State of Alabama Day
Employer Panel Discussion and Luncheon

Noon – 1:30 PM Employer Panel Discussion and Luncheon

BY INVITATION ONLY.

Activities: A panel of state agency representatives will discuss their career paths, experiences, and advice for students.  A luncheon will be provided.

Moderator: Brad Robbins, Director, AUM Career Development Center

Panelist Bios:

Brent Hatcher, Deputy Chief of Staff, Alabama Department of Public Health
Brent Hatcher has been with the Alabama Department of Public Health since 2005 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Brent has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems. He also has a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in Global Management. He is a graduate of the South Central Public Health Leadership Institute and is currently certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Brent currently trains staff on a variety of topics including, Professionalism, Customer Service, Interview and Selection Skills, Performance Appraisal, Progressive Discipline, Work Life Balance, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Dealing with Difficult People, and Understanding Yourself: The Key to Success.

Latanga Fore-Kennedy, Assistant Personnel Director, Alabama Department of Transportation
Latanga Fore-Kennedy is the Assistant Personnel Director for Alabama Department of Transportation. She has been employed with ALDOT for 19 ½ years. For 16 ½ years, Ms. Kennedy worked in the East Central Region as a Division and Region EEO Officer. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama in Sociology and Human Resource Management. She also earned a master’s degree in Social Gerontology from the University of South Alabama as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. She serves on the AASHTO Committee on HR, as a member of the Council of Personnel Administrators, and as a member of ALDOT’s Leadership Steering Committee. Ms. Kennedy has been married to her husband for 21 years. She loves her church, family, and shopping.

Michelle Hendrix, Human Resources Director, Alabama Department of Insurance
Michelle Hendrix currently serves as the HR Director for the Alabama Department of Insurance and has been there since 2017. Michelle has a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Human Resource Management from Troy University. She received the Certified Public Management (CPM) Certification from Auburn University in Montgomery in 2023. She is an accomplished human resources leader with extensive experience in various industries in state government including Insurance Regulation, Law Enforcement, Human Services, and Unemployment. In her current role she is responsible for planning and organizing the Human Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Insurance to include managing the agencies appraisal system, progressive discipline, recruitment activities, statistical reports concerning personnel related data, and advising the department’s leadership regarding human resources related issues.

Robyn Peacock, Director of Personnel, Alabama Department of Human Resources
Robyn Peacock has been with the Department of Human Resources for two years as Director of Personnel, having spent the previous 8 ½ years in the Personnel Division of Public Health. Robyn holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management, an MBA in Management and Strategy, and is a Certified Public Manager. She has developed and conducted training on Performance Appraisal, Family and Medical Leave Act, Interview and Selection, and Quality Improvement, and firmly believes that training and development opportunities for employees lead to greater job satisfaction.

Linda Ellis, Human Resources Director, Alabama Department of Revenue
Linda Ellis has been with the Alabama Department of Revenue since 1996 and currently serves as the Human Resources Director. Prior to that, she worked with the State Personnel Department for 8 ½ years. Linda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from AUM. She is also a Certified Public Manager and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.