Who the heck are we? Meet your AMIAS HR Team ...
Michelle, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer - otherwise known as CEO & VP of HR @ AMIAS HR
Meet the CEO! Michelle started AMIAS HR in 2015 with the passion ‘to help the little guy.’ In over 25 years of human resources experience (shhh, don’t tell her we told you - she still thinks she’s 25), Michelle has worked for some amazing Fortune 500 companies and gained wonderful and life-changing experiences, but over the years realized she didn’t feel these organizations really understood that true human resources means doing the right thing. Think about it. How often do people do the right thing when no one is looking? Not necessarily the right thing for the business or the right thing for the employee … but just doing the right thing even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.
After Michelle put herself through college, gained a passion for hotrods and hockey, and then earned her degree (and then those fun little letters after her name), she started in the human resource field and quickly moved up the ranks, having the privilege of leading exceptional teams in those organizations. It was after many years of having conversations with owners, executives and amazing employees about the results of various organization’s human resource initiatives that Michelle realized her goal of helping people would be better served by working with small businesses who have the need, but not the resources, for a true human resource professional and rockstar HR team.
Boom! That’s how AMIAS came to be! And here she is still rockin’ it how many years later? You should look at the reviews – she is amazing!
Justice, HR Renaissance Woman - aka Director of HR & Special Projects @ AMIAS HR
Although Justice had dreams as a child of becoming a teacher, years later she came to realize human resources was truly the perfect fit for her. Whether she is training people on benefits, coaching a manager through a difficult employee issue or teaching a class on sexual harassment, she fulfills that childhood dream of teaching. Just don’t ask her about geography - it’s her kryptonite!
With a career that began with serving our country in the United States Armed Forces (we love our vets!), Justice is still surprised she chose to pursue human resources. However, it was a conscious choice for her, whereas many of her colleagues over the years just fell into the line more by accident. After many years in the field, Justice is still grateful and excited to get up every morning, and after a pot of coffee hits her system, practice human resources. In return, AMIAS is grateful to have her, the guiding star of the team, keeping this operation on the rails always with the best advice and zero judgement.
Bill, Chief Bottle Dirtier - also known as Director of HR @ AMIAS HR
Bill joined AMIAS in July 2022 with a cross-country move to be closer to family and soak up a little desert sunshine. Speaking of the desert, Bill’s three desert island must-haves include beer, ice cream and classic rock music.
After working for a few tyrants, cut-throats and bloodsuckers (along with plenty of excellent colleagues, as well!) throughout his career, Bill decided it was time for a change. No, he still has not achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player (Go Tigers!) - but fear not - that dream is still alive. He expects his call from the big leagues Any. Day. Now. In the meantime, enter AMIAS HR! Where the attraction is people who care. A welcome and refreshing philosophy Bill subscribes to 100% and currently applies daily in his on-site HR consulting role of a Las Vegas area AMIAS HR client.
Lisa, Champion of Workplace Happiness – aka HR Generalist @ AMIAS HR
“Don’t trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you.” In other words, don’t go looking for problems – they’ll come to you soon enough on their own if your time and attention are needed! Sage guidance and the favorite piece of advice given to Lisa that she has never forgotten. As an elementary student, Lisa wanted to be a brain surgeon, but she believes chance, the right circumstances and the right people can inspire expanded horizons, goals or vision. Landing in human resources has allowed her supportive, reliable and funny nature to shine as an on-site consultant for some of our Las Vegas clients. If she had to describe to children what she does for a living, Lisa would tell them her job is helping to make sure people are happy, understood and proud of themselves in their work. She gives everyone a voice and coaches them to be fair and nice to others.
Asked what three words her friends would use to describe her, Lisa wondered if “smartass” is considered one word, or two. Ha! We love that sense of humor and agree with Lisa’s mantra: If you don’t laugh at yourself, you’re not getting the joke. That is why she fits right in with us here at AMIAS.
When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, spoiling her “cookie monster horse,” Chevy, (she’s a dressage fan) and cat brothers, Nico (the bully) and Roux (the red-headed sweetheart) all while rooting for her favorite sports team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. It wasn’t until she was hired that we found out she has the same passion for hockey as our CEO! Go Knights Go! She also continues to brush up her French speaking skills (Allez, Chevaliers, Allez!) and likes collecting Disney cruise magnets, with Tiana and Moana being favorite characters. We are so lucky to have her.
Taura, Lead Door Knocker - aka Business Development @ AMIAS HR
Meet Taura! Known as Hunny to her grandkids, Taura dedicates exceptional, seldom-matched energy to all she does. Bringing a unique combination of experiences to the AMIAS HR team, which just happens to includes sales, her vast business knowledge is unparalleled. A local to Las Vegas (well, since 2006), her honesty and attention to detail make her vital to helping AMIAS with growing our business development.
Taura incorporates creativity and strategic thinking in building warm, long-term relationships related to business-to-business sales, particularly with HR. She brings that same energy and inspiration to her family relationships. Along with her hubby, she puts their blended family of children and all those adorable grandchildren, first, representing exactly how family comes first at AMIAS HR.
While her job and family life keep her on her toes, Taura also finds time for other passions, including exploring new things and traveling. One of her best stories is about a trip to Cancun … it’s so good, we can’t even reference it here. So not HR appropriate … the best kind.
Steph, Talent Magnet - otherwise known as our lead HR Recruiter @ AMIAS HR
No hidden talents here – this professional chameleon has many and hides none of them! Natural talent runs deep in Steph’s veins, whether as a singer (always a crowd pleaser at karaoke night), an artist, or a leader (no surprise she is the oldest child in her family), and it takes one to know one, right? She attracts talent like Vegas attracts gamblers!
Inspired by her mom, who models incredible work ethic, Steph strives to always be an asset no matter what she’s working on (particularly if it’s something that doesn’t require working from a cubicle – don’t box me in, Ma!). This philosophy has served her well throughout her varied career. Her work in the hospice field still holds a special place in her heart where Steph says it was a great privilege and honor of her life to hold the hands of many as they passed.
When she’s not matchmaking candidates and jobs, running a background check or updating job posts, Steph enjoys styling houses, making art in many mediums, thrifting and taking road trips. The desert and poolside in Scottsdale are two favorite destinations. Next time you need a boost in your day, try her go-to productivity tricks: opening the windows and blasting oldies, preferably 70's rock. She is a ride or die Seattle Seahawks fan and her friends would tell you she is a loving and hilarious firecracker! Steph also joins the Paper Nerds of AMIAS with her paper, rather than digital, calendar.
Dunder Mifflin for LIFE.
Dave, People & Culture Ops Coordinator - otherwise known as HR Generalist @ AMIAS HR
A kid from the Cleveland ghettos who somehow found himself starting out in private schools and from there in an Army cockpit as an Apache pilot; this is a one sentence summary of Dave’s life that leaves out far too many interesting details. He initially joined the military in order to pay for college, but it turns out he liked it. The Army first gave him an introduction to the world of HR, but when 9/11 happened Dave felt compelled to “join the fight” and became a pilot (thank you for your service, Sir!). Though he thought he would end up flying forever, he now finds himself happily back to living life in the realm of HR.
Per usual with military life, Dave has lived in a multitude of places, including eight different states, Germany and Korea, as well as deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His Cleveland roots run deep, though, and he is a huge fan of all Cleveland sports teams, but the Browns in particular. As a kid he wanted to be a Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. EXACTLY that! Though Dave says genetics ruled out that plan without consulting him, he still loves to talk sports all day. We just need to convert him to having hockey being his go to sport. He also enjoys reading (both paper and audio books) and playing golf. Fun fact: if Dave could choose a superpower he would, without doubt, opt to be a time traveler who would of course follow an elaborate set of rules so he would not break the universe!
He continues to learn new things and is currently working on teaching himself to video record using a gimbal. In order to keep his productivity flowing, Dave follows the practice of immediately completing tasks that only take a few minutes, while more in-depth things can be ‘triaged.’ His most inspiring role model was his grandfather, who led by example in encouraging him to just try to be a good man. Mission accomplished!
Alissa, Wordsmith to the People - aka HR Generalist @ AMIAS HR
Memories of her time in the workforce were fading during Alissa’s time spent focused on raising her family in recent years. Let’s be real - everything is a blur in the early years of parenting! It needed to be a special situation to lure her back in and working with Michelle and the AMIAS team is indeed special! Alissa feels very lucky to be part of the AMIAS crew, polishing up skills she had not used for a bit. She comes from a journalism and marketing background, giving a unique perspective on communicating with and helping people in the HR field.
Always learning, Alissa considers herself a permanent student and enjoys reading (preferably real paper and ink books rather than a screen but in a pinch she won’t be picky) and teaching herself how to design and DIY home renovation projects. The passion for paper and ink also spills over into staying organized. This may seem old fashioned, but Alissa (like Michelle, Justice and Steph) is all about analog with her paper planner instead of a digital calendar. Paper nerds, unite!
Erica, Book Balancer - also known as Billing Specialist @ AMIAS HR
Working with numbers is more than just a job for Erica. It has been a hobby since childhood when she would play with a 10-key calculator and had plans to become an accountant. In addition to over 20 years of working in collections and finance, Erica also helped share her knowledge by teaching college accounting and finance for 5 years.
Resourcefulness is in her blood and AMIAS is fortunate to have her as part of the team. If Erica were stranded on a desert island, she would choose matches or a lighter, seeds for vegetables and a knife as her three must-have items. So smart!
Andrew, IT Geek - also known as Mr. Jack of All Trades @ AMIAS HR
Currently “under contract” with AMIAS on a strictly trial basis, Andrew offers his knowledge part time, off the books, as free labor (that’s what happens when you’re married to the CEO!). Known as the Chandler Bing of AMIAS, we all have fun guessing, “What exactly does Andrew do?” To be honest, it’s a bit of a mystery. But we sure are grateful he is here and Michelle is grateful to have him here when the printer breaks!
HR Accreditations & Certifications
Hiya and Welcome!
We're so glad you are here. Now sit back, grab a drink, relax and happy reading. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Thanks for visiting AMIAS HR!