Human Resources Resource

CHRISTINE S. HOFFER

**** ********** **** ● Norton, Ohio 44203 ● 330-***-**** ● ***************@*****.*** Experienced executive and attorney with successes in industry, academia and not-for-profits emphasizing strong management and leadership skills. Adept at turning around, realigning and redeploying under performing groups. Recognized for creative problem solving, training and development and coaching. Demonstrated expertise in labor relations and employee relations. Core competencies:

• Leadership Development • Human Resource Strategic Planning • Organizational Structure Design

• Financial Management • Policy / Procedure Development • Benefit Plan Design

• Cost Control

• Litigation / Contract Negotiations • Government Compliance PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

METRO RTA, Akron, Ohio 2013 to Present

Regional Transit Authority for Summit County

Director of Human Resources

Internal consultant to senior management and supervisory staff regarding policy interpretation, employee and labor relations, employment liabilities, ethics, litigation, safety and security.

• Restructured human resources department, improving customer service and employee communications, policies and procedures.

• Principal contributor to development and implementation of METRO’s Vision and Core Values.

• Strategic partner and lead negotiator in successful negotiations of 4 collective bargaining agreements without work stoppage.

• Coached executive team during transition a new executive director and new Board of Trustee appointees.

• Developed comprehensive recruitment strategy to increase flow of qualified candidates, improve internal process efficiency and reduce costs.

• Significant collaborator in the development of litigation strategy in pending Department of Labor whistle blower claims.

• Served as Acting Executive Director.

FIRSTENERGY CORP., Akron, OH 2012 to 2013

Diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Labor Relations Representative

• Provided technical expertise regarding labor relations, contract administration and union avoidance.

• Successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreement amendment to include recently certified bargaining unit of exempt and non exempt employees within the parameters set by executive leadership.

• Facilitated resolution of grievances while preserving operational flexibility and management rights.

• Developed union avoidance campaign material utilized in successful NLRB election at nuclear plant.

• Strategic partner in the successful negotiation of collective bargaining agreement renewals and extensions. GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, Canton, OH 2007 to 2012

Not-for-profit serving Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio COO & Vice President of Human Resources (2010 to 2012)

• Faced the challenges of increasing needs in 10 counties, including 2 major facilities, Cleveland and Canton – with 435 employees. Managed a 500% increase in people served by the Cleveland office in a two-year span.

• Broke out of a traditional mindset to implement “Beyond Great,” which resulted in a sustainable culture that promoted, nurtured and celebrated excellent external and internal customer service.

• Strengthened Executive Leadership Team’s competencies with the implementation of a 360 assessment and a professional development planning process.

• Initiated the creation of a learning environment, which increased average employee training and development from zero hours per person to 12 hours per employee.

• Collaborated with the VP of Mission Services to develop demographic information, which determined how to best meet the needs of the community and resulted in a $1,000,000 Work Experience Grant. Vice President of Human Resources (2007 to 2010)

• Restructured human resources department, increasing efficiency, improving customer service and expanding training and development role with no increase in headcount.

• Facilitated 18% growth with innovative recruitment strategies and creative team building initiatives.

• Streamlined monthly reports to the Board of Directors by implementing a balanced scorecard and supporting dashboards for the organization’s projects and initiatives.

• Negotiated design of new healthcare benefits programs resulting in either under budget or flat benefit renewal premiums in each of five successive years.

• Reduced turnover 20% through an enhanced new-hire orientation program. SHEARER’S FOODS, INC, Brewster, OH 2004 to 2007

Privately-held manufacturer and distributor of salty snacks. $100 Million in annual sales. Director of Human Resources

• Reduced employee turnover and associated costs by 65% in FY06.

• Led negotiations and design of new healthcare benefits programs, saving company 30% in self-insured costs.

• Interpreted policies, procedures and legal regulations to minimize employment liabilities.

• Defended Department of Labor complaints and Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Program desk audit with no adverse administrative findings against the Company.

• Designed and implemented “Blue Print for Success” Management training series. CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Cleveland, OH 2002 to 2004 Ohio's largest community college, offering nearly 1,200 credit courses and serving 55,000 students at 3 campuses. Director of Labor and Employee Relations

Internal consultant to senior management and supervisory staff regarding policy interpretation, labor and employee relations, code of ethics, employment liabilities. Also assisted with strategic direction, employee communication and cultural change.

• Principal contributor to cross-functional projects including skills assessment, healthcare and unemployment compensation vendor selection, management development system and non-monetary rewards programs.

• Strategic partner in interest based bargaining achieving established cost parameters.

• Developed and implemented “Toolbox for Success” training modules.

• Facilitated resolution of ongoing reclassification dispute with part-time bargaining unit, saving substantial litigation and back-pay costs.

• Conducted administrative

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, Cleveland, OH 1996 to 2002 Largest manufacturer of paint and coatings in the United States with annual sales in excess of $5 billion. Director of Human Resources (2001 to 2002)

Provided strategic counsel to Vice President of Human Resources (Consumer Division).

• Resolved difficult employee relations issues in divestiture of two business units.

• Participated in team development of disciplinary tracking database to facilitate consistent policy enforcement.

• Led development of quality control/audit checklist for affirmative action plans to reduce potential adverse findings by governmental agencies.

Regional Director of Human Resources (2000 to 2001) Directed activities of 17 human resource professionals at nine manufacturing facilities. Provided strategic advice and coaching to plant managers and their staff regarding policy interpretations and employee relations.

• Enhanced development of human resource professionals by creating and implementing mentoring relationships and communication tools. Personally provided active leadership and coaching.

• Reduced number of discrimination and harassment claims. Participated in contract negotiations; avoided work stoppages, obtained budgeted cost parameters. Trained plant managers on creating positive work environments. Labor Relations Attorney (1996 to 2000)

• Provided advice and counsel to divisional directors and field managers to reduce potential liabilities.

• Negotiated collective bargaining agreements within corporate and divisional parameters; avoided stoppages.

• Key participant in successful defense of union organizing campaigns, acquisitions, plant closures and administrative agency litigation.

BROUSE & McDOWELL, Akron, OH 1994 to 1996

Legal Firm

Associate Legal Counsel

• Developed human resource strategies to remain non-union; provided defense for union elections.

• Counseled clients regarding administration and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, employment policies and regulations, and reducing potential litigation costs.

• Defended discrimination charges, unfair labor practice charges and workers’ compensation claims. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Cleveland, OH 1987 to 1994 Trial Attorney

• Collaborated with human resource professionals, line managers and employees in the investigation and litigation of unfair labor practice charges and representation petitions.

• Researched and developed trial and appeal strategies resulting in the successful administrative law judge rulings and appeals..

EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Juris Doctor, The University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio - Admitted to the Ohio Bar (0039360) BS, Labor Economics, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, magna cum laude Certified Civil Treatment Trainer – Employment Learning Innovations Baldrige National Quality Program, Criteria for Performance Excellence Kepner Tregoe Problem Solving and Decision Making

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