Manager Human Resources

Thomas Cathcart

*** ********** **** ********, ** 60126

630-***-**** ******.********@*******.***

Strategic Planning Employee Benefit Plans Compliance

Highly talented and distinguished strategic partner with senior leadership in identifying core business needs

to create and manage state-of-the-art human resource benefit offerings that attract and retain top talent while

maintaining the organization’s objectives and competitive position. Expert in facilitating trans-national

directives by leveraging a Master of Arts in Law with a well-rounded industrious approach to creating a world-

class enterprise. Areas of Expertise:

Regulatory Compliance & Auditing Mergers & Acquisitions

Benefits & Compensation Design Labor & Employee Relations

Policies, Procedures & Protocols Vendor & Attorney Relations

Communication Planning & Execution Budgeting & Cost Control

Conceptualization & Modification Sarbanes-Oxley Administration

HR Generalist Expertise Cutting-Edge HRIS Technologies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Hoffman Estates, IL 2008 to 2009

Benefits Manager

Directed defined contribution, defined benefit and employee stock purchase plans for Sears and Kmart

divisions of the nation’s fourth largest retailer boasting $50+ billion in annual revenues and 250,000

associates. Accountable for domestic and Puerto Rican operations including the oversight, administration,

communication, and compliance of financial retirement reward programs. Position eliminated due to

corporate downsizing.

– Achieve cost competitiveness and value by researching and proposing retirement reward program

design alternatives to senior management staff.

– Directed plan merger activities relating to corporate merger of Sears and Kmart.

– Direct employee stock purchase plan for Sears, Kmart, and Lands End associates while ensuring the

flawless communication and execution of offering periods.

MOTOROLA, INC. Schaumburg, IL 2003 to 2008

Senior Rewards Manager

Oversaw defined benefit and contribution retirement plans for an innovative developer of cutting-edge

technology products, services, and solutions for 70,000 employees. Ensured the administration, compliance,

and auditing of pension, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and financial planning programs.

Analyzed design alternatives to maintain a balance between cost and value. Communicated offering periods

to all employees and executed all global ESPP activities in partnership with non-U.S. reward colleagues.

– Designed and oversaw Sarbanes-Oxley (SOx) compliance activities of all global reward programs.

– Cut annual expenditures thousands of dollars after spearheading the transformation and

implementation of electronic media-based financial planning programs.

– Decreased costs $150k over three years by hiring new plan auditor that embraced a partnership

approach.

– Negotiated and secured competitive contracts with an equity vendor resulting in the overall reduction

of participant fees; subsequently succeeded in having the same action applied toward medical

programs.

– Received the “Bravo Award” for the design and implementation of the newly developed SOx program

for domestic and international benefits.

– Served as Secretary to the Pension Administration Committee and the Profit Sharing Plan Committee;

collaborated with senior staff in executing plan changes resulting in annual cost savings.

. . . Continued . . .

Thomas Cathcart Page Two

Professional Experience Continued . . .

KEEBLER / KELLOGG COMPANY Elmhurst, IL 1999 to 2003

Manager of Human Resources, 2001-2003

Promoted to structure and oversee daily human resources operations for the snack division of a leading

consumer products manufacturer following the corporate merger of Keebler and Kellogg. Partnered with

corporate management teams in deciphering key business needs and integrating pertinent employee

resources to meet a common goal. Managed retiree health and welfare, in addition to pension/401(k),

benefits administration, compensation, labor relations, recruitment, staffing, performance management,

succession planning, and regulatory compliance measures. Managed Reduction-in-Force (RIF) programs

including employee separation and severance pay.

– Facilitated Diversity Training Programs to exempt and non-exempt employees.

– Spearheaded the hiring and compliance process for non-US citizens.

– Led RIF programs for 200 employees following company merger.

– Collaborated with team members to develop and implement a multi-tiered medical insurance program

offering high-deductible, intermediate, and low-deductible plans.

Manager of Retirement Plans, 1999-2001

Met key performance indicators surrounding the design and administration of union and non-union defined

benefit, contribution, life, and medical plans offered to over 12,000 employees. Accountable for departmental

strategies, compliance, and organizational design. Devised all verbal and written communications regarding

benefit and retirement structures, open-enrollment, policies, and procedures. Served as key contact to

external vendors, legal counsel, and various participants. Led a team of associate employees and

supervisors. Served as Management Representative of Joint Board of Pension Trustees.

– Played a significant role in the smooth integration of employee benefits, assessment, and salary

increase programs following the merger.

Prior Career History & Select Achievements

W ILLIAM M. MERCER, INC. Consultant

Subject matter expert and orchestrator of the design and deployment of a PeopleSoft pension system.

APOLLO TRAVEL SERVICES (subsidiary of United Airlines) Retirement Plan Manager

Pioneered the design, administration, and communication surrounding defined contribution and benefit plans.

UNITED AIRLINES Sr. Representative of Pension Programs

Oversaw union and non-union benefit pension plans for 80,000 employees valued at $3.1+ billion.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Springfield, IL

Master of Arts in Law

ILLINOIS COLLEGE Jacksonville, IL

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Professional Affiliations:

Member, W ORLD AT W ORK

MEMBER, HRMAC

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