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Our History
Founded in 1959, SAHRMA was originally called the San Antonio Personnel Management Association (SAPMA) and consisted of approximately 25 members. The founding members established the association as a means to provide a forum for personnel and industrial relations professionals in the community. SAHRMA is now the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resource management in the city of San Antonio. We continue to fulfill our founding members’ vision in multiple ways to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, promote professional relationships, serve the community, and encourage and facilitate excellence in human resource management. |
Member to RememberFirst implemented in 2000, the Member to Remember award recipients are nominated by their fellow SAHRMA members in recognition of their important contributions to the Association, the Human Resources profession and/or the Community. 2021 - Maggie Veliz 2019 - Elsa Ybanez 2018 - David Riggs, PHR, SHRM-CP 2017 - Josefina Martinez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 2016 - Mary Jean Hernandez 2015 - Adrian Guardia Life MembersLife Membership is awarded to each member who has faithfully served the Human Resource Management profession and enters into a retired status or who has performed truly outstanding service for the Association. Stuart Bergman Jean Sahm Jack Costello, SPHR Vernon Shade Nina Crawley Sara Sherblom, SPHR Gail Eldridge Ommy Strauch, SPHR Irene Florida, SPHR Charles Umshied Emzy Garrett Jean Moye Williams Frank D. Haegelin Josie Dickerson Diana Briseno, PHR Susan Mustacchio Reavus Mays Belinda Gonzales Margaret "Peg" Callahan, SPHR | Past PresidentsThe job of the SAHRMA President is to serve as the Chairman of the Executive Board and to perform all duties incidental to that office, including but not limited to, conducting the business affairs of the Association, in accordance with the SAHRMA Constitution and Bylaws. 2021 - Dawn Cunningham 2020 - Virginia Balfour 2019 - Tiffany Cox Stacy 2018 - Jeri L. George, SHRM-CP 2017 - Barbara Bentley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 2016 - Melanie L. Sinai, SHRM-SCP 2015 - Rhonda Michel, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Founding MembersWe are grateful to these members who founded our Association in 1959. Stuart Bergman Mary Frances Boothe Doyle Cannon Jack Donahue Leo Donahue Gail Eldridge Paul Flowers Emzy Garrett
William Holstein David Jones F. A. Laskowski Clyde McCullough Frank Manupelli Reavus Mays William Pugh Vernon Shade Felix Taap Richard Thiesen Jean Moye Williams Teddy Wood |
Key Events in Chapter History1959 - Founded as the San Antonio Personnel Management Association (SAPMA) 1970 - SAPMA became affiliated with the Society for Human Resources Management (formerly ASPA) 1976 - First Superior Merit Award received 1982 - Hosted the National ASPA (SHRM) Conference 1984 - SAHRMA sponsored the first HRCI Review Course for the PHR/SPHR Exam 1985 - Past President Irene Florida SPHR became the first female Chair of ASPA (SHRM) 1992 - SAHRMA member Dr. Stephen Werling, SPHR, wins the first Texas HR "Educator of the year" award 1998 - Hosted the State Legislative Conference 1999 - San Antonio Mayor Howard Peak proclaimed October 9th as "SAHRMA Day" in celebration of the 40th anniversary - The first Irene Florida SPHR HRCI Scholarships announced 2000 - Announced the first Member to Remember award 2001 - UTSA Students placed 2nd at the National HR Games. - Dr. Stephen Werling, SPHR is named "Educator of the Year" at the HR Southwest Conference, making him the only two-time award recipient 2002 - SAHRMA member and Past President, Ommy Strauch SPHR serves as Chair of SHRM 2003 - SAHRMA recognizes Ommy Strauch SPHR with Lifetime Membership status and Member to Remember award - SAHRMA hosted the first "HR for Business Symposium" 2004 - Dr. Mark Lengnick-Hall is named “Educator of the Year” at the HR Southwest Conference - UTSA placed 1st in State and 2nd in Regional HR Games 2005 - Established a Diversity Committee & Chairperson to advise the SAHRMA Board - Established a Workforce Readiness Committee to advise the SAHRMA Board - Sylvia M. Adame from Our Lady of Lake SHRM Student Chapter was the winner of the Jim Wilkins - UTSA hosted the 2nd Texas HR Games and Leadership Conference - SAHRMA hosted 2nd Symposium, "South Texas HR Symposium" 2006 - UTSA SHRM Student Chapter members won 2nd place in the US Dept of State National Case Competition - Our Lady of the Lake hosted the 3rd Texas HR Games and Leadership Conference - SAHRMA member and Past President, Peggy Moore-Ramirez serves on Texas State Council as District Director - Hosted the Texas State Council Strategic Planning Session 2007 - Developed and rolled out a program to enhance member services called “Membership Just Got Better” - Diversity Toolkit developed and placed on SAHRMA website for the membership - UTSA Students placed 1st in State and 2nd in Regional HR Games
2011 - SAHRMA received its first SHRM Pinnacle Award in its 51-year history! SAHRMA was awarded the Pinnacle for its Workforce Initiative - Overcoming Homelessness through Employment Readiness 2012 - SHRM Excel Gold Award 2013 - SHRM Excel Gold Award 2014 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award 2015 - SAHRMA had the prestigious honor of again receiving the much-desired Pinnacle Award from SHRM. Our 2015 Pinnacle Award focused on our efforts with the Transitioning Warrior Workshops alongside CMA. As human resource professionals, we worked to create a program that would match employers with qualified veterans and thereby strengthen and serve our community 2015 - SHRM Foundation Chapter Champion 2015 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award 2016 - SHRM Foundation Top 25 Fundraising Chapter 2017 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award 2018 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award 2019 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award 2020 - SHRM Foundation Top 25 Fundraising Chapter 2020 - SHRM Excel Platinum Award |