About Us - HR Consulting Services Monterey, California

HR is All We Do!

Since 1991, TPO is a greatly respected HR consulting firm based in Monterey, California. We are a team of highly experienced, professionally certified HR experts and Licensed Private Investigators (Lic: PI-25638) who thrive on providing HR Best Practice solutions for all sizes of employers (1, 50, 100, 1000, and more) in private, non-profit, and public sectors.

HR is all we do – and we do it with excellence. We are not a payroll or benefits company tagging on HR as an afterthought. Our consultants and staff are all long-term full-time employees – real people with critical thinking skills and knowledge. You can trust us to provide the expert support you need to comply with complex State & Federal Employment Regulations, achieve positive Employee Relations and optimize HR Strategies.

TPO Team

What Does Over 250 Years of HR Experience Look Like?

Meet TPO’s Team of HR Experts!

Each “TPO’r” is a certified, skilled, versatile and inspired HR generalist. That said, each one also has specialized expertise that we routinely call upon for client and member needs and initiatives. It helps that we genuinely like each other and have one another’s backs.

When we think we’ve dealt with every challenging employee and leadership situation we haven’t. Not to mention that HR regulations are super complicated and change constantly. To be true experts we absolutely must share information among ourselves – and we do. Both formally and informally and every day on our client’s behalf.

Every “TPO’r” is a bona fide staff member. No smoke and mirrors of independent unknowns passed off as a team. Every consultant brings decades of HR knowledge, experience, and education. The word team gets tossed around a lot, but we truly are your TEAM OF HR EXPERTS!

Learn more about each team member by clicking on their image.

Robert Russell

Principal and Co-Founder

robertr@tpohr.com

Ext. 3111

Smiling woman with gray hair and blouse.

Michaelle Stanford, PHRca, M.A.

Sr. Consultant/HR Strategy & Training Specialist

michaelles@tpohr.com

Ext. 3109

Smiling woman with ponytail and sweater.

Wendye Roach

Administrative and Communications Coordinator

admin@tpohr.com

Smiling woman with wavy hair, wearing earrings.

Jill Russell, SPHR

Principal and Co-Founder

jillr@tpohr.com

Ext. 3103

Smiling woman with glasses and striped shirt.

Caron Pearce, PHRca

Lead HR Consultant

caronp@tpohr.com

Ext. 3102

Liberty Belle (Libby)

Advisor In-Training

Smiling woman with brown hair and necklace.

Melissa Irwin,

SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP

Sr. Consultant/Training Specialist

melissai@tpohr.com

Ext. 3105

Smiling woman with brown hair, black attire.

Luisa Murcia, SHRM-SCP

Bilingual/Cultural HR Consultant

tpo@tpohr.com

Ext. 3107

Madelyn Monroe (Maddie)

Sr. Advisor

Smiling woman with glasses and earrings.

Tonja Posey, PSHR-SCP

Sr. Consultant

tonjap@tpohr.com

Ext. 3112

Man with glasses and gray mustache smiling.

Brian Pratt, PI-19075

Director of Investigative Services

tpo@tpohr.com

Employment with TPO

Got What it Takes?

If you are interested in joining this elite “Team of HR Experts” here’s what to do. First, take a thorough tour of our website. Are we aligned? Everything we do and how we communicate needs to resonate. Are you qualified to deliver the excellent consulting support and HR services we have provided since 1991? Do you work well in a focused and collaborative culture? Are you a natural “entrepreneur” – running a successful practice within a practice? And will you support TPO’s outstanding brand and growth strategies?

These are just some things to consider before pursuing TPO further…

If we HAVE described you, the work environment, and HR career opportunity you’ve been looking for then please submit your resume, salary requirements and a cover letter explaining: 1. Why you are interested; 2. What makes you qualified, and 3. Why you feel you would be a good fit with TPO as a top performing HR Consultant to Jill Russell at jillr@tpohr.com. Subject: HR Consultant Opportunity with TPO.

Open Positions

TPO Client Profile

Sound Like You?

We typically work with small to mid-sized employers in all sectors (private, non-profit and public) primarily in CA – across diverse industries. Providing a unique service to employers since 1991 by helping solve their FIVE BIGGEST WORRIES:

Confusion regarding the thousands of State and Federal employment laws
Frustration with personality conflict and employee relations issues
Concern about training managers about laws and leadership skills
Unease about running an effective, strategically aligned operation
Finding expert HR resources that won’t cost an arm and a leg!

Business Owners and Managers Who Want...

Human Resource Leaders Who Want...

HR support for important projects and training, without adding staff.
To collaborate with other expert, unbiased and trusted HR colleagues when working through complex employment decisions and challenges.
Support while transitioning from transactional HR demands, allowing more time for higher-level strategies.

Who We Work With:

A non-profit Executive Director that wants to implement formal employment policies and practices.
An Agriculture company with 1,000+ employees and an HR department that needs help training managers and completing important projects.
A hospitality company with 10 properties in 4 states and 300 employees that relies on TPO as their HR expert for compliance, training, and “as needed” problem solving.
A public sector organization that needs Harassment, Discrimination & Retaliation Prevention training for all staff.
A well-established restaurant with 60 employees and 3 locations that needs updates to current HR and personnel practices.
A well-established non-profit organization who has transformed their values, culture and needs to ensure alignment of their Employee Handbook policies.
A non-profit board of directors embarking on a national search to hire an Executive Director.
A high-tech start-up that currently has 10 employees with one person responsible for many jobs, including HR administration.
A large hospital organization with 1600 employees managing an organizational change initiative.
A medical office with 7 employees and an Office Manager who is not an expert in HR and who needs professional support and advice.
A municipality embarking on major growth and change, needing executive team development training and retreats.

Fee Structure

Two-Tier Fee Structure

TPO offers a variety of services to numerous organizations, all with different needs and goals for human resource support.

There is a two-tier fee structure, with members always receiving reduced rates.

The fees for TPO Annual Memberships are dependent on a variety of factors, including:

Size of the organization (number of employees)
Number of managers/departments/divisions/entities/locations
Number of people authorized to contact TPO for support
Desired level of interaction with TPO

TPO Community Involvement

Giving Back is Key!

We maintain a strong commitment to give back to our community. All of us at TPO contribute to the success of many business and service organizations through our volunteer efforts. We also provide focused support of our regional non-profits for their vital role in strengthening our communities.

Our Vision

CONFIDENT Leaders
POSITIVE Outcomes

Our Mission

Expert Consulting
Expert Training
Expert Investigations

Our Values

Integrity
Value
Relationships

WHAT DO OUR MEMBERS AND CLIENTS SAY?

"We have been fortunate to work with TPO for many years, and to say that their services have been such a huge safety net for us is an understatement! With the complex and often changing HR landscape of California, it is essential to have a trusted partner like TPO by our side. They update us on any changes to HR laws which may affect our organization; they offer valuable support whenever needed and provide solid and well-thought-out advice and recommendations.

Recently, we asked TPO to review our handbook and they created an updated and relevant edition which has already helped both our staff and management team. "

First Tee Monterey County – TPO Member
Nick Nelson, CEO

*Not Enough Time in the Day? You Are Not Alone!*
Time waits for no one and being efficient with time management is every busy leader’s dream. Beyond calendars and scheduling, this session provides tips on reducing time wasters, running more effective meetings and delegating without guilt.
Top Time Wasters Boss / System / Self-Imposed Time Time Management Matrix & Tools	Using Strategic Delegation to Develop Individuals and Increase Time The Balance Wheel Conducting Effective Meetings

Schedule and Registration 9:00am - 11:00am
Member Rate: $245 per participant* Non-Member Rate: $295 per participant

VirtuaLive Schedule:	June 12, 2024

TPO Member	*Discount Code: Member (case sensitive)

	Register to Attend a Prescheduled Multi-Client Program Purchase 3-Day Video Recording Access Pass Schedule Client Exclusive (In-person and/or on-line) Request More Information

*Giving Your Best and Betting the Most in Return!*
Are you happy with your Performance Management system and practices? Dissatisfied with their “check off the box” approach, many employers are changing their performance management philosophy to a culture of continuous dialogue and feedback. Through planned goal setting and real time employee check-ins, managers are learning it is easier to provide needed real-time resources for improvement and growth yielding reduced conflict and increased employee confidence and motivation. Want to learn more about what others are doing and how you can too? Join us as we cover:
Performance Planning & Review Cycle Setting Clear Goals and/or Performance Expectations Regular Performance Check-ins	Employee Self-Reviews Completing & Delivering the Performance Review Development Planning

*Changes Happen to Us Everyday… Discover How Handling the Change Will Help You Succeed Through the Transition!*
You’ve heard it before… change is inevitable. In the business environment, it is common to see re-organizations, new leaders, mergers and acquisitions, reductions in force, changes to benefits, and much more. With these changes comes loss in your employees’ productivity (and maybe even your own!) as everyone tries to figure out how they will be affected by the change. Will they have jobs and if so, how will they be able to effectively get their jobs done. We will focus on key elements of managing people through transition so that they can focus on the future!
What you Should Expect from Employees Experiencing Change Understand the Difference Between Change and Transition	Discover Ways to Overcome Resistance to Change Learn Helpful Tips for Managing Change

Schedule and Registration 9:00am - 11:00am
Member Rate: $245 per participant* Non-Member Rate: $295 per participant

VirtuaLive Schedule:	September 11, 2024

TPO Member	*Discount Code: Member (case sensitive)

	Register to Attend a Prescheduled Multi-Client Program Purchase 3-Day Video Recording Access Pass Schedule Client Exclusive (In-person and/or on-line) Request More Information