Congratulations to our 2023 Winner – Gail Weidman

Gail S. Weidman is an HR Compliance Consultant for Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader committed to engineering the extraordinary with groundbreaking healthcare technology solutions for more people in more places around the world. Medtronic has more than 90,000 people across 150 countries.

Ms. Weidman has over 28 years of experience in the human resources field with an extensive background in equal employment opportunity and affirmative action program compliance (since 1998).  Her previous HR experience includes talent acquisition; employee relations; HRIS; compensation; and diversity, inclusion and equity responsibilities in various industries including medical device; aerospace/defense, postsecondary higher education, utilities, blood banking, and pharmaceutical.  Her responsibilities at Medtronic include, but are not limited to, leading, managing, and overseeing the development, communication, implementation, and monitoring of several affirmative action programs across the United States.  She serves as an advisor and consultant on HR compliance topics and matters; she conducts proactive internal evaluations of process and employment practices to identify and address potential risks; she successfully leads and manages OFCCP audits; and she collaborates and partners with internal stakeholders at all levels of leadership and across the business.

Ms. Weidman currently serves, as a volunteer, on a non-profit board of directors as Past-President & Emeritus Director of the Arizona Industry Liaison Group (AZilg) where she has held previous positions as President/Chair (for 8 years), Vice President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary since 1998.  She has also served on the Arizona SHRM State Council as Treasurer and Deputy Director of Awards & Recognition.  Other previous voluntary service includes board member of Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues and board member of Networking Employment & Training Professionals Association (NEPTA).  She has also been actively involved in conference planning for several National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) Conferences and previously held lead positions as logistics and registration chair for the 2006, 2010, and 2012 NILG conferences.  She is currently serving on the 2023 NILG Conference sponsorship committee.  She is also a member of the national Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).  In 2016, she received AZilg’s John A Garza (JAG) Lifetime Achievement Award.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management and Leadership from Arizona State University and a Master of Management degree in Human Resources Management (MM/HRM) from the University of Phoenix.  She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from HR Certification Institute and from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP), and in 2014 she received an Advanced Certificate in Strategic HR Management from Cornell University.

Congratulations to our 2022 Winner – Marian Monnig

Marian Monnig has over 28 years of Human Resources experience and 24 years of experience in OFCCP compliance management. Marian’s most recent professional experience was Director of Diversity and Compliance at HNTB Corporation, an engineering and architectural firm in Kansas City, Missouri.  During Marian’s 16 years in Kansas City she held HR leadership positions at YRC Worldwide, a LTL transportation corporation and Sprint Corporation, a technology and communications corporation.  Marian served on the leadership team of KCILG (Kansas City Industrial Liaison Group) for many years and as a member of the NILG board of directors representing the Midwest region for three terms.  Marian also served on the board of directors for the Center for Workplace Compliance.

Marian’s first introduction to the NILG was in Des Moines, Iowa when she worked for Neodata, a magazine and fulfillment company.  It was at that company where she received her first notification of a compliance review from the OFCCP.  Her life was forever changed.  Little did she know anything about federal compliance and that Neodata was the country’s third largest postal customer.  Through a quest for more knowledge about regulatory compliance Marian worked with a small group  of individuals from other Iowa contractors to put together a NILG group.   They felt that they could support and educate one another through the Affirmative Action Program process.

Marian is retired in Dallas, Texas and spends time with family, friends and travel.  Her days are filled with quilting, charity sewing, book club, bible study and most importantly her grandchildren, Ave, Brendan, Carys, and Declan.

Congratulations to our 2021 Winner – Martha Heady Messman
Diversity Compliance Manager, Cummins Inc.

Martha has been with Cummins Inc. since 2009 as part of its Global Diversity and Inclusion and Right Environment teams.  She currently serves as Diversity Compliance Manager, leading the Company’s corporate diversity compliance team, providing oversight and support of local Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) compliance in 60+ countries.  Martha’s passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and social justice both at home and abroad inspire her daily, both personally and professionally.

In her prior roles at Cummins and at National City Corporation (now PNC Financial Services Group), Martha managed the infrastructure and oversight of numerous U.S. Affirmative Action Programs, successful completion of 150+ OFCCP compliance reviews, and required government reporting.  While at National City, Martha also held successive roles as a Human Resources generalist and Employee Relations specialist.

Martha has been an active member of the Indiana Industry Liaison Group during most of her 30 years in Human Resources, EEO, Affirmative Action and Diversity Compliance.  At various times she has served as:

• Chair and Treasurer for the Indiana ILG
• Chair for the Ohio ILG
• Board Director and Executive Committee Member for the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC)
• Treasurer for the 2013 National ILG Conference in Indianapolis

Martha is a graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology.  She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

She lives in Fishers, Indiana with her husband Jason.  Martha is an accomplished seamstress, including men’s and women’s tailoring, drapery and upholstery.  Together they enjoy music, reading and history, getting outdoors, exploring nature and stargazing.

Congratulations to our 2019 Winner – Cynthia Collver

Cynthia’s Professional Accomplishments:

Joined Mid-Atlantic Corporate ILG in 1985

• One of 3 members who advocated with EEOC for a charge processing model expected to improve charge intake and charge processing time. Eventual outcome was EEOC charge triage process (A, B, C designations)
• Served on 2 EEOC taskforces – Mediation and Changes to EEO-1
• Asked by OFCCP and EEOC to speak at new compliance employee training to provide corporate perspective on auditing and charge processing procedures
• Managed agency partnerships
• Part of team that produced a manual of compliance resources utilized by the ILG member companies. Manual sold to small contractors, to expand their compliance resources, for $25.00.  As a resulted, the ILG was awarded the first ILG Eve Award.

Founding NILG Member representing Mid-Atlantic Region 1992

• Held every office except Chair
• Working with Cari Dominquez, we brought the EEOC into the NILG’s strategic agency alliances
• Co led-the Partnership Committee during which time:
• working with Jennifer Sheehy, created a formal partnership agreement with ODEP.
• Established first partnership agreement with USBLN.
• Partnered with Cornell University on multiple grants to advance employment of IWDs. Participated in several Cornell training videos.
• Recognized by Director Shui, along with Valerie Vickers, has having influenced her decision to scale back 10 regulatory requirements initially proposed.

Professional Employment

• 35 years of employment in equal opportunity, affirmation action and diversity
• Created and conducted multiple, regulatory-based employment training program on equal employment, affirmative action, pay equity, investigation procedures, labor-management relations, and lessons learned from employment related litigation
• Part of a team that successfully managed 2 major organizational changes – first successful AFL-CIO organization of a retail company and the re-emergence of MCI Worldcom from bankruptcy.
• In partnership with Edie Fraser, published the first Diversity in Defense primer and held the first corporate and government agency forum of Senior Women Leaders in Defense
• Received NET Partner and Innovation Award in 2014 from CSAVR (Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation) for advising and testing the development of TAP (Talent Acquisition Portal) designed to create a talent community of IWDs that met all regulatory staffing requirements.
• Member company of the Circle of Champions, disability best-practice employers.
• In partnership with a BAE Systems senior leader, developed and copyrighted one of the first Diversity Maturity Models.
• Coordinated team that developed and implemented company’s first Wounded Warrior life-cycle employment process that won a national Marine Corp award in 2010.  Sixteen offers made in the first year.
• Created an all industry benchmarking survey on compliance organizational structure that was adopted and disseminated through a premier employer association to over 300 large corporations.
• Trained and experienced mediator.
• Contributor to the history of affirmative book – Inside Affirmative Action by Karin Williamson Pedrick and Sandra Arnold Scham.

Cynthia’s Community Work:

• Manages and engaged in missionary outreach in Africa and Haiti
• Member of a Korean church

Congratulations to the winner of the 2018 Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award—Bari Evans,  Vice President & Company wide Compliance Manager of AA/EEO Compliance at Wells Fargo. Barry is responsible for EEO and Affirmative Action compliance and supporting processes, including oversight of the Company’s very large number of FAAPs and AAPs and government reporting. The award was presented at the Annual ILG Conference in Anaheim.

Mr. Evans has a deep and enduring passion for the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action that was formed by his eye witness to injustice in the era of separate bathrooms and water faucets for African Americans.  His college career started just a the time the 1964 Civil Rights Act was enacted into law and the ensuring throes of enforcing desegregation in the country’s institutions, including schools and universities, made for some bumpy roads in his early college journey.  Mr. Evan’s early life experiences left an indelible impression on him and served to guide his choice in a profession through which he helps enable competency in workplace compliance and fairness and inclusion.

Mr. Evans is an expert in Equal Opportunity laws and CFR 60 Regulations and is a highly regarded thought leader within EEO/AA communities across the country, including the Industry Liaison Group.  He was instrumental in the startup of the Greater Los Angeles ILG in 1993 and the Orange County ILG.  He continues to advocate for their success, from his assistance with ILG programs to promoting Wells Fargo’s corporate presence within the ILG and financial support.

In addition to his involvement with the ILG, Mr. Evans has served on the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC) Board of Directors including as Chair and Vice Chair.  He is currently serving in a second-term appointment on the CWC board.  Mr. Evans also served on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Workplace Equality, whose mission is to provide training and education to assist federal contractors to understand and comply with their OFCCP-enforced non-discrimination and affirmative action obligations.

Congratulations to the winner of the 2017 Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award—Anthony Magaro, Executive Director of Human Resources for Southwest Research Institute!  The award was presented at the Annual ILG Conference in San Antonio.

Mr. Magaro has a long list of professional accomplishments.

Mr. Magaro holds a strong commitment to championing employment opportunities for veterans, individuals with disabilities, and minority groups. He has worked to make SwRI an employer of choice for these groups and his influence prompts programs celebrating SwRI’s diverse staff such as:

• Hosting a Multicultural Fair allowing staff to host booths that provide educational opportunities and the ability to sample cuisine from various nations and cultures
• Honoring staff on Veterans’ Day with a celebration and presentation given by an invited speaker and viewing SwRI’s personal military artifacts.
• Implementing outreach initiatives to protected groups to pursue careers in science and engineering and STEM fields
• Developing a student technician apprenticeship program for hands-on technical experiences
• Providing “Code Jam,” an initiative where children of employees are exposed to careers in computer coding fields
• Prompting improved health of staff with a Wellness Journey initiative with various events throughout the year

His professional efforts have extended beyond his employer to share his expertise with others.

• Conducts courses in Fair Employment Practices and Employee Relations
• Served as adjunct faculty member for Our Lady of the Lake University; the University of the Incarnate Word, and Webster University for coursework in HR fields, Compensation, Organizational Design, HR Law.
• Taught as a World at Work faculty member for Base Pay Management and Regulatory Environment of Compensation Programs domestically and internationally to employers in China
• Presented webinars and seminars on amendments to Section 503 and VEVRAA regulations
• Served as a Veteran Recruitment panelist at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Employer Regulatory Summit

His many leadership roles in the community foster strong relationships between employers and colleges.

• Past President of the Southwest Association of Colleges and Employers (SWACE)
• Board member and strategic committees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE)
• Advisory panel for San Antonio College and university Placement Association
• Board Members for St. Teresa’s Academy Board
• Leadership with United Way of San Antonio
• Active member of many professional organizations: SACA, World at Work, San Antonio Human Resources Association, NACE, SoACE and Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the San Antonio Industry Liaison Group (SAILG)
• Member of the Science, Engineering, and Technology School Advisory Council at St. Mary’s University

Outstanding volunteer efforts for the San Antonio community for Mr. Magaro are many.

• Volunteer, Director, Committee Chair, Assistance Vice President and Life Member for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Committee. This prestigious organization has donated more than $171.4 million to very worthwhile causes such as scholarships, grants, and endowments to assist the youth of Texas in areas of agriculture and education.
• Board member of the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation
• Popular speaker on careers in science, engineering, and business
• Former coach for sports teams with Catholic Youth Organization and event announcer for several
• Champions SwRI employees to volunteer

Congratulations to the winner of the 2016 Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award—Beth Montgomery!

Beth Montgomery

• Is an exemplary leader in diversity and affirmative action compliane
• Serves as the current President of her Industry Liaison Group and has served in other committee and officer roles for that group
• Is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional
• Participates as an annual panelist for an interview skills workshop for young people with disabilities, helping to prepare individuals to enter the workforce
• Serves on the Business Advisory Council for the Center for Accessible Living where she organizes activities such as a Job Shadowing Day to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live independently
• Organizes events and fund raisers for Special Olympics, personally raising $24,000
• Volunteers with
  1.       Habitat for Humanity,
  2.       her church’s soup kitchen,
  3.       as a volunteer book reader for elementary school children,
  4.       and as a volunteer lawn services provider at the Children’s Hospital.

Congratulations to the winner of the 2015 Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award—Nora Vele!

Some of Nora’s accomplishments include:

• More than 20 years’ experience in the field and successful navigation of more than 60 audits.
• A passion for helping those who are differently abled to live a full life which includes gainful employment and the chance to start a fulfilling professional career.  For example, Nora served as the Diversity & Inclusion subject matter expert for the global differently abled team made up of eighteen (18) senior leaders from various Merck business units.
• Service as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Labor Relations committee.  The committee develops Chamber policy and programs on a wide range of labor and employment issues.
• Participation as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Minority Concerns. This committee advises the Supreme Court so that all programs, services, policies and procedures are free of any vestiges of racial and ethnic bias
• Assistance with her employer’s Corporate Leaders in Equal Opportunity (CLEO) team, which is a cross-industry team of senior equal employment opportunity leaders.
• Service with the Board of Directors for the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC).
• Other corporate leadership roles collaborating with government agencies on the integration of compliance and diversity programs
  Activity in her community, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, sports coach, and as a key leader in her church.

Congratulations to the winner of the 2015 Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award—Nora Vele!

Some of Nora’s accomplishments include:

• More than 20 years’ experience in the field and successful navigation of more than 60 audits.
• A passion for helping those who are differently abled to live a full life which includes gainful employment and the chance to start a fulfilling professional career.  For example, Nora served as the Diversity & Inclusion subject matter expert for the global differently abled team made up of eighteen (18) senior leaders from various Merck business units.
• Service as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Labor Relations committee.  The committee develops Chamber policy and programs on a wide range of labor and employment issues.
• Participation as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Minority Concerns. This committee advises the Supreme Court so that all programs, services, policies and procedures are free of any vestiges of racial and ethnic bias
• Assistance with her employer’s Corporate Leaders in Equal Opportunity (CLEO) team, which is a cross-industry team of senior equal employment opportunity leaders.
• Service with the Board of Directors for the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC).
• Other corporate leadership roles collaborating with government agencies on the integration of compliance and diversity programs
  Activity in her community, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, sports coach, and as a key leader in her church.

The 2013 winner of the NILG’s Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award was Connie P. Lahoda, Vice President, Employee Relations for Aramark.

Connie is a member of the Mid-Atlantic ILG. She has a lifetime of achievement and dedication to the ILG and to many other non-profit organizations. From teaching English as a second language to serving on a variety of boards, Connie has been a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion. Throughout her employment history she has championed affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. She is a catalyst for ILG support and a strong partner in creating a better working environment for everyone.

At the 2012 Industry Liaison Group National Conference, Darold Sawyer, Manager, Diversity, EEO & Affirmative Action Programs at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, was honored to be the fifth recipient of the prestigious Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award.

Darold’s relationship with the Industry Liaison Groups dates back to 1989 when, through his efforts, a small group of Atlanta, Georgia based contractors formed the Atlanta ILG. Darold was the founding president of AILG, serving in that capacity for nine years. In his current role, Darold provides equal opportunity and affirmative action program leadership to forty EEO establishments throughout the country for Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne.

We are sad to report Dorie Tuggle passed away on July 26, 2020.

At the 2011 Industry Liaison Group National Conference, Dorie Tuggle, President & CEO of Pearl Training Solutions, LLC, was honored to be the fourth recipient of the prestigious Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dorie Tuggle has the distinction of having been nominated by her peers and members of the Atlanta Industry Liaison Group (AILG). Dorie Tuggle’s nomination highlighted her more than 30 years corporate-related achievements and leadership in equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action at Lockheed Martin and IBM. A founding member of the Atlanta Industry Liaison Group (AILG), Dorie served on the NILG Board with Lois in 2002. She continues to be an active member of the AILG and community service organizations throughout the Southeast. As a consultant and business owner, she provides guidance, training and coaching to clients and small business federal contractors to assist
them in developing and achieving their organizational goals and compliance.

Please join us in congratulating Dorie Tuggle!

At the 2010 Industry Liaison Group National Conference, Sandra J. Evers-Manly, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility & President of the Northrop Grumman Foundation was honored to be the third recipient of the prestigious Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sandra Evers-Manly has the distinction of having been nominated by Northrop Grumman Employees and members of the Mid-Atlantic ILG.

Sandra Evers-Manly’s nomination highlighted her 27 years of experience with Northrop Grumman where she began her career as a college intern, and has held increasingly responsible roles, including Vice President of Ethics and Diversity. Currently, as Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and President of the Northrop Grumman Foundation, Evers-Manly is responsible for corporate-wide equal employment opportunity, ethics, charitable giving, community relations and employee recognition programs.

Please join us in congratulating Sandra Evers-Manly!

At the 2009 Industry Liaison Group National Conference, Bill E. Crumlett, Executive Director of Human Resources at Southwest Research Institute was honored to be the second recipient of the prestigious Lois Baumerich Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Bill Crumlett has the distinction of having been nominated by Southwest Research Employees and members of the San Antonio ILG.
• Bill has had a distinguished career, working in Human Resources for 36 years.
• He earned an MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio
• He served in Vietnam War, United States Army and received the Purple Heart
• He is a member of the San Antonio Personnel and Management Association, serving in leadership positions
• He developed “Hire A Veteran Workshop for Employers”
• He received recognition for his work as Chairman of the Worker Transition committee for the Texas Department of Commerce, Work Force Development Division

Bill has many more accomplishments not mentioned here. The National Industry Liaison Group Board is pleased and proud to recognize Bill for his dedication to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action through his work, and for emulating the life and spirit of our dear friend, Lois Baumerich.

Please join us in congratulating Bill Crumlett!

The first Lois Baumerich Life Time Achievement Award was awarded to Martha Burrage of the New Jersey and Northeast Industry Liaison Groups at the Industry Liaison Group National Conference held in Anaheim, CA in July, 2007.

Martha Burrage is the director of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity compliance at Honeywell in Morristown, New Jersey. Martha has over 20 years of experience working in Affirmative Action/EEO, and has served in many leadership capacities for the New Jersey and Northeast corporate ILGs.

Martha was a National ILG Board Member for four years and continues to contribute her time and talents to several EEO/AA professional organizations.

Additionally, Martha has the distinction of being a long-time colleague and personal friend of Lois’s, serving on numerous organizations together. At the time of her death, Lois was chair of the ILG National Conference held in New York City, and Martha was co-chair for the conference. Martha immediately assumed responsibility as chair for the conference, in addition to bearing the burden of losing her dear friend. Martha is a true professional in her life: she is a leader, a mentor, and a role model. Like Lois, Martha is an inspiration to all who believe in ensuring equal opportunity for all.

The National Industry Liaison Group Board congratulates Martha on the distinction of being the first recipient of this award.