Nieal M. Smith-Ross, Program Director

Tami L. Shephard, Senior People & Culture Business Partner

Tami joined KRA as a People & Culture Business Partner in 2020, bringing with her an impressive history of 10 years’ experience in the field of Human Resources. She received a promotion to her current position in 2022, applying oversight expertise in the areas of onboarding, benefits, employee relations, and compliance. Tami is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional and a Certified Recruitment Specialist. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Child Psychology from Towson State University, Towson, Maryland.

Steven A. Evans, Program Manager

Steven joined KRA in 2013 as a Case Manager, providing job-placement services for a Countywide TANF Employment and Training (TEP) to assist individuals applying for, or already receiving, public-assistance benefits. In 2015, he was promoted to the position of Job Developer, helping build partnerships across the region to identify sustainable employment opportunities for the Program’s jobseekers. Steven was later re-assigned as an Outreach Specialist, recruiting customers and introducing them to the benefits of participating in the urban-area TEP to which he had transferred. Promoted to his current position in 2022, Steven manages the day-to-day operations of an Educational & Occupational Training (EOT) Program, overseeing service-delivery systems that support jobseekers in achieving sustainable employment through customized EOT preparation. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Business Management from Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Alyssa C. Elliott, Operations Manager

Alyssa joined KRA in 2016, as a Career Agent for a municipal-level TANF Program, providing comprehensive case-management services that supported jobseekers’ employment goals through job-readiness and workforce-preparation activities, including training through community-based work experience assignments. In 2021, she received a promotion to her current position, and in 2023, transferred to a larger countywide TANF program, applying her senior-level, case-management and instructional expertise to a caseload of up to 300 customers. Alyssa provides day-to-day service-delivery oversight to improve operational processes that ensure positive performance outcomes. She holds a Workplace Excellence Facilitator Certificate, as well as a Workforce Skills Certificate earned through Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems.

Renee J. Brooks, Program Manager

Renee joined KRA in 2014 as a Career Agent/Retention Case Manager/Team Lead, totally prepared for such a multi-service position due to expertise developed through years of experience assisting jobseekers on public assistance to break through barriers to employment—including homelessness. Promoted to her current position in 2016, Renee oversees the operations of an urban-area TANF Job Placement Program, through which she continues to ensure services of the utmost quality, supporting customers in achieving sustainable employment through barrier remediation and targeted skills development. In addition to certifications in Workforce and Career Development and Facilitating Career Development Training, earned through TAD Grants’ Professional Development for Workforce & Career Practitioners, and Family Credentialing Certification Renee holds a BA in Human Services from Sojourner Douglas College, Baltimore, Maryland.

Rosal Chavira, Operations Manager

When Rosal joined KRA in 2023, she brought more than 10 years’ expertise in workforce-services policy, development, training, quality assurance, career-development case management, and promoting DEIBA principles and practices in the workplace—a wealth of experience that contributed significantly to the workforce-development and education-sectors in the Illinois regions of Chicago and Evanston. Managing KRA’s Midwest Program Operations’ Career Services Team, she spearheads activities, events, and projects that provide educational, training, and placement opportunities for WIOA-eligible Adult, Dislocated, and Youth jobseekers, empowering them to actualize KRA’s mission of making a positive impact in the lives of the communities we serve. Rosal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Spanish from Grinnell College in Iowa, further demonstrating her commitment to being a servant leader and lifelong learner—traditional tenets of her alma mater.

Tammy J. Underwood, Director of Strategic Partnerships

Tammy collaborates with senior leadership to analyze KRA’s goals related to long-term growth, targeted business expansion, advancement through business development, and execution of partnerships. In addition, she provides thought leadership, strategic direction, market analysis, and program-operations support to guide KRA’s development of capabilities that meet market needs. Tammy has 10 years’ experience in workforce development, which includes, as a Project Director, working on an Industry Intermediary Registered Apprenticeship team, spearheading operational start-up activities, providing field support, and managing business operations specific to workforce-development contracts in several states. Tammy, who holds an MA from Liberty University and a BS degree from Lee University, is dual-certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute, and in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace by the University of South Florida.

Nieal M. Smith-Ross, Program Director

Nieal provides fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership, maintaining overall responsibility for program performance, quality of service, and contractual commitment. She also collaborates with members of the KRA Senior Leadership Team related to meeting/exceeding contract-performance standards. Her expertise is drawn from her considerable 20+ years’ experience in community development, collaboration, and partnership; strategic program planning; leadership training and development, talent-acquisition; and supportive services for under-represented individuals in the areas of healthcare, housing, and human services. Nieal, a Licensed Social Worker, holds an MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, and a BS degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University.

Camille R. McKenzie, Program Director

Camille’s 10+ years’ experience in directing local and county workforce-development programs, including American Job Centers, fuels her passion for supporting jobseekers and their families to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Well versed in solution-focused and people-centered workforce-service approaches, Camille’s Business- and Career-Services expertise supports goal-achievement of WIOA Adult, Dislocated, and Youth participants; TANF recipients; and customers facing severe obstacles to sustainable employment. A Certified Employment Support Professional, she excels in developing and nurturing partnerships with local private-, public-, and non-profit organizations that expand community-development resources and services. Camille holds a BA in Legal Communications from Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Meredith S. Campbell, Outside General Counsel/Business Advisor

Meredith serves as outside counsel and a business advisor to KRA with regard to our most important asset—our employees. While helping KRA maintain a positive and productive workplace, as needed, she resolves workplace-related issues, advises on personnel matters, and ensures that KRA is up-to-date on compliance, training, and other related issues. She guides the firm on how to properly investigate and respond to any complaints or concerns related to potential inappropriate behavior. A member of her law firm’s Board of Directors, Meredith is also Chair of the Shulman Rogers Employment and Labor Practice Group and of the Corporate Investigations, Governance and Risk Management Group. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2001, and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. degree from Lehigh University in 1998.

Anthony K. Wilson, Program Director

Anthony’s experience spans 20+ years’ in educational, workforce-services, talent-development and training, and human-services support programs, including leadership and management of TANF Employment and Training Programs. A Workforce Development Specialist for 10+ years, he excels in career coaching and case management that guides jobseeker-customers in developing comprehensive Individual Responsibility Plans for achieving workplace goals and objectives. Anthony earned a BS degree from Elizabeth City State University, Leadership Development Certification from 11^th Street Bridge Project, and Grant Management Certification from The Foundations Center.

Ryan C. Rand Training & Communications Specialist

Ryan joined KRA in 2021 as the Corporate Training and Development Coordinator, and was promoted to her current hybrid position in 2023. Her contributions are integral to the success of two specialized KRA divisions, one of which is the People & Culture Department that supports employee engagement and experience, staff education and professional development, and maintenance of federal and state education-compliance standards. Ryan is also a pivotal member of the Marketing & Communications Department whose functions include exhibiting at industry conferences, publishing the KRA@Work company e-newsletter, and promoting KRA’s Social Media platforms. She holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management from The University of North Texas, Denton, TX.

Rogelio E. Amaya, IT Systems Engineer

With an extensive background in the Information Technology (IT) field, Rogelio has a proven record of accomplishment leveraging technology to deliver top-notch Managed IT Services. His journey began as a Telecommunications Technician in 2001, and swiftly progressed to become a Systems Administrator by 2004. In 2006, he joined the KRA family, and in 2014, he took the bold step of launching CMA Technologies, of which he is the Founder & CEO. Drawing on his expertise as an IT Architect and Systems Engineer, Rogelio effectively manages a team that oversees KRA’s comprehensive systems architecture, encompassing hardware, software, applications, and infrastructure. This includes crucial aspects such as cloud hosting, help-desk support, information security, as well as network oversight and equipment maintenance. Committed to the principles of Continuous Quality Improvement, Rogelio stays at the forefront of cutting-edge developments and trends in the ever-evolving IT industry.

Derrick A. Colbert, Director of Strategic Partnerships

Derrick, an accomplished workforce-services professional with a proven track record of delivering high-quality results, directs targeted corporate business-expansion strategies that support community-, economic-, and workforce-development operations for client-funded WIOA, TANF, and ARPA Programs. Derrick’s program-management and -operations expertise is unparalleled, evidenced by prior Associate- and Director-level positions with the Executive Office of the DC Mayor, including the Workforce Investment Council, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunities, and the Office on Returning Citizens Affairs. Derrick holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Strayer University, and multiple Certifications, including Business Management Essentials, Continuous Improvement Management, Business Success and Leadership, and Project Management.

Terrance J. Bowens, Program Manager

With KRA since 2010, Terrance has strategically expanded his expertise from front-line workforce-development services to program-management operations. His experience with WIA/WIOA-funded programs is comprehensive and diverse, assisting jobseekers to develop more productive, self-sufficient lives for themselves and their families, including customers challenged by disabilities, justice-involvement, and/or homelessness. In addition, as an accomplished workshop facilitator and trainer, he has presented at national conferences, including NAWDP, and has designed workshop strategies for KRA workforce-services programs across the country. Currently, Terrance manages the operations of a comprehensive Career- and Business-Services program for eligible Adult/Dislocated Workers. In addition to being a NAWDP member, Terrance is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Jonathan D. Overall, Senior Director of Workforce Operations

Since joining KRA in 2014, Jonathan has provided consistent strategic-leadership support as a Senior Business Services Consultant; Business Services Program Manager; and Director of Workforce Operations, Program Performance. In his current position, he provides management oversight for WIOA American Job Centers, TANF Employment Programs, and other KRA career-development and workforce-services operations across the country. Jonathan implements and directs site-specific CQI initiatives that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency, which include program and fiscal contract performance and client and community engagement. In addition, he is engaged in industry promotion and outreach through his role as host of KRA’s HUB Podcast Program. Jonathan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Patten University, Oakland, California.

Zaskia V. Ruiz, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Update Coming Soon!

Queenie Galvez-Ramiro, Accounting Manager

Queenie manages accounting operations that support corporate- and program-level budget formulation, cost-allocation plans, fiscal-performance and compliance monitoring, financial reporting, and single-audit preparation. Her 15+ years’ experience includes consulting services for local-government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations related to grant administration, and a Supervising Accountant position for an Economic Development Agency, serving in the administration and fiscal management of federally-funded programs. An acknowledged subject-matter expert, Queenie co-facilitates conference workshops, for diverse workforce-services professionals, related to direct, shared, and indirect costs; allowable/non-allowable costs; and compliance. She holds a BS degree in Accountancy, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila, Philippines.

Timothy L. Wright, Manager Corporate Quality Assurance

Since 2007, Tim has been responsible for monitoring the operational performance and quality of KRA-program contracts and subcontracts. He has 20+ years’ civilian and military experience in quality-assurance standards and compliance, program and budget management, data analysis, and related staff training and development. As the administrator of KRA’s PRIME performance reporting system, Tim develops corporate-wide tracking and reporting procedures for WIOA and TANF contracts, as well as customer-specific initiatives, e.g., Disability Employment, Non-Custodial Parent Employment, and Ticket To Work programs. Recently retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves, he is a four-time Navy Achievement Medal and six-time Good Conduct Medal recipient. A member of NAWDP and the Hampton Roads (VA) Chamber of Commerce, Tim holds a BS degree in Marketing, University of Phoenix.

Joseph L. Seymour, Managing Director, Operational Excellence

Since 2009, Joseph has distinguished himself as a KRA leader in several arenas, including program-level job development/reemployment services, company-wide training and professional development, and workforce-development industry advancement. Currently, Joseph oversees KRA Program Operations across the country, implementing site-specific CQI initiatives that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency. In 2015, NAWDP honored Joseph with its Professional Development Award, recognizing the impact of his workshops for national, regional, and state conference audiences. In addition, Joseph provides industry leadership as a member of the Southeastern Employment & Training Association board of directors, serving as 1st Vice President, effective July 1, 2022.

Ronald D. Hearns, Director Midwest Workforce Operations

Ronald D. Hearns, Director, Midwest Workforce Operations

With more than 20 years’ professional experience—including community college and technical school workforce-services programs—Ron possesses a unique blend of expertise in business, community, and economic development service-delivery systems. His strategic collaborations with private- and public-sector agencies, enterprises, organizations, and other community-oriented stakeholders form the foundation for the successful operation of KRA’s Midwest programs. Ron was honored by the Chicago Defender as one of the 2016 Men of Excellence, in recognition of his contributions to preparing jobseekers with career-building education and training opportunities that lead to sustainable employment. He holds an MS degree in Marketing Communications, and a BS degree in Business Administration, both conferred by Roosevelt University.

Felicia M. Flournoy, Director Workforce Innovation

Felicia M. Flournoy, Director, Workforce Innovation

An industry expert with more than 20 years’ experience, Felicia directs several critically important initiatives, including KRA’s early, cutting-edge adoption and implementation of WIOA. Under her leadership as Executive Director, the Riverside County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) was recognized for its exemplary integrated service-delivery model with a High Performance Board Designation from the California WIB, and a Malcolm Baldrige Award from the California Council on Excellence (CCE). Felicia’s individual accomplishments include a CCE Award for Performance Excellence, and a California State Association of Counties’ Merit Award for Program Innovation. She holds a BS degree in Organizational Systems Management, California State University-Northridge.

Anthony M. Featherstone, Director Workforce Operations

Anthony M. Featherstone, Director, Workforce Operations

Anthony has devoted more than 10 years of his professional career to workforce-services operations, in both rural- and urban-community environments. As a KRA Program Coordinator, Program Manager, and Regional Program Manager, he provided integral administrative, leadership, and management oversight for multi-site TANF Employment Programs, as well as WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, and In-School/Out-of-School Youth Services programs. Anthony applies his considerable expertise, providing strategic, site-specific technical assistance and training to ensure that KRA programs are continuously aligning operations and service-delivery systems with performance standards of excellence and quality, complying with all client, local, state, and Federal guidelines. A graduate of the 2015 NAWDP Mid-Atlantic Leadership Academy, he holds an MBA in Human Resource Development, Webster University, and a BA degree in Sociology, Coastal Carolina University.

Marcie Dingle, Corporate Brand & Publicity Manager

Marcie brought her 30+ years’ experience in business development and marketing, human-resources training and development, and public administration to KRA in 1994, contributing her expertise to myriad contract initiatives, including information management, labor-focused technical assistance, and publications production in several leadership and management capacities. Currently, as a member of the Corporate Communications and Strategic Partnerships Team, she ensures that every aspect of KRA’s advertising, branding, and publicity strategies adhere in a consistent manner to advance the company’s mission, values, and vision. Marcie holds an MA in Business/Public Administration, Southeastern University; an MA in Education, Washington University; and a BA in Psychology, La Universidad Inter-Americana.

Melody D. Daniel, Program Manager

Update coming soon!

Brigette P. Crawford, Director Human Resources

Brigette P. Crawford, Director, Human Resources

Brigette’s 15+ years’ experience encompasses both public- and private-sector human resources administration and management, enhancing her expertise in the recruitment and ongoing development of a superior workforce throughout all phases of the employee-life cycle. She directs and guides the overall provision of policies, procedures, and programs that form the foundation of KRA’s employee-oriented, high-performance culture. Enforcing strict CQI, productivity, and goal-attainment standards, Brigette assists and advises managers on both corporate- and program-level personnel concerns and issues. A Certified Society for Human Resource Management Professional, Brigette also holds Human Resource Management Certification, University of Phoenix, and a BA degree in Business Administration, Washington Bible College.

Sylvia J. Contreras, Center Operations Director

Sylvia has more than 20 years invested in workforce-development services, as a Career Agent, Individual Training Accounts Specialist, and Operations Manager. Her expert knowledge, skills, and abilities extend to program management, oversight, and performance related to workforce programs for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Special Need jobseekers, including Veterans and those challenged by disabilities, ex-offender status, and homelessness—sometimes co-occurring. Sylvia earned a Liberal Arts degree in Science, Antelope Valley College, and a Certificate in Communications/Transit Management, Pepperdine University School of Business and Management.

Vanessa E. Atterbeary, Esq., Corporate Counsel

Vanessa ensures that all KRA policies, procedures, and programs comply with both the intent and letter of the Federal, state, and local regulations that govern publicly funded workforce-services contracts. An attorney for 15+ years, she is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, and currently represents District 13 in the Maryland House of Delegates. Vanessa, a graduate of Leadership Maryland, which supports private- and public-sector executives in making a positive impact on critical State challenges and issues, holds a JD degree, Villanova University School of Law, and a BA degree, College of William and Mary.

Patrick T.J. Boxall, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer

Patrick joined KRA in 1996, as a member of our Labor Market Research & Consulting practice, leading local, state, and Federal government research, training, and technical assistance projects aimed at improving program performance and outcomes. In his current role, he formulates and executes strategic-growth priorities that advance and sustain long-range KRA business initiatives and goals. Patrick, who has more than 30 years’ experience in consulting and program operations, with a particular focus on community and workforce development, earned an MA degree, University of Toronto, and a BA degree, University of Delaware.

Knowlton R. Atterbeary, President & CEO

In 1981, Knowlton founded KRA Corporation, defining its Vision to engage businesses, develop workers, and nurture stronger communities. His view of how KRA could make such an impact evolved into goals, strategies, and a corporate Mission to provide businesses with a trained and reliable workforce by preparing jobseekers for a competitive workplace and a global economy. In 2016, NAWDP selected Knowlton as the recipient of its prestigious Peter E. Kaiser Leadership Award, an honor recognizing workforce-services professionals—in this case, a “visionary leader”—who are making exceptional contributions to our industry. A member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council, Knowlton has 40+ years’ experience in community and economic development; program and policy research, analysis, and evaluation; operations management; and training and technical assistance, both in the U.S. and abroad. He holds an MBA in Management/Finance, and a BS degree in Systems Science/Economics, both conferred by Michigan State University.

Nieal M. Smith-Ross, Program Director

Categories

CATEGORIES

Joseph L. Seymour, Managing Director, Operational Excellence

Ronald D. Hearns, Director, Midwest Workforce Operations

Felicia M. Flournoy, Director, Workforce Innovation

Anthony M. Featherstone, Director, Workforce Operations

Brigette P. Crawford, Director, Human Resources

Sylvia J. Contreras, Center Operations Director