Speaker Biographical Information
Patricia Callihan-Bowman purchased the Salem, Oregon Express Personnel office in December of 2000. Her office consistently ranks among the top offices in the entire Express system of over 600 offices nation-wide. She previously held the position of Vice President Operations for Express Personnel Services. She was responsible for the operations of 11 offices (including Vancouver, St. Johns, Longview, Salem, Albany, McMinnville, Corvallis, Beaverton, Wilsonville, Hillsboro and Downtown Portland).
Callihan-Bowman joined Express in 1990 as an Account Manager. She earned her CTS (Certified Temporary Staffing Specialist) designation in 1994 and her CSP (Certified Staffing Professional) designation in 2004. Prior to Express, she was the Marketing and Member Services Manager for the Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the largest business organization in Pierce County, Washington.
She has been a member of the Salem Chapter of NHRMA since 1993 and has served the organization in several capacities including Newsletter Editor, Secretary, Vice President and two terms as President.
Callihan-Bowman is also a member of the Downtown Salem Rotary Club serving as a Board Member and on the Literacy Committee. She has served as Legislative Director for the Society for Human Resource Management Oregon State Council until 2006 and served two years as President of the Mid-Willamette Staffing Association. She is an active participant in SEDCOR . She was asked to join the Board of the Enterprise for Employment and Education in 2003 is now serving as Vice President.
Patricia strongly believes in giving back to the community you work in. Members of the Salem Express team are actively involved in and support the Northwest Human Resource Management Association, The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, the Mid-Willamette Staffing Association and SEDCOR. Several members of the Salem team serve on boards for these organizations.
Callihan-Bowman is frequently asked to speak on employment-related subjects and consults on recruitment, training, and management issues.
Agnes Balassa, Executive Director, Enterprise for Employment and Education
Agnes Balassa has over 20 years experience in public service and community development in Oregon and Washington, DC. Agnes has led a variety of programs, projects and initiatives to create a more highly skilled workforce. She has worked for private, public and non-profit organizations building partnerships to increase the investment into and success of a variety of workforce development initiatives.
In her current capacity as the Director of the Enterprise for Employment and Education, Agnes oversees a $7 million annual investment into workforce training programs. These investments pay off for the local community by
Agnes is a graduate of George Washington University, where she earned degrees in International Affairs and Program Administration. She is a supporter of a number of community organizations.
Belinda S. Kovach, Owner/Consultant, HR Results - Human Resources Management Consulting
More than 25 years experience managing human resource and operational programs in various industries which include cable television, retail and different facets of manufacturing in the U.S. and Mexico. Currently, owns and operates a human resource management consulting company, HR Results. HR Results objective is to provide and assist small, growing businesses that may not have the luxury to add human resources to their organization with the management of people.
Currently, holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Enterprise for Employment and Education, the workforce development agency covering Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, is a member of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and National Society of Human Resource Management.
Cori Clausen, Workforce Development Director, Salem and Keizer Chamber of Commerce
Attended George Fox University and graduated with a BA in Social Work. Began getting involved with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and was hired at the Chamber in January of 2007 to launch a workforce development effort called Ready to Learn - Ready to Work.