Richard J Stewart SPHR Resume

RICHARD JAMES STEWART, SPHR 307 Digby Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70508 337-***-**** abqreg@r.postjobfree.com HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALAn established HR leader with expertise in creating and implementing strategic partnerships with otherbusiness leaders through effective human capital initiatives aligned to the organization s vision and mission. Ahistory of achievement in building successful cross functional teams capable of solving complex challenges andcreating business opportunities.Recognized strategic and tactical expertise in all HR areas to include, leadership development, talent management,succession management, change management, organizational design, team building, conflict resolution, benefitsand compensation, HRIS, HR policy development, labor relations, workforce planning, training and development,workers compensation, safety & risk management and developing effective HR business partnerships.Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a 20 plus year HR career distinguished byprogressive promotions including executive operational experience, advanced education (MBA, PhDcandidate) and demonstrated results. PROFESSIONAL PROFILECYPRESS BAYOU CASINO - Charenton, LANative American Casino serving a regional market. Revenues of approximately $80 million, annualcustomer visits over 1 million, with approximately 1100 employees.Executive Director, Non-Gaming Operations 2007-PresentReport to President of the Management Company and serve as member of the executive committee with P&Lresponsibilities for Human Resources, Technical Services, Security, Transportation, PBX, Managers on Duty,Housekeeping, Engineering, Safety and Asset Management. Report regularly to the Tribal Council as well asexternal regulatory agencies. Serve on the Benefits Committee for all Tribal enterprises (Health plan is selfinsured and self administered; Committee is also responsible for Tribe s 401k plan).Key Accomplishments Lead 401k transition team in successfully selecting a new provider resulting in annual cost savings. Plan covered various enterprises of the owners and has approximately $12 million in assets. Created a succession planning program to target and develop talented and underrepresented employees. Developed and implemented effective workforce planning resulting in reduced payroll expenses by more than $5 million in a two year period. This was a joint effort with all Directors. Realigned compensation plan to better meet strategic business goals and maintain a competitive labor position in the market. Worked with Analyst to create job ladders for employee development. Created a matrix organization to leverage human capital allowing for rapid problem solving. Identified, purchased and implemented an HRIS system increasing productivity by more than 50% in HR and Payroll and providing workforce management tools to managers. Refocused HR to act as internal consultants to better align HR value to organization vision and goals.Director, Employee and Support Services 2005-2007Assumed full responsibility for Technical Services and Employee Services departments. Responsible foropening an 80,000 sq. ft. addition which included recruiting, training and developing staff and overseeing alltechnical services areas. Page 2Key Accomplishments Recruited and trained approximately 300+ new employees in tight employment market on time and within budget immediately following Hurricane Katrina by coordinating with numerous outside agencies. Led a cross functional customer development team to redefine player s loyalty club resulting in offsets of approximately $750,000 the first year with continuous offsets and customer benefits each year. Improved IT service levels through workforce design that allowed IT staff to provide better service and increase up time of all systems without adding additional IT staff. Negotiated multi-million dollar contract and worked with IT Director to oversee implementation of slot system upgrade including training and development efforts resulting in improved customer service and elimination of unnecessary employee duties.Director, Employee Services 1996-2005Highest level Human Resources position in the organization. Designed all HR systems, implemented areporting system that provided better information flow, designed management development program whichincluded Tribal members earning college degrees and implemented behaviorally based task training programfor 1100 employees that included oversight of 60 departmental trainers.Key Accomplishments Developed and directed two highly successful change management programs for all employees when the casino changed operating hours and when implementing new TITO gaming system. Authored Employee Guidebook and developed companywide policies and procedures. Redesigned drug testing program resulting in first year savings of approximately $10,000 annually. Created an aggressive Workers Compensation program reducing e-mod from 1.25 to .94. Implemented safety program reducing incident rates from 10.03 to 5.43, severity rates from 3.14 to 2.17 and improving return to work from 25% to 61 %. Designed hospitality management degree program for Tribal members and spouses in conjunction with local university. Strategic focus of HR programs assisted in reducing turnover levels to a low of 18.1% while the local gaming industry reported levels from 70% to 80%. OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCESUNRISE HOSPITAL - Las Vegas, NVAssistant Director, Human ResourcesCAESARS PALACE - Las Vegas, NVLabor Relations Manager EDUCATIONPhD (Expected 2012), Human Capital Development, The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulfport, MS Dissertation topic: The Leadership Code and Employee EngagementMBA, Auburn University, Auburn, ALB.S., Psychology and Spanish (minor), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/CERTIFICATIONS Leadership Las Vegas Graduate 1994 Society of Human Resources member since 1996, SPHR since 1999 California Labor Law Workshop (2011) Speak, read and write Spanish E-MAIL abqreg@r.postjobfree.com 307 DIGBY AVE LAFAYETTE, LA 70508-6427 PHONE 337-***-****