2023 Tammy Barthel

Tammy Barthel, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the 2023 Human Resource Professional of the Year.

Serving as a HR Director for over 20 years, Tammy has had a diverse career with expertise including responding to EEOC mediations, NLRA violations and DOL wage and hour complaints. Our recipient has hired, fired, trained, shaped, influenced, assisted, counseled, listened, investigated and supported many staff members and employees.

Under her management, her employer implemented quick links to information, instructions and best practice resources, which is a previous recipient of the ARSHRM Best Practice award.

Under Tammy’ leadership, her staff implemented “Devil’s Advocate,” an information communication style of scenario-based questions to determine decisions. The program allows team members to question each other’s decisions and research information. It’s a way to look beyond the facts of a situation, remember compliance issues, consider how the decision could impact others, and allows the team to look deeper at employment decisions. 

She is a past chapter and state council volunteer, serving in numerous roles such as President, Membership, Treasurer, At Large Director and Legislative Director.

Having written numerous articles, speaking at events, and holding a master’s in accounting and HR Management, Tammy formerly worked for SPMI, now known as My HR Professionals, and is currently the HR Director for Fort Smith Regional Dialysis.