Barron Guss 

President and CEO, simplicityHR by ALTRES 

Barron is President and CEO of simplicityHR by ALTRES, Hawaii’s leader in human resources outsourcing.  Barron is credited with not only establishing the HR outsourcing industry in Hawaii, but also pioneering it nationally. ALTRES has grown into a family of companies that include simplicityHR, ALTRES Staffing with four specialized staffing divisions (ALTRES Office, ALTRES Technical, ALTRES Industrial and ALTRES Medical), HR Symphony, and Home Care by ALTRES Medical.

A committed philanthropist, Guss sits on multiple local and national boards which address issues that range from education and public health, to community and economic development. In 2019, he launched the ALTRES Foundation to bring a new approach to philanthropic giving through leadership development and the use of technology. 

Michele Kauinui, MHRM, SPHR, and SHRM-CP 

Director of HR Services, simplicityHR by ALTRES 

Michele Kauinui is the Director of HR Services for simplicityHR by ALTRES, where she leads one of the largest and most diverse human resource departments in the state. Michele is responsible for overseeing human resources programs throughout Hawaii and providing support to 2,200 clients and their employees. She takes pride in providing practical, creative HR solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries. 

Her extensive education and experience of human resources starts with a master’s degree of Human Resource Management (MHRM). She is a member of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has her Professional in Human Resources® and SHRM Certified Professional certifications. 

John Fielding 

Director of Risk Management, simplicityHR by ALTRES 

John Fielding is the Director of Risk Management for ALTRES, Hawaii’s largest staffing and HR outsourcing provider, serving local businesses for over 50 years. With over 33 years of experience in safety and risk management, Fielding helps local business reduce safety risks by educating on workplace violence, alcohol and drug awareness, emergency preparedness, and basic self-defense. 

He is a certified trainer with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) and past member of the Federal OSHA Advisory Committee. 

He shows his commitment to serving the community as vice president on the board of directors for HOPE Services (Homeless Charity for the Catholic Church), scout master for Boy Scout Troop 39, past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 5000, hospitality and Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral Basilica, President of his son’s PTA, and owner of Hawaii Catholic Television. 

John Ferguson 

Director of Business Development, simplicityHR by ALTRES 

John Ferguson is the Director of Business Development at simplicityHR by ALTRES. A leader in the field, Ferguson has been an influential and successful PEO (professional employer organization) consultant in the state of Hawaii as well as the nation for nearly 13 years. During his tenure, John has helped simplify employee administration for many of our contractor clients.

He is passionate about community and has been an active member of many organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Honolulu Executives Association, is on the Executive Council for the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, and is also a member of the Oahu Club, and Mid Pacific Country Club.