HR Advisors

Ben Allamano, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2007 as an HR Advisor. Ben previously worked as a Helpline Consultant for two years and he has represented private and public sector employers in matters such as employment, business/contracts and administrative hearings. J.D. Golden Gate College.

Mel Davis, Cal/OSHA Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2000 as a Cal/OSHA Advisor specializing in Cal/OSHA and safety-related matters. Mel worked for Cal/OSHA for more than 23 years as a Principal Safety Engineer and Construction Safety Engineer. His responsibilities included managing the technical staff responsible for the development and revisions of California's Safety and Health regulations, evaluating requests for variances from regulations and conducting complaint and accident investigations at all types of construction sites.

Michelle Galbraith, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2007 as an HR Advisor. Prior to joining CalChamber, Michelle defended employers on discrimination and sexual harassment issues, as well as advised employers on wage and hour laws, ERISA and workers' compensation benefits. She is the author of articles on various topics for current CalChamber publications. J.D. University of California, Berkeley.

Gary Hermann, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2004 as an HR Advisor. Gary previously worked for the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for 26 years as a Hearing Officer, Senior Deputy Labor Commissioner and Regional Manager. His experience included processing wage claims, conducting investigations, staff development training and supervising 100 employees in nine district offices. J.D. University of Oregon.

Susan Kemp, HR Advisor, Helpline Manager - Joined CalChamber in 1992 and is the CalChamber's Helpline Manager. Susan is past editor of several CalChamber publications and a former HR and Training Manager. In addition, Susan has provided training to employers on a variety of topics and conducted sexual harassment investigations. J.D. S. Texas College of Law.

Sunny Lee, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 1995 and is currently an HR Advisor. Prior to joining CalChamber, Sunny represented employers in state and federal court and before governmental agencies. She has extensive dispute resolution experience, having served as a court mediator in harassment cases, employment disputes and business litigation. She has trained employers and conducted audits of employment practices. J.D. McGeorge School of Law.

Dana Leisinger, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2000 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Dana has advised employers on matters such as employment law, wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and wage and hour issues. She has conducted seminars and training and guided employers through various levels of governmental investigations. J.D. McGeorge School of Law.

Ed Levine, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 1998 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Ed is a former Senior Investigator and Hearing Officer with the Office of the Labor Commissioner in the California Department of Industrial Relations. His 26 years of service with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement included investigation and resolution of disputes brought to the Labor Commissioner, conducting hearings and settlement conferences and providing training to employers on wage and hour issues.

Dale Louton, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 1997 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Prior to joining CalChamber, Dale served as Senior Deputy Labor Commissioner, Field Agent and Hearing Officer with the Office of the Labor Commissioner in the California Department of Industrial Relations for 25 years. His experience included managing field enforcement, holding hearings related to wage and hour complaints and supervising and training field investigation staff.

Ellen Savage, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 1993 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Ellen has been assisting employers on the Helpline for almost 15 years. She was the editor of eight editions of the California Labor Law Digest and author of the Chamber's California Hiring to Termination Guide. Ellen's experience also includes practicing at a large Sacramento law firm and presenting at dozens of employment law seminars statewide. J.D. Lincoln Law School.

Paul Schechter, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2002 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Prior to becoming an HR Advisor, Paul was editor of CalChamber's California Labor Law Digest and other publications. While in private practice, Paul represented management in employment law matters and later managed human resources for several large organizations. He has owned a business in California, and has lectured statewide to employer groups on a variety of employment-related topics. J.D. Loyola University.

Barbara Wilber, HR Advisor - Joined CalChamber in 2005 and currently serves as an HR Advisor. Prior to joining CalChamber, Barbara served as a Deputy Labor Commissioner and Hearing Officer with the Labor Commissioner in the California Department of Industrial Relations. Her 24 years of experience includes settlement conferences, wage claim determinations and resolving employee disputes brought to the office of the Labor Commissioner.