Ones to watch: Long Island's human resources firms: February 1, 2008

Gladys C. Ahrens

Vice president, Administration & Public Relations

Chernoff Diamond & Co.

Ahrens oversees the administrative and support functions of this Garden City-based benefits and risk management firm's health and welfare, retirement planning, risk management and private client services practices. She also creates department procedures and protocols, handles public relations and marketing and plays a lead role in hiring and training new employees. Ahrens is a member of the Long Island Chapter for the Society of Human Resources Management, Long Island Elite and the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island.

Robert S. Budd

Chief executive officer

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises

Hiring the disabled can benefit employers and employees. Budd in January took the helm at this Old Bethpage-based county not-for-profit that trains, houses and provides other help to people with disabilities on Long Island. After serving as chief administrative officer since 1993, he succeeded Barbara L. Townsend who retired following 22 years at the helm. Budd is past president of the New York State Association of Community Residential Agencies.