Resume
of
Louis A. Freda
*** ****** ***. ***/***-9552 (C)
La Grange, IL 60525 708/482-4779 (H)
******@************.***
< EXECUTIVE PRÉCIS >
Entrepreneurial and prudent businessperson who combines multi-layer experiences as a
Human Resources Executive and business owner. Decisive Human Resources leader
possessing broad generalist expertise including labor relations; practitioner of team
mentoring driven for operational excellence. As a business owner key strengths include:
market planning and development; knowledge of cash flow; project leadership.
OBJECTIVE >
Leadership role in Human Resources integrating my business acumen in driving the
strategic growth and profitability for an organization that is searching a best in class
candidate for a business person who leads the human resources function.
< CAREER SUMMARY >
Owner Sept. 2007 – Present
Executive Acquisition & Management Solutions (ExAMS)
Boutique Retainer Executive Talent Acquisition Firm
Specializing in C-Suite to Director level retained search projects for Fortune 500 Firms:
Joy Global, Siemens, Philips, Kerry Foods, Titan Americas, Follett Higher Education
Group, SAPA Extrusions. Completion rate - 99% of projects.
Partner Sept. 1997 – Sept. 2007
Waveland International
Partner in a boutique retainer executive search organization. The major contributor in
developing Waveland as a branded company with an excellent reputation in the search
industry. In the transition between firms, did not lose a single client company.
VP Managing Director Chicago Office June 1993 – Sept. 1997
DHR International
One of the top 3 revenue generating partners (42) within the firm. Recruiting at the
C-level suite, within multiple manufacturing & industrial sectors. Clients
were World Fortune 200 Companies. Resident expert for other partners
recruiting within these business segments.
Vice President – Human Resources Nov. 1991 to June 1993
Life Fitness Brunswick Inc.
Life Fitness, $300M sales, is the premier global manufacturer of commercial and
residential strength and aerobic training equipment.
Reported to the President and member of the senior leadership team provided the overall
strategic business direction as the human resources leader for a team of 12.
• Created an ESL program for our workforce, approximately 70% Hispanic, with
multiple levels of progression for English advancement; program became a model in
the State of Illinois; received 4 $10k endowments from the State to further our
education into math and blueprint reading.
• Authored and implemented a gain sharing program for the unionized hourly workforce
based on quality metrics, within one year reduced return costs by $1M.
• Negotiated with the International Labor’s Union–reduced our central health/welfare
fund contribution from 24% to 13%; equating to a $500K/year savings.
• Partnered with Fidelity enhancing the salary 401(k) plan by adding varied new
investment opportunities and individual employee control of their accounts.
Sr. Director/Director/Manager of Human Resources July 1984 – Sept. 1991
Phillipsburg Company, Bell & Howell Inc.
Phillipsburg Company, $500M in sales, 2500 USA Employees, was the world leader in
computer controlled high speed mail inserting and OCR mail sorting equipment.
Reported to the President with overall responsibility at 70 locations for 1400 service, 140
sales and marketing; 1100 team members in 3 mfg. facilities; assisted by a team of 16.
• Supported Manufacturing Engineering to initiate “Cell Technologies” in conjunction
with a total quality program that was a precursor to our Lean initiatives.
• Generated $500k savings in BS/BC medical plans restructured the payment
schedules and adopting higher self-insured stop loss points.
• Crafted a strategic program supported by the President and VP Ops to arbitrate
specific grievances over 8 years to dramatically alter past practices that cause severe
operational difficulties. Highly successful with 57 -2–1 win rate.
• Restructured the sales comp plan from a total sales basis to targets based on margin
points on new and rebuild systems. Top performers flourished and low producers
were separated. Increase in sales of 3% and cost reduction of $235k.
• Introduced a total revamp of our worker’s comp program, by instituting light duty
initiatives, and building better relationships with the medical community. Lost time
days reduced from approximately 1000/yr to 34/year within 2 years. WC insurance
savings $180k+/yr.
• Originated leadership development programs for service and manufacturing team
leader, utilized several moderators i.e. Penn State, in-house and consultants.
Manager – Human Resources Nov. 1981-July 1984
Marine Industrial Division-Teleflex Inc.
Reported to Division VP for $140m SBU, leading a team of 4 supporting 4 manufacturing
facilities and 800 employees in sales, marketing, and operation.
Senior Labor Relation Representative May 1978 – Nov. 1981
Ford Motor Corporation This was a 3000 union employee plant manufacturing air
conditioning components for Ford Motor. Reported to the Manager of Labor Relations.
Supervisor of Personnel May 1974 to May 1978
Newport News Shipbuilding, Tenneco Inc.
NNS with 30,000-employee facility designed and constructed nuclear powered navel craft:
super aircraft carriers, CGNs, and submarines
Reported to a Director of Personnel with responsibility for a major department of 1800
employees.
< EDUCATION >
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
BS Business Administration Graduated 1973
Additional career development through multiple university sponsored training programs,
and consultant lead programs on Supply Chain, Executive Decision Analysis, Lean/Total
Quality, and Executive Leadership.
< INTERESTS >
Assistant Boy Scout Leader, Habitat for Humanity, church participation in several
capacities. Enjoy reading, physical fitness, cooking, and active involvement in my
children’s programs and sports.