Global Human resources Operations Executive | Strategic Partner | Talent developer Operations Transformer
Summary
“Leadership is about recognizing that there’s a greatness in everyone, and your job is to create an environment where that greatness can emerge.” - Bill Campbell
I am a hands-on Human Resources leader known for delivering operational improvements, transforming culture, and enhancing talent pipelines in multi-site global manufacturing and technology organizations. My track record includes success in improving key metrics and driving significant gross margin gains, HR team upgrades, and increasing attraction and retention of top talent. I apply strong consulting, influencing skills and business acumen in advising C-suite and cross-functional leadership. I am a competitive, lifelong learner with a high need for achievement.
Before I get into what makes me unique and led me to HR, I would like to thank my wife and two awesome daughters for their love and support. Without them, my life wouldn’t be the same or worth it.
I come from a family of immigrants, thinkers and tinkerers. My German grandfather, a carpenter, immigrated to the US and worked hard to become a German language Professor. My English Dad, immigrated to New Zealand and earned his PhD from Iowa State. He convinced my Mom to leave college, get married and move to Australia. Later, we settled in Annapolis, MD. Dad was an expat Economist. His home leave trips back to New Zealand exposed us to different countries and cultures and taught me the value of education and diversity.
I have three brothers who are older and bigger than me. We were a team – we played sports, did home improvement projects and were very active together. From the age of 10, I always had a job – shoveling driveways, cutting grass, catching/selling crabs or delivering newspapers. At an early age, I learned about hard work, conflict management, negotiation, accountability and leadership. After years of developing these skills it was a natural choice for me to go to the business school, unlike my brothers who chose engineering.
As a fan of In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters, I wanted to be a change agent who helps organizations, and their associates, reach new levels of performance. I have always been curious about how things are made and different cultures which has drawn me to manufacturing and operations in Global companies.
In summary, I am a husband and Dad who is an empathic, competitive, lifelong learner with an entrepreneurial spirit and a high need to achieve which inspires me to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Timeline
HR Director, Global Supply Chain NA, Essity
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Interim HR Leader, Patina Solutions
Strategic business partner to Jack Link's Minong Operations, accountable for HR initiatives covering supply chain and operations for this critical plant and corporate location. Interim assignment to turn around the HR function. • Re-established the HR team as a credible business partner and a valued added function for team members. • Evaluated existing HR programs and led changes to address significant issues with talent management. Assignment started with 88 vacancies and a long-standing turnover problem. • Resolved employee relations and performance issues; developing supervisor training to drive improvement.
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Regional Human Resources Manager , Flowserve Corporation
I was recruited to join Flowserve which was a great place for me to learn about manufacturing, safety, running a region and with unionlized workers. This role enabled me to expand my HR tool kit and get ready for my next challenges.
• Improved operational performance in partnership with Plant Manager and leadership team. Drove culture change and aligned vision of this historically poor performing facility. Plant won President’s Cup in 2008. • Turned around Western Region HR team – managed 4 HR staff, supported 640 employees in 11 sites. • Developed and facilitated CA Harassment Awareness training program, used as the template for the national onsite rollout and online version. • Facilitated change management and supervisor training sessions for 325 – Overall rating 4.7 on 5.0 scale. • Planned and implemented closure of a field service center within 10 days of starting employment.
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Senior Professional in Human Resources,, Human Resources Certification Institute
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Global Labor Relations Professional, HR Policy Association / BEERG
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Director, Global Labor Relations, Flowserve
I was promoted to this role following the operation and engagement improvements in the Western Region. This assignment exposed me to the full manufacturing footprint and HR issues in a global context and made me into a better business partner.
• Negotiated 10 collective bargaining agreements in the United States and Canada. All contracts completed on time, under budget with no work stoppages. • Served as corporate spokesperson for annual European Employee Forum meetings and quarterly consultations. • Co-chaired German Works Council meetings, with German HR Director, for quarterly negotiations. • Achieved a 5-year renewal of the agreement with our European Works Council by improving relations. • Closed 7 separate OFCCP audits in 1 year with no findings or corrective actions.
I was promoted into the business partner role following my performance in Labor Relations. I was ready to engage with senior leadership to help drive initiatives and lead larger HR teams. These lessons were key to my continued development.
• Achieved turnaround of a $160M plant and upgraded leadership in partnership with division executive team. • Drove the final HR integration phase of 1,700 employee strategic acquisition with 28 sites in 14 countries. • Led HR side of footprint optimization strategy in partnership with VP, Manufacturing Transition. • Introduced accountability meetings to the HR team, providing focus through metrics and communications. • Led global rollout and implementation of strategic workforce planning and forecasting system for HR/Finance. • Drove 40% reduction in voluntary attrition via targeted action planning across global operations.
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Executive Program in Management, UCLA
• Intensive program that included courses to ramp Financial, Strategic and Marketing skills.
• Led the cap-stone project team - winning the class case study presentation!
Board Member and Treasurer
Co-chaired inaugural Canine Companions for Independence event. Developed project plan, marketing program and social media campaign. Raised $110,000 to train service dogs to support disabled Veterans. Setting a record for a first time event.
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Director HR, Vitreous Operations, Kohler Company
I was recruited to Kohler. Being a huge fan of Kohler's products and the fit with my operations experience, I jumped at the opportunity. This role offered significant challenge and growth due to the scope, complexity and nature of the business. I had a great run at Kohler but was recently impacted by the new organizational design.
• Achieved 13.5% net change in yield for operations in Thailand over 3 years by reorganizing, upgrading talent, improving union relations, caster retention and leadership stability.
• Improved financial performance, increased production volume and stabilized leadership through recruitment and succession planning upgrade.
• Developed and launched Plant Manager Apprenticeship program to improve talent pools for leader roles.
• Created and implemented global key talent dashboard to track plant and technical leadership succession.
• Decreased first year attrition 47% for Casters in Thailand operations by implementing Global Caster School.
Targeted Roles
HR Director | HR Vice President | Strategic Partner | Mid to large sized manufacturers in SE WI & IL
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Contributed over $100M annual net income through culture change and operational improvements.
Saved $400M contract through direct intervention to align dysfunctional multifunctional team
12% net increase in yield, 16% net reduction in cost per kilo and increased production 2.2M pieces
Achieved over $10M in structural change and financial/design targets for Boston Consulting Group
Education Highlights
University of California, Los Angeles - Executive Program in Management
University of Maryland - BS Personnel & Labor Relations
University of Utah - Master of Human Resources Management
CERTIFICATION
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) - Human Resources Certification Institute
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS): University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School
Global Labor Relations Professional (GLRP): HR Policy Association
Society for Human Resource Management -Â Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), SHRM
Interests
Reading, travel, live music, cycling and spending time with my family.
Interesting Numbers
12345
Description
12345
Description
10
Pounds lost yTD
31
Factories supported
18000
employees supported
425
Peloton rides
15
Union contracts negotiated
22
countries visited
$750M
business impact
Skills
Strategic Planning
13
onboarding
20+
leadership
20+
process improvement
20+
Human Resources
20+
Management
20+
Labor and EMployee Relations
20+
total rewards
15
training and development
15
Performance management
20+
Succession planning
20+
talent Management
20+
Mergers and Acquisitions
10
Contract negotiation
20+
Change Management
10
Talent acquisition
20+
Questions & Answers
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certification through the University of Southern Florida.
Describe your greatest accomplishment.
One of the accomplishments that I am proudest of is from my first HR job in a union plant. In partnership with plant leadership and an improved union relationship we were able to take one of the worst plants in the division to the President's awarding winning top performer. It was a tough but great journey.
Who are your main influences?
I mention in my intro (see attached a video) that Tom Peters' book In Search of Excellence was a big influence as was The Leadership Challenge  by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. Two books that still are on point today.
Why did you choose your profession?
The short answer to this question is that I have three older brothers and as a result I had to develop my soft skills at an early age to survive. My brothers are great but they helped set the stage.
Images
Time with these guys relaxes me.
My daughters inspire me!
Sunrise near lake Michigan - just have to share.
The Kohler Thailand team was a joy to work with - Much respect!
Time with these guys relaxes me.
My daughters inspire me!
Sunrise near lake Michigan - just have to share.
The Kohler Thailand team was a joy to work with - Much respect!
Fun story about stewardship in Thailand.
