TAHRA Board of Directors

Melissa Lockhart, SHRM-CP, SPHR, serves as the Human Resources Director for Medefy, which is a benefits navigation software platform that provides the easiest way for employees to access their health benefits, navigate their healthcare, make smart decisions, and save money.

Melissa has over 14 years of HR management experience in the industries of software development, manufacturing, engineering, non-profit and hospitality. She also has over a decade of experience working in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. Melissa holds her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification through HRCI and her SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification through SHRM, and is a certified Domestic & Sexual Violence Response Professional (CDSVRP).

Melissa loves all things TAHRA and has been a member of TAHRA since 2008 and has served on the board for several years. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Tulsa Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator Association (TEEOCA). Melissa also serves on the OSU Employee Business Development (Tulsa area) Advisory Board as well as the Family for Life board (a non-profit that matches and trains foster families), and was previously nominated by the Oklahoma Attorney General to sit on the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.

Melissa is a native of Owasso, OK and is married with three boys, two Boston Terrier dogs, and one cat.

Jackie Ramage graduated from the University of Oklahoma with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human relations, including a special emphasis on organizational development. She received a graduate certificate in Human Resource Diversity and Development further underscoring her passion for the topic in her profession.

Jackie currently serves as the Director of People at Brief Media, a leading veterinary media company that develops practical peer-reviewed educational content and point-of-care tools for more than 259,000 veterinary professionals worldwide.

Jackie is a SHRM certified professional, and in 2017 was selected by HR Magazine and the SHRM membership department to represent the top 30 millennials leading HR into the future. Jackie volunteers her time in several board positions, including the marketing chair for the Return on Inclusion (ROI) Summit, the social media chair for the Oklahoma HR State Council, and held positions of VP of Public Affairs and VP of Membership for TAHRA. Jackie will serve as the co-chair for the 2022 OKHR State Conference and 2022 President-elect for TAHRA.

Rhonda Rush, PHR, SHRM-CP is the HCM Consulting Manager with CS3 Technology. She is a Tulsa native and Human Resource professional with a diverse knowledge and experience in multiple industries. Rhonda serves as President on the board of the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association. She has hands-on experience leading HR and payroll initiatives including policy design, compensation, performance management, recruiting, compliance, HRIS implementations and workflow, training and development, and benefits administration. Rhonda has presented on topics including Recruiting & Retention, Employee Relations, Employee Discipline, Leadership, and many other HR and Business-related topics. Rhonda received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.

Brandon is the Vice President & Chief People Officer (CPO) at Mill Creek Lumber. With over fifteen (15) years of experience in Human Resources, he is a fast-paced, results-driven thought leader with over twenty-five (25) years of management experience across a variety of industries. Brandon is passionate about helping everyone around him be better through coaching, training and experiences, and believes continuous improvement is essential for long-term success both individually and for the organization.

Brandon has certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a SHRM Specialty Certification in People Analytics.

Prior to Mill Creek Lumber, Brandon was the CPO for Sherwood Companies for four years. He has also served as the Senior HR and Talent Development Director at SPX Corporation. Before his 7-year stint at SPX Corporation, Brandon worked as Senior HR Generalist and Talent and Organizational Development Manager with Whirlpool Corporation. Brandon gained considerable management and leadership experience in operations and sales management in the banking, entertainment, manufacturing and construction industries.

Brandon was also an adjunct professor of Leadership, Management and HR. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Area Human Resource Association (TAHRA) for nine years including the Association President role and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Jordan Cox has over 16 years of professional experience in Human Resources with a career spanning commercial real estate, car rental, oil and gas, and now software as service. Jordan is a Tulsa native and a proud graduate of Memorial High School and Oklahoma Baptist University where she majored in Human Development. She has served in Generalist capacities, specialized in Employee Relations, and formed the HR department for two start-up oil and gas companies. Jordan has looked to serve in roles with organizations that value people where she can facilitate the company's commitment to its employees.

Jordan was a 2019 DisruptHR presenter and has served on the personnel committee for a large faith-based organization. She volunteers with the Little Light House and cares about impacting the stigma of employees with special needs in the professional work force.

Sarah began her career in Human Resources after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She began working at a recruiting agency serving the full-life cycle recruitment process and within 3 years moved from Recruiter to the Director of Operations overseeing the entire company portfolio from internal employees, contractors, agency partners, vendors, customers, and clients. It was during this time that she went on to receive her PHR and began working as an HR consultant for the business helping clients overcome HR obstacles within their organziations.

Sarah loves all things HR and thanks to her involvement with TAHRA she has been able to grow substaintially in her career. In 2021 Sarah joined the TAHRA Board as Chair of the Workforce Readiness Committee and continues to grow in her love for helping others in navigating through the challenges we face in an ever changing HR world.

Sarah is a huge advocate of employee engagement and culture initiatives and believes that by hiring the right people from the beginning, and setting new employees up with an integrated and thorough on-boarding process, you will set them up for success which is what she has been working hard to help achieve throughout her time at her current employer, TAT Technologies. Tasked with creating the entire Recruitment and Talent Acquisition infrastructure in a global, multi-site, matrix organization she has had plenty of exposure and opportunities to do just that.

Currently when Sarah is not at work, she is still working, pursuing her SHRM-SCP, but for a little more fun, you can also catch her at the soccer fields cheering on her family (yes, they all play!) and hanging out with her children; step-son (8), son (7) and daughter (3).

For more than 30 years, Kirk Turner has represented companies and management exclusively in all aspects of labor and employment law, with a specific emphasis on litigation before federal and state courts, regulatory and administrative agencies, and in arbitration matters. He has particularly extensive experience defending employers in discrimination, harassment and civil rights matters, and routinely represents management in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Kirk serves as leader of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group, one of the largest of its kind in the region.

In addition to his private practice, Kirk has served in leadership positions for a significant number of professional industry groups on a local, state and national level. He has served on the board of directors for the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA) for two decades, previously served as the organization’s president in 2002-2003, and currently serves as its general counsel and vice president of legislative affairs. He served five terms as the vice president of legislative affairs and general counsel for the Oklahoma State Council for Human Resource Management, an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management, and is a past board member of the Tulsa Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinators’ Association. Kirk has served on the State Chamber of Oklahoma’s Human Resources Committee and Legislative Affairs Committee, been a member of the National Employee and Labor Relations Committee for the Society for Human Resource Management, and has served as general counsel for the Tulsa Better Business Bureau. He currently serves as general counsel for WorkForce Tulsa.

Kirk’s achievements have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (employment law–management; labor law–management; labor and employment litigation), Oklahoma Super Lawyers (“Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers”), and Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, where he has been recognized for his “impressive litigation practice” as well as his specialized knowledge of labor and employment issues affecting the motor dealership industry.

Brittany Currier is an HR professional dedicated to improving workplaces and growing businesses through strategic HR solutions. She currently works as an HR Consultant and Business Development Specialist for The People Perspective, a human resource consulting firm that specializes in providing customized HR solutions.

Brittany earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences from Oklahoma State University and also holds her SHRM-CP certification. Her business and HR experiences has come from working in human resources, recruiting and sales within organizations across a variety of industries. Additionally, Brittany loves to serve the local HR and business community. She is currently serving as the VP of Public Relations for the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA) and as a Board of Director Member for the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce. Finally, Brittany has received the New Professional of the Year Award from the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association in 2019 and the Emerging Leader Award from OKHR in 2021.

Terasita Cowan, SHRM-CP, PHR serves as the Benefits Manager for Muscogee Creek Casinos, which has over 1900 employees and 9 casinos throughout Oklahoma.

Terasita has over 20 years experience in human resources, specifically in benefits plan management.

Terasita received a bachelor of Science from Oklahoma City of University and has a Master in Business Administration from Northeastern State University and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction with emphasis on Educational Technologies form Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She also serves on the Tulsa Advisory Board for the Salvation Army. Terasita enjoys spending time with family and reading in her spare time.

Senior Global Human Resources Professional with over 15 years’ experience across multiple industries. Well versed in all aspects of employee development, including training, compensation, and engagement. Extensive experience and focus in talent pipelines and retention, implementing and improving talent acquisition processes. Enjoys collaborating with senior leadership and key stakeholders, implementing workforce development and change management initiatives, as well as process improvements. Thorough knowledge base of rules and regulations providing an atmosphere of compliance and confidentiality. Track record of utilizing a team-building and mentoring approach to departmental organization. A professional who has successfully balanced focus regarding people and business. Erin is motivated to make a positive difference in life and work through one conversation at a time. These efforts have expanded Erin's scope of influence creating more challenges and opportunities to grow and develop herself in human resources and people operations. Erin has a desire to learn more so she can be the best she can for those she comes in contact with; not limiting the scope of influence to those in the workplace.

Stacey Hicks, SHRM-SCP, serves as a Senior Human Resources Manager with Community Action Project of Tulsa. She has a passion for creating innovative strategies to deliver affordable health care, mental health resources, and competitive wages through employers and affinity groups. Stacey possesses 22+ years of experience working in benefit design and administration, managing FMLA, HRIS benefit systems, compensation, and financial planning.

Stacey became a Tulsa transplant 19 years ago after living on various Native American Reservations and serving tribal communities. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Dakota and holds her Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) though SHRM. She works with local and national partnerships to promote domestic violence awareness through distribution of videos, music, and digital media. Stacey has five children which keeps the family engaged with sports, band, and musical interests.

Denise’s passion is connecting people to resources, networks, and best practices. She possesses 20+ years recruiting, diversity, equity, and inclusion program management, and community engagement experience. She believes in providing connections and tools to help create more inclusive and innovative cultures. Denise’s experience includes corporate, nonprofit, and community development. She believes people and collaboration are the key to creating stronger businesses and communities.

She currently serves as a SHRM/USAA Foundation Veterans Ambassador with the goal of employing 62,500 veterans by year end 2022.

Denise is a member of Society of Human Resource Management, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Oklahomans for Equality, Oklahoma Veteran Connection Network, Tulsa Area Human Resources Association, Leadership Tulsa, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, and volunteers and serves on multiple boards in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a hockey mom, wife, and loves spending times with friends in family when she is not on the road for work or hockey.

Penny Horton is an expert human management consultant, influential HR blogger and thought leader. Founder of the boutique management consulting firm Who’s Your HR?, Penny specializes in strategic guidance that helps businesses navigate the legal complexities of being an employer and optimizing workforce performance.

Penny has extensive proven experience creating and managing human resources and organizational design strategies. She is a trusted expert in human behavior, motivational theory, employee engagement, organizational capability, employment law, HR policy creation, affirmative action, and drug and alcohol testing and compliance.

An active community advocate for small business and entrepreneurship, Penny serves on the board of the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association and is involved in several professional organizations that promote the value of people, including Overcoming Job Transition (OJT Tulsa), OK Ethics, TulsaHRC, NDASA, SAPAA, and the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

Susan McGinnis is an Employee Benefits Specialist and Insurance Broker. She sells and provides (diligent) ongoing customer service for group insurance products. Any benefit an employer wants to offer its employees she can obtain quotes and help navigate the process. 

In 1998, Susan became a founding partner as Vice-President of BenEx Insurance, an employee benefits insurance agency in Tulsa. BenEx services small and large clients including Self-Funded benefit plans. Susan enjoys collaborating with clients as their businesses change and grow. 

She is Past-President of the Tulsa Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU) where she earned national recognition of Silver Seal for an outstanding chapter. Susan was also Past-President of the Oklahoma State Association of Health Underwriters (OSAHU). She was awarded Health Underwriter of the Year in the State of Oklahoma in recognition of her leadership skills. One accolade Susan was honored to receive was Businesswoman of the Year by the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

Her passion is not only helping employers and employees navigate the maze of employee benefits but also in benefits education each year at Open Enrollment. Last, but not least, is when billing and claims get offtrack, she firmly believes in making sure the policy pays accordingly to the policy sold!

Dr. Barbara A. Abercrombie, a human resource professional from Oklahoma, is the Vice President and CHRO for the University of Tulsa. Barbara has served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for several Universities including, University of Oklahoma- Tulsa, University of Arkansas, Texas A&M as well as the University of North Texas System where she oversaw three campuses and the system office for Human Resource and Organizational Effectiveness. She has her doctorate in workforce education and human resource development from Oklahoma State University. Her research focus is on employee engagement and generational cohorts in the workplace. She has a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern State University. Barbara has been on faculty at the University of Oklahoma Human Relations Department and served in many leadership capacities for CUPA-HR in Oklahoma and Nationally. She is thrilled to be back home in Tulsa.

Tanecia is an HR Professional with over 10 years of experience in Human Resources. She has a demonstrated history of working in various industries to include non-profit, manufacturing, staffing, call centers, health care, and the oil and gas industries. Her skill set includes, Payroll, Compensation, Management, Organizational Development, Recruiting, HRIS Systems and Training and Development. Tanecia also has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management Information Systems, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management, and a Master of Science (MS) in Psychology.

Leslie began her HR career over 23 years ago. With a B.A. in psychology and a MS in counseling, both from Oklahoma State University, her interest in helping people succeed has always been the driving force in my work. When people succeed, our businesses thrive and that is critical to the strategic initiatives that we, as human resources professionals, should be leading.

Leslie’s experience ranges from staffing, manufacturing/service, health care, construction and currently the financial services industry. While some things are very different in each industry, one thing remains the same- people need to work in environments where they feel they are making a difference for those around them.

Throughout the years, Leslie’s responsibilities have included recruitment, benefits administration, HRIS transition teams, employee engagement, professional development programming, employee relations and all other aspects of helping people lead people well! At her current role at Tulsa Federal Credit Union, she also serves as a co-executive sponsor to their Diversity and Inclusion Council.

In addition, she also serves on the board of Rogers County Youth Services, an organization that supports Rogers County youth and their families in a variety of settings: classrooms, family/individual counseling, and juvenile offenders, etc.

Brittany Morgan is a graduate of The University of Houston – Clear Lake with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. She began her career in human resources through talent acquisition and operations management. She had the opportunity to partner with various clients across the financial, technical, communications, administration, and various other fields to build long-lasting relationships and provide quality customer service to clients and candidates. She holds a SHRM-CP with a background in talent acquisition, benefit coordination, employee relations and all other human resource functions. She currently serves in a generalist role in the non-profit sector where she can combine her passion to help people with her career. Brittany is passionate about human resources because she believes great programs in organizations increase productivity and the quality of life for both employees and organizations.

In her personal time, you can find Brittany enjoying a cup of coffee in a Tulsa coffeehouse, spending time with her family and friends, or at any of her kid’s sporting events. She volunteers as a Cheer Coach for elementary students at her children’s school.

Jeff Oujiri, SHRM-CP, PHR is presently a Project Recruiter at TAT Limco. He has made a positive impact as a HR Generalist and Corporate Recruiter in organizations for over 17 years. Jeff served in Operation Positive Force while serving four years in the U.S. Army as a Tank Crewman. Industry experience includes mining, transportation, oil and gas, manufacturing, commercial and industrial electrical, and aerospace. He is passionate about applying his experience to help people and organizations succeed together.

Jeff holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development from Northeastern State University with cum laude honors. He presently serves on NSU’s HR Advisory Board and volunteered as an Oklahoma Quality Foundation Examiner, which is the state version of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and fishing.

Cynthia Simmons Taylor is a 20-plus year Human Resources veteran currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Phoenix where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, respectively and holds two certifications in human resources, PHR and SHRM-CP. While she is an Oklahoma City native, Cynthia has happily called Tulsa home for the last 13 years. Cynthia’s HR experience includes work in long-term care, big box retail, and non-profits. Cynthia is also well-known as a local jazz vocalist performing in many prominent locations around Tulsa.