Upcoming meeting dates in 2024:
2024-05-31 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 15, 2024, 3:00pm-5:00pm (Online): Do you Know What Overtime Violations are Lurking in Your Timekeeping System. Speaker: Jim Hart, Littler

March 11 – 12, 2024: PayrollOrg – Capital Summit

Thursday, March 21, 2024, 3:00pm – 5:00pm (Online) CA Legislative Updates for Payroll Speaker: Christine Stolpe, CPP, CEO/Owner of Wages Creek

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 3:00pm – 5:00pm “Live” Meeting at WeWorks Irvine Spectrum. Are Paycards Still Relevant. Speaker: Burke Rice, Rapid

April 29 – May 3, 2024 Global Payroll Week
May 7 – 10, 2024: Payroll Congress – Nashville, TN

Thursday, May 16, 2024, 3:00pm-5:00pm (Online): All Things Wage Garnishment From the Employer’s Perspective. Speaker: Corri Flores, Director of Government Affairs, ADP, Inc.

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 3:00pm-5:00pm (Online): Updated for 2024! Benefits and Payroll -Top 10 New Developments and Compliance Traps. Speaker: Marilyn Monahan, Esq, Monahan Law Office.

Updated for 2024! Benefits and Payroll: Top 10 New Developments and Compliance Traps
2024-06-20 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that Registration is required for both Members and Non Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 6/20 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units
Login information will only be emailed to registered/paid participants by noon, Thursday (6/20/24). Link is for registrants only and should not be forwarded to another person.
The benefits world is constantly changing, keeping payroll and HR very busy—and sometimes confused about what it all means and what to do next. Determining which new bill, regulation, or set of FAQs applies to your workplace, and what you have to do to comply, can be a challenge. In this program, we will prepare you for open enrollment and the new year with a discussion that focuses on significant new health and welfare compliance developments, and what they mean to you and your employer. The program will also include a discussion of some on-going compliance challenges, as well as new opportunities to enhance your benefit package. Action items and real world solutions will be included.
Speaker: Marilyn A. Monahan is the owner of the Monahan Law Office in Marina del Rey and San Marcos, CA. Marilyn focuses her practice on advising employers and consultants on compliance with employee benefit and insurance laws, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA. Her past volunteer activities include serving on the boards of the Employee Benefit Planning Association of Southern California (EBPA) (2017-2020) and the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) (2008-2018), and as an advisor to the Executive Committee of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA). Marilyn currently serves as an advisor to PIHRA’s Government Advocacy Team, and as vice president of the PIHRA Foundation board.
Regularly Scheduled Meetings –Chapter meetings are an ideal place to network and they provide educational opportunities for chapter members to learn more about critical payroll and compliance issues while earning Recertification Credit Hours (RCHs). Non members are charged a $20.00 Fee per Regular Meeting.
$20 Non-Member Meeting Fee via PayPal
Pay online or mail a check to:
Orange County Chapter,
American Payroll Association
1439 W. Chapman Ave., #28
Orange, CA 92868

OCCAPA + Angels Baseball ⚾
2024-07-13 17:00 - 21:00 | Angel Stadium, 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA, 92806, United States
LA Angels vs Seattle Mariners
Come watch the Angels game with fellow OCCAPA Payroll professionals on July 13!

Tailgate starts at 5 p.m. under the Big A
OCCAPA will provide sandwiches, snacks, water & soft drinks, bring your fav beverage (alcoholic beverages are not allowed, use your own discretion)
RSVP by Monday, July 1st by emailing membership@occapa.com

Game time: 6:38 p.m.
One ticket per Member, additional can be purchased
Download the flyer and send to a friend!

Emerging Issues in State Unemployment
2024-08-15 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 8/15 at 9:00 am. This is a Members Only Meeting.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Matt Kaufer, Enterprise Account Executive – Thomas and Company
Matt has over 20 years of expertise in unemployment cost management, employment and income verifications and tax credits & incentives.
After graduating from Cornell, Matt started his career at Barnett Associates as an Unemployment Tax Analyst, ultimately becoming the Executive Vice President. He continued his career at Equifax where he progressed from running the Employment Tax team through to Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Accounts. During his time at Barnett and Equifax Matt extended his knowledge base and is known as an industry expert. Currently with Thomas and Company, Matt delivers best in class solutions as well as unparalleled customer service.
He is an active speaker within the unemployment, payroll, and HR communities. He speaks at local, state, and national events for PayrollOrg (Payo), the BTI (Broadband Tax Institute), SHRM (Society of Human Resource Managers), and for the UWC (Unemployment Workers Compensation Association).

National Payroll Week is September 2 -6, 2024
2024-09-02 - 2024-09-06
Spread the joy!
CELEBRATE THAT PAYDAY FEELING
During National Payroll Week, we celebrate that joyful “we just got paid” feeling employees across America feel each payday and the payroll professionals who make it possible.
National Payroll Week

Mastering the Art of Persuasion, Influence and Negotiation
2024-09-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA, 90802, United States
Please note that this is an “In Person” Member Only Event. Registration is required for Members.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Rebecca Harshberger, CPP was named PayrollOrg’s 2024 Payroll Woman of the Year.
“I am at a loss for words, and I can’t tell you how shocked I am,” she said. “It is really amazing to be recognized by the people who know what it’s like to do payroll and payroll tax. My involvement with PAYO changed the trajectory of my career in a way I could never imagine.”
Harshberger, who recently retired after more than 30 years in payroll, is a payroll consultant and thought leader. She joined PayrollOrg in 2019 and became a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) in 1999.
Over the last several years, Harshberger moderated teaching sessions at Capital Summit, taught online classes to PayrollOrg members, and has also been a guest on PayrollOrg’s “PayTalk” Podcast®.
Her past volunteer service includes former Co-Chair of the PayrollOrg Government Relations IRS Subcommittee, IRPAC, former Chair of the Payroll and Benefits Subcommittee, Government Relations Task Force (GRTF), a Board of Directors Officer, Federal Issues and, GRTF State and Local Topics Subcommittees of the GRTF, and the National Speakers Bureau.
In 2014 she was awarded the Meritorious Service Award, and the Special Recognition Award in 2020.
She was previously a member of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, where she taught the CPP Review Course to chapter members.
“There’s the amount of time and effort you put into your career. It’s another to add on helping others. I have been on the National Speaker’s Bureau for years and years. It has come full circle,” she said. “I encourage each and every one of you to get involved at the chapter level or national level. Thank you so much Dan for your leadership. Thank you to everyone in this room for making Payo what it is, and I hope you’ll take advantage of that.”
Courtesy of:
Bryan Kirk is the Senior Writer and Editor of Membership Publications for PayrollOrg. Emily West is a freelance writer and reporter from the Nashville, Tennessee, area.

SAVE THE DATE: 9/5/24 Aquarium of the Pacific 3pm - 6pm
2024-09-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA, 90802, United States
The OCCAPA is celebrating National Payroll Week at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA!
Our speaker, 2024 Payroll Woman of the Year Rebecca Harshberger, CPP will be presenting on Mastering the Art of Persuasion, Influence and Negotiation (2RCH). This is a Members Only – In Person Event.

View the Full Invitation

Speaker: Becky Harshberger
Topic: Mastering the Art of Persuasion, Influence and Negotiation
Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

FACEBOOK "PAYROLL DEPARTMENT” GROUP PHOTO CONTEST
2024-09-06
In celebration of National Payroll Week, we celebrate our members. We are just so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you. A huge thank you to our dedicated members for your continued participation and enthusiasm in our chapter. We hope that all of you have fun in doing this as a group.
A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE
** **
Contest is open to our members only.

Contest details below:

Submit photos of your “Group Payroll Department” to: Remy Jay, Vice President and Webmaster – OCCAPA at: jobs@occapa.com
Indicate your company name. You can submit 2 photos.

Ideas

Team’s outing celebration to restaurant, park, beach, baseball game, bowling, ect.
Team dressed up in same colored tee shirt taken in front of the office or Outside Office.
Dressed up in National Payroll Week theme with photo within the Payroll Dept if they decorated in National Payroll week
Or just any group department team photo.

So send your photos NOW for a chance to win a prize. What are you waiting for? We would love to see all of you in your photos. Winner will be announced at our National Payroll Week Event Celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Contest ends 9/3/24.

2024 California Payroll Conference Sacramento, CA - September 11 - 13
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-13
ALL NEW for 2024!
California Payroll Conference Professional Certificates
The California Payroll Conference now has FOUR education tracks! Once you attend all classes in the track of your choice, you will receive a Professional Certificate for the track. Speakers will be in each session, designed to provide you with relevant course material to help you master the area of payroll that you have chosen to focus on. If you choose not to obtain a certificate, you can attend any of the sessions and move about through each of the tracks.
Due to the classroom size, we are asking that attendees sign up for particular classes or tracks in order for CPC to track your attendance for RCH and certificate attendance purposes.
The four tracks to choose from are:
Global Payroll
This track will focus on best practices in global operations, management, and technology and will be taught by industry experts in global payroll taxation, operations and Human Resources
Intermediate Payroll
This track is for those who have basic payroll knowledge and are ready for more! Deep dives into fringe benefits, gross ups, payroll research, payroll accounting, tax registrations and tax notices
Advanced Payroll
Expanding the knowledge of leaders and managers, topics in this track include: executive compensation, team management, using data analytics and artificial intelligence, vendor management, accounting, and budgeting.
Leadership Track
For those wanting to take their careers to the next level by expanding their skills in government relations, staffing, mentorship, culture, and self-evaluation.
After registering, your agenda will automatically populate based on the chosen track. Track certificates will be provided for attending all sessions in a chosen track. You will have the option to change sessions in your agenda later through the WHOVA app based on session availability. All attendees will be provided RCH credits regardless of the track chosen.

Year End Discussion Complete with Legislative Updates for 2025
2024-10-17 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 10/17 at 9:00 am. This is a Members Only Meeting.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Mindy Mayo is a Managing Director in KPMG’s Silicon Valley office. She has over 30 years of employment tax experience and has assisted clients through a myriad of payroll issues encountered during a company’s life cycle.
Professional and industry experience
Mindy has worked with companies of all sizes, assisting with employment tax matters from start of business through branch or company closure. She began her career as a payroll tax auditor with the State of California, Employment Development Department, paving the way for her future as a payroll consultant.
Mindy specializes in independent contractor determinations as well as payroll tax audit assistance, leveraging her experience as an auditor to assist clients who are undergoing either a federal or state payroll tax review. Mindy also has expertise with the US employment tax issues encountered by inpatriate and expatriate employees.
Mindy has assisted clients with mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, rectifying reporting issues, and penalty abatements to name a few.
Recognized nationally as an expert in the field of payroll and worker classification issues, Mindy is a frequent presenter for the American Payroll Association at both local and national events and is a member of the APA’s National Speaker’s Bureau. Mindy has presented to tax professionals on the topic of stock option taxation, the payment of inpatriate and expatriate employees, the issues encountered with a mobile workforce, and the due diligence process for payroll when undergoing a merger or acquisition to name a few.
Publications and speaking engagements

Author of Payroll Tax and the Affordable Care Act
American Payroll Association Annual Congress
California Payroll Conference
Local Chapters American Payroll Association
National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

Paperless Payroll within reach: The Benefits and Security of a Fully Electronic Payroll Operation
2024-11-21 15:00 - 17:00
﻿Please note that Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 11/21 at 9:00 am. This is a Members Only Meeting.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Ankit Jhunjhunwala, Director of Product Marketing – Wisely by ADP
Ankit is a marketing and technology professional with over 10 years of industry experience. He currently serves as the product marketing lead for the Employee Financial Solutions business unit at ADP.
As part of his current and prior roles at ADP, he has amassed considerable expertise about the payments industry, consumer finance, and the levers driving transformation within the modern worker-driven economy. He has worked with cross-functional teams to bring products like Wisely by ADP successfully to market and functions as a thought leader for the pay card and digital payments market sphere.
He is also able to leverage his prior experience as a Consultant with Deloitte alongside his diverse cross-cultural international background to work with and understand the needs of a wide clientele. Ankit earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai and his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
﻿

New PAGA Amendments
2024-12-19 15:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 12/19 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Jim Hart is a shareholder in the Irvine office of Littler Mendelson, the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. Jim has specific expertise with:

Class action and wage and hour laws and regulations, including those that cover classification, overtime, off-the-clock, and meal and rest policies and the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act and corresponding state disability and leave laws
Privacy laws
Appellate procedure

Jim is also licensed as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Prior to joining Littler, Jim practiced criminal law as a deputy attorney general in the California Attorney General’s Office.
More recent notable litigation for Jim includes:

Successfully challenging a remand motion, transferring venue out of California, defeating class certification and compelling arbitration in a class action alleging misclassification.
Prevailing on multiple wage and hour claims by various former employees challenging a client’s commission plan.
Having summary judgment granted on a claim brought under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) against a client.
Obtained defense verdicts for wage and hour claims of multiple remaining defendants after defeating class certification.

2025 OCCAPA Membership Registration is Now Open
2025-01-27 08:00 - 2025-02-27 17:00
Join the Orange County Chapter APA (OCCAPA). Becoming a member of the OCCAPA will give you access to attend our monthly virtual zoom meetings. It will help you to advance your career as a payroll professional, network with your professional peers, and impact others in your field. OCCAPA tracks memberships on a calendar year basis Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025. We thank you for your support over the past year. We’ve enjoyed our Zoom Chapter Meetings and Live Events with our amazing speakers. In 2025, we will continue to provide our members with valuable insights and making it an enriching experience.
Please consider continuing to support the Orange County Chapter Payroll Org by renewing your membership today.
$90 Individual Membership – PAYO Member
$100 Individual Membership – Non PAYO Member

PAYO Members – Corporate Membership:$180.00 USD
PAYO Member – Additional Corporate Membership:$45.00 USD
Non-PAYO Members – Corporate Membership:$200.00 USD
Non-PAYO Member – Additional Corporate Membership:$50.00 USD

Click here to register online or download the registration forms.

Great Reasons to Join or Renew!
Regularly Scheduled Meetings– Chapter meetings are an ideal place to network and they provide educational opportunities for chapter members to learn more about critical payroll and compliance issues while earning Recertification Credit Hours (RCHs).
Chapter Website– Our website, www.occapa.com, posts important chapter information and links to local government agencies, including a link to PayOrg’s National Website.

CA New Laws for 2025
2025-02-20 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 2/20/2025 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Jim Hart is a shareholder in the Irvine office of Littler Mendelson, the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. Jim has specific expertise with:

Class action and wage and hour laws and regulations, including those that cover classification, overtime, off-the-clock, and meal and rest policies and the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act and corresponding state disability and leave laws
Privacy laws
Appellate procedure

Jim is also licensed as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Prior to joining Littler, Jim practiced criminal law as a deputy attorney general in the California Attorney General’s Office.
More recent notable litigation for Jim includes:

Successfully challenging a remand motion, transferring venue out of California, defeating class certification and compelling arbitration in a class action alleging misclassification.
Prevailing on multiple wage and hour claims by various former employees challenging a client’s commission plan.
Having summary judgment granted on a claim brought under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) against a client.
Obtained defense verdicts for wage and hour claims of multiple remaining defendants after defeating class certification.

Delivering Efficiencies Across the Employee's Lifecycle with AI
2025-03-27 15:00 - 17:00
ATTENTION – OUR MARCH MEETING IS THIS WEEK THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2025
3 PM TO 5 PM.
Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar. Member Registration: Free, e-mail your full name to membershipdirector@occapa.com RCHs: 2 Units
Sponsor:

Speaker: Rafael Tercarolli, Dayforce With over 20 years of experience across North and Latin America, Rafa is a seasoned transformation leader dedicated to driving strategic growth and operational excellence. Known for his data-driven approach and expertise in digital transformation, Rafa has led initiatives that optimize team performance, streamline processes, and enhance customer experience. As a former Chief Transformation Officer, he has guided Fortune 500 and public companies in designing and implementing measurable business transformations. Rafa leverages his skills in leadership, analytics, and strategic planning to deliver impactful and sustainable results.
Speaker: Chrissa Bush, Sr. Account Executive at Dayforce. With over a decade of experience in human capital management, Chrissa specializes in delivering cloud-based solutions that empower employees and drive organizational success. At Dayforce, she leverages her expertise and network to identify strategic opportunities, build lasting relationships, and tailor solutions for mission-driven organizations. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Chrissa Bush is committed to helping clients thrive while contributing to Dayforce’s growth as a leader in workforce management and HR solutions.

Demonstrator: Michael Morales is an Enterprise Solution Advisor at Dayforce, where he has spent the past three years helping companies reach their full potential and enhance their processes. With 25 years of experience in Human Capital Management (HCM), Michael brings deep industry expertise and a passion for helping organizations drive efficiency and success. He currently resides in Irvine, CA.

PLEASE NOTE OF THE MEETING ADDRESS CHANGE AND THE HAPPY HOUR CHANGE - EWA is here to Stay!
2025-04-17 15:00 - 17:00
Get Ready for our Annual “Rapid ” Sponsor Meeting. This Meeting is open to the public and a “Live” event. Meeting Location is now at: WeWork, 2211 Michelson Dr, Floor 9 Irvine
3pm – 5pm.
Happy Hour afterwards is now at El Torito, 18512 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine. With complimentary drinks! Sponsored by rapid!

Meeting Registration:

OCCAPA Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
Non-Members: $25 Attendanced Fee – click here to register and pay online

RCHs: 2 Units

Sponsor:

https://www.rapidpaycard.com/
Speaker: Burke Rice brings to his role more than 30 years of sales, sales management, operational oversight, and entrepreneurial experience. In his early career, Burke worked in banking and public accounting with Bank of America, USBank, and Grant Thornton LLP. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on the unbanked and underserved population of the US, serving as Executive Vice President of a national payroll card company and Chief Operating Officer of a start-up organization designed to serve
the cash economy.
Regularly Scheduled Zoom Meetings –Chapter meetings are an ideal place to network and they provide educational opportunities for chapter members to learn more about critical payroll and compliance issues while earning Recertification Credit Hours (RCHs). Non members are charged a $25.00 Fee per “Live” In Person Meeting.

Taxation of Equity & Deferred Compensation
2025-05-15 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 5/15/2025 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Peter Berard is the national leader of RSM’s SALT employment tax practice. Pete practices in the areas of federal, state, and local employment tax matters. Peter has more than 20 years of payroll and employment tax advisory experience, focusing on multistate income tax withholding issues, merger/acquisition integration, refund studies, statutory election analysis, risk management services, process reviews, information reporting, and compliance issues. Pete has worked extensively with clients of various industries regarding the proper federal and state taxation and information reporting requirements for executive compensation, deferred compensation, and stock options. He has worked with these clients to develop policies and procedures to assist them in complying with constantly evolving law.
Pete has served as a contributing editor for several editions of Principles of Payroll Administration and The Payroll Practitioner’s Compliance Handbook. Pete has contributed to articles published in the BNA Daily Tax Report and the Payroll Management Report. He has appeared as a speaker for several payroll and tax organizations and local chapters of the Tax Executives Institute and the American Payroll Association.
Professional affiliations and credentials

Massachusetts bar certified
American bar association
Massachusetts bar association
American payroll association

Education

Juris Doctor, New England School of Law
Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, Providence College

Speaker: Erica Stohler provides employment tax consulting and compliance assistance to clients across all industries and sectors. She has provided employment tax services at public accounting firms for more than 12 years.Erica’s experience includes federal, state, and local employment tax compliance, wage and benefit taxability, loaned project management services, and various aspects of worker classification. She has worked on employment tax concerns for M&A transactions, multi-state/remote worker payroll issues, state unemployment reviews, and payroll process reviews/implementations. Related to the multi-state and remote worker concerns, Erica has reviewed the tax implications for various types of deferred compensation to meet evolving federal, state and local regulations.
As part of her loaned project management services, Erica has worked with companies implementing new payroll or time keeping systems. This includes ensuring the systems are accurately calculating payroll for complex rules, such as when collective bargaining agreements or state wage and hour regulations require extra consideration.
In addition to employment tax concerns, Erica has been involved with large-scale data analysis utilizing Alteryx and Power Bi.
Professional affiliations and credentials

Certified Payroll Professional
Payroll Org f/k/a American Payroll Association

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Florida

Orange County Chapter - PAY OC Offers FREE Membership to New CPPs and FPCs
2025-06-10 - 2025-07-31
“We’re thrilled to welcome newly certified CPPs and FPCs to our chapter! As a token of our appreciation for your achievement and commitment, we’re offering a free year of chapter membership. This provides you access to educational zoom meetings, networking opportunities with other payroll professionals, compliance & regulatory updates, community service while offering RCH credit hours, and the chance to contribute to the Orange County – PAY OC community. Claim your free membership now! Please email: membershipdirector@occapa.com regarding this membership.
We can’t wait to see you at our events and in our Monthly Chapter Meetings in Zoom.

Life of an Employee (This was for the CA payroll conference)
2025-06-19 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 6/19/2025 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Gerald Whittmore currently holds the position as the US Payroll Director for Conduent Business Services. Gerald started his career in St. Louis, MO as a Payroll Technical Support. He has 35+ years of diverse experience in multiple payroll processing systems, multi-state tax filing, system implementation and accounting to name only a few of his business acumen.
In September 2001, Gerald obtained his CPP certification, and he joined the Dallas Chapter APA in September 2002. Gerald has served as the Government Liaison Officer from 2005-2006, Vice President 2006-2008 and President 2008-2010. He also helps with one day seminars offered by the Dallas Chapter. In addition, Gerald has volunteered numerous times as a speaker for the Texas Payroll Conference after completing 6 years on the Board of Directors in 2011 and served as an APA Board of Advisors from 2014-2016. And was named Texas Payroll Professional of the year in 2021 and was awarded in 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dallas Chapter APA.

No July 2025 Chapter Zoom Meeting
2025-07-13 08:00 - 2025-07-31 17:00
No July 2025 Chapter Zoom Meeting. Our next webinar meeting will be on Thursday 8/21/2025 3pm – 5pm.
Topic: Using Gross Ups Effectively
Speaker: Julie Levier, Senior Manager, Payroll.

Beach Cleanup Summer Event!
2025-08-09 09:00 | Alamitos Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
Save the Shore, Make a Splash! ☀
This summer, OCCAPA is teaming up with the Aquarium of the Pacific to keep our beaches sparkling clean and protect our oceans.
We invite you to join in on the fun, rewarding day under the sun.
To sign up, please visit:
https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/beach_cleanup [aquariumofpacific.org]

Using Gross Ups Effectively
2025-08-21 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 8/21/2025 at 9:00 am.
Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Julie Levier, Senior Manager, Payroll. Julie has worked in the payroll field for 25 years, and has been at Paul Hastings LLP for 14 years. She received her CPP in 2008. She’s a proud ADP’er who has served on the Client Tax Advisory Board and Vantage User Group. She teaches for the LAAPA annual FPC/CPP Prep Class and teaches 2 Payroll Accounting sessions at the California Payroll Conference. She has a B.A. in Economics from UCLA and an M.B.A. in Systems and Finance from USC.

National Payroll Week is September 1-5, 2025!
2025-09-01 - 2025-09-05
Spread the joy!
CELEBRATE THAT PAYDAY FEELING
Celebrate the joyful “we just got paid” feeling during National Payroll Week! This special celebration honors the achievements of employees and the dedicated payroll professionals who ensure timely and accurate payments every time. National Payroll Week also promotes financial responsibility for all workers.
National Payroll Week

National Payroll Week Topic: Federal Agency Update 2025
2025-09-04 15:00 - 17:00
ATTENTION – Our National Payroll Week Meeting is now a Zoom Meeting

Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 9/4/2025 at 9:00 am.
Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Rebecca Harshberger (retired 01.12.2024) was the VP & Practice Leader, Payroll Tax at Entertainment Partners (EP) in Burbank, California for 20 years. Considered an expert in State and Federal Payroll Taxation, Becky provided Tax guidance for US employees working on productions in both the US and around the globe. Previously she was a Senior Manager, at both Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers National Payroll/Employment Tax Practice’s in Los Angeles.
She joined the Payroll.org (FKA America Payroll Association) National Board of Directors in 2020 as a Vice President and was elected as a Director in 2024. She has served on PAYO’s National Speakers Bureau since 2011, and Co-Chairs the PAYO Government Affairs subcommittee focused on Federal issues since its inception in 2014. Becky represented the APA on the IRS Information Reporting Committee (IRPAC) from 2011-2014, chairing the Employment and Benefits Committee from 2012-2014.
In 2024, she was named Payroll.org Payroll woman of the year!

Payroll Impact: One Big Beautiful Bill Act
2025-10-23 15:00 - 17:00
PLEASE NOTE: OUR PREVIOUS MEETING – VISAS AND ILLEGAL EMPLOYEES HAS BEEN CHANGED OR REPLACED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WITH OUR SPEAKER. OUR NEW TOPIC PRESENTED IS: PAYROLL IMPACT: ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT

This is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 10/23/2025 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Speaker: Pete Meza Lopez is a CPP with over 20 years of experience in payroll in the agriculture industry, currently serving as Sr. Payroll Manager, US & Canada at Driscolls, Inc. He also holds the role of VP for the Central Coast Chapter of PayrollOrg, helping connect and educate payroll pros in the Monterey Bay and Salinas Valley areas. He also co-chairs the SPLTF group for Agriculture.
Pete has led and supported payroll technology projects, including the recent rollout of UKG WFM Pro with labor tracking in US and Mexico. His work focuses on compliance, process improvement, strategic planning, and creating payroll solutions that integrate with the business and service employees.
Recognized in PayTech magazine (April 2019) for his industry contributions, Pete is also a dedicated family man who enjoys life with his wife Cindy and three children Emma, Lily and Axel. Beyond the workplace, he is an advocate for children on the autism spectrum, supporting awareness and inclusion.

Nominate Candidates for The 2026-2027 OCCAPA Board of Directors
2025-10-24 - 2025-10-31
***DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION IS OCTOBER 31, 2025 AT MIDNIGHT***

It’s that time again! Please help us bring in the New Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 Term and nominate the best candidate. Once candidates are gathered an online link will be sent to the membership to vote. Click on the link below for a Nomination Form and return to reginaoccapa@gmail.com.
20251021-OCCAPA-Nomination-Form

SAVE THE DATE - 12/11/2025 - Orange County Chapter's December Meeting Celebration
2025-11-09 08:30 - 2025-11-23 22:30 | Zov’s, 17440 E. 17th St., Tustin, CA, 92780, United States
Register here: https://occapa.com/meeting-rsvp-form/

Board of Directors Election for the 2026-2027 Term
2025-11-10 - 2025-11-21

AI and Advancements in Technology: Revolutionizing Payroll for the Future
2025-11-20 15:00 - 17:00
Please note that this is a Members Only Meeting. Registration is required for Members in order to participate in our webinar and will only be available until Thursday 11/20/2025 at 9:00 am.

Member Registration:
Member: Free, e-mail your full name to: membershipdirector@occapa.com
RCHs: 2 Units

Sponsor:

Speaker: Teresa Smith SHRM PMQ, HRP, FPP, PFA, FDS
Partner Direct, Human Insights and
HCM Strategic Advisory Group

As a partner director for the human insights and human capital management (HCM) strategy consultant group for UKG Incorporated, Teresa Smith advises business leaders and their leadership teams on how to better maximize people-centric strategies to achieve long-term success. With deep expertise in change management process and business innovation, Smith is an advocate for the unmatched value of an empowered workforce, and helps organizations more effectively attract prospective employees, engage existing employees, and holistically develop and manage an exceptional employee experience.

New Legislative Updates
2025-12-11 08:30 - 10:30 | Zov’s, 17440 E. 17th St., Tustin, CA, 92780, United States
Get Ready for our December Meeting Event Celebration. This Meeting is a “Live” event. RSVP now and reserve early — Before it fills up as seating is limited. Bring a friend – Bring 2 Friends or Co Workers – Network and earn 2 RCHs. Try something new and Celebrate our payroll community. Please note that registration is required for Members and Non Members in order to attend this event.
[Registration for this limited-seating event has closed]

Speaker:
Jim Hart is a shareholder in the Irvine office of Littler Mendelson, the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. Jim has specific expertise with:

Class action and wage and hour laws and regulations, including those that cover classification, overtime, off-the-clock, and meal and rest policies and the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act and corresponding state disability and leave laws
Privacy laws
Appellate procedure

Jim is also licensed as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Prior to joining Littler, Jim practiced criminal law as a deputy attorney general in the California Attorney General’s Office.
More recent notable litigation for Jim includes:

Successfully challenging a remand motion, transferring venue out of California, defeating class certification and compelling arbitration in a class action alleging misclassification.
Prevailing on multiple wage and hour claims by various former employees challenging a client’s commission plan.
Having summary judgment granted on a claim brought under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) against a client.
Obtained defense verdicts for wage and hour claims of multiple remaining defendants after defeating class certification.
