GRA Labor Relations Consultants and Trainers
| Name and Location | Background/Experience/Skills |
| Muriel Aikens-Arnold Silver Spring, MD |
Attorney with 25 year LR experience with the U.S. Postal Service. Experience as a LR Specialist at the local, regional and headquarters levels. Agency advocate in several hundred arbitrtion, EEO and MSPB hearings. Conducted national/regional advocacy training programs for LR professionals and managers. Member of collective bargaining teams for several national contracts. Adjudicated several thousand discipline and contract grievances with the American Postal Workers Union, National Association of Letter Carriers, National Postal Mail Handlers Union and National Federation of Postal Police Officers. Research and analyze more complex problems regarding contract interpretation, contract negotiations, and contract administration. Partipate in pre-arbitration with union representatives and in regional and national level arbitration hearings. |
| Jim Armshaw Baltimore, MD |
More than 30 years of experience in employee and labor-management relations (Department of Labor, Army and National Mediation Board) and 20 years experience in collaborative decision making and ADR. Former Supervisory Mediator with the National Mediation Board. Directed the DOL Consultancy Program which provided ADR and organization development services throughout DOL and to other Federal agencies. Served as TSA Peer Review facilitator and mediator. |
| Edwin Banks Beltsville, MD |
33 years experience in Federal Labor-Management Relations. Began career under Executive Order 11491 at the Department of Labor in 1971, and was transferred into the Federal Labor Relations Authority at its inception where he spent 10 years. At the FLRA, advised the Members on cases involving unfair labor practices, negotiability, arbitration exceptions, and representation matters. As a Management Labor Relations Specialist at gained practical experience in negotiations, ULPs, unit issues, hearings (both unit and arbitration), and advising managers. Significant experience in providing formal training to managers and practitioners. Served as President of the union while at the FLRA and gained experience from the union perspective. LR Rep on the national partnership between Customs and NTEU, Worked jointly with NTEU to provide a Cost/Benefit analysis of the partnership, which in part resulted in the first partnership award from the National Partnership Council. Has spent the last three years working for GRA on contracts involving both LR and ER at DHS and TSA. |
| Edwin Campbell Silver Spring, MD |
34 years experience, primarily LER. Developed and presented LR training programs, briefed high-level agency officials, and spoke in a variety of forums including the OPM SOELR, SFELRP and ILRF. Served as senior Labor Relations Consultant to the National Transportation Safety Board; As LR Officer at FDA - negotiated agreement on contracting-out studies. Renegotiated 3 articles of Collective Bargaining Agreement/delivered follow-up training. |
| Daniel Echavarren Bethesda, MD |
Wealth of Federal LR experience gained over a 30-year career with three Federal agencies – the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Office of Chief Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Served as key national negotiator on union contracts with two different Federal agencies. Participated in third party proceedings with FLRA, FMCS and FSIP. Presently supports the U.S. Mint in on-going collective bargaining. |
| Richard Fein Estero, FL |
35+ years experience designing/implementing employee/labor relations programs in many federal agencies. Consultant to TSA on ER policy and to deal with ER casework and difficult workplace disputes, including serving as facilitator, mediator in Peer Review Program. Directed “employee concerns” program at DOE. |
| Robert Gilson Virginia Beach, VA |
36 years of labor relations experience. Currently serving as Chief Negotiator for U.S. Coast Guard in negotiating Master Level Agreement for more than 20 bargaining units. As a Federal employee, represented Army, Navy, Treasury (OTS) and the National Transportation Safety Board as a Chief Negotiator and on numerous occasions at mediation and before the Panel. As a partner in private consulting firm, served as the principal consultant assisting the national bargaining teams of U.S. Customs, HUD, U.S. Attorney for DC, and many others. This involved management proposal development and union proposal analysis as well as strategic and tactical advice. As a consultant, served as Chief Negotiator for the Patent and Trademark Office in the RIF of 135 NTEU represented Trademark Attorneys. Has trained the national bargaining teams of the Social Security Administration, National Capitol Police, National Credit Union Administration, and Securities and Exchange Commission. Bob’s articles on labor relations may be found at www.FedSmith.com . |
| Sharon Heiss Great Falls, VA |
Over 26 years HR experience, specializing in LER. Represented OPM in contract negotiations and proceedings before FMCS and FSIP. Prepared negotiability briefs for submission to FLRA; assisted the Office of the General Counsel in preparation for litigation, grievance arbitrations, and hearings before MSPB and FLRA. Served as a government-wide program and policy advisor and expert resource in OPM’s Office of Labor Management Relations advising and assisting Federal agencies in the full range of LR matters. |
| Dennis Hermann Hampton, VA |
30+ years experience, recognized throughout the Department of the Army as an expert labor and employee relations practitioner and teacher. Served as adjunct faculty at the U.S. Army War College and Army Center for Civilian Human Resource Management and on Army curriculum advisory board for ER/LR courses. Served as Ft. Monroe, VA command labor relations officer. Conducted agency head reviews of about 60 collective bargaining agreements as well as providing day-to-day advice and counsel to installation practitioners. Certified by the Justice Center of Atlanta, Inc., to mediate Federal workplace disputes. |
| Lou Hoffmann Arlington, VA |
30 years managing HR and civil service employment law programs and projects. Developed and implemented agency policies and procedures; possesses a wealth of experience in labor and employment law and policy, employee relations, EEO, Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act administration, and government ethics . Currently providing LR consulting services to the Department of Homeland Security. |
| Sandy Keppley Catonsville, MD |
More than 25 years Federal experience; retired as Director, Employee and Labor Management for Department of Labor. Significant technical skill in labor and employee relations as well as other HR areas. Certified mediator. |
| Harold Kessler Silver Spring, MD |
41 years Federal experience including 33 years in leadership positions with agencies that administer the Federal sector labor-management relations program. Provided consulting services on all facets of the development and administration of a Federal sector labor-management relations programs, and operating a Federal agency under the jurisdiction of such programs. Involved in Department of Homeland Security activities to establish an internal LMR program, including the drafting of regulations and case processing procedures. Extensive experience in dispute resolution. |
| Jerry Lelchook Gainesville, VA |
30+ years in leadership and managerial positions in Federal Human Capital. Principal advisor to Secretary of Labor and top DOL execs and managers in all aspects of LER. Chief Negotiator, negotiated and administered DOL’S collective bargaining agreements at Headquarters and Regions. Principal architect of the Department's Labor-Management Relations Partnership during the Clinton administration, resulting in the Department winning the first National Labor-Management Partnership. |
| Joann Lucero Washington, DC |
30+ years of LER experience. Manager and advisor for employee and labor relations to senior executives as well senior military officers within Headquarters Department of the Army. At Comptroller of the Currency, served as manager and expert advisor in ER and conflict management and as an executive coach to senior management. Certified mediator and a certified leadership coach. |
| Mike Mack Hampton, VA |
33 years Federal experience and 5 years consulting in LR. Former Deputy Civilian Personnel Director and Labor Relations Officer for a large Army command. Experience as a guest speaker at conferences and workshops, as an adjunct faculty member at the Army Center for Civilian Human Resource Management. |
| Bernard Moffett Alexandria, VA |
32 years HR experience. At NTSB participated as a member of the management team in hearings before FLRA identifying employees eligible to vote in the Union Representation election, and as a member of the management negotiating team developing a new AFGE collective bargaining agreement. |
| Dyer Morse Roy, UT |
Former Director of Civilian Personnel at large military installations with more than 38 years of HR experience, primarily in LER. Involved in contract negotiations with several different Air Force installations’ unions. Wealth of experience in contract negotiations and labor law. Trains TSA employees on all aspects of the Peer Review Panel Program facilitator and mediator. |
| Donald Musacchio Norfolk, VA |
36 year Federal career. Former Department of Agriculture Director of Labor and Employee Relations. Represented Food Safety and Inspection Service management in dealings with a very aggressive bargaining unit; included interaction with industry and consumer groups, members of Congress and various media representatives. Frequently sought after as speaker and trainer; conducted hundreds of LER training programs attended by literally thousands of federal managers. |
| Marie Musante Lovettsville, VA |
Ms. Musante has over 36 years of Leadership and Human Resources experience including Labor Relations Officer for GSA, an agency of 18,000 employees, where she was responsible for the nationwide labor relations program involving 18 unions including two holding national recognition. Negotiated two national agreements both of which are substantially still in tact. As a Labor Relations Specialist, served in both operations and staff functions. Detailed to the National Archives to provide LR expertise to management to aid in developing a workable relationship with their union. Also served as Personnel Officer for an Inspector General’s organization and Chief Human Resources for a major agency component. Ms Musante is a Certified Mediator and has served as an EEO investigator and Counselor. She is currently Director of Human Resources and EEO Services for GRA. |
| David Orr Silver Spring, MD |
35+ years of experience in designing, managing and administering Federal HR programs in both large and small agencies. Provided consulting services to the Department of Homeland Security-Transportation Security Administration (ER), the United States Capitol Police Department (LER), Federal Election Commission (LER) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development-Kansas (LER & Training). |
| Christopher J. Perillo Delran, NJ |
Chris Perillo is an attorney with more than 20 years experience, specializing in the employment and labor law areas. Successfully represented management in litigation defense in federal, administrative, and state courts. Defended employment discrimination, employee discipline, ULP cases prevailing in virtually 100% of substantive matters. Negotiated a trail blazing settlement, representing management, in a class action grievance-based case in which a large collective bargaining unit sought environmental differential pay for exposure to secondary tobacco smoke. Advantageous settlement resulted in avoidance of potential multi million dollar liability and formation of groundbreaking management labor partnership agreement. Selected for troubleshooting team to assist clients with major labor and employment challenges. Utilizes his experience in counseling clients in the full range of human resources management functions including labor and employee relations, EEO issues, collective bargaining, conflict resolution, and grievance handling. Developed and presented customized training to management on varied legal topics. |
| Jeffrey Perrotta High Point, NC |
31 years of Federal experience; 25 years advocacy experience in Arbitration, EEOC, MSPB, and private sector dispute resolution. Managed LR staff of specialists for the United States Postal Service responsible for administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, giving field advice to managers regarding employee discipline, diversity issues, FMLA administration, EEOC application and matters of Labor Law. |
| William Persina Washington, DC |
Appellate Litigation Attorney and Legal Advisor with 36 years of experience. Served as Solicitor (chief legal officer) of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Argued cases before Federal District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts. Served as Of Counsel to Mahoney & Mahoney, LLP, and Director of Litigation for the National Treasury Employees Union. |
| Paul Pollinger Alexandria, VA |
34+ years HR experience, including 16 years as the head, Employee and Labor Relations, within several Department of the Navy organizations. Currently advises TSA managers and HR and administrative officials at airports throughout the US on all employee relations issues facing managers at TSA, conducts ER training at TSA and reviews, summarizes and prepares draft decisions on TSA employee appeals. |
| Rick Reda Manassas, VA |
37 years experience in EEO and LER. Former Director of Employee and Labor Relations for DOE headquarters. Currently consulting and training in ER/LR and Conflict Management for TSA and NASA. Certified as a mediator and facilitator. |
| Donald Rider Brookeville, MD |
Expert in labor & employment law with 30+ years experience in Federal labor-management relations. Author of labor and human resources articles and books; frequent speaker at conferences. Served as chief negotiator or deputy chief negotiator for more than 8 major term agreements. Represented agencies in mediations, ULPs and before the FSIP. Developed and presented basic labor relations training courses to 500 + top managers of the Government Accountability Office headquarters and regional sites. Faculty member at the University of Maryland University College in HR/Business curriculum. |
| Peter Rockx Manassas, VA |
Served in a variety of HR management positions during 33 year Federal career, both at agency field operations and headquarters levels. Director of the Human Resources Policy Division Program in USDA’s Office of Human Capital Management, responsible for policy assessment and development in employment, employee development, labor and employee relations, employee recognition, and classification and pay. Most of his career and specialization was in labor-management and employee relations. Program Manager for Labor Relations at USDA, Branch Chief for Labor and Employee Relations, and Labor Relations Officer at USDA-Forest Service. Ten years as a Personnel Officer in two National Forests. Served as key player in the organization and administration of the Forest Service Partnership Council (FSPC), a collaborative labor-management forum established in 1993, between the agency and the National Federation of Federal Employees. |
| Stephen Schumacher Saint Leonard, MD |
35+ years experience managing HR programs, including LER. Former Chief, Labor Relations and Performance Management Service Center, Federal Communications Commission. Developed progressive LMR programs, through constructive and cooperative working relationship with the unions. As a consultant, developed and delivered extensive LR training. Provided a full range of LER on-site support to the U.S. Capitol Police. Researched and developed LER and performance management policies and procedures for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; provided management training on those policies and procedures. |
| Dominic Scola Trinity, FL |
More than 34 Federal HR experience. Instrumental in advancing a highly successful Dispute Resolution Program for the United States Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers, serving as the lead trainer for the USPS. Extensive experience in labor relations, including national contract negotiations for the United States Postal Service, arbitration advocacy, MSPB and EEO. Facilitator/Mediator for a Peer Review Pilot Program with the Transportation Security Administration. |
| Robert Sherman Palm Harbor, FL |
Former Chief of Labor and Employee Relations with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, with 32 years Federal service. Chief negotiator for initial collective bargaining agreement with professional unit that primarily represented INS attorneys. Directed policy development and administration of ER, performance management, disciplinary and adverse action, labor management cooperation, and LR with three agency-wide unions representing 100% of bargaining unit eligible employees. Participated in developing DHS LER directives, management guidance, and conducted LMR and ER training of DHS representatives. |
| Kenneth Smith Phoenix, AZ |
35+ years leadership/operational experience in LER, performance management and awards. Developed and implemented legislation, executive orders, demonstration projects, regulations, policies, programs and procedures in these fields and managed an operational LER office at DOD and Treasury/IRS. Serve as Project Manager for team of GRA consultants involved in developing and implementing the new HR program authorities at the DHS in labor relations, performance management and awards, and adverse actions and appeals. GRA LR trainer for several agencies. |
| Nellie Sue Thompson Los Angeles, CA |
27 years with the U. S. Postal Service and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 19+ years managing/working in all facets of Labor Relations. Extensive experience in Labor law and Employee Relations. Possesses a wealth of experience and expert knowledge in the Grievance-Arbitration process, EEO, MSPB, performance management, workplace conflict resolution and local Contract negotiations. Experienced in TSA Peer Review as facilitator and mediator. |
| Ron Walczak Manassas, VA |
Strong background in LER at Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Secretary, the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Key participant in development and implementation of HHS’ active workplace alternative dispute resolution program. As a consultant worked with the DHS CHCO staff on implementing the labor relations, adverse actions, and appeals portions of new HR system. Assists the Immigration and Customs Enforcement management bargaining team in term negotiations with AFGE. Serve as employee relations trainer for TSA. |
| Robert Walter Great Falls, VA |
A J.D. with 39 years of legal, LER, and EEO experience with the Department of the Interior and GAO. Expertise in dealing with poor performers; how to structure disciplinary actions; and how to draft personnel documents and all aspects of discrimination law, including processing of complaints and litigation procedures. Handled cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Special Counsel’s Office, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, arbitrators and grievance examiners. Has conducted broad range of LER and EEO training for GRA. |
| Bruce Waxman Fairfax, VA |
37 years in employment law and LER. Former Chief Counsel, Employee/Labor Relations for the Executive Office of Immigration Review, Department of Justice. Directed a staff of ER/LR specialists and attorneys. Represented labor and management before arbitrators and administrative agencies, FLRA, MSPB, EEOC, and the Foreign Service Grievance Board and in matters involving the Office of Special Counsel. Agency counsel in proceedings throughout the US in federal district and appellate courts. Adjunct faculty for the School of Management, George Mason University. |
| Don Wilson Escondido, CA |
39 years Federal LER experience. Held supervisory, managerial and advocacy positions with the Department of the Navy. Was responsible for the Department of the Navy Labor Relations Program for naval activities on the West Coast which encompassed California, Washington, and Alaska, until retiring in 2007. Served as chief negotiator on a number of labor contracts. Since joining GRA, Don has served as Chief Negotiator on a new collective bargaining agreement for a VA Medical Center on the West Coast. |
| Paul Wolfe Fairfax, VA |
33 years of Federal service, much in labor/employee relations where he served as chief spokesperson for national level agreements. Led dealings with unions in all matters, including contract administration, ULP charges and grievances. Served as the chief spokesperson for DoD Dependent Schools during the negotiation of two national-level agreements. Presented cases to the FLRA, MSPB, and arbitrators. |