ARLINGTON INSTRUCTOR
Judith Dye, SPHR, is the director of human resources for SAGE Systems Technologies, LLC, a government contractor currently doing business in 35 states. Prior to joining SAGE, she spent eight years working various human resource positions that included duties in employee relations, employee development, compensation, benefits, payroll, recruiting, performance management and coaching and counseling.
Dye has a master's degree in human resource management from Marymount University. While there she also obtained a master's certificate in instructional systems design. Judie's bachelor of arts degree is in international studies from George Mason University. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
HERNDON INSTRUCTOR
Melanie S. Ott, CSC, SPHR, is the principal and founder of Leap Forward Coaching, a firm dedicated to helping clients achieve greater satisfaction, balance, and success in their professional and personal lives.
With over 25 years of human resource, corporate training, and coaching experience, Ott is uniquely qualified to guide teams, workgroups, and executives through challenging situations and toward greater success. Ott’s passion and commitment energize the coaching process and help facilitate positive personal and organizational changes that her clients truly value.
Ott was drawn to coaching because she is both a highly empathic and powerful communicator and a skilled problem solver in one-on-one and team settings. Her unique strength is in challenging clients with powerful questions that clarify their needs and the best strategies for achieving greater success and happiness.
Ott is a Certified Success Coach (CSC) through the Success Unlimited Network (an International Coach Federation credentialed program). She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She holds a BS in business management from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in adult learning and human resource development from Virginia Tech.
Ott is an instructor for George Mason University’s Office of Continuing Professional Education and an instructor for the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). She was recognized with a 2006 Human Resource Leadership Award (HRLA) for exemplary leadership in the HR profession and serves in several volunteer leadership roles throughout the community.
Human Resource Management Certificate
2009 SHRM Learning System®
ALEXANDRIA INSTRUCTOR
Karen E. Burton, SPHR, is the Director of Executive Recruitment for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration Central Office in Washington, DC, where she has responsibility for recruitment for VA positions in the Senior Executive Service. Burton brings over 32 years of federal HR and training experience with her. She has worked as an HR generalist, employee and labor relations specialist, HR chief, and a Network HR manager at several VA facilities located throughout the United States.
In addition, Burton has been responsible for human resources training in the VA “Nuts and Bolts” supervisory training, development and presentation of training for human resources related topics throughout the VA, and numerous other staff development initiatives.
Burton has served as the agency representative for the VA on several adverse action cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), with a 100% agency sustained record. In addition, she has often been called upon to serve in investigative, advisory, and educational roles related to human resources across the VA.
Burton obtained her certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute in May 2003.
ARLINGTON INSTRUCTOR
Paul Shibelski has held management and executive-level human resource positions since the mid-1970s. Strategic HR management, organizational and HR planning are among his many areas of expertise. He is an expert witness on HR issues and regularly presents to groups on issues in the field. He formerly was a manager and HR effectiveness leader in the advisory Washington federal practice with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC. Mr. Shibelski currently heads the human capital programs practices at Crown Consulting, Inc. in Washington, D.C.
Shibelski has an MBA with human resource management focus from American University, where he also implemented the graduate program in strategic human resource management. He has been an instructor for the SHRM Learning System since 1995 offering the PHR/SPHR preparation course to over 2,500 participants over the years. He regularly teaches at various universities in the national capital area, is former Maryland state director for SHRM and is former president of the Montgomery County, MD SHRM. He is currently the Maryland state council certification director. He holds a life-time designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR).
FAIRFAX INSTRUCTOR
Judith Dye, SPHR, is the director of human resources for SAGE Systems Technologies, LLC, a government contractor currently doing business in 35 states. Prior to joining SAGE, she spent eight years working various human resource positions that included duties in employee relations, employee development, compensation, benefits, payroll, recruiting, performance management and coaching and counseling.
Dye has a master's degree in human resource management from Marymount University. While there she also obtained a master's certificate in instructional systems design. Judie's bachelor of arts degree is in international studies from George Mason University. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
HERNDON INSTRUCTOR
Thersa Hutton-Sherman is a certified Senior Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience. She has worked with all levels of employees in the telecommunications, manufacturing, and business services industries. Her areas of expertise are recruiting, training development and implementation, process and policy design, and employee relations.
Some of her accomplishments include: the design and execution of a three-month sales program for new graduates, a new hire orientation program, development of management practices guides, career development and succession planning programs, and the research and selection of HRIS systems.
Hutton-Sherman received her BS from Shepherd University. In addition to her HR expertise, Thersa has an AAS degree in paralegal studies and has held numerous management positions throughout her career.
INSTRUCTOR FOR ALL HR ONLINE COURSES
Toni Knechtges, SPHR, is a human resources professional with over 20 years experience in the automotive manufacturing and transportation service sectors. She received her bachelor of science in management and her master of science in business administration from Madonna University where she graduated with high honors. Ms. Knechtges is a graduate of the Leadership Works Program sponsored by the University of Indiana Center on Philanthropy. She was also a member of the charter graduating class of Leadership Plymouth.
Knetchges served as the Human Resource Certification Institute director for the Michigan Society for Human Resource Management Council (MISHRM), for five years prior to being elected to her current position as Director of the Michigan Council of SHRM.
Knetchges is a full time lecturer at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) where she teaches business, labor relations, ethics and human resource management courses for both graduate and undergraduate students. Knetchges is a co-faculty advisor for the award winning EMU student chapter of SHRM. Knetchges also serves as founder of A.S.K. Consulting Group, a training consultant firm, focusing on HR training for such varied clients as Lear, Detroit Chassis, and Jackson Physician Alliance. Knetchges has conducted training sessions for the professional HR staff of the City of Detroit, Yazaki, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and others.
Knetchges served as an active member of the Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit for over 15 years holding several board positions including President in 1999. She is also a member of Greater Ann Arbor Society of Human Resources (GAASHRM) and the Livingston Area Human Resource Association (LAHRA).
Additional non-profit board involvement includes a position on the Operation ABLE of Michigan Board of Directors. Operation ABLE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work with older adults to assist them in bringing their technological skills up-to-date. Knetchges has facilitated the Operation ABLE annual Think Tank for the past five years. Knetchges served six years on the board of the Michigan Cancer Foundation, West Regional board, Karmanos Cancer Institute.
SPHR INTENSIVE REVIEW INSTRUCTOR
Thersa Hutton-Sherman is a certified Senior Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience. She has worked with all levels of employees in the telecommunications, manufacturing, and business services industries. Her areas of expertise are recruiting, training development and implementation, process and policy design, and employee relations.
Some of her accomplishments include: the design and execution of a three-month sales program for new graduates, a new hire orientation program, development of management practices guides, career development and succession planning programs, and the research and selection of HRIS systems.
Hutton-Sherman received her BS from Shepherd University. In addition to her HR expertise, she has an AAS degree in paralegal studies and has held numerous management positions throughout her career.
