Chroma Technology Corp. :: Vice President, Head of People and Culture :: 2019 - Present

Serving as Head of People and Culture (Human Resources) for this award-winning, 100% employee-owned, certified B Corp, and Best Places to Work in Vermont biotech firm based in Vermont. Chroma manufactures optical filters for the scientific, biomedical, photonics and imaging and detection industries. These specialty items are used in COVID-19 testing, microscopes, DNA sequencers and clinical diagnostic devices, among other applications. The company has a global customer base with offices in Germany, China and Japan. Chroma recently opened up a new, 28,000-square-foot clean manufacturing addition to its Vermont plant, and also owns and manages a subsidiary, 89 North, in Williston, Vt., which specializes in innovative products for biomedical imaging.

PC Construction Company :: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) :: 2018 - Present

Serving as CAO/CHRO for this 100% employee-owned general contracting and design-buildcompany with an annual revenue volume of +$600M and over 900 employee-owners in multi-locations along the US east coast. Officer and C-Level Executive reporting directly to CEO. Keycontributor to and driver of the company's annual strategic planning process. Provides executiveleadership for all of the company’s people and development-related functions including talentacquisition, total rewards, employee relations, compliance, compensation, Employee StockOwnership Plan (ESOP) administration, succession planning, evaluation, learning, and retention.

Simon Pearce Inc :: VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES & COMMUNICATIONS :: 2013–2017

Lifestyle brand that designs, manufactures, and distributes hand-crafted glass and hand-thrown pottery products in its own retail stores, website, restaurant, and hundreds of points of wholesale distribution nationwide.

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Member of Executive Team reporting directly to Founder/CEO. Provide strategic direction to and daily oversight of the corporate HR department for this 300+ employee multi-channel, matrix business. Develop and head the organization’s internal/external communication strategic planning process and brand voice.

• Professionalized and stabilized all aspects of the HR function. Recruited and developed a high-performing and talented team of HR specialists to manage each discipline of HR.

• Implemented on-site physical therapy services, treatment, and education at all 3 facilities to improve safety and prevention strategies, and early screening. Workers’ compensation claims declined significantly as did lost staff production time. Remarkable improvement was achieved in employee morale, retention, trust of management. 

• Spearheaded Working Bridges Program. First company in region to implement multi-employer collaboration, which dramatically improved workplace productivity, retention, and financial stability for low/medium wage earners.

• Conceptualized and created employee-driven Peer Nomination & Recognition Award Program based on inspired behaviors that reflect corporate core values.

• Redesigned entire benefit offerings that reduced employer cost, while increasing employee breadth of choices and more robust plans. Realized 20% increase in employee satisfaction rating on Best Places to Work Survey.

• Launched Employee Benefits Center, an online resource, employer-branded benefit summary, and upgraded open enrollment platform from outdated ADP to progressive and interactive bSwift platform.

• Drove safety culture initiative and mindset to address mandated and work-specific safety related focus on training sessions, emergency planning, PPE assessments, lockout tagout procedures, ergonomics, accident investigations, etc. Offered Substance Abuse Awareness Workshops.

• Built official Apprenticeship Program and received a grant from Vermont Training Program. Article published in The Boston Globe, May 2014.

• Initiated and oversaw development of first-ever interactive company Intranet with robust content.

• Developed brand voice guidelines, wrote copy, and managed communications to promote and enhance the brand voice in all channels internally and externally. Managed a team of copywriters.

• Interim Director of Retail (temporary assignment Feb–May 2016); in addition to VP responsibilities, acted as Interim Director for 5 retail stores and 2 outlets in New England. Recruited/onboarded new Director.

• Additional projects available to share upon request

Resource Systems Group, Inc. :: DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES :: 2007–2013

A multidisciplinary, employee-owned firm providing consulting services for transportation, natural resources, and technology.

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Led corporate HR supporting short/long-term strategy of 100+ employee professional services firm. Reported to CEO.

• Instrumental in earning #1 ranking for “Best Places to Work in Vermont” 2012 by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Awarded among the top best places to work every year during tenure.

• Member of Operating Team which led successful realignment of company structure in 2012; Member of Board of Regents, governing body of the RSG Institute; Member of 401k Committee; Served as Ex Officio Board Member of the RSG CEO Search Committee 2012.

• Advanced consulting staff’s capabilities and leadership development by creating, designing and implementing “RSG Institute” a continuous training and knowledge sharing program. Awarded $30K grant by State of Vermont.

• Linked the performance review process directly to the company’s strategic plan by developing competencies based on Lominger’s Architect and implementing a SMART goal evaluation process.

• Reduced cost of health care to RSG by approximately $150K per year and cut employees’ premium share in half by successfully transitioning into a new health care plan design.

• Awards: Best Places to Work in Vermont 2012, Winner, #1 in Small/Medium Category; Best Places to Work in Vermont 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007

• Additional projects available to share upon request

FIRMENICH INTERNATIONAL FINE FRAGRANCE CENTER :: HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER :: 2004–2007

The world's largest privately owned company in the perfume and flavor business.

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Oversaw all Human Resources activity for the Fine Fragrance Perfumery Division, which encompassed 90 employees and $100M in annual sales. Reported to the President, Fine Fragrances, North America. Accomplishments include:

• Developed high potential leaders by creating and implementing an annual company scholarship program to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Master’s Degree Program in Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing.

• Created and designed PIQ Program (Passion, Innovation, Quality), a peer recognition process rewarding employee contribution in financial performance, efficiency, productivity, risk taking, motivation, and leadership.

• Accelerated new hires time to full productivity by redesigning Firmenich’s North America Onboarding “Experience” into an orientation that is high touch, customizable and learning oriented.

• Additional projects available to share upon request

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES, INC. :: MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES/SALES ADMINISTRATION, FASHION GROUP :: 1995-2004

Global manufacturer and marketer of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.

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HR administration of 500+ field sales staff at 250 accounts worldwide. Employee Relations Advisor to 30 Account Executives/5 Regional Marketing Directors. Reported to the Vice President, Finance. Previous positions:

Assistant Manager, Human Resources/Sales Administration, Fashion Group :: 2000–2001

Administrator, Human Resources/Sales Administration, Fashion Group :: 1995–2000