Regions
Santa Clara EAC
Outstanding California EAC 2023, 2018, 2013, 2009 and 2002
Welcome to our website!
Our Mission Statement
The Santa Clara County Employer Advisory Council empowers local employers by delivering timely education, practical insights, and meaningful connections that strengthen workplace success and community prosperity. We foster collaboration among business leaders and workforce partners to address emerging challenges, share best practices, and advocate for solutions that support a competitive, inclusive, and resilient local economy.
Upcoming Seminars
Topic: The AI Hiring Playbook: Strategy, Compliance & Results
When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
Cost: $0/person – Member & $30/person – Nonmember
Overview:
AI is reshaping talent acquisition, but are you using it the right way? Join Fisher Phillips Partner, Jason Geller, who will deliver actionable insights on implementing AI-powered hiring tools, navigating legal compliance challenges, and ensuring your technology enhances, rather than replaces, human judgment. Walk away with a practical framework for evaluating AI vendors, measuring ROI, and building a hiring process that’s both efficient and equitable.
Speaker: Jason Geller
Jason Geller is the Regional Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips’ San Francisco office. Jason represents employers in all facets of employment law matters. He has considerable experience defending employers in litigation involving claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and California wage and hour laws. Jason has defended employers against class and individual wage and hour claims, including claims for alleged misclassification of exempt and independent contractor status, and failure to pay overtime and provide meal periods and rest breaks. He also frequently defends employers in whistleblowing and retaliation claims, including claims under the California Whistleblower Act, the False Claims Act and various provisions of the California Labor Code.
Jason has extensive experience defending employers in federal and state courts, as well as in investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the DFEH, United States Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
In addition to defending his clients in litigation, Jason frequently counsels employers to assist them in avoiding litigation. He regularly advises clients on leave management issues and the interactive process for employees with disabilities, reinstatement obligations under various leave laws and wage and hour compliance. Jason has prepared employee handbooks and a variety of agreements, including independent contractor, employment, confidentiality, and trade secrets agreements.
HRCI/SHRM Credits
This webinar has been approved for 1.5 HR (California) recertification credit hours.
The Right Way To Say Goodbye: Terminations That Don’t Come Back To Haunt You
When: Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
Cost: $0/person – Member & $30/person – Nonmember
Overview:
Termination decisions carry significant legal and operational risks. This webinar will guide employers through best practices for pre-termination procedures, with a focus on minimizing exposure to wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Attendees will learn to properly assess performance and conduct issues, ensure consistency in documentation, and determine whether discipline, corrective action, or termination is appropriate.
Speaker: Glen Williams| Of Counsel | Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo
Glen Williams has counseled and represented business management for nearly twenty years in all manner of employment matters including investigations and litigation of claims of discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination, as well as wage and hour matters and labor union relations.
His broad range of legal experience ranges from representing corporate entities and individuals in labor, employment, personal injury and construction defect matters to defending public entities and public officials in civil rights and employment matters.
Mr. Williams has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of legal matters from back-pay disputes before the Labor Commissioner or single-plaintiff discrimination claims, to labor board hearings on election objections and multi-million dollar wage and hour class actions in state and federal courts. Regardless of the venue or the dispute, he is dedicated to providing clients thoughtful, aggressive, and efficient representation tailored to address their needs.
HRCI/SHRM Credits
This webinar has been approved for 1.5 HR (California) recertification credit hours.
JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
Early Rate: $75 Join or renew by December 31, 2026 to lock in the discounted rate. Beginning January 1, 2027, membership increases to $125.
Special Offer — Two for One Invite a new member or company and both can join at a special two‑for‑one rate.
Membership Benefits
- CEAC Management Hotline (12 free calls/year)
- Conflict Resolution consulting
- California compliance resources
- Free webinars, discounted seminars, SHRM & HRCI credits Members attend webinars free; non-members pay $30.
Join Now! Pay online via PayPal or by check.
Questions: Tom Baity — [email protected] | (408) 398‑8627
2025/2026
Chairperson Janice Moan, CEAC Region 2 RVP
Vice Chairperson / Treasurer / Secretary Lynn Jones, Annieglass Inc.
Membership Chair Thomas Baity, Manpower Group
Publicity/Marketing Chair Rhonda Pryor, NOVA
Legislative Chair Susan Bishop, Berliner Cohen
Our Employment Development Department at work: We continue to “encourage” all employers to work with our EDD Veterans Program to create and implement “paid apprenticeships programs” for Veterans within your labor forces.
For assistance please contact Madison Chu, EDD Veteran’s Rep (LVER) at [email protected]
Bay Area Veteran apprenticeships & employer programs:
- Audi’s Veterans to Technicians Program ( www.audivets.com)
- Tesla (www.teslamotors.com/careers/vets)
- Npower (www.npower.org/Our-programs/Technology-Service/Veterans.aspx)
- CA Technologies (veteran.jobs/ca-technologies/careers)
2024 Past events
Jan 2024
“AI in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know”
Speaker: Jason Geller, Fisher & Phillip LLP
Feb 2024
“General Background Checks and New Cannabis Drug Testing Law: What, When, and How?”
Speaker- Susan Bishop, Berliner Cohen
March 2024
California State Disability Insurance for Employers
Speaker- Andrew and Lindsey, Disability Insurance EDD
April 2024
“Employee Handbooks in California:
Key Compliance Requirements, Updates, and Judgment Calls”
Speaker- Ray Hixson
May 2024
EMPLOYER WAGE AND HOUR PITFALLS FOR 2024
Speaker: Jonathan Fraser Light, Light Gabler LLP
June 2024
“What happen outside of the office, stay outside of the office?”
Speaker- Susan Bishop, Berliner Cohen
Sep 2024
“How to be a coach instead of a boss to prevent situations from becoming difficult.”
Speaker: Carol Marzouk, Leadership “N” Soul
Oct 2024
“How Employers Can Avoid the Courthouse: Top 10 Reasons Why Employers Get Sued
Speaker: Jason Geller, Fisher & Phillip LLP
Dec 2024
“Employment Law Issues and Solutions”
Speaker: William Betley, AALRR
Outstanding California EAC Award:
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County EAC Board members were honored to accept the Outstanding California EAC Award at the CEAC Annual Conference held June 8-9 at the Doubletree/Hilton Hotel in Ontario, CA. Representatives (from left to right) included: Elena Aranda, Lynn Jones, Don Kensil, and Janice Moan as well as CEAC President Tisha Snyder (right).
The Outstanding California EAC award is given to an EAC who has demonstrated over the year exceptional creativity and tireless dedication to uphold the mission and values of the CEAC in partnership with the EDD and serve their local employers through educational seminars, information on EDD programs, advocacy for local workforce development efforts, support of veterans and youth, as well as extend opportunities to give back to the community. Since 2002, this represents the fifth time the Santa Clara County EAC has received this award.
Congratulations EAC members & friends!
CEAC Conference Award Winners Santa Clara EAC
Don Kensil, Vice President and Treasurer of the EAC Santa Clara County received the Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated service as an active EAC member. For over 20 years, he has demonstrated a strong and cooperative support toward the goals of the local EAC and the CEAC overall. The award was presented at the 2019 CEAC Conference in Monterey on May 2, 2019 by President, John Bottari, CEAC President.
CEAC Conference Award Winners Santa Clara EAC
Rhonda Pryor Santa Clara County EAC – Distinguished Service Nominees
Outstanding EAC
CEAC Veterans Committee
The California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) is your connection to employment and workforce development information. The CEAC has been in partnership with the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) since 1980. As the nonprofit, statewide umbrella organization for local Employer Advisory Councils (EACs), the CEAC:
William Betley, President
The California Employer Advisory Council would like to thank the following business for their generous sponsorships and donations.
2017 CEAC ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP and DONATIONS
Putting the Pieces Together -May 3-5, 2017
CEAC Sponsorships- Whole Picture – Santa Clara County EAC $3000.00
Distinguished Service Nominees- Don Kensil, Santa Clara County EAC
Outstanding EAC Nominees- Santa Clara County EAC
Business Donations
- Rotten Robbie
- Dolce Historic Hayes Mansion
- Hotel Valencia Santana Row
- Santa Clara EAC
- Biltmore Hotel
- Jan Marini Skin Research
The California Employer Advisory Council would like to thank the following business for their generous sponsorships and donations.
2016 CEAC ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Clara EAC
Santa Clara EAC
Tech Museum of Innovation
The Children’s Discovery Museum
Biltmore Hotel
Jan Marini Skin Research
Commune Hotels & Resorts
The Fairmont Hotel
Janice Moan – Chairperson
Janice Moan has been the Chairperson for the Santa Clara County Employer Advisory Council (SCCEAC) for the last four and half years and has served on the Board for the last 14 (plus) years, including periods as the Vice Chair and Marketing/Publicity Chair. Her years of experience with the EAC organization and enthusiasm are invaluable in meeting the objectives of the organization. During her tenure on the board, the SCCEAC has won the “Outstanding EAC of the Year” award from the California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) for 2003, 2009, and 2013. The SCCEAC is financially stable in terms of finances and membership averaging 74 attendees in 2015 for monthly meetings (9 per year) and membership has recently peaked at 114.
Distinguished Service 2016
Employment Law Issues and Solutions
William Betley,
partner, Atkinson, Adelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Worker’s Compensation
Essential Things Employers Should Know
Robin McGuire,
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The Impact of Domestic Terrorism on the Workplace
James William Potts
Potts and Associates
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Employee Benefit Mandates in 2023 and Beyond
Sonya Gordon,
HUB International Pacific Region
Tuesday, June 20.2023
Best Practices for Common Employment Agreements
Susan Bishop and Maysa Saeed
Berliner Cohen, LLP
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Company Retirement Plans
Knowledge to Stay Compliant
Eric Petersen
HICKS Pension Services
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Employee Handbook 101
Kiki Okpala
Fisher Pillips- San Francisco
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
California State Disability Insurance
Claudia Perez and Mariah Cantu-Nunez
EDD- Disability Branch
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Avoiding and Implenting Downsizing
We Really Like you, But…
Jonathan Fraser Light
Light Gabler
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
2023 Annual Employment Law Update
William Betley, partner with Atkinson, Adelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
How to Manage Leaves of Absence and Other Time Off When It’s not Related to Disability
Susan Bishop, an attorney with Berliner Cohen Practices: Business Litigation
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Managing Employees: Timekeeping and other Fun Parts of the Job
Sarju A. Naran; Maysa Saeed
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Leading When You and Your Team are Exhausted
Carol Marzouk
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Conducting Workplace Investigations
Marc L. Jacuzzi
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Cal OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and Wage/Hour Issues
Jason Geller
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Effective Documentation in Employee Relations, Discipline, Arbitration and Severance/Releases
Jonthan Light
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Mapping a Compliance Strategy in Times of Rapid Change
Employee Handbooks: Key Judgment Calls and Legal Updates
Raymond Hixson, Hixson Nagatani LLP
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Mapping a Compliance Strategy in Times of Rapid Change
Liliana Salazar, Esq. HUB International
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Handling Disability Claims in the Workplace
Susan Bishop, Berliner Cohen LLP
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
2022 Employment Law Update
William Betley, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Law Firm
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Outstanding California EAC 2018, 2013, 2009 and 2002
Reimagining Your Employee Handbook (9/28/16 Seminar)
Janice Moan chairperson with Children’s Discovery Museum, Giving Back to the Community