A practical advisor and passionate advocate for his clients, Chris helps businesses prevent and resolve legal disputes, particularly those with their own employees. Focusing on labor and employment law, he assists both large and small employers with HR and employment issues relating to hiring and firing, background checks, employee handbooks, compensation, overtime, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, unpaid wages, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and more. With an appreciation for the specific business needs of his clients, Chris helps ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws such as:

• Title VII
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

He drafts employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation and severance agreements, and employee handbooks.

Chris also regularly represents clients before state and federal administrative agencies and courts.  Having a strong background as a litigator and trial attorney, Chris prepares each case with an eye toward trial and fearlessly advocates for his clients.

Chris began his legal career as a criminal prosecutor, during which time he tried more than 20 jury trials. Thereafter, Chris represented international corporations, small businesses, and insurers in a variety of legal disputes. While in law school, Chris received the Victor O. Wehle Award for excellence in trial advocacy, served as a Senior Associate on the Stetson Law Review, and interned for the Honorable Susan C. Bucklew, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Chris is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honor society.

When he is not serving his clients, Chris can be found playing softball, hopelessly rooting for the New York Mets, and enjoying his time with his beautiful wife and children.

As Vice President of Global Operations, Patrick is responsible for building an international network of consultants to help Careerminds with the demands of its growing list of global accounts.

Before Careerminds, Patrick was the Southeast President for CMP and the President of The Frontier Group, a firm he founded and merged with CMP. Patrick also has held senior leadership roles in marketing and sales with leading consumer product companies, such as Georgia Pacific, Kao Brands, Kraft/General Foods, and The HON Company.

Patrick is the President of SHRM-Atlanta, the premier professional community for those in Human Resources and people management.

Patrick also serves as the Chairman of the Board for Special Pops Tennis: a non-profit that offers an adaptive tennis program specifically designed to share the sport with children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Patrick holds an M.B.A. from Michigan State University and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Rob Chavez has been with SHRM since 2017 and is responsible for overseeing and maintaining all IT-related security, data privacy, regulatory and compliance aspects for the organization.  

Chavez has over 20 years of experience in the information technology security, data assurance, and cybersecurity incident response field.

Prior to joining SHRM, Chavez worked in various sectors such as law (Cooley, LLP), nonprofit (Association of American Medical Colleges), higher education (Georgetown University), and commercial services (Symantec).

Chavez earned a master’s degree in Technology Security Management from Georgetown University, a bachelor’s degree from Strayer University and holds numerous information security industry certifications including an (ISC)² CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and an ISACA CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).

Chavez lives with his partner of 26 years in Alexandria, VA.

Experienced Service Desk Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the human resources industry. Skilled in Management, Software Documentation, Switches, Windows 7, and Technical Support. Strong information technology professional graduated from George Mason University.

Zachary Fernebok has been a member of the SHRM marketing team since July 2021. Previously, Zach worked as the Global Product Marketing Manager at the International Baccalaureate for three years, and as Marketing Manager at Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta before that. He holds an MS in Marketing from American University. Outside of work, Zach is a professional actor and playwright.