Adonai Employment

We work together as a team with decades of experience in job placement for people with disabilities. Each consumer benefits from the shared experience and knowledge of all team members.  We share our networking connections and resources, experience and training, and we have developed a network of over a hundred employers.  We are a faith-based organization; and we share a passionate belief that each individual has value and abilities which, when connected with the right employer, will lead to long term success.

Tom Gauthier
President

Tom was one of the three partners who started Adonai Employment, and began as Vice President in January, 2008. Tom has more than forty-six years of experience on both sides of human resource work, interviewing, hiring, and training hundreds of individuals as part of management of a major corporation. For the past fifteen years Tom has served as an employment specialist, helping individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment connect with meaningful jobs while helping employers meet their hiring needs. Tom is recognized for a unique approach to networking and advocacy and as a leader in job development.

Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Honors Program. Tom has completed graduate level courses in English and Journalism, as well as certificate programs in human services and management.

Tom serves on the boards of five other non-profits in the Milwaukee area: secretary of the board for ABLE (Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement), member of the Canticle Court and Juniper Court boards, vice president and treasurer of the Canticle and Juniper Courts Foundation, and a member of the advisory board for WUWM, Milwaukee Public Radio. Tom is past president and advisor to the board of the North Milwaukee Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Tom lives in Glendale, and is the proud father of two children and grandfather of five.

 Debbie Posey-Arrington
Vice-President 

Debbie Posey-Arrington has been with Adonai Employment since April of 2008. Debbie was promoted to the position of the Vice President in 2010. She supervises three employment consultants and leads by example with impeccable work ethic and service to the community of greater Milwaukee. Debbie Posey-Arrington works with consumers by providing guidance in the areas of career exploration, personal grooming, job seeking skills, and community resources. She also assists newly employed individuals in the orientation to a company’s policies, procedures, products, services, standards, fringe benefits and opportunities. Debbie’s responsibilities also include case management, job training, job coaching and other employment related support services. Debbie-Posey Arrington ensures that every match made between an employer and a consumer will subsequently lead to success.

Prior to joining Adonai Employment, Debbie Posey-Arrington worked at Goodwill Industries of SE Wisconsin as the supervisor of Work Adjustment Community-based training. She provided direct consumer services and managed a case load of over 40 individuals. Debbie also provided ongoing training of staff in areas such as ethics, safety in the workplace and other policies and procedures.

Debbie Posey-Arrington completed and attended ongoing education and training in many areas of business, vocational services, and crisis intervention. In 2005 Debbie graduated from Goodwill’s Leadership Academy. Debbie Posey-Arrington’s experience of over 16 years is a much valued asset of Adonai Employment.

Jeffrey Montoya
Corporate Officer

Jeffrey Montoya joined the staff at Adonai Employment in December of 2009. Jeffrey oversees the administrative and office aspects of the company, including human resources, bookkeeping and technology. 

Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy from St. Norbert College, a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Cardinal Stritch University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Anglican Divinity School.

In addition to his work at Adonai, Reverend Montoya is an ordained Anglican Priest.  He is also an accomplished Reiki Master and Spiritual Guide.

Paul Raatz
Employment Consultant

Paul Raatz joined the Adonai team in April 2012.  Mr. Raatz is an  Employment Consultant who brings with him a background in retail, customer service, and management. Paul held the position of Customer Experience Manager for four years in a major retail chain. As a Customer Experience Manager Mr. Raatz had the opportunity to work within many aspects of the retail environment. These experiences have benefited Mr. Raatz as an Employment Consultant.

Paul Raatz's mother and sister are disabled and through their physical and cognitive disabilities, Mr. Raatz has years of personal experience working with people with disabilities. This personal experience has been an important factor in Paul’s decision to join the Adonai team. Mr. Raatz brings a strong sense of compassion and motivation to the Adonai team. Mr. Raatz is proud to be a factor in the success stories of his mother and sister. His education focuses in the elementary and special education background.

Heather Leonhardt

Employment Consultant

 Heather Leonhardt joined the Adonai team in January 2016.  Heather brings to the table experience working with the hard of hearing as an operator at Captel for several years.  She knows some sign language.  She also has experience with physical handicaps as she worked for a valet company for several years for Milwaukee area hospitals.

Heather graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in communication.   While attending UW-Oshkosh she was also a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity and represented her dormitory hall in GLACURH conference (Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls) in the spring of 2001 in Boulder, Colorado. 

More recently Heather has served as Chair of the Board at her children’s school on the north west side of Milwaukee.  She also loves to travel.  Recently she has been to Washington DC and Maui, Hawaii.  She is looking forward to being a part of the Adonai Employment team and helping to “make a difference” in many lives in the community. 

Karen Hallio

Employment Consultant

Karen Hallio joined the Adonai team in July of 2013. She is a part of our Walgreens REDI team and brings 20+ years of retail experience with her. Karen’s passion for customer service and one on one mentoring has been an asset to the program. She uses job coaching techniques that empower the extern while aiding in the learning process. When Karen is not job coaching, she spends time with her two children. Karen is proud to be part of Adonai Employment and the REDI team.