Todd McDonald, PHR

Todd McDonald has been in the human resource and training industry for close to 25 years. He served as Executive Vice President for American Media Inc., where he worked for 10 years. In his tenure with AMI, he worked in multiple capacities including management of the product development, human resource, training, marketing, and sales areas.  In 1999, Todd founded ATW Training & Consulting which provides training and development services to clients on a local, national and international basis.  Todd is also a partner in New Horizons Computer Learning Center of Des Moines.

Thought of as being results-oriented, some of McDonald's other accomplishments include:

• Developing and delivering training programs and speeches to audiences throughout the world.
• Creating over 500 off-the-shelf training products including audio, video, print-based and computer-based training programs dealing with subjects such as management, leadership, communications skills, legal issues, customer service and more.
• Authoring two books: one on communication between managers and their employees, "I Wish You Would Just…" and the other on time management, "How to Find 100 Extra Minutes a Day."
• Assisting in the development of the training profession through volunteering on ASTD committees on a local and national basis.  He has been a National Advisor for Chapters for ASTD and served on two International Conference planning committees.

McDonald speaks for organizations and groups on topics such as coaching, customer service, change management, time utilization, and leadership.

Cathy Belmont

Cathy Belmont's career as an organizational development professional spans 15 years. She is skilled in facilitation, course and program development, blended learning, and talent management practices and programs.

Cathy has a BA from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master's degree in Training and Development from Drake University. She has been active in ASTD and is a past president of the Central Iowa chapter.

Cathy works to create growing, partnering relationships. She has successfully coached and mentored individuals, designed management and leadership development programs supporting company goals, created skill-based career paths for staff, and managed corporate performance management programs. She is dedicated to making a difference while contributing to enterprise-wide strategic and operational impact. 

Jim Hayward

Jim Hayward’s career as an organizational development and process improvement professional spans over 20 years. Jim is experienced in the　 development and delivery of courses as well the facilitation of process improvement teams. His background includes training in Lean, Six Sigma and Constraints Management techniques. He is also trained in instructional design and is certified to administer the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Jim has a BA from Grinnell College and has done graduate work at Iowa State in the field of Curriculum and Instruction.

Jim has lead corporate initiatives in the areas of process improvement, organizational change, learning and development as well as software implementation. He has successfully coached and mentored individuals, designed and facilitated management and leadership development programs supporting company goals, and managed corporate training and customer service training functions. He is dedicated to making a difference while contributing to enterprise-wide strategic and operational impact.

Carolyn Marsh

Carolyn Marsh’s career has included 12 years in the training and development field and 3 years in information technology. She is skilled in online and classroom course development, facilitation, process improvement, and project coordination.

Carolyn has a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from Upper Iowa University. She has been active in Central Iowa SHRM and has her SPHR certification.

Carolyn has a passion for building relationships and for continuous learning. Her blend of training and development, technology and process skills helps bring both a big picture view to her work as well as an attention to the details to produce results.

Denise Forney 

Denise Forney is an organizational training and development professional with over seventeen years of progressive management and training expertise. Denise has led training efforts for companies such as Principal Financial Group, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and Kemin Industries.  She has designed and facilitated courses for both domestic and international audiences, and appreciates the diversity of the customers she has served. 

Denise completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Public Relations/Communication from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a Masters of Science Degree in Adult Education/Training and Development from Drake University.  She has served as adjunct instructor for Grand View University in the area of Human Resource Management.  Denise is an active member of ASTD, and received the Workplace Learning Performance award for “Using Training as a Business Strategy” in 2008 and “Most Innovative Training Solution” in 2010.

Denise brings creativity, passion and energy to her training classroom, engaging her participants in kinesthetic learning activities.   She specializes in areas of leadership, mentoring, coaching and feedback, performance management, interviewing skills, presentation skills, diversity in the workplace, and customer service.  She values her client relationships, working with individuals to meet their specific training needs, customize solutions, and helping to apply new skills back to the job.

In addition to her training talents in the classroom, Denise is an accomplished guitarist, singer/songwriter.  She released her first children’s CD with her family and enjoys performing music in the community.

Mark Purcell

Mark is ATW's friendly voice on the phone.  He takes reservations for public sessions and can help match ATW's experienced staff with your company's particular training needs.  Call him today!

Trayla Carter

Trayla Carter is a training and development professional who has been involved in the Human Resource and Training field for the past five years. She worked for for several central Iowa organizations helping to unleash the human potential of their companies and individuals. Organizations where she has worked include Principal Financial Group, Wells Fargo and John Deere Credit.

Trayla completed her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2001. Her training experience includes classroom training for a wide variety of participants ranging from non exempt employees to high level executives. She has facilitated training sessions on numerous topics including conflict resolution, values training, change management, and influencing. Her enthusiasm and energy create a classroom that enables learning.

At ATW, Trayla’s focus is on helping staff members and new managers become the best they can be. Her business experience combined with her Human Resources knowledge and training ability make her a strong training presence.

Jenny Lashier

Jenny Lashier is a corporate trainer specializing in business writing training for ATW Training & Consulting. For the past 11 years, Lashier has worked in the training and development field creating and delivering numerous training programs. She writes and presents training programs for public and corporate environments. While her passion is training P.O.W.E.R. Business Writing skills, she also enjoys teaching time management, team building, and meeting effectiveness.

Lashier learned the importance of education and contributing to her community from her parents, two public school teachers. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Relations from Kansas State University.

In addition, she possesses a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Iowa State University; her thesis work focused on students’ transition from college to work. She created a training program called ‘From Backpack to Briefcase’ to assist students in their transition from college students to members of the workforce. Thesis research inspired Lashier to author College Memories 101, a memory journal. She has since authored two more memory journals.

Cassandra R. Halls

Cassandra Halls brings a diverse management background to the ATW Training and Consulting Team.  Halls has spent many years in public administration in Iowa. As City Manager for two cities and as CFO for third Halls was responsible for managing significant budgets, resolving employee issues and overcoming controversy among many other items.

Halls left public employment for the experience of working with a private corporation.  As Vice President of Strategic Accounts for ISGN, a global technology company providing services to the mortgage lending industry, Halls worked with mergers and acquisitions, human resources, client relationships and customer service.

Halls founded 2 THE TOP – Career Advancement Strategies to provide career development services on both an individual and corporate level.  For the individual, Halls has programs available on both a one-on-one basis as well as public sessions to assist with issues that arise related to making a career transition.  For corporations, Halls facilitates training focused on today’s workplace issues such as retention, succession planning, recruiting and development of employee skills.

Halls earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, with a major in Public Administration.

Michael Davis, SPHR

Mike Davis is a training and organization development professional who has been involved in the training and OD field for the past eight years.

His training and leadership experience started in the US Marines in 1994. There he lead an Assault Amphibian Vehicle (AAV) Section in the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1998, he attended the University of Iowa. During his studies in History, he joined the Iowa National Guard. Mike served as a Military Police Team leader for six years including a one-year deployment to Iraq.

Mike has worked for Wells Fargo as a Learning & Development Manager and is currently with Telligen as a Training Consultant. He has worked with the ATW team for clients such as Ruan Transportation, Pioneer Hi-Bred, American Equity, and the National Guard.

Mike's training and development experience includes classroom training, interactive multimedia instruction and design, training needs analysis, training implementation, business line consulting, organization development and training evaluation.

Mike is dedicated to showing a measurable impact to success through training and OD interventions. He also enjoys sharing his experiences and listening to others' leadership and management experiences while facilitating training.

Jim Belmont

Jim Belmont is a career business and finance professional with significant experience in industries including financial services, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. He has hands-on understanding and demonstrated success in areas such as process improvement, cost management, business consolidation and integration, staff development, and merger and acquisitions.

Jim has a BSBA in Management and an MBA in Finance from the University of Nebraska. He has developed and lead staff development programs in business analysis, understanding accounting and finance, cost management, process improvement, decision-making, and business simulation, among others.

Jim is dedicated to assisting staff to enhance their business and financial knowledge and to reach higher levels of business acumen. Enabling solid decision-making and improving the contribution of each staff member is a continuing objective, as every employee contributes to the achievement of the company’s objectives and success.

Pamela Dykstra

Pam Dykstra is an independent trainer and consultant in central Iowa.  Pam began her career in Learning & Development at Wells Fargo Consumer Credit Group. Today, as an independent contractor, she facilitates a variety of leadership and management programs in corporate and non-profit environments.

Pam has been partnering with ATW Training & Consulting since 2005, facilitating a variety of leadership classes, primarily for the Central Iowa Management Development Program (CIMDP).  She and her husband, Scott, live in Urbandale, IA with their three young children: Drew, Lilyan and Avery.  Pam thoroughly enjoys being involved with the youth of her church helping to lead  a program called Leaders on the Horizon, where she helps a group of young people grow into effective leaders.    

Karen F. Howe

Ms. Howe is a human resource professional, consultant and training design writer with over 30 years of experience.  She has held the position of Vice President – Human Resource Director for Home Savings Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is now Wachovia/Wells Fargo.  She recently was responsible for Human Resources for Six Flags and was an International recruiter and trainer – traveling extensively throughout Eastern Europe and Asia.  Her background in HR has encompassed managing all areas of human resources, employee relations, EEO/Affirmative Action, Training & Development, as well as, having been responsible for employee and director stock option plans, the development of corporate policies & procedures, compensation analysis, etc. 

Karen, a graduate of Florida International, taught human resource management at Florida International and St. Thomas Universities.  She was responsible for curriculum design for FIU’s training and development certification program offered through the school of business.  She was the recipient of the National Excellence Award and Most Distinguished Contributions for HRD (presented by the American Society for Training & Development) – She has presented at National conferences and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as, several other professional organizations.

Shawn Meighan

Shawn Meighan is a Training and Development Consultant with over 12 years of experience facilitating programs that raise performance in the workplace.

Shawn has partnered with leading organizations such as Wells Fargo, Allstate, Sears, Sprint, Coastal AMI and the National Guard.  His programs have provided training for more than 4000 people in critical areas including Performance Management, Leadership Development, Human Resources, Sales and Service and Coaching. Shawn has worked in the corporate training departments of Norwest Mortgage and The Des Moines Register.

Before transitioning to a training career, Shawn spent 13 years in sales and management roles with Pepsico, Morton International and Dial Corporation.  His experience with these national companies definitely provides opportunities for real world examples in the classroom.

Shawn lives in Ankeny, IA.  He’s been married 23 years, has 2 daughters in college and a 15 year old son.  He holds a masters degree in Adult Education from Drake University.

Carol Paquette

Carol Paquette is an organizational development and human resources professional with more than 25 years of experience. She developed her expertise through work experiences with small, mid and even Fortune 50 organizations. Most notably, Carol worked for several years in senior level HR roles for various businesses of Wells Fargo prior to starting her own consulting business in the fall of 2008.

Carol has a bachelor’s of science degree in Human Resources from Iowa State University and has continued to achieve professional development through memberships and committee participation in both SHRM and ASTD. She is certified in both change management and executive coaching and has her SPHR credentials.

Focus for Carol is on delivering solutions that creates sustainable results. Knowledgeable in all facets of human resources, Carol has special expertise in the areas of cultural management, organizational design, leadership coaching and development, change management, business strategy and resource allocation, HR policy and practice design, project management, performance management and employee relations. Her organizational experience has included working with companies in start-up mode, going through mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, downsizing, relocating business segments, as well as many other climate changes.

One of Carol’s signature strengths is an exceptional ability to work with a wide range of organizational styles and personalities.

Linda K. Houts

Linda Houts has provided training, consulting and group facilitation to business, industry, health and non-profit organizations for the last 25 years. Linda assists in designing strategies for creating, managing, and facilitating change and moving organizations toward an emphasis on learning and performance.

As a trainer, she focuses on the areas of communication, management development, team building and coaching. Other topics include communication, conflict management, and customer service.

Consulting includes working with individuals and small groups to create strategies and plans for effective change, customer service, employee development, and team building. Individual consultation focuses on management coaching, and specific needs identified during the consultation. Individual consultation also includes using different assessment tools to provide information and feedback for change and growth.

As facilitator, Linda has worked with groups who are experiencing conflicts which range from minor differences to issues which threaten to stop any teamwork. She also facilitates groups who are trying to reach consensus, make decisions together and do strategic thinking and planning.

Jeanne Lyons

Jeanne Lyons is a human resources professional with 25 years of experience, both as the senior leader of Learning & Organization Development departments in corporate environments and as an independent Human Resources Consultant.

Jeanne’s diverse HR experience contributed to the successful people management at Magnetic Peripherals – a Control Data subsidiary, Carlson Marketing Group, and Norwest Mortgage (now Wells Fargo Home Mortgage). Her executive leadership included involvement in: Learning & Development, Executive Leadership, Organization Effectiveness & Development, Performance Management, Talent Acquisition & Talent Review, Employee Engagement Surveys, and Competency Model development. She provided both strategic and tactical support in all aspects of these functional areas from needs analysis, design and development, implementation and facilitation, to measurement and organizational impact.

Additionally, as an independent HR Consultant, Jeanne has been involved with developing HR policies and procedures, Employee Handbooks (both domestic and international), developing Manager’s Sourcebooks (to support Employee Handbooks) and designing/facilitating Appropriate Workplace Behavior training for all levels of management. She has developed solid professional relationships with her clients who include: T. Rowe Price, Fremont Investment & Loan, First American, CoreLogic, BDS Laundry Systems, TRIAD, The Down Syndrome Foundation, and Lloyd Management.

Jeanne lives in Eden Prairie, MN and strongly believes in paying it forward. She has been a Hospice volunteer for 5 years, and actively supports the MN National Guard sending care packages to deployed soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Jeanne recently volunteered to lead the Family Readiness Group (FRG) for Alpha Company 1/34 BSTB based in Bloomington, MN.