The SWMO SHRM Leadership Summit is designed to bring together professionals, supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders for a day focused on strengthening the skills needed to lead effectively in today’s workplace.

Through engaging presentations and practical insights, attendees will explore topics that support stronger leadership, better communication, effective teams, and continued professional growth. Whether you are an experienced leader or preparing to take the next step in your career, the Leadership Summit offers an opportunity to gain new perspectives, develop practical strategies, and connect with professionals from across the region.

Join us for a day of learning, connection, and professional development designed to help you grow as a leader and make a greater impact within your organization.

Event Schedule:

8:30-9:00 - Registration, Networking, & Breakfast

9:00-10:00 - Leading Change - Dr. Alex Cobb

10:00-10:45 - Workplace Wellness - Candece Hite

10:45-11:00 - BREAK

11:00-11:45 - Difficult Conversations - Carol Throckmorton

11:45-12:30 - Lunch

12:30-1:30 - TOMO reasonable suspicion - John "JT" Throckmorton

1:30-2:00 - Executive Presence - Beth Pittman

2:00 - 2:15  - BREAK

2:15 - 2:45 - AI -  Dr. Sarah Holtzen 

2:45 -3:00  Wrap Up and Q&As

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Alex Cobb

Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention
The Arc of the Ozarks

Alex serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention at the Arc of the Ozarks – the largest nonprofit organization in Southwest Missouri.  He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Drury University where he teaches in the Graduate and Undergraduate schools in the MBA, Communication, Leadership, and Philosophy/Religion departments.

Alex serves on the Board of the Springfield Area HR Association as its President Elect. He has also chaired the Committees for Special Events and for Culture & Connection. Alex also serves on the Board of the Volunteer Leaders of the Ozarks and as the pastor of the Clever Christian Church. 

Alex speaks on a variety of leadership issues: organizational development, mission, values, communication, leading change, culture, customer service, HR practice, work-life balance, and many more. His presentations blend humor with real-life credibility and take-home applications. 

Alex holds degrees in Communication, Philosophy/Religion, Divinity, an MBA, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. He has been married for 30+ years and has three boys of whom he is very proud (just ask him!). Alex attends a lot of concerts and agrees with this quote from his greatest musical hero, Tom Petty: “The only real magic I’ve ever encountered in life is in music.”

Candece Hite

Director of Staff Development
The Arc of the Ozarks

Springfield, MO 

Carol Throckmorton

Next Level Communication

Springfield, MO 

Carol Throckmorton is a leadership and communication coach with an emphasis on the DISC assessment system. Certified in DISC, Emotional Intelligence and Motivators, Carol has been involved in public speaking for over 40 years. She has been training and creating curriculum around the DISC system for over 20 years.

Founder and coach of Next Level Communication, Carol works with corporations and business professionals to teach them how to use the tools of self and social recognition and management to enhance their working relationships. She is also an instructor and subject matter specialist with the workforce development program through OTC.

Carol and her husband John of 48 years met at Bible college and spent 17 years in full-time ministry.She has 2 grown children, a daughter in love and 3 wonderful grandsons.

You can find out more about what Carol has to offer at www.nextlevelcommunicationllc.net.

John “JT” Throckmorton

Senior Training Consultant

Tomo Drug Testing

John Throckmorton is a Senior Trainer Consultant with Tomo Drug Testing. He has been with Tomo since December 2000, serving as a collection technician, field manager, breath alcohol and drug collection trainer, operations manager and account executive. Often referred to as “JT”, John has assisted businesses with the development and implementation of substance misuse testing programs as well as program reviews for compliance with State and Federal regulations. As a Senior Training Consultant, John annually conducts over 150 educational training seminars and webinars. John is a graduate of Baptist Bible College where he met Carol, his wife of 47 years. They have two grown children and three grandchildren. John has been involved in public speaking for over 50 years.

Beth Pittman

Skills Lab Training

Beth is a distinguished Human Resources professional with more than 20 years of experience in talent acquisition across the consumer goods, retail, and healthcare industries. She began her career at Walmart Inc. before moving into executive recruiting, where she advanced to Senior Partner and helped lead strategic growth initiatives.

In 2020, Beth co-founded Skills Lab Training, which provides career coaching, recruiting services, and leadership development for individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and boards. Her work focuses on helping people navigate career development while equipping organizations to identify talent and strengthen their leaders.

A Northwest Arkansas resident for more than 20 years, Beth has built strong connections throughout the region and currently serves on the UAMS Northwest Advisory Board. She is also a frequent HR conference speaker, sharing practical insights on recruiting and talent trends.

Dr. Sarah Holtzen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management and Graduate Programs Coordinator (MBA & MSDA) at Missouri Southern State University

Dr. Sarah Holtzen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management and Graduate Programs Coordinator in the Robert W. Plaster School of Business at Missouri Southern State University, where her work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, higher education, and the future of work. She is a founding member of MSSU's cross-campus AI Interest Group and a frequent invited speaker on AI literacy and workforce skills, with audiences ranging from Missouri SBDC and SHRM events to the university's Board of Governors. Her scholarship examines how generative AI tools are reshaping recruitment, selection, and compensation, and how students can remain career-ready in an increasingly AI-driven world. In 2026 she was named the inaugural recipient of the Award for Courageous Experimentation and Innovation in Management Education from the Academy of Management's Management Education and Development Division in recognition of her many immersive learning projects designed to teach students the power of HR with AI literacy.

Sponsors: