Meet Your 2009-2010 IPMA-HR Colorado Chapter Board

Board Officers

Karen Main - President  Karen is currently the Training Specialist for the City of Englewood where she manages the Englewood Leadership Institute, a comprehensive educational program for public-sector leadership development.  Prior to working for Englewood, she designed the City and County of Denver's Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program and co-authored the city's GOALS program.  As an Organizational Sociologist, Karen has a unique ability to assess an organization's culture, climate and productivity barriers and then create cost-effective, internal programming to help organizations achieve their productivity and service goals.  Karen is a popular trainer and speaker, conducting specialized workshops across the metro region on diversity, gender issues, public speaking and teambuilding.  Her passion and speciality is working with organizations and groups on customer service.  Karen received an MA in Sociology from the University of Denver and a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado.  Karen is certified to deliver Emergenetics workshops in public sector, non-profits and educational institutions. 

Don Deane - Past President/Consultant to the Board  Don worked 20 years in the public sector with the City of Boulder and is now an independent HR consultant primarily serving public sector clients.   He has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration, both from the University of Colorado. He has been an IPMA national member for 8 years and a Colorado Chapter member for 5 years; is a member of World at Work and its local affiliate Rocky Mtn. Compensation Association; and has also been affiliated with Colorado Public Human Resources Association.  Don has been a board member for KGNU-FM community radio in Boulder.  

Doug Kasyon - Vice President  Doug has 17 years of generalist human resources experience in private industry, government contracting and the public sector, with the last ten being in higher education at the University of Colorado Denver. He is currently part of their employee relations and training team and holds Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from SHRM. He has served on the boards of the Colorado chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) and the Colorado Springs Chapter of SHRM. He received his BA degree from The Ohio State University. 

Lorenda Volker - Secretary Lorenda, Human Resources Director with Larimer County, has worked in the Human Resources field for over 20 years and received her IPMA-CP certification  in 2006.  She earned a Master of Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University and has served on professional boards throughout her career.  She is currently a member of the IPMA-HR National Successful Practices/Innovations Taskforce and has served on several national committees.  She is a former Secretary of the IPMA South Florida Chapter and was the President of the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association. 

Vacant Treasurer  

Carole Buhlman - Director of Programming  Carole has been an Employee Relations Advisor for Jefferson County, a government agency with 2800 employees for almost ten years. She spent eight years working for large corporations in the retail and hospitality industries as Human Resources or Regional Human Resources Director. Carole currently holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from The Society for Human Resource Management. Carole graduated with her Masters’ Degree in Management with a Human Resources emphasis in May of 2008 from Regis University. She received her BSBA from University of Denver.  In her spare time, she became a certified paraprofessional paleontologist. Carole was a featured speaker at a National Convention in April on changes to employment laws and trends and their impact on the food services industry.

Kathy Billings - Director of Membership/Member Outreach Kathy Billings has over 19 years of governmental HR experience with the City and County of Denver.  In her current role as the HR Director for Denver's Office of Economic Development, she oversees a team of HR and Organizational Development professionals.  Her leadership strengths, strong sense of teamwork and dedication to organizational and individual advancement make her an outstanding addition to the IPMA board.

Leah M. DiMarco, MPA, PHR, IPMA-CP - Marketing  Leah DiMarco has nine years of Human Resources experience in both the public and private sectors.  She has been an employee of the City and County of Denver for seven years and currently holds the position of Senior Human Resources Professional for the Denver Department of Human Services.  In this position, Leah handles employee relations issues and Family Medical Leave.  Additionally, Leah has experience in recruitment, benefits, and training.  She received a Masters in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and holds a PHR and IPMA-CP.

Janice Alexander - Member at Large  Janice has served on the chapter Board since 2002.  She is the Acting Support Services Administrator for the City and County of Denver's Community Planning and Development Department and has worked in the public sector since 1969.  For the last 15 years her areas of responsibility have been in Human Resources and Administration.  She has been an IPMA member for 12 years, and is also a member of Professionals in Workers' Comp and serves on the City's Diversity Advisory Committee and the Citywide Trainers Network.   Additionally, in 2004, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Denver Community Federal Credit Union.  Her undergraduate work was in business management with an emphasis in human resources. 

Melanie Bass - Member at Large Melanie Bass has over twelve years of professional HR experience.  She joined the City & County of Denver in 1994 and has served in a variety of professional roles in human resources.  In her current role, Melanie oversees the development of Kronos at Denver International Airport to further the implementation, maintenance and integrity of the timekeeping system.  She also actively participates in the development of Denver's citywide pay and leave system. Melanie holds a BA in Management from Metropolitan State College, is an active member of IPMA and received her IPMA-CP certification in November of 2007.

Robert Moody - Member at Large  Rob Moody has over 20 years of experience in management and human resource development in not-for-profit and public sector settings.  He has extensive experience as a classroom instructor, facilitator, consultant and adminstrator of organization and management development initiatives.  Rob holds a Master's degree in Management and Development of Human Resources from National-Lewis University and a B.S. in Education from the University of Illinois.  He is currently a Senior Analyst in the Training & O.D. division of Career Service Authority for the City and County of Denver.