Event Details

Register via the link below:

http://rockford.shrm.org/forms/rockford-area-may-2026-membership-meeting

AGENDA:

8:00-8:15:   Register and light breakfast provided
8:15-8:20:   Welcome from the Board
8:20-8:30:   Word from Sponsor - Paylocity  
8:30-10:00:   Presentation

PRESENTATION INFORMATION: 

Join Rockford Area SHRM for a timely and engaging conversation designed specifically for HR professionals, business leaders, and employers following Mayor Tom McNamara’s 2026 State of the City Address.

As Rockford continues to experience significant growth and transformation, this session will provide valuable insight into the initiatives, investments, and community progress shaping our region’s workforce and economic future. Mayor McNamara will discuss the city’s continued momentum and the collaborative efforts helping make Rockford a great place to live, work, and play.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Workforce readiness and talent development initiatives
• Efforts to expand opportunities in the skilled trades
• Economic growth and neighborhood investment
• Public safety improvements and community impact
• Infrastructure and transportation developments, including Metra expansion
• Housing growth and regional workforce attraction
• The evolving role of employers in supporting community progress

This session offers HR professionals a unique opportunity to better understand how local initiatives and public policy intersect with workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and organizational strategy.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A discussion with Mayor McNamara following the presentation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow HR and business professionals while gaining valuable perspective on the future of our region and workforce.

PRESENTER: 

Mayor Tom McNamara 

Tom McNamara is the 41st Mayor of Rockford, Illinois, having first taken office on May 1, 2017. He is the son of former Mayor John McNamara, who served from 1981 to 1989. Prior to his mayoral tenure, Tom represented Rockford’s east and west sides, as well as downtown, as the 3rd Ward Alderman. ​Mayor McNamara holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology and criminology and a master’s degree in nonprofit administration, both from John Carroll University in Cleveland. He and his wife, Sarah, reside in the Churchill’s Grove neighborhood with their two children. ​Mayor McNamara serves on various boards, including the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, and the Workforce Connection Board. In April 2021, he was re-elected unopposed for a second term, and in April 2025, he secured a third term with 78% of the vote. 

Sponsor: Paylocity 

About Our Sponsor

Paylocity is a leading provider of cloud‑based payroll and human capital management (HCM) solutions designed to help organizations streamline processes, improve the employee experience, and support compliance. Serving businesses of all sizes, Paylocity offers tools for payroll, HR, benefits administration, time and labor, talent management, and employee engagement—all within a single, unified platform for the modern workforce.

Here’s What Sets Paylocity Apart

Paylocity delivers first-to-market innovations that solve complex challenges and drive business outcomes for our more than 40,000 clients. Building on our award-winning HCM suite, we’re unifying work across HR, Finance, and IT into one connected experience so organizations can stop piecing things together and start moving forward faster. With a focus on the future, our solutions push the boundaries of traditional HR and finance technology to streamline processes, boost efficiency, simplify spend management, and deliver seamless, intuitive experiences to make leaders, administrators, and employees more productive.

www.Paylocity.com

The Rockford Area contact for Paylocity is Maureen Hagen, MHagen@Paylocity.com

Here is our latest Paylocity Brochure

Check out our Podcast: https://thehrmixtape.com/

We look forward to seeing you there!

Rockford Area SHRM is a professional association serving the greater Rockford area. We are dedicated to professional development and building community for individuals who regularly engage in some aspect of the human resources profession.

The mission of Rockford Area SHRM is to advance the human resources professional by providing opportunities to share best practices through experiences, education and networking.

Members of the Rockford Area SHRM are able to attend most events at no additional cost. You will find events at https://rockford.shrm.org/. Be sure to register for events through the website.