Rocket City HR Consulting

Human Resources for Government Contracting
2024-07-25 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, 225 Church St. NW, Huntsville, AL, 35801, United States
Human resources requirements for companies doing business with the government have a unique set of rules and regulations. Join the HR professionals at Rocket City HR Consulting to help you keep your company in compliance. This workshop will cover the following items of interest:
• Regulations for Government Contractors Based on Contract Type and Size
• Managing Federal Contractor Affirmative Action Programs
• Policies, Posters, and Training Needed to Maintain Compliance
• The Importance of Conducting an HR Government Contracting Audit
• Do’s and Don’ts for SCA Employees
• Wage Determination Orders and Benefits
Today’s workshop leader is Karen Burton, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Senior HR Business Advisor & Recruiter with Rocket City HR Consulting.

Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Management of Technology with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Athens State University. She has held the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification through the Human Resources Certification Institute since 2003, and the SHRM-SCP (Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional) designation since 2016. She also completed a course at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, earning a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.
Karen has decades of federal government and private sector experience, including recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, federal employment laws, job analysis, job descriptions, performance management, employee and labor relations, mediation, training and development, and HR management.
She is enthusiastic about training and development of managers and HR professionals and assisting organizations with strategic planning, root cause analysis, and employee engagement activities. Karen has taught supervisory, leadership, and human resource development courses. She previously served as the Director of Certification for the North Alabama Society of Human Resource Management (NASHRM), conducting study groups for HR professionals who were preparing for their Certification Exams, and still enjoys mentoring HR professionals.
Karen made the Madison, Alabama community her permanent home in 2010 after traveling and working across the country for the federal government. She enjoys giving back to the community by lending her talents to local non-profit organizations. Her personal interests include crafts, music, and spending time with her retired greyhounds.

DisruptHR Conference - Huntsville
2024-08-20 17:45 - 20:00 | National Geographic Theater at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 35805, United States
In August 2018, the first DisruptHR event in Huntsville drew a crowd of more than 150 forward-thinking business leaders and garnered amazing reviews and feedback. After a hiatus, it’s coming back on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024!
DisruptHR HSV is an amazing event designed to help today’s HR and business leaders change their thinking about the future of HR. From increasing automation and a tight labor market to new technologies that change the way that businesses find, hire, and engage their talent, we need to keep ourselves sharp in this era of ever-increasing change.
10 speakers. 5 minutes each. One night that could change your approach to people forever.
Are you in?
We will be serving heavy hors d’oeuvres, there will be a bar so you can pick up a relaxing drink, and on top of that, this event will bring together some of the most interesting and collaborative HR professionals from across the North Alabama region (and we’ll welcome some from as far away as Nashville and Atlanta, too!) We hope you’ll join us for this amazing experience.
More details: https://disrupthr.co/city/huntsville/

What to Know Before You Hire Your First Employee
2025-01-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Online

Rocket City HR Consulting 14th Anniversary & Ribbon Cutting
2025-03-14 10:30 - 11:00 | Athens – Limestone Chamber of Commerce, 101 S. Beaty St., Athens, Alabama, 35611, United States

Athens LaunchBox Presents: Employee Retention Lunch & Learn with Rocket City HR Consulting
2025-03-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Athens LaunchBox, 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL, 35611, United States

Marshall County SHRM Chapter Training - "Professionalism, Ethics, and Hard Conversations in HR"
2025-03-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Kappler Auditorium, 115 Grimes Drive, Guntersville, AL, 35976, United States

Athens LaunchBox Presents: Unlock the Power of Strategic HR
2025-04-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Athens LaunchBox, 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL, 35611, United States

Athens LaunchBox Presents: Top Tips to Prevent Burnout
2025-05-09 11:30 - 13:00 | Athens LaunchBox, 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL, 35611, United States
Information on this event out soon!

ALSHRM25: Alabama SHRM Conference
2025-05-12 - 2025-05-14 | Perdido Beach Resort, 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL, 36561, United States
Rocket City HR Consulting will be at the Alabama SHRM 2025 State Conference & Exposition at the beautiful Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach from May 12 to May 14, 2025.
You won’t want to miss our booth, “Unwind with Rocket City HR” this year; we are focused on you! We have some self-care goodies for you, and you can also schedule a free neck or foot massage and book a complimentary HR consultation with us.
Our own Samantha Brinkley and Alicia Shelley will be presenting relevant topics during the conference:
• Samantha will be presenting “Composing Workplace Harmony Amid Executive Orders Banning DEI Programs” on Tuesday, May 13 at 9:15 a.m. in Ballroom F
• Alicia will be presenting “How to Rock Retention: Say Goodbye to Bye Bye Bye” on Tuesday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m. in Sand Castle 1
We are looking forward to an exciting conference and hope to see you there!

The Catalyst Center Presents: Strategic HR
2025-05-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Online

The Catalyst Center Presents: HR Survival Skills for Small Business
2025-06-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Online

Athens LaunchBox Presents: Professionalism, Ethics, and Hard Conversations
2025-06-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Athens LaunchBox, 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL, 35611, United States

The Catalyst Center Presents: What to Know Before Becoming a Multi-State Employer
2025-07-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Online

Grand Opening!
2025-09-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States

HR Essentials for Government Contractors
2025-10-15 11:00 - 12:30 | Online
Since the new administration took office in January 2025, government contractors have begun to feel the impact of shifting federal priorities, especially in labor policy, compliance enforcement, and workforce expectations. From revised DEI directives to changes in DOL and OFCCP focus areas, HR practices for federal contractors must adapt to stay compliant and competitive.
This timely training will equip business owners and HR professionals with up-to-date insights on managing their teams under current federal guidelines. Topics will include:

Labor and HR policy shifts under the 2025 Trump administration
Updates to affirmative action, DEI, and OFCCP compliance
Hiring, onboarding, and employee classification considerations
Key HR risks in government contracting audits and reviews
Managing multi-state and remote employees under changing regulations
Best practices for building a compliant and resilient federal contracting workforce

Whether you’re new to government contracting or expanding your team across contracts, this class will help you align your HR strategies with current federal expectations.
Who Should Attend:
Small business owners, HR managers, operations leaders, and anyone responsible for workforce compliance in a government contracting environment.

HR Nightmares Lunch & Learn Training
2025-10-21 11:00 - 12:30 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Are employee issues giving you a fright and keeping YOU up all night? Let Rocket City HR Consulting show you how to beat the boogeyman!
In this workshop you will:

Hear about “scary” employee scenarios you might face
Find out what YOU should do as an employer
Learn what you can (and CANNOT) say

Sponsored by APS Payroll

Performance Management Lunch & Learn Training
2025-11-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
FREE Lunch & Learn – Lunch Provided
Join this informative training session as we cover Performance Management best practices for supervisory positions.
The content includes:

SMART Performance Goals
Motivating and Providing Effective Feedback
Strategies for Addressing Poor Performance

Sponsored by Easyl Engraving

Strong Coffee Strong Women: Veteran's Edition
2025-11-13 08:30 - 09:30 | The Catalyst Center, 515 Sparkman Dr NW, Huntsville, AL, 35816-3417, United States
The Catalyst Center is excited to announce a special Veteran’s Edition of Strong Coffee Strong Women on Thursday November 13th, in honor of Veteran’s Day. This session will feature Shannan Starling of Astra Solutions, Bailey Erickson and Alexis Nichols of Wafel Bitte, and Samantha Brinkley of Rocket City HR. Learn more about these amazing women below!
Shannan Starling, CEO / President of Astra Solutions
A former Warfighter and Combat Veteran, Shannan has a passion for supporting Warfighter needs and helping clients meet customer requirements. She is an experienced industrial base executive with a strong track record of exceeding customer requirements and expectations. Ms. Starling retired from the U.S Air Force after 23 years of service and a myriad of duty stations and operational deployments. After retiring, she supported the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) providing direct support to senior leadership on system level integration issue resolution across their $9B Missile Defense System (MDS) program.
Bailey Erickson and Alexis Nichols, Founders of Wafel Bitte
Bailey and her daughter Alexis sought a meaningful project during lockdown and decided to start a business together. Bailey, an experienced entrepreneur and Air Force veteran, wanted to teach Alexis how to turn an idea into reality before her enlistment. With Alexis’s love for baking, they aimed to create something that would bring joy to others. Having been stationed in Europe, they were familiar with the authentic taste and look of Belgian Liege Waffles. Noticing a lack of them in Madison, Alabama, they saw the perfect opportunity and began perfecting their recipe. They started selling pre-packaged waffles at local farmers markets, where they quickly became a hit. In 2022, Wafel-Bitte was named Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by the Catalyst Center. In 2023, Wafel-Bitte was named Culinary Business of the Year (Gold) and Start-Up Business of the Year (Bronze). In 2024, Wafel-Bitte was selected as Alabama’s Small Business Success Story for Disaster Preparedness and Resilience.
Samantha Brinkley, CEO of Rocket City HR
Samantha Brinkley served 5½ years in the United States Air Force as a Personnel Officer. It was during her time leading the Personnel Services team at the Sacramento Police Department that she discovered her true passion for Human Resources. She realized HR is where business and people intersect — a place where strong leadership, empathy, and strategy come together to shape thriving workplaces. In 2011, Samantha founded Rocket City HR Consulting to provide strategic HR solutions for organizations in need of part-time or project-based HR leadership, all while maintaining the balance of family life. What began as a solo venture has grown into a team of dedicated professionals serving clients across diverse industries, guiding businesses through every stage of the employee lifecycle.
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Join us to hear the inspiring “espresso-monials” of these Veteran Women in small business in the Huntsville area.
The Catalyst Strong Coffee Strong Women program shines a light on a woman business owner or community leader who exemplifies every woman’s unique path to success. Hear an“Espresso-monial” that will uplift and inspire and connect with other innovative, resourceful, and highly productive business owners and industry/government experts.

HR Fundamentals Bootcamp
2026-01-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Online
Register here: https://catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/973122
Is your business HR-ready for growth and compliance?
Join Karen Burton, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Senior HR Business Advisor & Recruiter at Rocket City HR Consulting, for a practical session designed to help small and mid-sized businesses strengthen their HR foundation.
You’ll learn how to:

Stay compliant with key federal and Alabama HR laws
Create and maintain effective employee handbooks
Conduct meaningful performance reviews
Document and address issues the right way
Manage discipline fairly and consistently
Organize and retain personnel files correctly
Take smart steps before hiring

Build confidence, reduce risk, and create a workplace where people and performance thrive!

The Employee Handbook Blueprint
2026-01-20 11:30 - 13:00 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
Lunch & Learn Event
Tickets $25 for non-members, $15 for current clients
REGISTER HERE
A well-written handbook isn’t just rules — it’s a tool to communicate clearly, manage consistently, and protect your organization.
You will learn:
• Why every company needs a handbook and how it helps employees and leadership
• Which policies, disclaimers, and phrases belong — and which ones to avoid
• How to use it for discipline, terminations, and ongoing communication
Sponsored by

HR Minefields: The 15 Mistakes That Could Cost You
2026-02-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Register Here: https://catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/973123
Even smart employers can step on hidden HR landmines that explode into fines, lawsuits, or morale issues. Karen Burton, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Senior HR Business Advisor & Recruiter at Rocket City HR Consulting will guide you through the perils of common mistakes businesses make daily (and then suffer as a result of!)
This session will help you:

Spot the top HR mistakes before they blow up your business
Fix weak spots in hiring, classification, and documentation
Leave with clear, practical ways to protect your people and your bottom line

Heartfelt & Cost-Efficient: Employee Recognition That Works
2026-02-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
Lunch & Learn Event
Tickets $25 for non-members, $15 for current clients
REGISTER HERE
Employee recognition doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. In fact, the most meaningful moments of appreciation often cost little—or nothing at all. This session explores creative, budget-friendly ways to recognize employees that truly resonate, strengthen engagement, and reinforce a positive workplace culture.
Key Takeaways:

Discover why personalized recognition is more impactful than generic rewards.
Learn low-cost strategies to celebrate achievements and milestones.
Explore how recognition can boost retention, morale, and productivity.
Understand common pitfalls that make recognition feel insincere (and how to avoid them).
Create an action plan for building a sustainable, authentic recognition culture.

Sponsored by

The Employee Handbook Blueprint
2026-03-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
REGISTER HERE: https://catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/973124
A well-written handbook isn’t just rules — it’s a tool to communicate clearly, manage consistently, and protect your organization.
Karen Burton, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Senior HR Business Advisor & Recruiter at Rocket City HR Consulting shows session attendees:

Why every company needs a handbook and how it helps employees and leadership
Must-have policies, disclaimers, and what to avoid
Why an Employee Handbook is essential for every organization and how it supports both employees and leadership.
Which policies, disclaimers, and phrases belong — and which ones could create risk.

Rocket City HR Consulting 15th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Celebration!
2026-03-11 09:00 - 09:30 | Westlawn Office Center Suite 40 – Rocket City HR Consulting Office, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Ste 40, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
You’re Invited!
It’s hard to believe that 15 years have already passed! What started as an idea, a lot of hard work, and a few big leaps of faith has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our clients, colleagues, friends, and family along the way.
We’d love for you to help us celebrate our 15-Year Anniversary with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Westlawn Office Center.
We hope you’ll come mark this moment, share a few memories, and celebrate how far we’ve come together. We can’t wait to see you there!

Hire Right, Fire Fair: A Compliance‑First Approach
2026-04-22 11:30 - 13:00 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
REGISTER HERE
LUNCH PROVIDED
“Hire Right, Fire Fair: A Compliance First Approach” is a practical, compliance-driven workshop designed to help employers navigate the full employee lifecycle with confidence, consistency, and legal awareness. This session is ideal for small business owners and executives, HR professionals, managers, and supervisors who must balance growth with regulatory compliance and sound people-management practices.
Participants will learn how to create a structured, compliant hiring workflow that reduces risk and improves candidate quality, including:

Writing clear, bias-free job descriptions aligned with essential duties
Conducting interviews using compliant, defensible questions
Understanding permissible employment checks (background checks, references, testing)
Documenting employee training and performance to maximize performance
Handling discipline and separation issues with fairness and dignity while protecting the employer’s reputation and defending against future litigation

Key Takeaways
By the end of the training, attendees will be equipped to:

Hire confidently using structured, compliant processes
Manage performance proactively with documentation that supports fairness
Build stronger teams by aligning people practices with organizational values
Handle terminations ethically and legally, reducing emotional and legal risk
Protect their organization from costly claims, turnover, and compliance failures

Sponsored by:

HR Essentials: What Every Supervisor Should Know
2026-06-23 11:30 - 13:00 | Westlawn Office Center Conference Room, 4217 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805, United States
REGISTER HERE
LUNCH PROVIDED
“HR Essentials: What Every Supervisor Should Know” is a core skills workshop designed to equip supervisors, managers, and HR professionals with the fundamental knowledge required to lead teams effectively while staying compliant with essential employment laws. Built for both new and experienced leaders, this session delivers practical guidance for navigating everyday people-management responsibilities with clarity, confidence, and consistency.
Participants explore the critical responsibilities that come with supervisory authority, including:

How supervisors influence culture, compliance, and organizational risk
The link between consistent leadership behavior and team performance
Common compliance pitfalls that arise in daily supervisory decisions
What to document—and how—to protect the organization and ensure fairness

Key Takeaways
At the end of the workshop, attendees will be equipped to:

Lead with consistency and confidence, using clear processes and expectations
Apply foundational HR and employment law concepts appropriately in daily decisions
Communicate and document effectively to support strong teams and reduce risk
Address performance and conduct issues early, fairly, and legally

Foster positive workplace culture, improving engagement, retention, and productivity
Sponsored by:
