Georgia Employers’ Association has a capable staff of consultants with solid experience in business management and human resources.  You’ll encounter our consultants as they lead workshops and webinars.  Members can also contract for direct consulting relationships through the Association.

Buddy McGehee PhotoBuddy McGehee, Executive Director, Georgia Employers Association

Buddy is a career HR professional with broad international experience in the manufacturing, service, and government contracting sectors. Most recently, he served as Manager, U.S. Human Resources for Ricoh Americas Corporation. Previous positions include Senior HR Manager for ARINC, Inc. and management positions with YKK (USA), Inc.

A Macon, Georgia native and graduate of Mercer University, Buddy was a founding member and past chairperson of the Middle Georgia Employer Committee and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. He is also a former Governance Board member for the Bibb County School System’s Hutchings College and Career Academy.

W. Melvin Haas III, Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith, and Prophete, LLP

Mel was formerly a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board. He heads up the Macon office of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP, and focuses his practice on labor relations, union avoidance consulting, campaigns, and NLRB litigation. Mel was recognized as a 2012 Georgia Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers. He was named one of the “Top 20 Most Powerful Labor Attorneys” by Human Resources Executive Magazine, 2012. Mel was named one of the “Top 10 Most Powerful Labor Attorneys” by Human Resources Executive Magazine for 2009 and 2010. He is also Vice Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Labor Relations Committee. He was recognized in the publication, Best Lawyers in America and named one of the Top One Hundred Labor Attorneys in the United States by Labor Relations Institute.

W. Jonathan Martin, Partner, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

Jonathan focuses his practice in employment discrimination litigation for management, defending corporations in law suits arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as related state laws. He also represents management in traditional labor law issues under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and in wage & hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Prior to being in private practice, Jonathan who is also a Reserve Air Force officer, served as a military lawyer in the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Department. While in the Air Force, he held an appointment as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, representing the United States in United States Magistrate Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Alyssa PetersAlyssa Peters, Partner, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

Alyssa works in Constangy’s Macon, Georgia office. A graduate of University of Georgia (B.A., magna cum laude), and a graduate of Georgia State University College of Law, (J.D., magna cum laude), she has served as a member of the Young Lawyers Division and a Board Member of the Leadership Academy; member of the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia; member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; member Supreme Court of the United States.

Alyssa practices in all areas of employment and labor law with an emphasis in employment litigation and management training. Alyssa has represented a broad range of clients in employment and traditional labor matters, specializing in single plaintiff cases, class action litigation and Wage and Hour Compliance litigation. Alyssa also advises employers on a wide topic of practical management and employer issues such as EEO policies, attendance and leave policies and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.

Board of Directors

  • W. Melvin Haas, III, Partner, Constangy Brooks, Smith & Prophet, LLP – Board Chair
  • W. Jonathan Martin, II, Partner, Macon Office Lead, Constangy Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP – Treasurer
  • Heatherlee Dillard-Hammonds, Office Manager, Constangy Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP – Secretary/Events Coordinator
  • Brett Virgin, CFP, Practice Leader, Pinnacle Executive Benefits – Member
  • Jolene O’Brien Paver, SVP CHRO, Bluebird Bus Company – Member
  • Rebecca Waters, President, Peachtree Benefit Group – Member
  • Steve G. Daniel, Ed. D., Executive Director, OEM Training Centers, Georgia Quick Start, Member
  • Bryttani J. Graddick, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, VP Administration & Human Resources, MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union – Member – Social Media Chair
  • Stephanie Thompson, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Manager Macon Plant, Armstrong World Industries – Member
  • Ayssa K. Peters, Partner, Constangy Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP – Member
  • Keiko Humphries, President, Humphries Consulting, Inc. – Member
  • Pete Tosh – The Focus Group, – Member
  • Rick Walker, Partner, Clement Bernard Walker PLLC, President & CEO Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association, Inc. – Member
  • D. Corey Rieck, MBA, CLTC, President & Founder, LTC (The Long-Term Care Planning Group, – Member
  • Mona Mounths, SPHR, MBA, SVP Ports America, – Member
  • Othniel Weaver “Buddy” McGehee, Jr. – Executive Director, Georgia Employers’ Association