Thank you once again to everyone — attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers — who had a hand in delivering another successful year of the HRSouthwest Conference. The event continues getting better year after year as a result of your contributions, efforts and feedback. An especially loud applause goes out to conference director Lety Yañez, CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, for her amazing leadership and vision. For great captured moments throughout the event, check out the recap video and the #HRSWC social wall, which streamed liveTwitter and Instagram posts to the Conference "big screen."
Christopher C. Antone, JD, Inducted into the HRSWC Speaker Hall of Fame
The HRSouthwest Conference (HRSWC) recognized Christopher C. Antone, J.D., as its 2015 inductee into the HRSWC Speaker Hall of Fame at the opening general session of the 74th annual event, held Oct. 25-28 in Fort Worth, Texas. The program was established in 2013 to honor speakers who exhibit professionalism and speaking excellence, and who continually contribute to the conference to further the profession of human resources. Inductees are evaluated by their peers and each candidate must excel in content, delivery, professionalism and communication.
Antone first spoke at the HRSouthwest Conference in 1994 and, for the last 21 years, has achieved universally positive reviews for his presentation content and style. He joins previous inductees Michael Mirarchi, J.D., and Alice Dendinger, SPHR, in this distinguished honor.
Antone joined the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) nearly 40 years ago, when he was a member of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations’ student chapter of the American Society of Personnel Administration. His dedication to workplace issues continued in law school, where he was recognized as the top graduate in the study of labor and employment law, the specialty area in which he was subsequently certified by the State Bar of Texas.
In addition to a full labor agency litigation and labor arbitration caseload, Antone is also an active speaker with several Texas SHRM chapters, often presenting on various legal matters and hot topics. He also teaches the National Labor Relations Act section to HR professionals seeking professional certification. Antone regularly contributes to the DallasHR chapter, spearheading the organization’s Legal Breakfast Series since 2010. In addition, he is a long-time presenter at the DallasHR Legal Exchange events.
Throughout his 34-year legal career, Antone has been committed to educating all levels of management in achieving their business goals within the law — his focus on prevention rather than cure. He would much rather be known as the lawyer-educator than the lawyer-gladiator. Antone is a shareholder in the Dallas office of Jackson Lewis P.C., having been with the firm for more than 32 years. He has been named one of the nation's top 100 labor lawyers by the Labor Relations Institute for five consecutive years.
Wendy Chance, CTS, Recognized as Texas Volunteer Leader of the Year at the HRSouthwest Conference
Wendy Chance, CTS, was named the 2015 Texas Volunteer Leader of the Year during the closing general session at the HRSouthwest Conference. The award recognizes those individuals whose volunteer efforts and impact are exemplary in serving the human resources community in Texas. Chance was selected from a pool of highly deserving candidates nominated within Texas SHRM, an organization comprised of more than 19,000 members, 33 affiliate Society for Human Resource Management chapters and 32 student SHRM chapters throughout the state.
As we wrap up another successful year of the HRSouthwest Conference, we quickly turn our sights to the planning of next year. Kim Scott, PHR, SHRM-CP, and Kathy Hassenpflug, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, will lead the conference board throughout the next 12 months to create and deliver a highly productive HRSWC, filled with top-notch educational offerings and networking opportunities.
And 2016 will be a particularly special year for HRSWC...we’ll be celebrating our 75th anniversary. We hope to see you Oct. 16–19 in Fort Worth, Texas. You won’t want to miss it!
Texas SHRM