Here’s A Little About Us

HR Hotline Associates began as a human resource consulting and training firm in the Des Moines area beginning in 2001. Since that time, we have offered various programs, completed untold number of projects and provided ongoing consulting services in several Human Resources specializations, gaining a substantial client base in Des Moines and throughout the country during that time.

I began the firm solo, but through the years acquired professional and smart help from hard-working people who all played significant roles in helping my firm become successful. Thank you to all! I am now back to being solo, as HR Hotline Associates changes its focus to training services only, that will be offered primarily in the summer months while I pursue my academic endeavors as a teaching professor at Iowa State University.  

Our Mission

HR Hotline Associates’ mission is to increase the value of people capital, the most critical intangible asset of your organization.

HR Hotline Associates is Led by Julie Caspar

Julie Caspar, founder and President of HR Hotline Associates, has over 35 years’ experience specializing in multiple areas that make up the Human Resources function. Julie began her consulting practice in 2001 and grew her practice to include a variety of long-term clients with whom she has successfully assisted in increasing performance quality results through a variety of HR based programs and solutions. Today HR Hotline Associates serves its clients by developing and facilitating training programs related to areas of human resources and leadership.

Prior to HR Hotline, Julie held professional to executive positions in different industries on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Her roles have been domestically and internationally based, with experience working in union and non-union environments. Julie attended graduate school at Loyola and Drake Universities, earning a master’s degree in Learning and Organizational Performance. Julie taught in the Leadership Development graduate program at Drake University for over ten years and today is an assistant teaching professor at Iowa State University in the Ivy College of Business. Other activities have included serving as VP Membership on the Central Iowa SHRM board and on the HR Advisory Committee for Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity; volunteering for the Heart of Des Moines, a service organization for non-profits, and a member of the Executive Advisory Council in the department of management and entrepreneurship at ISU-Ivy College of Business. She has facilitated and presented at numerous workshops, conferences and webinars; has been published in the Des Moines Register and HR publications; consulted on and was featured in, Let’s T.A.L.K.: Handling the Difficult Performance Appraisal video; was a frequent guest on the Today’s Learning Workplace podcast; and authored, The Manager’s Candidate Search Toolbox; A Guide to Increasing Your Hiring Success Ratio (2011) and Seven Steps to Increasing Your Hiring Success Ratio (2017), available for purchase on Amazon.Julie currently hosts a weekly Podcast called The People Side of Leadership alongside her colleague and friend Ann Wright. Read more about it on the Podcast page.

Our Associates

Laura Debartolo-Tow

Laura DeBartolo-Tow brings over 20 years of human resources experience to HR Hotline Associates. Laura has held various generalist to benefit specialist roles with her most recent role being Director of Human Resources in a successful technology company. Laura has worked in several additional industries such as retail, manufacturing, transportation, and professional services. 

Laura's HR passion lies in employee engagement, talent acquisition, performance management and employee benefits. Her corporate roots and deep experiences have provided her with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and experiences that have increased her understanding of different workplace cultures and how they impact business. Laura has effectively worked as a liaison between management and employees to align communications while being a strong advocate for employees to enhance fairness and transparency in the workplace.  

Mollie Frideres-Smith

Mollie Frideres-Smith, owner of MFS Consulting, LLC, has 25 years of experience in HumanResources working in professional and leadership positions. Mollie started MFS Consulting,LLC to share her expertise and knowledge in human capital management to help businesses attain goals and solve problems. Mollie collaborates with businesses to develop and communicate policies, coach, and train employees. She is active in several local organizations including The Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ankeny Chamber of Commerce, Cyclone SHRM as the Diversity Chair, and the Iowa Chapter of NAWBO as co-Director of Advocacy. Mollie is also an adjunct professor at Des Moines Area Community College teaching a course in HumanResources.

Our Affiliations

Our customer

Hear what everyone is Saying

Hubbell Realty Company has grown significantly since 2008, and in 2018 Julie played an integral role in the delivery of our “Taking the Reins,” supervisor training series. She assisted our training coordinator with the third module of the training series and facilitated the “Recruitment and Selection Manager Training” workshop, providing managers with an understanding of our recruiting process, the manager’s role as it relates to the candidate experience, selection criteria, interviewing skills, and candidate evaluation and selection. Our supervisor training series has been successful in large part to Julie’s contributions.

I have relied on Julie Caspar’s knowledge and experience regarding talent acquisition in guiding our recruitment strategies over the years. She continues to be a valuable resource, and I would highly recommend her without reservation.

Beth Jaegar
Vice President, Human Resources, Hubbell Realty Company

Our organization worked with HR Hotline Associates to help us with our hiring process.  They screened applicants, conducted phone interviews, and made recommendations on which applicants we should invite for in-person interviews.  Their services really helped streamline the process and provided much-needed support to our hiring managers.  In addition, I personally attended [compensation] trainings hosted by HR Hotline Associates that were among the best I’ve ever attended.  I would highly recommend this company for anyone needing talent acquisition services and training.

Sara Schroeder
Chief Financial Officer, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Interested in having Julie speak at your next event?

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