IPMA-VA 2012 Spring Conference Speaker Bios

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IPMA-VA 2012 Spring Conference Speaker Bios

Scott Wayne, The Frontier Project	Scott advises clients on driving change through large, complex organizations and coaches executives in techniques of influence and negotiation. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Georgetown University, where his research focused on influence projection in negotiations. His career includes stints leading trade and business development campaigns for the UK Trade and Development Agency, a global law firm and an international bank. He advises executives of some of the leading corporations, banks, professional firms and NGOs in North America and Europe.
Brian Marks, CEBS, Principal; VSCPA Insurance Service Center, Executive Director Dominion Benefits	Brian Marks is a Principal with Dominion Benefits and directs the efforts of the Virginia Society of CPAs Insurance Service Center, which currently advises and provides benefit solutions to many VSCPA members and their organizations throughout the state. He also manages a number of strategic accounts across a variety of industries and is responsible for developing new client relationships. Brian has over 19 years of broad-based experience in the health insurance and employee benefits fields. He began his career with Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he held a variety of sales, marketing and account management positions before moving to UnitedHealthcare. Brian holds a B.A.from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Brian has earned a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation and achieved fellow status in 2003. Brian can be reached directly at bmarks@dominionbenefits.com.
Tim O’Shea, Managing Principal Digital Benefit Advisors	Tim O'Shea is managing principal at Digital Benefit Advisors, a division of Digital Insurance, which is the nation's fastest-growing employee benefits advisory. He has three decades of experience in the benefits industry, including top leadership positions in both the carrier and broker sectors. O'Shea believes in providing the best of both worlds for clients: the ability to offer local market expertise, proprietary analytics and hands on service - all with the backing of a strong, technologically driven, national organization staffed by experienced middle-market benefits leaders. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Virginia, where he played on the lacrosse team and was a member of the TILKA leadership society. O'Shea also obtained an MBA from the Darden School of Business, was vice president of his class, served on the University Honor Council and was elected to the ODK and Raven societies. He remains active as a member of the board of managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association and as a co-founder of Geronimo Lacrosse, a youth sports program.
Deborah Slayden, Director of Workforce Development and Strategy, VCU Health System	Deborah Slayden, MBA, MSHA, director of Workforce Development and Strategy, VCU Health System, is responsible for strategic planning and implementing initiatives to attract and maintain a qualified workforce with the necessary skills and abilities to achieve the mission and goals of the organization. In this capacity, she works closely with senior leadership to foster an organizational philosophy of work/life balance and places into practice actionable steps to meet workforce needs from both recruitment and retention perspectives. Prior to joining the VCUHS 13 years ago, she was employed for 18 years with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in various HR functions, including director of HR for several local community hospitals. Slayden has over thirty years of HR experience in health care and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree of Business Administration from Averett University. She is also a 2010 graduate of the Master’s of Science in Health Administration program from Virginia Commonwealth University. .
Mary Jo Fields, Director of Research, Virginia Municipal League	Mary Jo came to the league in 1984 following eight years as a research analyst at the University of Virginia's Institute of Government. Prior to that time, Mary Jo was a research associate at the University of Alabama. She holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Alabama and a bachelor's degree in political science from Auburn University. At the league, Mary Jo follows education, education finance and retirement issues. She serves as executive director of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association, a VML affiliate member and also serves as secretary-treasurer for the Southern Municipal Conference.
Tony Bussard, Senior Web Solutions Consultant Aon Hewitt	Tony Bussard is a senior web solutions consultant in Aon Hewitt's Point Solutions practice. He has over 10 years of in-depth experience partnering with external clients to design and deliver HR information and transactions using electronic technologies. Tony has implemented engaging solutions that include HR web sites and portals, streaming video and audio, and email and text message campaigns. Tony is one of Aon Hewitt's leading experts in self-service design with emphasis on the quality of the customer experience. He is the product owner of Decision Direct, Aon Hewitt's premier online application designed to guide employees in making sound benefits decisions. He also has an extensive background in the areas of HR transformation and HR service delivery, as well as HR business process outsourcing. His domain experience includes human capital management, organizational and employee development, benefits, staffing management, compensation, and technology. Tony has worked with clients in a number of industries, including health care, finance, insurance, retail, high-tech, agriculture, and transportation. Before returning to Aon Hewitt, Tony worked for Towers Perrin and Ceridian Benefit Services. Tony is an award winning web designer, writer and photographer. He earned a B.S. in mass communication from Illinois State University.
David Blanchard, Principal Digital Benefit Advisors	David Blanchard is a principal at Digital Benefit Advisors, a division of Digital Insurance, which is the nation's fastest-growing employee benefits advisory. Blanchard has a decade of experience in the insurance industry and has served in various roles on both the carrier and agency sides - roles that have included principal and account manager for various-sized accounts, from 100 to 1,200 employees. His goal is to "be a student of the benefits industry and be proactive in the changing health care environment." Blanchard places a high value on the analysis and economics of health care cost and consumption. He prides himself in being extremely responsive and a trusted partner and advocate in a complex industry. Better decision making and improved outcomes for both the employer and employee are the natural result of these relationships. Blanchard received a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and pursued post-graduate studies there at the McIntire Business Institute. He serves as a board vice president for the Blue Sky Fund and sits on St. Gertrude High School's Board of Visitors. He is licensed to sell life and health insurance products.