SHRM Olympia Chapter History
The SHRM Olympia Chapter is an independent affiliate of the National Society for Human Resource Management, serving human resource professionals, managers, and executives in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Counties.
Our History
The SHRM Olympia Chapter originally formed in 2004 as a satellite of the SHRM South Puget Sound Chapter in Tacoma, Washington. Because of strong interest and participation in local events, we officially chartered the Olympia Chapter in July 2005. Starting with only 10-15 volunteers, the SHRM Olympia Chapter now has over 170 official members, and has active participation from over 200 human resource professionals throughout the region!
I recall that first meeting where a dozen or so volunteers sat around a table to discuss a partnership with the South Puget Sound Chapter to offer Olympia Satellite meetings. We started with caution offering our first program to a packed room in the backroom of a small restaurant in Tumwater where we educated 50 people on the issues of ADA. We never expected our first meeting to get so much attention and we certainly weren’t prepared for that many people. We continued offering monthly meetings for another full year before we decided to make our official split from the South Puget Sound Chapter. We gladly accepted the SPS Chapter’s words of wisdom and experience as we embarked on our quest to become an independent affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Charter Members
We recognize and thank the charter members of SHRM Olympia who helped launch our chapter:
Nikki A. Barnard SPHR |
Gregory Baxter |
Shavanna Burlingame |
Diane Christie, SPHR |
Amy Cuoio |
Pat Curry, SPHR |
Marie Davis SPHR |
Trisha A. Donohue PHR |
E. Alexandra Duncan |
John S. Eastin |
Jan Marie Ferrell SPHR |
Linda Gorseth, PHR |
Christine M. Greenwalt |
Kelly A. Gwin |
Phyllis A. Halliday |
Patricia Hazzard |
Dorothy Hibbard |
Laura Kirschner |
Susan Latham |
Brett Lorentson |
Laurie A. Milligan SPHR |
Sherer Murtiashaw |
Dan Myers |
Michelle A. Nielsen |
Leslie A. Petersen |
Patsy L. Rammel |
Melanie Ransom PHR |
Lauren Lopp |
Michael W. Sanders SPHR |
Mark Sullivan, SPHR |
Leeanna Strehlow |
Melissa Taylor |
Jonnita Thompson, PHR |
Jessica Todorovich |
Alysha Myers PHR |
Judith E. Utter PHR |
Melanie Watness SPHR |
Devi Watson SPHR |
Kenneth J. Wilson |
Terry Wilson |
Catthi Olson |
Gail Ryan, SPHR |
Mary Beth Ryan |
Chapter Presidents
2004 - | 2005 - |
2006 - | 2007 - |
2008 - | 2009 - |
2010 - | 2011 - |
2012 - | 2013 - |
2014 - | 2015 - |
2016 - | 2017 - |
2018 - | 2019 - Sue Richards, SPHR, SHRM-SCP |
2020 - Nichole Seick, PHR, SHRM-CP | 2021 - Wayne Jones, PHR |
2022 - Nichole Seick, PHR, SHRM-CP | 2023 - Jerame Johnson, SPHR, SHRM-SCP |