2019 is off to a great start for the HR Florida State Council, which has been honored with the Seven Seals Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a U.S. Department of Defense program, for its meritorious leadership and support of men and women who serve our country as part of the National Guard and Reserve.

Throughout our State Council, our volunteer leaders dedicate countless hours to advancing the profession and serving the professional. Without each volunteer leader, HR Florida would not be a success. We are so proud of all of the work that our volunteer leaders do and, each year we recognize one leader as the Volunteer of the Year.

Each year, HR Florida opens a statewide nomination process to identify the HR professional deserving of being recognized as HR Florida’s prestigious HR Professional of the Year. This year, we partnered with Fisher Phillips to provide this award to our outstanding HR professional. Candice Pinares Baez of Fisher Philips (partner in the Fort Lauderdale office) presented the award to Mark Codd, our 2018 recipient. We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate Codd as HR Florida’s 2018 winner!

Marty Bryson, Secretary of HR Florida, Inc. recently asked me how we ended up with The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc. (DMF) as our Charity of Choice for the 2018 Conference, and to write about it. So, it was Saturday morning, the magazine deadline was looming, and I wanted a little quiet time to reflect and focus on my task at hand. That was most definitely NOT going to happen at my house on a weekend with a hungry teenager (when ISN’T he hungry?), an elderly dog who snores, and a cat who feels entitled to sit on my keyboard. So, I went to one of the local fast food franchises to sit and have some coffee and a biscuit, and take advantage of their free wi-fi to compose my thoughts. Pen to paper as it were.

It is an employee's market. National unemployment is at 4% and Florida is currently at 3.9%. Employees have the ability to pick and choose from multiple job offers, and “job-hopping” (or, employees changing employers frequently) is at an alltime high. The search for qualified talent has human resources professionals searching for alternative sources for potential hires. HR Florida recognized that individuals with developmental disabilities are an untapped source of talent and are underrepresented in the workforce.

THE HR FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL IS THRILLED to recognize the many achievements of its chapters each year. Annually, the council identifies up to three chapters with the Chapter Excellence Award. The honor recognizes demonstrated knowledge, achievement, inspiration, and change through the execution and accomplishments of one or more of the core leadership areas, including: college relations, diversity, global affairs, legislative affairs, membership and workforce readiness or certification.

THE HR FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE recipient of its 2017 President’s Award – Tom Topping, SHRM-CP, PHR. Each year, the HR Florida State Council identifies one exemplary chapter president who has significantly impacted the performance of their chapter by leading with a combination of compassion, creativity and innovation. During 2017, Topping achieved exemplary results for the Suncoast chapter. For several years, the chapter hosted an annual conference for human resources professionals. Although professionally run by dedicated chapter members and well-received by attendees, the conference was not profitable.

EACH YEAR, HR FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL (HR Florida) recognizes a human resources leader who has advanced the profession in a significant way with the HR Professional of Year award. On the morning of the announcement, Jackie Stevens sat in the audience, third row, second section, left side of the hotel ballroom at the 39th HR Florida Conference & Expo alongside an estimated 2,500 other professionals representing various industries. She listened as HR Florida President Lynnette Holsinger welcomed conference attendees, thanked sponsors and introduced the conference emcee. Soon after, Holsinger’s attention turned to the distinguished HR Professional of the Year award.

MIKE OWENS IS A HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER AT LANDRUM HR and currently serves as president of the Greater Pensacola SHRM Chapter. Owens was recently honored with the Department of Defense Seven Seals Award in recognition of his extraordinary support of the men and women who serve in the Reserve Components of America’s Military.

ANNUALLY, DURING ITS CONFERENCE & EXPO, HR FLORIDA supports a charity making a significant impact in Florida communities. The Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF) was selected as the charity for 2017. On day two of the conference, and as a part of the charity initiative, the veterans were recognized for their service to the country. At about 8:30 that morning, each veteran was introduced, called to the stage and recognized with a Veteran Service Medal provided by the Florida Veterans Foundation and presented by Florida Senator Victor Torres.