Deborah Ann Fragel
Contact
Tel : 231-***-**** cell 616-***-****
hm
e-mail : *********@*****.***
Address
**** **** **. **, **** Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Profile
Objective Seeking a position in HR, HRSS, or Tax as an unemployment subject matter expert
(SME) utilizing my expertise in management of SUI and FUI rates including all aspects
of unemployment claims and benefit management, and HR policy review to reduce UI
charges and experience rating.
Availability Immediate
Key Skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills, leadership training, expert knowledge of unemployment laws, UI
Federal Integrity Mandate compliance issues, UI claims management, HR policy review, SUTA and FUTA,
SIDES, analysis of claims lifecycle cost analysis, and claim liability.
State UI Laws including UI Review Commission PeopleSoft Organizational Theory
in depth training in WI, and Leadership
Claims Appeals SIDES
MI, IN, IL, OH and KY UI state portals
Education
May 2013 Delta College –Certificate of Human Resource Management
-Benefits Administration including; WOTC, Workers Comp, Health Insurance, and
Unemployment Benefits., HR Regulations.
2012 to Present
Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) (enrolled) – Corporate
Leadership and Organizational Theory (currently 3.95 GPA)
Lewis University, Chicago, IL
1990 Bachelor of Science (BS) Radio and TV Production, Public Relations
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
2006 Counselor Training - Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace Counseling and Leadership
Lampo Group, Brentwood, TN
2013 HR Certificate: Delta College. Saginaw, MI Benefits Administration, Regulatory Environment, Hiring Engaged
Workers, Workplace Health and Safety, Managing Unemployment, Reaching Peak Performance
Work Experience
Unemployment and Benefit Specialist
Meijer Stores Great Lakes Limited Partnership
July 2013-December 2014
Grand Rapids, MI
Unemployment Claims and Taxation (SME)
Analyzed UI claims and appeals.
Managed unemployment claims through
various stages of progression.
Reviewed a responded to all unfavorable
decisions to assess appeal potential.
Prepared appeals and protests for response
to States UI agencies.
Assessed claims for eligibility issues that
affected the liability during claim lifecycle.
Identified improvement areas for cost control.
Developed UI appeal processes that
surpassed effectiveness of TPA management.
Reduced SUI Tax Rates
In-depth knowledge of state UI laws in WI,
OH, IN, IL, KY and MI.
Re-ignited a retail UI consortium to share best
UI claims management processes.
Managed UI Integrity Mandate Compliance
Monitored UI compliance to avoid penalties. .
Tracked UI claims liability and costs.
Developed use of the MI Advocacy assistance
program for free hearing representation in MI
Created process for direct response to state
UI questionnaires and claim protests.
Joined SIDES and individual state UI portals
for solid and timely management of UI claims
Trained claims clerks and TPA vendor to
properly respond to protestable UI claims.
Developed more affective response to TPA
inquiries of all UI claims for better case
management
Advocate/Manager
Act as employer’s agent in UI hearings for
claims and SUI charge hearings.
Developed process for monitoring and
protesting state charge statements, and
improper charges.
Reduced SUI charges by 10% in 5 months.
Reduced company SUI charges by 20%
million in 14 months.
Trained units
Developed companywide training to reduce UI
liability and reduce exposure
Developed UI best practices and training.
Advocacy Services, Grand Rapids, MI
MichiganUnemploymentAppeals.com
2002-Current
Appeals Specialist and Claimant Agent/Advocate
for Unemployment Hearings
Representation of unemployed workers in unemployment hearings
Representation of employers in unemployment hearings
Legal and policy research for unemployment hearings
Manage unemployment cases and claims
Manage cases pertaining to discharge of employees
Evaluation of disciplinary policies and actions of employees
Evaluation of discharge and policy procedures
Fact finding and document preparation for State unemployment hearings
Research and write Board of Review legal appeals and Oral Arguments
Conduct telephone hearings and in person hearings pertaining to unemployment appeals
Review and investigate termination and voluntary leaving cases, and restitution 62(a),for UIA hearings
Manage and counsel clients about liability, restitution, policies, and State guidelines, and tax accounts
Work with Administrative Law Judges to evaluate cases
Research and evaluate corporate, claimant, and union liability for UIA appeals.
Expert in unemployment benefits administration.
Evaluate HR systems, worker engagement strategies, training and evaluation.
Planning Commission, Acme Township, Mi
Board of Commissioners (Commissioner)
1998-1999
Review and audit public plans
Review and evaluate building and land use requests for the township Board
Vote and present options for planning to the Township Board
Gannon Broadcasting, Grayling, MI
1993-1994
FM Radio, Newscaster
Research and write news stories
Investigate stories and interview
Prepare and produce audio material
Produce news casts for each day
File and report stories for the Michigan News Network
NMU Public Radio, Marquette, MI
1990-1993
On-Air Announcer
Board operator and producer for public radio
Host radio show CD Jazz show
News Announcer for local news during All
Things Considered
Operate board of control for evening shift of
Public Radio Programming
Central Texas College-Europe Campus (Germany)
1988-1990
Payroll/HR Assistant
Process payroll
Maintain and file employee documents
Prepare reports
Interview and recommend hiring
Administer benefit enrollment
Manage retirement (TTRF) files
Evaluate Job descriptions
Perform other duties as directed
References Available Upon Request:
Activities and Interests
Activities Volunteer for high school crew team, former basketball coach, cross country team
volunteer, orchestra parent. Stand-up comic performer.
Debt Counseling Volunteer as a debt counselor for individuals in the Financial Peace University
program
Traveling Bulgaria, Germany, France, Macedonia, and Austria
Memberships
UWC NMU Alumni East Grand Rapids Music Boosters
East Grand Rapids Athletic Boosters