Meet the Team

Kim Abeyta has been with Obsidian HR since August 2023.  Kim brings with her 25+ years of HR experience – including 10 years in the construction industry and 6 years in property management.  Kim enjoys working with her clients to build long-term, lasting relationships.  As a trusted advisor, Kim is committed to creating customized HR frameworks that foster a productive and positive work environment.  Kim has successfully helped organizations streamline HR processes, enhance company culture and drive measurable outcomes in employee satisfaction and retention.

In her spare time, Kim enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.  As an advocate for self-care and wellness, Kim enjoys exploring the many spa options available in the Denver area.

Zach Alpert joined the team at Obsidian HR in late 2024 with a passion for helping individuals and organizations thrive. Born and raised in Parker, Colorado, Zach brings a strong understanding of the local community and a deep appreciation for the Colorado lifestyle. A recent graduate of Colorado State University, Zach earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Business Administration. He possesses excellent people skills and a strong customer-service orientation, honed through years of interacting with diverse individuals in various settings. Outside of work, Zach enjoys the beauty of Colorado through skiing and hiking. He is an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Broncos and cherishes spending quality time with his beloved pets. Zach is excited to contribute his skills and enthusiasm to the dedicated and experienced team at Obsidian HR.

Julie Bengtson has been part of the Obsidian HR team for 4 years. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the HR arena, including 17 in the hospitality industry. Julie holds a Senior Professional Human Resources certification from the Society for Human Resource Management and a Business degree from the University of Colorado. Her professional passion is to partner with business leaders to proactively implement practices that promote positive work experiences and lead to successful business outcomes. Julie resides in Arvada, Colorado with her husband and teenage son. She enjoys travelling, playing pickleball, volunteering with a variety of charitable organizations, and cheering on her son at swim meets.

Cece Cardenas is a Certified Payroll Professional with over 18 years of Payroll experience which includes Multi-State Taxation. Prior to joining Obsidian Cece was a Senior Payroll Consultant and has worked with Clients from various industries on payroll, tax and implementation related projects. Cece has one adult son and currently resides in Las Vegas, NV.  She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Brady joined the Obsidian HR team in November 2022. With over a decade in the PEO industry, Brady
has experience building successful teams and implementing proven technology for customers. Prior to
joining Obsidian HR, Brady held leadership positions at multiple PEO’s, leading technology, support,
client implementation, and customer success teams. Brady is passionate about creating world-class
experiences for our customers and their employees, built from technology and service. Brady holds a
bachelor’s degree in Information Networking and Telecommunications from Fort Hays State University
and holds a Certified Associate in Project Management certification from the Project Management
Institute.

Outside of work, Brady enjoys going to the cinema, walking trails, tending to the yard, and spending
time with family. Brady is married with two four-legged friends and currently resides in the Kansas City, KS
area.

Christina Coffman brings over a decade of experience in Human Resources and benefits management across both Corporate America and the non-profit sector. She began her career in financial services primarily as a retirement consultant within large organizations and PEO’s, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the importance of effective leadership, employee engagement, and collaborative teamwork. Christina now leverages her expertise to create thoughtful, people-centered business practices, focusing on optimizing benefits programs and driving positive change within organizations. Her passion for fostering strong, well-supported teams leaves a lasting impact on both employees and businesses alike.

Sidney DeForest has 15+ years of experience in client service roles, over half of which have focused on the HR and Saas industries. She thrives on providing in-depth support that clients can depend on to simplify their workdays. In 2023 Sidney moved from Charlotte, NC to Golden, CO, and enjoys camping, cooking, and playing disc golf in her free time.

Holly is a Colorado local. After spending 16 years in Hawaii, she moved back in 2021 to be closer to family. Holly has been with our family of companies since 2013; 9 years with our parent company and transitioned to Obsidian HR in 2022. Prior to her career in HR she left a 12 year career in private banking and commercial insurance, where she held her P&C and L&H insurance licenses helping businesses with their risk and wealth management needs. While that career was extremely rewarding, she was motivated to serve organizations in a different capacity and is now very happy to have the ability to directly impact the lives of all people in the organizations she serves. She was been involved with Rotary International, Special Olympics and served on the Board of Full Life. Today, she serves on a committee for Respite Care and is an active member of ProVisors. In her ‘spare time’, she enjoys spending time with her family (husband and 3 young kids – 8 and under ) skiing, swimming, hiking, camping and traveling (and dreaming of surfing).

Victoria Garrison has over 14 years of payroll processing, and 15 years
management experience. She has worked in the government construction,
construction, distribution, manufacturing, and hospitality industries. She is a serial
entrepreneur and sits on multiple 501c(3) boards. Prior to joining Obsidian HR
Victoria worked with isolved as an Implementation Specialist. Victoria currently lives
with her partner, Dave, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Victoria enjoys scuba diving,
competitive combat shooting, reading, and rescuing animals. She currently has 2
cats and 1 dog adopted from various rescue organizations. She adores her little co-
workers and spoils them outrageously!

Karen Gerold has over 20 years in the payroll & accounting industry. She is very passionate about providing excellent customer service and accuracy for her clients. She resides in Myrtle Beach, SC, with her Black GSD, Bear. Karen has a son who resides in Ohio [where she is originally from] and a daughter who also lives in Myrtle Beach. When not working, she loves spending time with her children, being in the kitchen baking and cooking; she enjoys walking with Bear, bird watching, and being outdoors in the sun.

Marisela has been a part of Obsidian HR since June 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a strong dedication to client satisfaction. Prior to joining the team, Mari was the training superintendent for meteorologists in the Air Combat Command where she was able to fulfill her passion helping others. Marisela holds a Masters in Management and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on values-based compliance programs. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Katie has worked in HR for over 8 years, spending 3 of those years specifically working in payroll. She was previously employed at Obsidian HR’s parent company, ProService Hawaii. She loves watching our clients succeed and grow and prides herself on providing excellent customer service as our Service Team Manager. In her free time, Katie enjoys being outdoors — hiking, swimming, playing pickleball and loves to travel and try new restaurants.

Brad Horn joined Obsidian HR in December 2023, bringing with him a rich background in software support and training spanning over 15 years. With 5 years of experience in the PEO industry and 8 years in payroll, Brad is well-versed in the intricacies of HR information systems. At Obsidian HR, he plays a pivotal role in maintaining and optimizing the company’s software systems, providing support and training to ensure seamless operations. In his leisure time, Brad finds pleasure in attending live music events, exploring the great outdoors, and indulging his passion for gaming. He actively engages in charity work, participating in events like the Extra-Life charity gaming marathon to support the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Above all, Brad treasures spending quality time with his children and their three beloved pets.

Raleigh Hudson has been immersed in the field of Human Resources since 2019. Before joining Obsidian HR, he held various roles in HR and finance at Vail Resorts. Raleigh is committed to supporting business leaders in achieving their goals and fostering growth. Currently residing in the Denver Metro area, he enjoys skiing, tending to his garden, and spending time with friends and family.

Donna has been with Obsidian HR and its sister company ProService Hawaii since 2004. She has over 30 years of experience in HR and has assisted many of our clients with a wide variety of HR challenges. Donna is fortunate to be one of those individuals who truly love their job!  A good day is any day that she can guide decision-makers on employment decisions geared to support the company while providing a great place for employees to work and thrive.  Another of her passions is sharing information with others and that passion brought her to Obsidian today.

Mattie Kasper has worked in HR since 2020. Her passion lies in leveraging technology to streamline HR processes and enhance employee experiences. Originally from Ohio, Mattie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University before making Denver, Colorado her home. Outside of work, Mattie enjoys spending her free time cooking, baking sourdough bread, paddleboarding, golfing and cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes!

Thomas Klem has worked in HR for five years with an emphasis on HRIS. Thomas has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship from the University of Colorado.

Before joining Obsidian, Thomas specialized in HRIS and helped implement new HR tools. Thomas has a passion for creating best-in-class experiences for employees through the implementation of innovative and straightforward tools and business solutions.

Outside of work, Thomas enjoys photography, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying all the activities the Colorado outdoors has to offer like hiking and snowboarding.

Lauren Lowery is a Senior Payroll Consultant who joined Obsidian HR in May 2023. She has over 10 years of experience in the information technology, human capital management, and service industries. Throughout her career, she has developed an understanding of payroll processes and HCM systems, helping organizations streamline operations. Originally hailing from South Carolina, Lauren now calls Parker, CO, home, where she resides with her fiancé, Michael, and their beloved cat, Toulouse. When she’s not working, Lauren is passionate about exploring the great outdoors through hiking, traveling to new destinations, and unwinding with her favorite video games.

Tiffany Mathers has been in the HCM space for over 6 years. In those 6 years, she did step into the Medical Device world, then realized working with business owners on solutions for their growth fueled her passion. She has been with the ObsidianHR team coming up on a year, and has consistently added satisfied new clients to our business model. Her main goal is to eliminate the administrative burden of running a business, while establishing a strong partnership for HR and Benefit Administration. She is invested in your business, and wants nothing but her clients to succeed. Outside of work she likes to travel, go to concerts, Bronco games, and adventure with her fur baby, Leo.

Melissa Merritt joined Obsidian HR in September of 2023 and has worked in different administrative and customer service roles for over 5 years. Her wide range of job experiences has turned her into a very passionate, hardworking individual that loves building relationships with her clients and ensuring their experience with Obsidian HR is one of the best. She grew up in small-town Wyoming but currently works at Obsidian’s main office in Denver, Colorado. In her off time, she enjoys spending time hiking, reading, and playing with her dog.

Carmen Martinez has over 8 years of customer service experience with a strong focus in the service industry. She has over 2 years of experience in HCM payroll processing. She is originally from Northern California but currently resides in Denver, CO with her husband, Eduardo. When not working she enjoys fishing trips with her husband, painting, golfing or enjoying quality time with friends and family.

Jennifer Palka has worked in the PEO business for over 20 years.  She loves getting to know her clients and understanding their operations to help ensure all their needs are met.  What free time Jennifer has left after being a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Room Parent, is spent outdoors camping, Rzr riding, paddle boarding and trying to smoke the perfect brisket.

Hannah has been with Obsidian HR since December 2020. She is a part of the HR dream team. She brings a blend of expertise, care, and collaboration to every client relationship. Equipped with a master’s in Organizational Leadership – concentration in Human Resources from CU Boulder and years of experience at Obsidian HR, she specializes in keeping clients compliant and confident in their procedures. Outside of work, she stays active year-round, adventuring in the mountains of Colorado and beyond.

Tawnie Rodriguez is an Air Force veteran and has over 10 years of HR-related experience.  She was previously employed by the Department of Defense as the Training Manager for Finance at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, CO, before coming to Obsidian HR in February 2021.  Tawnie has an extensive background in customer service and strives to provide an excellent customer experience.  Tawnie resides in Panama City, FL, but is originally from the suburbs north of Chicago, IL, and is an avid Chicago fan [Go Bears & Cubbies].  She worked on furthering her education while in the military and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management in 2014.  Tawnie enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family, especially her two kids.

Teresa Sanchez has worked in HR for almost 10 years. She was previously employed at ProService Hawaii (Obsidian HR’s parent company) for over 7 years before coming to Obsidian HR. Teresa has a strong customer service background and is extremely passionate about helping our clients and their employees. Teresa resides in Denver, CO, but is from the state of Texas, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and traveling.

Jessica joined Obsidian in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience with other growing companies to the Obsidian team. Jess is an extremely proud University of Michigan alum and also received her MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. She started her career as a Consultant and Manager at Bain & Company. She subsequently was an operations director at Home Chef, a vice president at Doma, and supported portfolio operations at Rallyday Partners. When she’s not at work, Jess can be found adventuring in the outdoors, cheering for her beloved Michigan, or spending time with family and friends.

As an experienced professional with a diverse background in Project Management, Payroll, Implementation, Sales, and Account Management, Courtney Tarwater brings a wealth of knowledge and an educational and tech-forward approach in her  role as a Benefits and Health Plan Consultant. Her passion lies in building strong relationships with my clients and teammates, and guiding them toward solutions that meet their unique needs, ensuring they achieve their goals with confidence and ease.

Having honed her expertise across multiple industries, she prides herself on delivering exceptional service and strategic insights. Whether navigating complex implementations or partnering with our diverse clients, she thrives on tackling challenges and creating value for the people and organizations she serves.

A proud Colorado resident, wife, and mother, Courtney enjoys exploring the great outdoors through hiking adventures and spending quality time with her beloved dogs. When she’s not assisting clients or hitting the trails, she finds joy in being an active part of our vibrant local community in SW Denver.

Alyssa Tegtmeyer graduated from MSU Denver with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She holds a Life and Health Insurance License and has experience in employee benefits since 2022. In her free time, she loves hiking, camping, and traveling. She’s also a dedicated Colorado Avalanche fan and enjoys attending their games.

Kathy Vinson has 30 years of experience in human resources and business operations. Prior to joining Obsidian HR, Kathy held leadership positions at the Space Foundation, Verio, and OneComm. She is passionate about cultivating business growth, fostering vibrant organizational cultures, and pursuing operational excellence. Kathy and her beloved dogs and horses live in Black Forest, CO, where she enjoys cooking, riding, family gatherings, and anything outdoors.

Adrille Walcott, has worked in the PEO industry for 5+ years specifically in payroll and implementation. She now resides back in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she grew up. Adrille has a passion for problem-solving, helping others, and providing excellent customer service. In her free time, she enjoys creating artwork, going to the gym, traveling, and spending time at the beach.