Human Resources Manager

KENNETH W. ARNOLD, CEBS, SPHR **** LIBERTY LANE GURNEE, IL 60031 847-***-**** (Cell) Internet: ******************@*****.*** PERSONAL BACKGROUND A versatile Human Resources Vice President level professional skilled in strategic management and proactive change and with specialties in Compensation and Benefits Management. An over 25 year record of proactive accomplishment through well developed analytical skills and creative problem solving. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. A results-oriented professional who works well independently as well as in a team. WORK EXPERIENCE Arnold Business Enterprises LLC, Gurnee, IL Tel. 847-207- 1167 President (1998 to Present) Established and operates a Management Consulting and Services company. The firm and its associates provide various services including: * General Business / HR Consulting * New Product Development and Marketing * Employee Benefits Consulting * Business Opportunity Promotions NOTE: Also unsuccessfully ran twice in the Primary Election for U.S. Congress - 8th District of Illinois - in 2006 and 2008. Dean Witter, Discover & Co., Riverwoods, IL and NY, NY Tel. 224-***-**** Benefits Director (1992 - 1998) Directed the Employee Benefits function for the entire 37,000+ employee Dean Witter, Discover & Co. (DWD) organization. One of five (5) Director Committee members who addressed all Human Resources challenges and policy for Dean Witter, Discover & Co. in Chicago. Managed major benefits staffs in two locations of 11 employees in two locations (Chicago and Manhattan, NY). Combined unit had an annual budget in excess of $3 million. Position reported to the Sr. V.P. of Human Resources for DWD officed in New York City. * Designed, and then led the entire evolution of the DWD benefits function from being geographic/ company oriented to one organized by function -- and truly being DWD-wide in scope. Did this organization change with no production disruptions and no loss of staff. * Designed and implemented successful, well-received Group Universal Life, Short-Term Disability and Dental Insurance plans. * Integrated into the entire Benefits Unit the concepts of Total Quality Management processes as taught by a subsidiary of DWD -- Discover Card Services. * Quoted on employee benefits issues within The Wall Street Journal and Employee Benefits News. * Led the HR task force that successfully revamped the annual benefits enrollment process DWD-wide. Changes included a consolidated fall enrollment/new plan communication brochure and, the following year, a voice response system. Compensation and Benefits Manager (1985 to 1992) Directed the Compensation and Benefits functions of NOVUS Financial Services Inc. which included Discover Card, NOVUS Financial, Sears Mortgage Corporation, and other enterprises. One of four Director Committee members who addressed all Human Resources challenges and established policy. Also functioned at the Dean Witter, Discover & Co. level as one part of two- member teams managing the Compensation and Benefits functions, respectively, for the entire corporation. * Built from the ground floor the entire compensation system used by the company. Includes formal compensation management structures, job descriptions, market driven job evaluations, merit charts, promotional increase guidelines, and written incentive plans for sales and operations personnel. * Created accurate job pricings, consistent and fair compensation policies, and incentive programs which ensured Discover Card and affiliates would truly become "the success story of the 1980s". Most important to these activities was not only the initial development -- but also the flexible, dynamic adaptation of them as the firm went through explosive growth and change. * Created for the entire Sears, Roebuck & Co. organization (our parent until 6-30-93) the concepts and administration for complex proration of pension benefits when employees are internally transferred. Known as "the father of proration administration" within Sears. * Installed numerous benefit programs for this new enterprise -- a number of these under extremely short timetables. These initiatives included all forms, policies, and manual / computer applications. * In a six month timeframe, successfully implemented a complete revamp of employee benefit plans including Medical, Life, AD&D, LTD, and Flexible Spending Accounts due to merger activity. * Compiled, from scratch, a superior library of competitive market pricing of all positions. * Was an early adopter of the then emerging compensation concept of not valuing the secretarial job family primarily by the positions of their bosses -- but rather their specific skills and function. * Was the sole person credited for the early stages of personal computerization within the entire Dean Witter, Discover & Co. Human Resources Department. Acted as HRIS Manager of personal computing for the first 2 1/2 years. Resume of: Kenneth W. Arnold, CEBS, SPHR - - Telephone 847-***-**** William M. Mercer, Columbus, OH Tel. 614-***-**** Consulting Analyst (1983 to 1985) Performed employee benefit plan administration and consulting for the Columbus clients of this major benefits consulting firm. Other responsibilities included income replacement ratio analysis of client profit sharing and pension plans as well as the processing and administration of defined contribution plans. Was first person in the entire Mercer consulting office to be assigned to learn how to operate a personal computer. By self study, and hit or miss, taught himself personal computing including DOS and LOTUS. Then proceeded to teach others in the office. --- Earlier Work Experiences as Statistician, Business Consultant, Political Intern, Etc. Are Available Upon Request --- EDUCATION MBA, Indiana University Graduate School of Business Concentration in Personnel and Industrial Relations. Honor student with overall GPA of 3.80/4.00 and class standing of 3 out of 80 (upper 3%). Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Indiana University School of Law Coursework in property, contract, and tort law. B.S., Business Administration, Indiana University School of Business Concentration in Personnel and Industrial Relations. Dean's List all semesters with overall GPA of 3.89/4.00 and class standing of 16 out of 775 (upper 2%). Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) Program Conferred this designation by the Wharton School of Business and Int'l. Foundation of Empl. Benefit Plans. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Program Conferred this designation by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS |Int'l. Foundation of Employee Benefit |WEB Network of Benefit Professionals | |Plans |Beta Gamma Sigma Business School | |Soc. of Human Resource Management |Honorary | Resume of: Kenneth W. Arnold, CEBS, SPHR - - Telephone 847-***-****