Julius E. Rhodes, SPHR

Julius E. Rhodes, SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources – lifetime designation), is a life-long resident of Chicago’s Southeast Side and the youngest of four siblings born to the 68-year marriage of Marzet and Pete Rhodes. The name of his practice the mpr group pays homage to his parents and all of the hard work and investment they made in him. He is also the proud Father of two adult children Jerome and Lauren Rhodes.
He serves as the Founder and Principal of the mpr group a Human Resources and Management Professional Services Firm that he has operated continuously since 1994.
Mr. Rhodes is the author of “BRAND: YOU: Personal Branding for Success in Life and Business” and “BRAND: YOU The Workbook”. He is a much sought-after keynote speaker having presented nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to HR, personal branding, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), leadership development, wellness/well-being and safety, among other topics.
He completed his coursework towards a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Business Ethics at Loyola University, has a lifetime Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, the highest level of official recognition in his profession. In 1992, he completed a certified arbitrator development program through Cornell University and the New York State Employment Relations Board. A graduate of Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago, IL.) he has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Roosevelt University and a Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Loyola University both in Chicago, Illinois. He is a 2024 graduate fellow of the National Security Summit through the Army War College and in 2025 he completed the Korn-Ferry Leadership University for Humanity program.
In addition, he has facilitated numerous HR related activities in myriad businesses too vast to name for public and private firms in the profit and not-for-profit sectors. He is a frequent contributor to local and national publications on topics such as leadership, motivation, communication, conflict resolution, governance, human resources many more. He has also instructed graduate and undergraduate level courses at several Universities and Colleges in ethics, human resources and project management, human relations, and training.