Speakers: Human Resources Office Representatives

Nina P. Ooft, MBA

Nina P. Ooft joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in June 2008, serving in the Human Resources Office as an HR Specialist under the Federal Career Internship Program (FCIP).  In her current position as Supervisory Workforce Development Advisor, she supports CDC by developing recruitment strategies that improve the overall agency workforce goals in diversity and inclusion. Ms. Ooft has also served as a recruiter in the Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, implementing cross-cutting recruitment strategies to foster CDCs mission of improving health outcomes through a competent, sustainable, and empowered public health workforce.

Ms. Ooft educates the federal community and potential employees on the federal hiring authorities related to underrepresented groups such as students and recent graduates, veterans, persons with disabilities, historically black colleges and universities, and Hispanic serving institutions. She also served as the CDC technical advisor on the Pathways Program — a federal hiring authority designed to provide students and recent graduates with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while building the federal workforce.

Additionally, Ms. Ooft served as CDC’s selective placement program coordinator for persons with disabilities.  Ms. Ooft has 17 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, primarily with persons with disabilities, to secure employment and equal living standards. Ms. Ooft holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Antonia Celeste Smalls-Sumpter, MBA

Ms. Smalls-Sumpter serves as the Lead Human Capital Advisor for the Persons with Disabilities Career Development Internship, Student Worksite Experience Program, Federal Work-Study Program, Non-paid Work Experience, Hispanic Internship Program, and REAL by providing guidance and clarification of requirement process and paperwork.  She promotes programs to use with CIO leadership. Ms. Smalls-Sumpter educates the federal community and potential employees on the federal hiring authorities related to underrepresented groups such as students and recent graduates, veterans, persons with disabilities, historically black colleges and universities, and Hispanics within the government. She also serves as the CDC technical advisor on the Pathways Program — a federal hiring authority designed to provide students and recent graduates with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while building the federal workforce.

Additionally, she has 23 years of human resources experience working in the private sector, state government, and federal government agencies to secure equal employment opportunities.  Ms. Smalls-Sumpter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development.

Trevor Edwards

Mr. Trevor Edwards is the current (RO) Immigration Responsible Officer at CDC and acting manager of the ORISE and Guest Researcher programs. Mr. Edwards has had over 25 years of experience in human resources – 20 years of Federal experience in addition to his experience in the private sector. Due to his leadership and expertise, other agencies frequently contact CDC regarding its ORISE program processes and procedures.

Ryan Mobley, MBA

Ryan Mobley is a human resource professional with 20 years of experience in caseload management, staffing and recruiting, training and development, and interviewing. He currently serves as the Human Resources Systems Administrator at CDC, where he manages access to multiple human resource information technology systems, monitors roles and permissions, creates and revises SOPs, and conducts annual system audits.

Mr. Mobley has worn many different hats throughout his career, such as adjunct professor, where he taught courses in public speaking, career development, and motivation and leadership. Outside of the classroom, he has led corporate presentations on customer service and harassment in the workplace. In addition, he has also been a senior recruiter, office newsletter editor, career coach, and radio broadcaster. Mr. Mobley holds a master’s in business administration.

Ora Barnett, MA

Ora Barnett is an 8-year United States Navy Veteran who is an advocate for Veterans and a servant in her community. She brings a wealth of expertise from various industries including professional and organizational development and healthcare administration. Ms. Barnett joined the CDC in 2021 as a Non-Paid Work Experience employee with the Data Science Recruitment and Retention team. Shortly thereafter she transitioned from a contractor to serve as the Veterans Initiative Program Manager in CDCs Office of the Director (OD) Human Resources Office (HRO).  Today Ms. Barnett is the Veteran Employment Program Manager on the Diversity, Inclusion, and Recruitment (DIRA) team.

When she’s not serving her community, Barnett enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her family.  Ms. Barnett has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix.

LCDR Darion Smith

Darion Smith is a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS CC). He is a registered dental hygienist with over 10 years of experience in the private and public dental sectors. LCDR Smith now serves as the dedicated recruitment officer at CDC. In his current role, LCDR Smith provides leadership and hiring guidance for prospective candidates interested in joining the USPHS CC, active-duty USPHS CC officers looking to serve at the CDC from other agencies, and active-duty USPHS CC officers seeking reassignments within the CDC. His goal is to educate others about the USPHS CC to assist in accession and retention towards fulfilling the USPHS mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation.