARDSON, PHR

Belinda Richardson, PHR, is currently the Human Resource Manager at McLane Company. She has been working as a professional in Human Resources for the last 16 years and specializing in healthcare for the last 13 years. Belinda earned her Bachelors of Human Resources from Tarleton State University-Central Texas. She also holds a certification of Professional in Human Resources (PHR) accredited through Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Belinda brings extensive experience in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, and leadership development.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR - JULIE RODRIGUEZ 

Julie Rodriguez has been with McLane Company Inc. for over thirteen years and is currently on the teammate relations HR team. She has over 20 years’ experience in different industries: retail, manufacturing, law firm, operations, and transportation. She has worked in numerous areas of HR to include, but not limited to: Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Leadership and Employee Development, Benefits, and Training/Performance Development. She has an associate degree in supervisory management, a bachelor’s degree in business management and in 2019 earned a master of science in leadership and management. She has a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Investigations certification

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - SHIMIKA BURK, SHRM-CP

Shimika Burk, MBA, SHRM-CP, is an accomplished HR Operations Manager with over nine years of experience in talent acquisition, benefits administration, employee relations, training and development, and management. Her career began in corrections and social services, where she developed a strong foundation in complex interpersonal dynamics before transitioning to human resources. Shimika holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University and an MBA from Friends University. She is also a SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). In her free time, she enjoys watching the Kansas City Chiefs and pursuing her passion for photography.

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR - JULIE NELSON

Julie Nelson is the Killeen Workforce Center Director for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas (WSCT). She oversees 70+ Staff in various Workforce programs, in both Killeen/Lampasas offices, to include business partners located in our centers. During the 26 years that she has been working at WSCT, she has served in multiple roles and Workforce programs. 

Before relocating to Texas, Julie worked for the Department of Social Services in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, as a Protective Intake Investigator, Social Worker III, and was a Licensed Social Worker for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Julie graduated from Fitchburg State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services, with a concentration on Social Work, and a minor in Criminal Justice in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  She has a passion for helping people in our community, by providing training and better job opportunities.

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR - AMANDA EADS

Amanda Eads has an Associate Degree in Business Administration, two Bachelor Degrees in Business Administration and Business Management, and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. She is an adjunct instructor at Texas A&M University – Central Texas. She has been employed there since June 2011. Amanda mostly teaches Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development and Business Communications, but also has experience teaching in Recruiting, Compensation and Business Ethics. Amanda is also the sponsor for the SHRM student group on campus, HR Warriors Leadership Team. Amanda has a passion for making sure people know their worth and capability of greatness.

COLLEGE RELATIONS DIRECTOR - RUBY BOWEN, SHRM-CP

Ruby Bowen holds an MBA in Business Management and the SHRM-CP credential. Ruby brings over two decades of diverse human resources experience across city government, higher education, public transportation, manufacturing, and more. In 2024, Ruby transitioned from industry leadership to academia, joining Texas A&M University–Central Texas as a full-time adjunct professor.

PAST PRESIDENT - ANNA MUSULIN, PHR, SHRM-CP

Anna Musulin is currently the Human Resources Manager for Omega Builders in Temple, TX. She has over ten year’s experience in the HR field in healthcare and construction, and has loved every year of it!  She currently handles all human resource duties for Omega, including recruiting, benefits, employee relations and satisfaction, payroll and more.   She received her MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from Texas A & M Central Texas in 2010.  She earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute in 2013 and her SHRM-CP in 2015.