Human Resources Manager
Resume:
DENISE M WHITE
Henderson, Nevada
***********@*****.***
AMERISTAR CASINOS
Corporate Vice President Human Resources
Ameristar Casinos & Resorts - Las Vegas
2012 - present
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Information Technology
I am responsible for implementing an overarching Talent Management infrastructure to
include Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, Bench Strength Development and Succession
Planning, Human Resources Policies, Team Member Relations, Safety & Risk,
Performance Management, HRIS and Leadership Development. This infrastructure
supports the Human Resources shared services model for the organization’s eight
Casinos, Resorts and Spas, as well as the corporate headquarters with total staffing in
excess of 7500 Team Members. I am a lead on the transition team with respect to Human
Capital requirements and business model for our newest property – Lake Charles,
Louisiana – under construction and scheduled to open in July of 2014. The new site will
employee in excess of 2500 new Team Members.
Director Human Resources
Ameristar Casinos & Resort - Kansas City 2010 –
2012
Reporting directly to the General Manager with a dotted line to the Senior Vice President
for Human Resources and Information Technology at the corporate office in Las Vegas, I
provided passionate leadership and direction for all aspects of the Human Resources
division at this 3000 slot, 60 table game, and many venue restaurant casino and hotel
resort. During my tenure I rebuilt the property Human Resources function including
Talent Management, Team Member Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Safety and Risk,
Performance Management, Leadership Development, Succession Planning, HRIS
analysis and Wardrobe. I was a member of and a critical consultant to the Senior
Executive Committee. Additionally I launched key initiatives in Performance
Management, Selection and Retention for the management staff, implemented
‘Ameristar’s Heroes’, a Brand wide program for deployed Team Members, and built a
Human Resources business partner concept to better serve the property operators. I have
also led multiple Brand wide initiatives for program and process improvement.
Director Human Resources
Chairperson – Leadership Oversight Committee
Odawa Casino Resort – Petoskey, MI 2005 - 2010
Reporting to directly to the General Manager, I led all aspects of the Human Resources &
Uniform division at this 1500 slot, 30 table-game and 3-restaurant casino and hotel resort,
voted the Best Casino in Michigan. I also reported directly to the Gaming Board of
Directors, was appointed Chair of the Leadership Oversight Committee and acted as the
Interim General Manager in the absence of a General Manager.
I led the Senior Transition Team with the successful opening of the Odawa Casino Resort
in 2007. This was a 122 million dollar start up Casino Resort build in Petoskey Michigan.
We achieved the physical relocation of the casino, hit labor targets, and opened on time,
under budget and with minimal downtime. This property received best Casino in
Michigan in 2009.
Created and implemented an integrated Talent Management infrastructure which included
Total Rewards, Performance Management, Career Development, Bench Strength
development and Succession planning, Policy development, HRIS design and
management and Leadership Development programs. I also directed and led risk
management and property liability for the organization.
Principal
Current Times Leadership Group – Charlevoix, MI 2003 - 2005
As the Principal in this independent consulting firm, I provided consultive services as an
Executive Coach and lead team building and organizational development sessions.
Working with Sigma black belts, I provided 360 feedback and career development
workshops globally for: Textron Automotive, Cessna Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, GM and
DTE.
NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS
Nextel Senior Director, Human Resources – Corporate
Nextel Communications – Reston, Virginia 2002 - 2003
Led the Corporate Human Resources Executive team, directed regional Human Resource
Business Partners nationwide. I also implemented a nationwide talent management
structure.
Senior Director, Human Resource - Facilities
Midwest Region
Nextel Communications – Farmington Hills, Michigan 2000 - 2002
Led all aspects of the Human Resources and Facilities functions for a nine-State Region
with 3800 + employees in 86 locations through a management team of six and an overall
staff of 4. Regional Senior Leadership Team member responsible for the accountability
in strategic and operational initiatives to set and drive regional direction, ensuring
performance exceeded the business goals.
Corporate Human Resources Senior Leadership Team; owned the accountability at the
national and international level to set and drive strategic and operational initiatives:
• Developed a Human Resources Shared Services model that provided support
vertically to key regional customers and horizontal consistency nationwide.
• Designed and implemented national initiatives in competency based;
Compensation/Total Rewards, Job Evaluation, Succession Planning, Career
Development Plans, Performance Management, HRIS and payroll programs.
Area Director, Human Resources – Facilities
Great Lakes Area
Nextel Communications – Farmington Hills, Michigan 1997 – 2000
Led all aspects of the Human Resources and Facilities function for an area which
encompassed three states with 1000 + employees at 31 sites. Was a member of Area
President’s Senior Team and directed a staff of 22 through a management team of five.
Owner – Master Roaster
SWEET SAMS JAVA JOINT 1993 - 2009
Coffee Roasting Company – Created two renowned retail coffee stores and a coffee
roasting facility. Owned a full service cappuccino/espresso bar, which included a deli,
gourmet jar goods, gift baskets, corporate coffee service, wholesale and internet coffee
orders. The retail stores were sold in 2001. We supported both an internet and wholesale
coffee clientele until the sale of the business in 2009.
Vice President – Human Resources and Administration Services – PHP Benefits
Systems, Inc.
Regional Director – Human Resources and Administration Services – United
HealthCare Corporation.
United HealthCare Corporation
PHP Benefit Systems, Inc. – Columbus, Ohio 1986 - 1993
Reporting to the CEO, led all aspects of the Human Resources and Administration
(Facilities, Purchasing, Real Estate, etc.) operations. Worked on the due diligence team
during the acquisition of PHP Benefit Systems, Inc., by United HealthCare Corporation.
EDUCATION
B.A. Psychology/Management
West Texas State University – Canyon, Texas
PROFESSIONAL
Society for Human Resource Management - National
Contact this candidate