Subject: GEA Fall Conference - Elevate Your HR Game This Fall – Join Us!



GEA FALL CONFERENCE


October 30, 2025

Highridge Centre

Macon, GA


As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to invest in your most valuable asset—your people. Join us at our Fall Conference, where inspiration meets practical insights. This is more than just a gathering; it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow HR professionals, learn from industry leaders, and discover tools that can transform your workplace culture.


Don’t miss this chance to network, share experiences, and be part of a community that understands the heart of HR. Reserve your spot today and let’s shape a brighter future together!


Current Agenda


8:30 – 9:00

 Check-In / Networking


9:00 – 9:15

Introduction

 

9:15 – 10:30

Karen Walters - Beyond Culture

What the NFL Taught Me about Culture Building

 

10:30 – 10:45

Break


10:45 – 11:30

Rebecca Watters, Alera Group

 

11:30 – 12:15

 

Amy Sulka, Sandler

If you’re an HR leader, you’re closer to sales performance problems than you think. When sales teams lack process, culture, or coaching, it leads to high turnover, missed revenue targets, and endless recruiting cycles that land back in your lap. This session will pull back the curtain on what’s really holding sales teams back—and why most training doesn’t work. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to build a scalable sales culture, equip managers to lead (not rescue), and align hiring, onboarding, and development with business outcomes. If you’re responsible for talent strategy, retention, or leadership development, you can’t afford to ignore the sales side of your organization.


12:15 – 1:00

Lunch – Chick-fil-A


1:00 – 1:45

Roger Allain - RWP Lead

What Union Organizers are Telling Your Employees!

 

1:45 – 2:30

John Pryor – RWP Lead

Three Important Aspects of Leadership

 

1. Character / Trust

2. Communication

3. Assumptions


2:30 – 3:30

W. Jonathan Martin II – Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Legal Updates


EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

$50 members / $75 non-members


REGISTRATION FEE AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

$75 members / $99 non-members


Speakers Include


Karen Walters - Beyond Culture - As a full-service Human Resources Consultant, Karen has spent decades inspiring teams and helping leaders to cultivate cultures that achieve results beyond what seems possible. She has worked in multiple industries including IT, retail, non-profit, hospitality, sports and entertainment – most recently providing human resource support to the Arthur Blank-owned Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United Soccer Team.


Rebecca Watters - Senior Account Executive, Alera Group - Rebecca studied Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University, where she graduated Cum Laude. She started working in the employee benefits industry in 2012. Rebecca joined Alera Group with nearly 13 years of experience, holding both consulting and leadership roles with her prior firm. She has experience working with clients in all industries and of all sizes but specializes in mid-to-large employers. Rebecca focuses on strategic plan design, alternative funding arrangements, and claims analytics when consulting with clients. She enjoys problem solving, bringing creative solutions to the table, and focusing on the human element of the employee benefits industry. Rebecca’s passion, work ethic, and integrity have helped her to create deep and lasting relationships with her clients and within the industry. Rebecca holds designations as a General Benefits Associate (GBA) and a Certified Self-Funding Specialist (CSFS).


Amy Sulka - President, Sandler - Amy Sulka, the founder of Sales Sellutions360, is a seasoned sales professional with a wealth of experience. Having a diverse background and over 25 years of experience in roles which span business to business sales (B2B), complex solution selling, and strategic enterprise-level sales, Amy knows the ins and outs of the sales game. Driven by her love for empowering others, Amy desired a hands-on role focused on maximizing potential and achieving consistent, measurable results. With her extensive experience, expertise, and unwavering dedication to sales coaching, she is your trusted partner in elevating your selling skills and achieving tangible results.


Roger Allain and John Pryor - RWP Lead - RWP Lead specializes in providing tailored solutions to meet Human Resources, leadership training, and legal investigative service needs.


W. Jonathan Martin II - Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP - Jonathan is the Office Managing Partner of the Macon, Georgia office of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, and Prophete, LLP who specializes in labor and employment law. His practice focuses on employment discrimination litigation for management, defending corporations in lawsuits arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as related state laws. Jonathan also represents management in traditional labor law issues under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and in wage & hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), along with providing general advice on legal compliance and measures to avoid liability. Jonathan also conducts extensive management training on labor and employment law subjects for corporations and government agencies throughout the United States.


Jonathan currently serves in the Georgia Air National Guard, where he holds the rank of Colonel. He is also General Counsel for the Georgia Mining Association and is a current member of the Georgia Hospital Association. He is also the former Chairman of the State Bar of Georgia’s Employers’ Duties & Problems Committee, and the former state-wide Chairman of the Georgia Department of Labor’s Georgia Employer Committee. Jonathan has also served on the FMLA Subcommittee and the Labor Relations Committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA, former President of the Board of Directors for Leadership Macon, and the former Chairman of the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce affiliate that oversees Georgia's “Drugs Don't Work” program. 

From 2021-2024, Jonathan has been listed among the Best Lawyers in America®. He has been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star (2013); Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 (2007); Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating; Rising Star – Georgia Super Lawyers (2006).



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