Melissa Harper                                                                         

President                                                                                                   
601-977-8300, x 335                                                                                         

Background in Training
Melissa got her start in training as a Customer Service Supervisor where she was responsible for training new Customer Service Representatives (CSRs). Even though Melissa had always enjoyed helping them understand their job and fit into a new environment, it was while training CSRs that Melissa discovered that her heart was in training.

Melissa most enjoys being a positive influence in the lives of those she trains and knowing that they are better at what they do because of what she has taught. She says that the icing on the cake is to know that they had fun learning because of the way she presented the topic.

ASTD Activities
Melissa has been a member of the Mississippi Chapter for six years and a member of national ASTD for five years.

She sees the benefits of ASTD membership as networking with peers who understand the challenges that she faces and the information that she receives in each monthly meeting to help her in her job. Even if the presentation is on a topic that Melissa doesn't normally deal with, she says she learns something from each presentation. In addition, she says that membership opens up access to resources that she wouldn't have available otherwise.

Melissa hopes to use her skills to enhance the value of ASTD membership this year.

Murray Harber

President-Elect
601-540-8699

Background in Training
Murray Harber, Wellness Coordinator for WebMD Health Services, began his training career by training individuals and teams in heath, fitness, and performance. As he moved from coaching for athletic performance, he moved toward a career in employee health management. For over 20 years, Murray has presented and coached many elite athletes and business professionals and has received national recognition for his efforts.

ASTD Involvement 

Murray served as Vice President of Professional Development for the chapter in 2011 and 2012. He enjoys each ASTD event and loves to share the benefits of membership with other professionals.

Ashley Patton

Secretary
601-981-5332 ext. 1320

Background in Training
Ashley Patton is a Corporate Training Specialist at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. She has a marketing degree from Mississippi State and has already been active on the Communication Committee in putting out publicity about our meetings. In fact, as a direct result of Ashley's publicity, we've seen an increased number of visitors with several joining as new members.

ASTD Involvement
Ashley has been a member of the Mississippi Chapter and national ASTD for four years. Ashley believes the greatest value of membership in ASTD is networking with other professionals. Ashley's goal for her part in ASTD this year is to bring innovative ideas and enthusiasm to our members of ASTD.

Tom Isonhood

Treasurer                                                                                                       
601-368-2684

Background in Training

ASTD Involvement

Loria McLellan

VP for Membership
601-981-5332 ext. 1318

Background in Training
Loria, a corporate training consultant at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, came to the training field with a degree in marketing from Mississippi State University.

ASTD Involvement
Loria is a six-year member of ASTD.  She served as Co-Vice President of Communications in 2009, President-Elect in 2010, President in 2011, and Past-President in 2012.  She enjoys all aspects of developing her students' professional abilities, but seeing them advance in their chosen career path is what really drives her to succeed.

Loria is quick to point out what motivates her about corporate training.  "The greatest thing that can happen to me as a trainer is to see someone obtain a promotion or accept a better job as a result of our company's training programs."

Loria hopes to bring a fresh training perspective to ASTD, and to work closely with her fellow board members on strengthening corporate training programs in Mississippi.

Bronwyn Martin

VP for Professional Development
601-540-8699

Background in Training

ASTD Involvement

Jan Sims

VP for Communications
601-359-9359

Background in Training
Jan is the Staff Development Manager at Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). Jan has worked for the State of Mississippi since 1994, first at University Medical Center, then the Public Employees Retirement System, and now at MDA. The experience she gained directing at the division level before launching into training gave her a unique perspective in guiding people to make decisions with the end result in mind.

Jan is driven to help people develop professionally. She measures her effectiveness by the results those people produce, both in their workplace and in their careers. She earned the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) in 2010.

ASTD Activities
Jan joined ASTD in 2007, and has served as VP for Membership, President-Elect, President, and Past President in prior years. She says she is excited about this role and plans to highlight the expertise of chapter members at every opportunity.