2013 Thomas Dunlap, PHR

Having served ARSHRM as the Director of Federal Legislative Affairs and represented ARSHRM at the SHRM Employment Law and Legislative Affairs conference, Thomas Dunlap, PHR has communicated directly with Arkansas’ members of Congress and the Senate regarding issues of interest to the Human Resources Profession. This individual has spoken at chapter events and state conferences, and has served his chapter as the Legislative and Certification.

Thomas researched, developed and coordinated with interested parties to establish a law that provided for a voluntary veterans’ preference for private employers. That bill, Voluntary Veteran’s Preference Act for private employers (HB1575), is now Act 598 in the state of Arkansas.

A former high school American history teacher, Thomas found an unexpected interest in HR while working part time at R.E.I, Inc. After several years of Operations Management within R.E.I., he became the HR/Benefits Administrator for Benton County Arkansas. Benton County’s worksite wellness initiative was recognized as a statewide Best Practice by ARSHRM, and led this individual joining the Health Care Reform conversation through features in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, L.A. Times, and the Washington Post.

We are pleased to present the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award to Thomas Dunlap, PHR.