Chicago Region PMF Profiles / Contacts

Elizabeth Miller Williams (1997) graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in Political Science from Albion College in Albion, Michigan.  She completed her Master's in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 1997.  Beth has enjoyed working for SSA because of the emphasis on public service and diversity of career opportunities.  Her current position is District Manager at the Chicago (West Town) Social Security Office.  Her prior positions include Management Support Specialist, Module Manager at the Great Lakes Program Service Center, and Area Administrative Assistant in Chicago.  Her mentor was Dennis Davis, Area Director for Metropolitan Chicago.   Her hobbies include travel, baking, reading, and learning how to be "arts-n-crafty." Elizabeth can be contacted at Elizabeth.M.Williams@ssa.gov.

Sue Denny (1998) is the Public Affairs Specialist in metropolitan Cincinnati and is responsible for education and outreach. She describes her position as "the best job in the agency." With her background in communications, it's a natural fit. Sue grew up in Delaware and has a B.A. in Communication from the American University in Washington, D.C. She spent her first years out of college working in radio, television and public relations before being hired as an obituary clerk for the Wilmington (Del.) News-Journal, the state of Delaware's largest daily newspaper. She was promoted to general assignment reporter, and then freelanced for the newspaper and other publications after her first child was born. Sue began her graduate studies at the University of Delaware and later relocated with her family to the Cincinnati area. She received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 and joined the downtown Cincinnati Social Security office in August of that year. She also did details at the Florence, Ky., field office, the Cincinnati Office of Hearings & Appeals (now ODAR) and the Environmental Protection Agency. Her mentor was Donna Mukogawa, ARCMOS, now retired. After completing the PMF program, Sue was a Management Support Specialist in Downtown Cincinnati before becoming the Public Affairs Specialist in April 2001. Her passion is public affairs, and she loves her work. Sue and her three children live in Northern Kentucky, where she volunteers at their schools and cantors at her church. E-mail Sue at Susan.Denny@ssa.gov.

Ather Masood (2000) has a Bachelors of Mental Health Social Work and a Master's in Medical Social Work from the University of Illinois At Chicago. Ather currently is a Management Analyst for the Pay and Benefits team in Human Resources. During the PMF program his mentor was Dennis Davis, Area Director for Area 7, Chicago, Illinois. Ather regularly represents the Social Security Administration in the Asian and Muslim communities nationwide. Outside of work, Ather enjoys volunteering in the community, hosts and produces "The Ather Masood Show," on CANTV monthly, and enjoys outdoor activities. Ather can be contacted at Ather.Masood@ssa.gov

Diana Schmidt (2001) graduated in 1998 from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI with a BA in Political Studies.  While working full-time for the County of Oakland in Michigan, she earned her Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  Upon being accepted as a PMI, Diana choose to work for the Social Security Administration due to the numerous offices across the country, especially the Mid-West and because of the direct impact and interaction with the American Public.  As a PMI, she had 5 different rotations in several different areas of the Agency.  Her mentor was Mark Moskop, a Disability Program Administrator in the Center for Disability.  Diana accepted a management position in a Field Office in the Detroit Metro Area. Diana can be contacted at Diana.Schmidt@ssa.gov.

Melissa Vincent-Bennett (2001) graduated in 1999 with a BA in Sociology and Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In 2001, she earned a Master's of Public Affairs degree from the LaFollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Her emphasis was on public administration and social welfare policy. She also spent time as a Welfare Reform Analyst for the State of Wisconsin.  Melissa is currently the Team Leader of the Management Information Team in the Center for Systems and Automation in the Chicago Regional Office.  Her mentor was Mary Coonda, Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management Operations Support. Outside of work, Melissa is kept busy by her husband, 2 year old son, and their pet Boxer. On the rare chance that she has free time, she often spends it  reading or traveling. Melissa can be contacted at Melissa.Vincent-Bennett@ssa.gov.

Sarah Braun (2001) graduated in 1997 with a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After serving two years of active duty in the army as an Air Defense Artillery officer, she returned to graduate school at New Mexico State University, and completed her MA in Communication Studies in 2001. During her first year as a PMF, she was called back to active duty as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, and served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Upon her return to SSA, she completed the PMF program through rotations as claims representative, management support specialist, and policy analyst. Her mentor was Marjorie Sletten, OSB Chief. She is currently a management support specialist in the Peoria, Illinois field office. During her off-hours, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young son, and working out. Sarah can be contacted at Sarah.Braun@ssa.gov.

Emily Kuhn (2002) graduated in 1999 with her B.A. in International Political Economics and Spanish from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Upon graduation, she worked in the finance industry.  In 2002, she earned her Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Hubert Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.  Her degree had an emphasis on economic development at the local and international level.  Emily chose SSA because it is an agency with strong public service values. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy.  Her hobbies include oil painting, hiking, and foreign travel.  Emily works as an Area Administrative Assistant in Columbus, Ohio Area Office. Emily’s mentor was Robin Reeves, Center Director for RSI/SSI Policy. Emily can be contacted at Emily.Kuhn@ssa.gov.

Elizabeth Muntean (2002) graduated in 1999 with a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University.  In 2002 she earned a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Her degree had an emphasis on public health policy.  Elizabeth realized that Social Security offers many rewarding challenges as well as many different career opportunities.  After working a few years in management in an area and field office, she chose to take a claims representative position.  She made this career choice in order to stay with the agency while she moved to a new state with her husband and daughter.  Away from work, she enjoys motherhood, photography, scrap booking, journaling and lots of laughter watching her daughter grow. Elizabeth can be contacted at Elizabeth.Muntean@ssa.gov.

Nathaniel D. Powell (2002): Nathaniel graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois.  He received an Arts of Masters degree in Social Work with a focus on policy and administration from the University of Chicago in 2002. Prior to coming to work for SSA’s Chicago Region, Nathaniel worked at Department of Labor in Washington D.C and SSA’s Central Office in Baltimore. MD. During the PMF program he undertook such assignments as social insurance specialist, disability examiner, claims representative, assistant module manager, and communications lead.  Currently, he is a disability program expert and the Project Officer for the Regional Office Medical Consultants in the Center for Disability.  Nathaniel can be contacted at Nathaniel.D.Powell@ssa.gov.

Dominick L. Stokes (2003) has a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland.  Dominick is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in the State of Maryland.  In graduate school, his concentration was management and community organization and social action/ social policy respectively.  Dominick is a Special Agent in the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General in Chicago, IL.  Dominick’s mentors are Glen Banks, SSA Area Director of Area V in Sherman Oaks, California in the San Francisco Region and Margaret Moore Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Strategic Enforcement Division in Baltimore, Maryland.  Outside work, Dominick enjoys working out, film production, & Play Station Games.  Dominick can be contacted at Dominick.Stokes@ssa.gov.

Rory Robinson (2004) is a Training Specialist with the Center for Human Resource’s Employee Training and Development Section. His PMF journey included tours in the Teleservice and Program Service Centers as well as an assortment of assignments in Human Resources. Prior to receiving a PMF appointment, he served on active duty in the Air Force and finished his 23-year career as a program manager for the Community College of the Air Force. Rory completed his undergraduate studies in Human Resource Management at Faulkner University and earned his M.S. degree in Public Administration at Troy State University. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and helping his daughters with their algebra homework. Rory’s mentor was Diane Harris McGee, Teleservice Center Director, Chicago Region. He can be contacted at Rory.Robinson@ssa.gov.

Selene Valdespino (2005) graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor of Social Work.  For three years, she worked in the public school system as a special education coach for high school students with learning disabilities.  Selene then earned her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in social and economic development from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.  During her graduate studies, she helped to organize a legislative day for a local school of students at the Missouri State Capitol.  Just prior to joining SSA, Selene worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in the area of fundraising and grant administration.  Outside of work, her greatest joys include spending quality time with her family in Texas and sightseeing Chicago’s cultural and entertainment sites.  She and her husband volunteer as catechist teachers for seventh grade students in their local parish.  Selene’s mentor is Mary Gavin, CREOS Manager.   Selene can be contacted at Selene.Valdespino@ssa.gov.

Marc A. Brandt (2005) retired from the military in 2004, after completing 20 years of service. During that time, he earned his Bachelor and MBA degrees through a combination of proficiency exams, and traditional, videotape and online classes. He and his wife of 24 years (and their boys) are glad to finally be back near their hometown of Chicago. He truly enjoys life at the Social Security Administration and feels blessed to be able to continue to work for America. Off duty, he can usually be found traveling around with family, fixing up his house, taking classes at the local college, snapping photos, writing or drawing. His mentor is Sue Kuffel, Project Manager in the Center for Material Resources in downtown Chicago. Marc can be reached at marc.brandt@ssa.gov.

Casey Sieler Hurst (2005): Casey graduated in May 2005, from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, with a Masters’ degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Russian and East European Studies. She also has a background in non-profit work dealing with youth at risk.  During her sabbatical from school in 2003-2004, she worked for a non-profit in Eastern Siberia addressing youth issues in rural Russia. One bright day in the future, she may yet finish my thesis. She began her work with SSA in the Philadelphia region, but due to personal reasons transferred to the Chicago region. She notes that this is just another example of how SSA not only embodies strong public service values, but extends these values to the treatment of its employees as well.  Outside of work she enjoys hiking, traveling, and playing shuffleboard. Casey can be contacted at Casey.Sieler@ssa.gov.

Chris Wood (2007):Chris graduated in 2007 with a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy Studies with concentrations in finance and poverty and inequality.  Over the years, Chris has worked with various non-profit organizations and NGOs managing community-based programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods and conducting research on issues of health care and urban infrastructure both domestically and abroad.  Chris’ mentor is Robert Coplin the Director for the Center for Security and Integrity at SSA’s Regional Office in Chicago.  In his free time, Chris enjoys soccer, poker, and cooking.  Chris can be contacted at Chris.Wood@ssa.gov.

Al Toni (Tony) Bias (2007) graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science from California State University at Northridge. The following year he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. In 2007 Al Toni earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee. While pursuing his education Tony served in the U.S. Marine Corps, supervised a learning center operations team and provided academic support to undergraduate scholarship students. Tony chose to lend his talents to the SSA because of the various rewarding challenges and the near limitless geographical opportunities the administration provides. Outside of work Tony enjoys basketball, sporting events, and exploring Chicago or anywhere else that can be reached over the weekend.  Tony can be contacted at AlToniF.Bias@ssa.gov.

Dion Beatty (2007) graduated in December 2006 with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, focusing on Management of Human Services.  Shortly before joining SSA, Dion worked in the private sector in Human Resources in the Chicago area.  Working for SSA matched very closely with Dion’s background in social services and he was originally hired to work in the Philadelphia Region.  Upon returning to the Chicago Region, Dion will be continuing his studies toward completion of a Master of Business Administration degree from DePaul University.  Dion is an avid fan of tennis, and you can convince him to travel just about anywhere!  Dion can be contacted at Dion.Beatty@ssa.gov.

Caroline Boch (2008) graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard University.  She earned a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2008.  Prior to joining SSA, Caroline served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador and worked for several nonprofit child advocacy and legal aid organizations throughout the country.  Her mentor is Phyllis Smith, Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing Center Operations.  In her free time, Caroline enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and trying new restaurants in the Chicago area.  Caroline can be contacted at Caroline.Boch@ssa.gov.

Tadd Blair (2008) graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in Spanish and Economics from the University of Kansas. In 2008 he earned his Juris Doctorate from the University f Kansas School of Law and sat for the Illinois Bar Exam in July of 2008. While completing his education, Tadd has worked in a variety of jobs including: a challenge course in Kansas; an organization which provided free legal services for Spanish speaking immigrants in Los Angeles; and a private law practice law firm in New Mexico. He chose to work for SSA because of the administration’s mission and excellent reputation. Tadd’s mentor is Mark Moskop, a Disability Program Administrator in the Center for Disability. Outside of work, Tadd enjoys watching sports, playing basketball, hunting and fishing. Tadd can be contacted at Tadd.Blair@ssa.gov.

Shannon Fleming (PMF Coordinator) graduated from Rhode Island College, Providence, Rhode Island in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.  He earned a master’s degree in modern European history from the University of Minnesota in 1969 and a doctorate in modern European history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974.  Since 1976 he has worked in the Social Security Administration’s Chicago Region.  His jobs have included the benefit authorizer position, assistant module manager, and various staff positions.  For 14 years he was the Chicago Region’s Regional Training Officer and is currently a Project Manager for Workforce Development in the Center for Human Resources. One of his important duties is to coordinate the Chicago Region’s  Presidential Management Fellows Program.  For more information on or to apply for the PMF Program in the Chicago Region you can contact Shannon at Shannon.Fleming@ssa.gov or (312) 575-6453.