Each year TAHRA accepts nominations for and selects a recipient for the Richard J. Messer Excellence in Human Resources Management Award. This award is named in honor of Rick Messer who was a founding member of TAHRA and was both a National Chairman of SHRM and the founding Chairman of the Human Resources Certification Institute, the organization that provides the PHR and SPHR certifications.
The purpose of the award is to honor a TAHRA member for service to TAHRA, to the Oklahoma State Council for Human Resources Management, service to the HR profession at a national level as well as contributions to their own organization and to the wider Tulsa community.
TAHRA is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2010 Messer Excellence Award is Laura McIntosh, SPHR. Laura's background and accomplishments include a Bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. She has 25 years of exempt level professional human resources experience (Johnson Controls, Remedy Temp Services, AeroJet Ordnance, BCBS of Western PA, Renberg's, Hall Estill Law Firm & Tulsa World). Laura received her SPHR certification in 1994 and achieved lifetime certification in 2000.
She has been a TAHRA member since 1991. As a TAHRA member she has served as Board member from 1997 - 2001 and 2008 in various capacities including Treasurer (two terms), Vice-President, President and Past President. She was an Oklahoma State Council member (1998 - 2003) and served as the College Relations Director in 98-99, TAHRA President in 2000 & elected Secretary/Treasurer in 2001. Laura also served as TAHRA Chapter Management Professional from 2000 through 2004. She was the recipient of the 2001 Oklahoma State Excellence Award. She served as a volunteer for the Oklahoma State Conference 1999 - 2003 and as Administration & Finance Chair for 3 years.
Laura pioneered TAHRA's involvement in Groundhog Day (TAHRA received a Proclamation by the Mayor) in 1999 serving as Co-chair of Placement, a one day event where over 300 area high schools students were placed into a job shadowing opportunity of their choice using local businesses/individuals in Tulsa. TAHRA submitted this program/project for the SHRM Pinnacle Award.
She has been an active participant in many events, programs, and fund raising committees for TAHRA over the years, including the First through the Fifth annual TAHRA golf tournaments, numerous Mock Trials, resume & interviewing skills training sessions with various student groups, and guest speaker at various college student chapters (OSU & ORU).
Laura is currently working in Human Resources at the Tulsa World where she has been since 2005.
Laura was also awarded $500 to the charity of her choice. Laura has selected Catholic Charities as the recipient.