Board of Directors

  Name:  Laura Hill

  Board Position: President of South Texas Compensation & Benefits Association (STXC&BA)
  Company/Title: BioBridge Global 
  Job Title: Manager, Compensation & HRIS Data Analytics

Bio:   Laura is the current sitting President for STXCABA for multiple terms now and is currently in the term of 2024-2025.  Laura has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from UTSA and has been working in Human Resources for over 8 years.  Currently, Laura is the Manager, Compensation & HRIS Data Analytics at BioBridge Global.  Previously having worked in general HR functions with BioBridge Global and an HR internship with Accenture.  Laura is actively working toward the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certification. Laura is also actively serving as a Board Member for the Texas Total Rewards Association as President for the 2024 TTRA Conference to be held in San Antonio, TX. 

   Name:  Claudia Arellano, SPHR
   Board Position: Vice President, Membership/Sponsorships
   Company/Title: UT Health San Antonio 
    Job Title: Senior Compensation Analyst

Bio:   Claudia's career in HR career began in 2006 with Dr Pepper Snapple Group (now Dr Pepper Keurig), followed by opportunities at the Witte Museum, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Silver Ventures. Currently, Claudia is the Senior Compensation Analyst at UT Health San Antonio. Claudia has heavily involved with the San Antonio Human Resources Management Association, where she has served as a member of the Executive Board. She earned a Bachelors in Business Administration Management (UT Arlington), a BA in Sociology (UT Austin) and currently is an MBA candidate (UTSA).  Claudia has also earned her SHRM-CP and SHPR certifications.  In her free time, she loves to spend time with her two kids, husband, her beagle Lady Bird, family and friends.  She loves to travel and read. 

  Name:  Valerie Tolhurst, SHRM-SCP, CCP, CPSP
  Board Position: Vice President, Finance & Secretary
  Company/Title: Brundage Management Company
  Job Title: Vice President Talent

Bio:   Valerie has over 25 years’ experience in Total Rewards Management, with the last 21 years at Brundage. Having started out in a one-person HR office, she has grown the department to a team of 17 professionals that manage all Total Rewards functions that include recruiting, performance management, benefits, work-life balance, and organizational development.  Under her watch, turnover was sustainably reduced by more than 50% due in part to initiatives in better hiring, better training and development for employees and managers, a market-based approach to compensation, and affordable benefit offerings.  Her team supports approximately 800 employees in 10 states.  Valerie completed the Certified Compensation Professional program in February 2021. She is certified as SHRM-SCP and a Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP) by the Plan Sponsor Council of America. Valerie is serving as a Board Member for the Texas Total Rewards Association as Treasurer for the 2024 TTRA Conference to be held in San Antonio.

   Name: Jonathan Leija

   Board Position: Vice President, Communications

   Company: Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
   Job Title: Specialist, HR Analytics & Compensation

Bio:   Jonathan Leija currently works in the HR Analytics & Compensation section in Human Resources at Southwest Research Institute. Over the span of a 14-year career, his experience includes assigned duties within Employment, Employee Relations, and currently works with internal salary data, salary surveys, and generates reports for ad-hoc data requests. Mr. Leija holds a BBA in Human Resources Management from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He is an active alumnus contributing to community and social events. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and experiencing different cuisines around the globe. As an avid runner, he is always up for a new challenge in a new city with his running group.

  Name: Michelle Garza, CBP, PHR

   Board Position: Vice President, Special Programs

   Company: CCC Group
   Job Title: Human Resources Director

Bio:   Michelle began her career in Human Resources in 1989 with La Mansion del Rio Hotel. Over the years, she has held key HR roles at organizations such as Mission Pharmacal, Trammell Crow, and CCC Group, where she has dedicated the past 23 years. Throughout her career, Michelle has specialized in Employee Benefits, gaining extensive experience in this area. She also ventured into the brokerage side of Employee Benefits, earning her H1 License and working in the field for several years. Michelle has been a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) since 2001 and became a Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) in 2020. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Together, they love fishing along the Gulf Coast, attending NASCAR and drifting events, or exploring and traveling across the United States.

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