About > Staff

The staff at Norman Peterson and Associates Inc. are dedicated to providing a positive Return-to-Work experience for employers and employees. Collectively we have over a hundred years of Return-to- Work experience.

Norman Peterson, President
Sandy Ward-Hollingsworth, Vice President of Operations
Marc Anderson - Senior RTW Advisor
Sarah Morris-Peterson - Computer Systems Analyst
Curt Cooter - Senior RTW Specialist
Bonnie Banks - Senior RTW Specialist
Sharon Rivers - RTW Specialist
Erik Peterson - RTW Specialist
Michelle Eddy-Wels - Comptroller (The Bookie)
Julie Hagert - Office Administrator

Norman Peterson,
President

In 1985, President Norman A. Peterson founded Norman Peterson and Associates Inc. and developed his revolutionary transitional work program. Mr. Peterson has a diverse background as a college professor, radio talk show host and the head of the Strategic Systems Studies at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc. He believes that his Master’s degree in Public Administration and post graduate work in Organizational Theory and Behavior at the University of Oregon, provided the framework that led to his development of the OUR (Optimal Utilization of Resources) System®. This System is being put to use with great success at a variety of private industries and public institutions. Mr. Peterson is a featured speaker at workers’ compensation conferences worldwide.

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Sandy Ward-Hollingsworth,
Vice President of Operations

As the Vice President of Operations, Sandy Ward-Hollingsworth is responsible for all operations. Sandy has been a part of the NPA team for 10 years. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University with an emphasis in Marketing. Sandy's previous work experience includes over ten years with a regional hotel chain holding various management positions. In fact, Sandy first came in contact with NPA as she facilitated implementation and management of a very successful OUR System® for a hotel chain. Sandy coordinates all aspects of OUR System® implementations and PAT (Placement Administration Team) activities with NPA customers.

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Marc Anderson,
Senior RTW Advisor

Marc Anderson is a Consultant Emeritus at Norman Peterson and Associates. He has been with the firm for over 21 years, having served for a number of years as vice president of consulting. Marc is currently working as the special projects manager and brings a wealth of experience to NPA. He has a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Oregon. Prior to his career at NPA, Marc had 19 years experience in public and private rehabilitation with a variety of client groups.

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Sarah Morris-Peterson,
Computer Systems Analyst

Sarah has been with NPA for over two years and uses her experience in software design, development, and quality assurance to spearhead the BridgIT software project. Sarah is originally from Canada with a degree in Information Technology from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  In addition to overseeing the BridgIT software project, Sarah is trained as a RTW Specialist. Her excellent communication, analytical, and organization skills are an asset to any OUR System® implementation.

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Curtis Cooter has been with Norman Peterson and Associates over 17 years and has nearly 30 years of experience in physical and vocational rehabilitation. Curt has a Bachelor's degree from California State Polytechnic University and graduate experience at California State College at San Bernardino. He has successfully led implementation teams in a variety of industries including hospitals, school districts, cities, counties, resorts, manufacturing, and transportation. Curt's attention to detail and organizational abilities is an incredible asset to the employers he works with.

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Bonnie Banks,
Senior RTW Specialist

Bonnie Banks has been with NPA 15 years as a Senior RTW Specialist. Bonnie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Portland State University and has 20 years of physical and vocational rehabilitation experience. She utilizes her leadership skills and creativity to develop a customized OUR System® for each customer in a variety of industries. Bonnie works with many employers in our PAT (Placement Administration Team) program coordinating Return-to-Work efforts.

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Sharon Rivers,
RTW Specialist

Sharon Rivers has been a Return-To-Work Specialist at Norman Peterson and Associates for over twelve years. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Education from Eastern Washington State College and a Master's degree in Psychology from Southern Oregon University. Sharon has over 20 years of in-depth experience in human resource management, teaching, job development, vocational testing and training, including over six years providing vocational rehabilitation services.

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Erik Peterson,
RTW Specialist

Erik Peterson is the newest Return-To-Work Specialist with over three years of OUR System® implementation and PAT activities experience. Erik's excellent people skills and new approaches make him a valuable addition. Erik has over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry and has completed various college courses, giving him a broad based background he can utilize when developing Bridge Assignments.

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Michelle Eddy-Wels,
Comptroller (The Bookie)

Michelle Eddy-Wels has been affiliated with Norman Peterson and Associates for over 20 years. She started with NPA in its infancy as an Administrative Assistant and then as a RTW Specialist. After taking a leave from NPA to pursue other interests, she returned in 2005 to manage the finances. Along with the finances, Michelle utilizes her OUR System® implementation experience to quality check all Bridge Assignments.

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Julie Hagert
Office Administrator

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