Professional Education Instructors
Current Instructors
-
-
JERRY ROY BENSON
Jerry Benson is a consultant and university instructor specializing in building high-performing organizations. Until 2018, Jerry was the President/CEO for Utah Transit Authority (UTA), a 2400 employee, $1 billion transit authority providing commuter rail, light rail, bus, and mobility services to 46 million riders per year. Over his 34 year career at UTA, Jerry worked in multiple executive positions including Director of Human Resources, Director of Communication, Chief Performance Officer, Vice President of Operations, and President/CEO.
During his tenure, UTA became a recognized leader in transit system efficiency, safety and reliability. Jerry received the American Public Transportation Association Innovation Award for UTAs unique approach to labor relations. Under Jerry’s direction, UTA became the industry leader in applying Lean/enterprise excellence practices to public service. Jerry has given presentations on his leadership and organizational principles at the American Public Transit Association, the Shingo Institute/Huntsman School of Business, the University of Utah and Westminster College.
After leaving UTA in 2018, Jerry created 3rd Wind Leadership, an organizational and leadership development consultancy. Jerry works with business, government and non-profit clients to improve results by increasing leadership and organizational effectiveness. 3rd Wind Leadership helps organizations become CLEAR reach clarity of purpose and strategy, develop principled leadership, cultivate employee engagement, achieve alignment of systems and metrics, and produce breakthrough results.
Jerry Benson holds a Master of Human Resource Management and a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication. He has over 20 years of experience as a university instructor teaching leadership and performance management. -
KARI GARDNER
Kari Gardner is an educator and HR professional who has taught deaf and hard of hearing students, grades K-12, for the Idaho, Utah, and Arizona schools for the Deaf and Blind. She has worked as a college instructor teaching American Sign Language and other courses, and she currently teaches for University of Utah Professional Education department.
Kari has a Master's Degree in Deaf Education from Idaho State University and an MBA in Human Resources from Strayer University. In addition, Kari has a 20-year career in corporate training, organizational development, and human resources. As an independent consultant, Kari enjoys serving Utah businesses to maximize their employee relationships.
What Students are Saying:
"Kari was delightful. Her knowledge of the subject matter and personable style of teaching made a challenging subject palatable."
"Kari is very approachable and makes learning fun. She incorporates many different activities to practice signing, which really helps with memorization. She made the classroom feel safe, and that bolstered our confidence. We weren't scared to make mistakes." -Gigi B. -
-
-
CORPER JAMES
Corper James practices in the areas of general business and employment law with an emphasis on employment discrimination and litigation. Corper advises clients regarding federal and state employment laws, and also specializes in providing training and prevention programs for businesses and organizations focusing on effective management techniques. Corper is the co-author of The Opportunity of Workplace Diversity: Theory, Cases, and Exercises published by Prentice Hall. Corper is also the author of several training programs designed to assist businesses and organizations in preventing and dealing effectively with workplace conflicts.
Corper has litigation experience in general civil litigation, employment contracts, Title VII protected classes, the American's with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and employment-related state law tort claims. Corper is an experienced trainer and speaker on such issues as Title VII sexual harassment, employee handbooks, proper interview, discipline and termination procedures, workplace diversity, and the Family Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, ADA and ADEA. Corper represents state and national employers, as well as plaintiffs in employment cases. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, where he teaches a Civil Rights Law/Employment Discrimination class.
Corper is a partner at the firm of Mabey Wright & James in Salt Lake City. Prior to joining his current firm, Corper was a shareholder at the firm of Woobury & Kesler.
Corper is an avid football fan and worked as an in-house Law Clerk for the Oakland Raiders from 1999 until 2000. Corper also worked as a certified teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District prior to attending law school, and has worked with several inner-city programs focusing on troubled youth and access to community resources for immigrant families. Corper is active in local community affairs and politics, and serves as President on Board of Trustees for Centro de la Familia in Salt Lake City.
-
-
Reed Shell
Reed Shell is a 30-year Information Technology professional who has worked for Fortune 50 companies, non-profits, and small businesses. Reed speaks fluent agile and is a Certified Scrum Professional. He enjoys teaching and instructs part-time at the University of Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Boise State University (go Broncos!) and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from the prestigious George Fox University. When he is not managing people, processes, projects, or present, you will find him in his kayak soaking crab pots at his favorite bay on the Oregon Coast or rockhounding with his wife and best friend of 35 years.
Reed speaks fluent agile and is a Certified Scrum Professional. He enjoys teaching and instructs part-time at the University of Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Boise State University (go Broncos!) and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from the prestigious George Fox University. When he is not managing people, processes, projects, or present, you will find him in his garage turning wrenches on engines and transmissions or restoring Volkswagen Beetles.
-
JOHN STEPHENSON
Scott Stephenson has over 30 years of consulting and facilitating experience in the United States, Europe and Asia helping organizations become more profitable and people more effective.
Most recently he has been focusing on:
Business consulting and writing, Learning design, implementation and facilitation, Project Management, and Market development and sales.
This expertise has allowed Scott to help public, private, profit and not-profit organizations become more successful and effective particularly in building specific individual and collaborative team skills.
Recent clients include US Veterans Affairs-Rural Health Agency, City of Page, AZ, Colorado Springs Utilities, Expense Reduction Associates, Universal Accounting Center, Utah State Emergency Management Administration.
Scott has a Bachelor's degree in economics and an MBA. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. -
-
-
-
PAULA WEYEN-GELLNER
Paula Weyen-Gellner is a seasoned Project Manager and Environmental Scientist with over 25 years of engineering consulting experience. Currently a Principal Project Manager at Stantec's mining business center, Paula has spent the last 12 years managing complex mining site assessment and closure projects. Since January 2022, she has also been sharing her expertise as an instructor in Project Management at the University of Utah's Professional Education Department.
Paula's diverse background includes roles such as project coordinator, environmental scientist, and database manager, showcasing her versatility and dedication to quality and safety. As the Project Management Team Manager at Stantec, she has successfully grown her team, mentored colleagues, and driven process improvements. Outside of work, Paula enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and gardening with her family and two dogs.
-
JEANINE H WILSON
Jeanine Wilson has worked in the Human Resources field for 25 years. She has worked in hospitality, finance, benefits management, broadcasting, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Jeanine is currently owner of Corporate Talent Advisors, a full service HR consulting, training, and recruiting company.
Jeanine has a Bachelor's Degree in Human & Organizational Development from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, a Masters in Human Resources from Utah State University, and she has achieved an SPHR certification from SHRM and HRCI. Jeanine was the 2005 President of the Salt Lake SHRM Chapter and currently sits on the Utah SHRM State Council.
