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 the diversity of career opportunities.  Her current position is as the District Manager at the Prospect Heights, Illinois, 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 baking, reading, and keeping up with her young children.  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 - PMF Coordinator (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 Work Force Development team in the Center For 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 PMF, Diana decided 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 PMF, she had 5 different rotations in several different areas of the Agency.  Her mentor was Mark Moskop Center Director 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 a Project Manager in the Chicago Regional Office. Her mentor was Mary Coonda, Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management Operations Support. 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 an Operations Supervisor in the Peoria, Illinois field office. During her off-hours, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young sons, 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 her dog.  Her hobbies include playing soccer, hiking, and foreign travel.  Emily works as a RC Lead Specialist in the Office of the Regional Commissioner in Chicago, Illinois. Emily’s mentor in the PMF program 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 family.  Away from work, she enjoys motherhood, photography, scrap booking, journaling and lots of laughter watching her children 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 and has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.  During her graduate studies, Selene worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in the area of fundraising and grant administration. Selene is currently the Management Information Team Leader in the Center for Systems and Automation for the Chicago Regional office. Outside of work, her greatest joys include spending quality time with her family and visiting Chicago’s cultural and entertainment sites.  Selene’s PMF mentor was Mary Gavin, CREOS Manager.   Selene can be contacted at Selene.Valdespino@ssa.gov.

Marc A. Brandt (2005) graduated in May 2005 with a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University. Originally from Chicago, he and his wife returned in 2004, after completing a 20-year career in the Army that had been focused in finance, accounting, budget and resource management. Three of their four sons have served/are serving in the military and one is in college. Marc and his wife are rarely home on weekends, since visiting family and friends now means a LOT more driving and flying than ever before! Marc is both honored and blessed to be part of SSA and the PMF group. He is currently an Operations Supervisor at the Chicago Northwest field office. He was mentored by 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 working with at risk youth.  During her sabbatical from school in 2003-2004, she worked for a non-profit in Eastern Siberia addressing youth issues in rural Russia. She began her work with SSA in the Philadelphia region, but due to her marriage transferred to the Chicago region. She notes that this is just another example of how SSA embodies strong public service values and extends these values to the treatment of its employees. She is currently an Operations Supervisor in the Indianapolis West field office. In her free time she enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, hiking, and playing shuffleboard. Casey can be contacted at Casey.Hurst@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.  He currently works as a Management Analyst on the Financial Management staff at the Chicago Regional Office.  Chris’ mentor was Robert Coplin, Director of the Center for Security and Integrity.  In his free time, Chris enjoys beach volleyball, 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 Tony earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee. While pursuing his education Tony served in the U.S. Marine Corps, a facility logistics and operations supervisor for a private university and academic counselor/graduate assistant for an undergraduate scholarship program. He currently serves as a Labor/Employee Relations Specialist in the Chicago Region Center for Human Resources. 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.