The APA’s 2021 Payroll Man of the Year and 2021 Payroll Woman of the Year are well-known among APA members, as well they should be, for their years of service.

Lisa Poole, CPP, and Michael Bateman, CPP, received the honors on Tuesday, May 18.

Poole, VP, Payroll Governance Manager at Truist, said the APA is the best professional organization she has been a part of.

“The APA is the triple E threat of professional organizations,” she said. “It offers encouragement, enthusiasm, and education. The APA delivers this to its membership every day, helping all of us to be the best versions of ourselves when wPRMWOTYe say yes to a challenge or an opportunity.”

Poole has served the APA on CHAMPS, Hotline Referral Service, National Speakers Bureau, Certification Item Development Task Force, Shared Services Task Force, Fundamental Payroll Certification Board, and the Board of Advisors.

A Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) since 1997, she has been on the Unemployment Insurance, Child Support, Garnishments, and State and Local Topics Subcommittees of the Government Relations Task Force (GRTF) and the Best Practices and Manufacturing Best Practices Subcommittees of the Strategic Payroll Leadership Task Force (SPLTF).

She received the APA’s Meritorious Service Award in 2007 and the Special Recognition Award in 2011.

Locally, she has served the Metro Atlanta Payroll Association as education coordinator, study group coordinator, and local administrator.

 “It all started with one little ‘yes’ and a support network of colleagues to help me succeed,” she concluded. “I encourage all of you to seek and say yes the next time there’s a call for a need. I can assure you it will be the best next decision you will ever make.”

In the Congress Xstream chat, Laurie Jensen, CPP, marveled at Poole's career.

"Congratulations, Lisa!" she wrote. "I don't know how you have accomplished all that you have!"

Bateman, Senior Manager of Payroll and Benefits for American Financing, earned his CPP in 2000.

“I am passionate about payroll,” he told Congress Xstream attendees. “Gross to net calculations, benefit deductions, multi-jurisdictional tax filings; these aren’t often thought of as words of passion, but I am passionate about payroll because payroll touches every employee and is the lifeblood of any company.”

He has served the APA as part of the Electronic Payments Committee, Fundamental Payroll Certification Board, Certification Item Development Task Force, Board of Advisors, and Board of Contributing Writers. Also, the Child Support, Garnishments, Retirement Accounts, and Payroll Cards Subcommittees of the GRTF and the Best Practices and Health Care Subcommittees of the SPLTF.

 Bateman received the APA’s Meritorious Service Award in 2019.

 Locally, he has served the Denver Chapter Payroll Association as government liaison officer and local administrator.

 “To all the payroll professionals out there—yes, you—get involved, find your passion, and never give up. And one day you, too, may be standing up here.”

Last year's Payroll Man of the Year, Jon Schausten, CPP, jumped in to honor his successor, saying, "Congratulations and well deserved, Michael!"

Poole and Bateman both used the chat to reply to their well-wishers.

"Thank you, everyone, for the congratulatory wishes and remarks," Poole wrote. "This is the biggest secret I've ever had to keep. Thank you, APA, for all of your support."

Bateman also expressed support for the congratulations, adding, "I'm still in a state of shock over the award."