Our Talent & Business Collective

Pam Schwartz, BA

 Engage Employment Solutions, LLC Founder,  HR Consultant and Career Development Coach with over 25 years of HR leadership experience.

Pam has served in various industries, including the public sector as City of Naples' Assistant HR Director, retail as HR Director for Wynn's Properties, Sunshine Ace Hardware, Wynn's Market and Wynn's Catering, and healthcare for Battle Creek Health System, the IHM Sisters, the Adrian Dominican Sisters, CentraCare, and as HR Director for Calhoun County's mental health authority - Summit Pointe.

Although she led organizations in all aspects of human resources, her true passion was in relationship-building and talent acquisition.

Following her early retirement from Summit Pointe in 2016, Pam turned her focus towards helping others with their resumes and interview skills.

In 2017, she established Engage Employment Solutions, LLC  where she successfully assists individuals in need of career development and also assists smaller businesses that cannot afford their own HR department or high-cost specialty consultants.

Pam's philosophy has always been that work is life and life is work, which is why she continues to be dedicated to helping others achieve their success.

Pam lives in Marshall, Michigan, working locally and virtually nation-wide.

Pam can be reached, followed on social media, or connected through any of the following:

Email: Pam@ees.solutions

Phone: 269-924-9572

www.linkedin.com/in/pamschwartzees

Lori Burke, MA, SPHR, SHRM-CP

Senior Human Resources Consultant

A trailblazer with more than 30 years of HR leadership experience. She has held senior leadership roles in various industries, including government, technology, health care, production home building and retail. 

Lori currently serves as a Sales Enablement Specialist with BKS Partners and works with Engage Employment Solutions on special projects. 

Lori believes in a consultative approach to working with her clients and always serves with their best interest in mind. She is passionate about helping others discover and become their best in their professional life. 

Lori holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, and is dual certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and is active in her local chapter. She believes in giving back through knowledge sharing and has been a featured speaker at various human resources seminars and business events. 

Lori lives Bonita Springs, Florida, working locally and virtually nation-wide. She can be reached , followed  on social media or connected through any of the following: 

Email:  Lori@ees.solutions

or

LoriBurkehr@gmail.com  

Phone: 239.290.5678

  www.linkedin.com/in/loriburke  

Jamie Schook, MBA

A results-driven HR/business consultant who has been driving organizational success in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years. She has servied in leadership roles, such as HR Director and Director of Operations.

She is a passionate trainer with a wealth of financial, operational, and human resources expertise, which makes her a valuable asset for growing organizations. Jamie's exceptional grant writing and management skills are particularly useful for organizations that have yet to explore such funding options. Her operational strategies are designed to boost productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Jamie is also a clear communicator who makes training sessions fun and effective.

Jamie lives Battle Creek, Michigan, working locally and virtually nation-wide. She can be reached , followed  on social media or connected through any of the following: 

Email:  Jamie@ees.solutions

Phone:  269-924-9352

  www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-schook-965110b5  

Jill Harper, BSBA

 A HR Consultant and Career Coach with over 12 years of experience in human resources and office administration. She has worked with some of the most popular and beloved retail brands, including Ethan Allen Furniture and ACE Hardware.

Jill's HR skills were developed through hands-on experience, building HR programs for small businesses. In her previous roles, she often wore multiple hats, serving as both an office manager and HR administrator. However, her favorite aspects of these roles were employee training and career development. Jill enjoyed helping people and companies grow and succeed.

After raising three children, Jill decided to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management. She completed her studies in just 22 months and graduated in December 2022, combining her new cutting-edge knowledge with her years of hands-on HR expertise.

Jill is a resourceful problem solver with a think-outside-the-box approach to finding successful solutions. She understands how individual pieces fit into the big picture and can effectively communicate this vision with both employers and employees. In addition to finding business solutions, Jill is also passionate about helping people find their career fit through coaching and training.

Jill lives and works in Castle Rock, Colorado, bringing her expertise and passion to the local and larger virtual community. She can be reached by the following:

Email:  Jill@ees.solutions

Phone: 303-570-1895

Kim Byrne , MA, SPHR, SHRM-CP

A Career Coach with a masters degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, the SHRM Human Resources Professional certification and Advanced Graduate Certification in Personnel/Labor Relations. She also completed Masters-level coursework in Counseling and Psychotherapy. 

Her areas of passion directly correlate with Engage Employment Solutions as she has worked in municipal government; co-owned a staffing agency; worked in the career counseling department of a university; taught Principles of Management on the college-level; and continues to coach clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities for independent and community involvement. 

Kim is also active with her local Port Charlotte SHRM Chapter and is also a member of the national SHRM organization.

Kim can be reached , followed or connected through any of the following: 

Email: kimshrmfl@gmail.com 

Phone: 941-626-1830 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimbyrne

 James Schwartz,BA,  CPTED

Safety & Security Consultant

Jim served in law enforcement for over 30 years and in the fire service for 5 years. He served Collier County Sheriff Office as their Crime Scene Lieutenant and retired as City of Marshall's Public Safety Director - overseeing both police and fire operations.
After retiring from the public sector, Jim serves as a Corporate Safety & Security Manager for a large international manufacturer. 

Jim's provides organizations with Site Security Assessments, assistance with workplace Violence Threats and provides Active Shooter Training. 

To learn more about Jim's safety & security services, please contact us at 269-924-9572 or through our contact page. 

Leslie Hurd

Vice President of Operations

Vantage Point Benefits Solutions

Engage Employment Solutions partners with Vantage Point Benefits Solutions to provide our Michigan clients assistance and options with their employee benefits. Leslie is well-known in the greater Marshall are for providing much needed benefit solutions. 

After obtaining her Bachelors degree in Business with a concentration in Insurance, she has been busy helping employers with their health, dental, life & supplemental plans for the past 15 years. 

We encourage you to contact Leslie for any of your employee benefit needs at 

lhurd@vantagepointbenefits.com

or call her at 269-781-7199

Jenna Hurd-Begg

Registered Financial Advisor

* 12 years in the financial industry with Vantage Pointe Financial Group

* Registered Investment Advisor Representative

* Associate in General Studies & Arts, Kellogg Community College

* B.A. from Olivet College

* Married & residing in Marshall

We encourage you to contact Jenna for any of your finanical and retirement planning at 

 jhurd-begg@vpfgroup.com

or call her at 269-781-7199

Robert B. Hurd, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF

Registered Investment Advisor

Professional Qualifications

• Associates Degree: Kellogg Community College
• American College: Chartered Financial Consultant designation
• American College: Chartered Life Underwriter
• Life Underwriter Training Council and the National Association of Life Underwriters, LUTCF designation
• American Management Training Council Graduate
• *MDRT: Million Dollar Round Table and Court of the Table

Community Involvement

• Exchange Club of Marshall, Former President and Former State President
• Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
• CCEPC: Calhoun County Estate Planners Council, Former President and Former Secretary
• Formerly a member of BNI: Business Network International, Treasurer
• Oaklawn Hospital Benefit Auction Volunteer
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
• Society of Financial Service Professionals, Southwestern Michigan Chapter
• MMA: Marshall Manufacturing Association

We encourage you to contact Rob for any of your financial and retirement planning at 

 rhurd@vpfgroup.com

or call him at 269-781-7199

Sue Cugno

Vice President, Unit Manager

Lockton Companies

Sue has developed creative strategies within human resources and employee benefits for over 30 years. Experienced in both the public and private sectors, she consults with organizations to develop creative and cost-effective employee benefit strategies with Lockton.

As the world's largest privately owned, independent insurance broker, Lockton is able to provide unparalleled resources and teams emplowered to deploy all of the firm's services and expertise for your benefit. Your organization will benefit from our nationally recognized leaders in their respective fields, including Actuaries, Compliance Attorneys, Health Reform Experts, Health Risk Solutions, Clinical Claims Consulting and Communications Specialists. www.lockton.com

To learn more about Lockton's capabilities and Sue's experise, please reach out to her at scugno@lockton.com.