Brett Virgin, CFP

President

Senior Consultant - Alera Group

When not serving as volunteer President of the GEA, Brett helps businesses with their employee benefit planning.  He began his employee benefits career in 2000.  Over the years, he has assisted numerous mid-market employers, with their group medical, dental, life, and disability insurance needs.  Brett has been instrumental in guiding companies through the implementation of partially self-funded plans and health insurance captives.  Additionally, he possesses extensive experience in executive benefit planning, including supplemental disability insurance for highly compensated employees. In 2004, Brett earned the CFP® designation.  He is a Senior Consultant with the Alera Group.

W. Melvin Haas III

Chairman of the Board
Partner (Retired) - Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Mel is a retired Equity Partner of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP and former Office Managing Partner of the Macon, Georgia, Office. 

Mel practiced management labor law for over 40 years, including 2 years as a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board and 2 years as in-house counsel for a major corporation. Some of Mel’s noted accomplishments include: Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow of the American Bar Association, AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Vice-Chair of the Labor Relations Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Boards of Directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Employers’ Association, and the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Past President of the Georgia Defense Lawyers’ Association. He was a Georgia Super Lawyer, has been recognized in the publication Best Lawyers in America, and has been recognized by Labor Relations Institute and the Human Resources Executive Magazine several times as one of the “Top 10 Most Powerful Labor Attorneys” in the United States. He is also a former Chapter Editor to the Developing Labor Law, BNA.

A noted author and speaker, Mel successfully handled over 150 elections, (five of which involved units of over 1,500 employees), hundreds of campaigns, numerous arbitrations, NLRB trials, appeals, and oral arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals. Mel also represented employers in hundreds of EEOC charges and other Title VII matters, and litigated employment discrimination, wage and hour, and other related matters. With Mel’s extensive experience, he provided clients with creative business solutions to workplace legal issues.

W. Jonathan Martin II

Chief Financial Officer
Macon Office Managing Partner - Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP 

Jonathan is the Office Managing Partner with the Macon, Georgia office of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, and Prophete, LLP who specializes in labor and employment law. His practice focuses on employment discrimination litigation for management, defending corporations in lawsuits arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as related state laws. Jonathan also represents management in traditional labor law issues under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and in wage & hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), along with providing general advice on legal compliance and measures to avoid liability. Jonathan also conducts extensive management training on labor and employment law subjects for corporations and government agencies throughout the United States.

Jonathan currently serves in the Georgia Air National Guard, where he holds the rank of Colonel. He is also General Counsel for the Georgia Mining Association and is a current member of the Georgia Hospital Association. He is also the former Chairman of the State Bar of Georgia’s Employers’ Duties & Problems Committee, and the former state-wide Chairman of the Georgia Department of Labor’s Georgia Employer Committee. Jonathan has also served on the FMLA Subcommittee and the Labor Relations Committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA, former President of the Board of Directors for Leadership Macon, and the former Chairman of the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce affiliate that oversees Georgia's “Drugs Don't Work” program. 

From 2021-2024, Jonathan has been listed among the Best Lawyers in America^®. He has been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star (2013); Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 (2007); Martindale-Hubbell^® AV Preeminent® rating; Rising Star – Georgia Super Lawyers (2006).

Heatherlee Dillard-Hammonds

Chief Administrative Officer
Office Manager - Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Heather is the Office Manager and assists the Office Managing Parter at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP’s Macon, Georgia, office and brings 30 years of experience in administration, legal knowledge, operations, and team support. In this role, Heather manages day-to-day office functions, coordinates schedules, streamlines processes, and serves as a key resource for staff, leadership, and clients. Known for her organizational expertise and approachable problem-solving style, Heather is dedicated to fostering a professional, efficient, and welcoming workplace. 

In addition to overseeing the administration aspect of GEA, Heather is also our Events Coordinator. Heather brings creativity, organization, and a keen eye for detail to every occasion. With a passion for creating meaningful experiences, she manages all aspects of planning and execution—ensuring that each event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression. From coordinating logistics and vendors to designing memorable experiences for our guests, Heather ensures that every detail aligns with our mission and vision.

Bryttani J. Graddick, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Board Member/Social Media Coordinator
VP Administration & Human Resources - MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union

Bryttani Graddick serves as Chief Administrative Officer at MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union, where she leads Human Resources and Training & Development. She is also the founder of Talented Teams Consulting, LLC, coaching HR managers as they strengthen their expertise, credibility, and impact. Bryttani holds a PHR, SHRM-SCP, and SHRM specialty credentials in HR Departments of One and Workplace Investigations. A lifelong learner, she values continuous growth as the foundation of a fruitful career and the key to positively influencing others. Passionate about building strong, future-ready workplaces, she earned her BBA from Mercer University and MBA from Georgia College & State University and remains actively engaged in the HR community.

Jolene O’Brien Paver

Board Member
Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer - Blue Bird Corporation

Jolene O’Brien Paver was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ: BLBD) in Sept. 2022. In her current role, she leads all aspects of Blue Bird’s Human Resources function, including strategy, operations, compensation and benefits, talent acquisition and management, leadership development, and employee engagement. Jolene is passionate about creating high-performance teams which embrace “win as one” as a core value.

Jolene draws from over 35 years of experience across multiple Human Resources areas with Fortune 500 companies. Jolene joined Blue Bird from Dover Corporation, an $8B diversified global equipment manufacturer, where she served a Vice President of Human Resources for nearly four years. Prior to that she held senior Human Resources roles with leading multinational companies such as Honeywell, Whirlpool, Delta Air Lines, Masco, and Honda Motor Company.

Jolene holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Emporia State University in Kansas and bachelor degrees in both Business Communications and Psychology from Otterbein University in Ohio.

Danetha Belk

Board Member
Executive Director of Operations, OEM Training Centers - Georgia Quick Start

Danetha Belk is an accomplished operations and economic development leader with nearly two decades of experience driving strategic initiatives across Georgia’s public sector. As Executive Director of Operations for Georgia Quick Start, she oversees statewide training operations, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and implements process improvements that support Georgia’s globally recognized workforce development programs. Previously, Danetha served in key leadership roles within the Georgia Department of Economic Development, where she advanced community engagement, project management, and domestic and international marketing efforts. Throughout her career, Danetha has worked to strengthen partnerships across the state and support initiatives that drive business growth and workforce readiness. Danetha holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Political Science from Presbyterian College. A native of South Carolina, Danetha now resides in Atlanta with her husband.

Stephanie Thompson, PHR, SHRM-CP

Board Member

Human Resources Manager - Macon Plant, Armstrong World Industries 

Ayssa K. Peters

Board Member

Partner - Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP

Alyssa works in Constangy's Macon, Georgia office. Alyssa practices in all areas of employment and labor law with an emphasis in employment litigation and management training. Alyssa has represented a broad range of clients in employment and traditional labor matters, specializing in single-plaintiff cases, class action litigation and wage and hour compliance litigation. Alyssa also advises employers on a wide topic of practical management and employer issues such as EEO policies, attendance and leave policies and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Alyssa enjoys taking an active role with her clients to really learn and understand their working environment in an effort to help problem solve employment issues and find creative solutions. She works with small employers to help them navigate the employment arena, as well as large national companies representing them in complex litigation.

Alyssa has been recognized as a Rising Star - Georgia Super Lawyers and listed in Georgia Super Lawyers from 2017-2023.

Keiko Humphries

Board Member

President - Humphries Consulting, Inc.

Keiko Humphries has over 25 years Human Resource experience in Fortune 500 organizations, and consulting environments. She holds certifications as a Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR), Career Transition Counselor, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s Degree in Employee Relations. 

Keiko founded Humphries Consulting, Inc. (HCI) in 2002 and has focused on providing training and human resource services to small and midsize organizations in the Southeast area - manufacturing, consumer products, healthcare, financial, electrical cooperatives, and local governments. 

As an HR Professional, Keiko has worn many hats of the HR Generalist: Executive Coach, Career Transition Consultant, Compensation & Benefits Expert, Employee Relations Strategist, Recruiting Specialist, Trainer, and Speaker. Keiko has spoken on topics such as Leadership, High Performance Work Systems, Pay, Ethics, and Productivity Tools.

Keiko was a member of the startup team for General Mills’ flagship High Performance Work System (HPWS) facility in Covington, Georgia, and has worked in both union and non-union environments - developing productive working relationships in unionized environments through creative contract negotiations and contract maintenance as well as developing long term positive employee relations strategies in non-union settings.

Keiko has diverse cultural experience and is also active in community affairs. Strengths include Executive and Career Coaching, HR Technical and Organizational Design, Project Management, Problem Solving/Analytical Skills, Change Management, High Energy, and Results Orientation. These skills and attributes, coupled with a broad base of experience assure high quality consultation. 

Pete Tosh

Board Member

Owner / President - The Focus Group

Pete Tosh is Founder of The Focus Group, a management consulting & training firm that assists organizations in sustaining profitable growth through four core disciplines:  Maximizing Leadership Effectiveness; Implementing Strategic HR Initiatives; Strategic Planning; and Enhancing Customer Loyalty.

The Focus Group has provided these consulting & training services to manufacturing & service organizations across the U.S., Canada, Europe & the Middle East.

Pete has worked closely with the leadership teams of organizations such as Brink’s, EMC, State Farm, Marriott, N.C.I., Freddie Mac & YKK.

Prior to founding his firm, Pete had 15 years of corporate leadership experience including serving as the V.P. of Human Resources & Quality. Pete is co-author of Leading Your Organization to the Next Level

Pete holds a B.A. degree in Psychology from Emory & Henry University & master’s degrees in both Business Administration & Industrial Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rick Walker

Board Member

President & CEO - Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association, Inc. 

Rick started his career with Ford Motor Company as an Engineer, was the Executive Vice President of a major Tier 1, NYSE-listed, automotive supplier for 14 years, and is now President and CEO of GAMA, as well as the current President and a Founding Director of SAMA. 

Rick is currently a Partner at Clements Bernard Walker – a law firm specializing in Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related matters), and Trade Association Law. 

In addition, Rick has been named one of the “Latest Generation of Atlanta CEOs and Power Brokers” by the Atlanta Journal Constitution; awarded the NACD Directorship Certification® (NACD.DC) by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD); and named the “Automotive Leader of the Year” by the State of Georgia.

He holds both undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees from the University of Detroit, a law degree from the University of Detroit, and completed The Executive Program at the University of Michigan, School of Business Administration.