HEATHER L. BEMIS, SPHR
**** ***** **, ************, ** 37128 ● 615-***-**** **.*****@*****.***
SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES LEADER
Manufacturing Engineering Telecommunications Insurance Start Up Organizations
Proven leader with over 15 years of experience in designing and implementing best-in-class initiatives and goal-
aligned process improvements for multi-location domestic and global organizations. Employs a comprehensive
approach that effectively aligns human capital with the overall organizational strategy. Implements metrics to
quantify organization's performance and drive data-based decision making. Leverages talent management
strategies to develop leaders and build synergistic teams in matrix environments.
Strategic Planning Payroll and Benefits Union Avoidance Change Management Organizational Leadership
Employee Relations Lean Manufacturing Policy Development Talent Management Project Management
Succession Planning Recruitment and Retention Legal Compliance HRIS Integration Training / Development
Team Building Employee Engagement Global HR Strategy OSHA / HIPAA Separation Strategies
ACHIEVEMENTS
Anderson School of Management - Alumni Hall of Fame Award
SHRM National Special Expertise Panel on Corporate Social Responsibility
2013 Middle Tennessee SHRM HR Executive of the Year (Finalist)
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY AND SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS
WILLIS INC. (Nashville, TN) 2012 - Present
Leading global insurance broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, risk manage ment, financial and human
resources consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions.
Director - North America Human Resources Operations. Provides strategic leadership to HR Service Center
consisting of 12 HR professionals. Supports organization by providing expert insight on HR operational issues.
Manages staffing, benefits, and compliance activities for approximately 7,000 associates across North America.
Oversee integration of acquisition employees. Proactively designs strategies to minimize legal risks and assure
legal compliance. Serves as Project Lead for HR Transformation initiative.
Streamlined corporate HR processes through implementation of electronics solutions, Lean tools, and
customer-focused initiatives.
Reduced staffing administration costs by 25%.
Improved onboarding experience through technology and high touch solutions .
Led special projects including revamp of college recruitment process and associate self -service initiatives.
ASURION (Nashville, TN) 2009 -2012
Global consumer product protection company specializing in wireless telecommunications industry.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner. Served as HR Business Partner for engineering, procurement, and
manufacturing leadership teams in a 24/7 dynamic global supply chain operation. Drove talent management
review process for all levels of leadership roles. Responsible for designing comprehensive HR strategies and
solutions to maximize organizational effectiveness and ensure alignm ent of HR with corporate goals. Created
innovative management development programs to recruit and retain high performing talent. Implemented
programs to improve employee engagement, enhance associate relation, and retention.
Orchestrated workforce reorganization events, resulting in 85% retraining/retention rate.
Collaborated with cross-functional team to instill lean manufacturing culture, principles, and practices.
Led the development of Lean Leadership competencies to support cultural change .
Created first college graduate management training program for future operational leaders.
DTS ELECTRIC/DIGITAL TRAFFIC SYSTEMS (Albuquerque, NM) 2007 - 2008
Engineering and manufacturing of intelligent transportation systems (ITC) for federal infrastructure projects nationwide.
Human Resources Manager. Provided strategic leadership to HR Department consisting of 5 employees.
Provided oversight on all human resources activities including recruitment, safety, and payroll and benefits
administration for employees across five states (Virginia, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas). Engaged in
high-volume recruitment and staffing for hourly and technical positions. Created safety and training programs
to
reduce
accidents,
lower
worker’s
compensation
costs and improve productivity.
Renegotiated benefits contracts, resulting in a 10% year over year savings.
Evaluated all HR policies and procedures to assess effectiveness and compliance.
Disseminated new policies and procedures and created an open door policy to facilitate open communication.
Developed compensation structures and learning/development initiatives.
SOUTHWEST CHEESE COMPANY (Clovis, NM) 2004 - 2006
World-class leader in the production of premium quality block cheese and whey protein.
Human Resources Manager. Spearheaded the creation, development, communication, and management of
company’s
HR
strategies
and
infrastructure.
Collaborated
with
CEO
to
build
and
cultivate
culture
of
quality
and
performance. Created long-term strategic plan, policies and procedures, recruitment, training, and retention
plans. Developed HR budgets, determined compensation structure and negotiated all benefits plans. Drove
company’s effectiveness and change by implementing projects including leadership development program,
performance management, succession planning, orientation programming and other departmental initiatives.
Conducted risk assessments and developed risk management plans.
Developed all HR infrastructure for start-up food manufacturing plant.
Recognized for creating an innovative supervisory training program, leveraging state grant funds to support
workforce development.
Achieved 100% compliance with safety and HAACP requirements.
Extensive training and hands-on experience in lean manufacturing.
COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS (Dallas, TX) 2000 - 2004
World’s
largest
mass
media
and
communications
company serving customers nationwide.
Regional Human Resources Manager. Served as a strategic business partner to senior leadership team with
key
responsibility
of
leading
company’s
HR
initiatives.
Oversaw staffing, compensation, benefits, safety,
organizational development and preventative labor efforts for 2000+ acquisition employees. Designed and
delivered training programs and conference on leadership competency building and infrastructure. Created
succession plans and led departments through organizational development processes. Recruited for all levels
of employees, including C-level executives, call center and technical personnel.
Successfully designed and executed programs and structures that supported new merged company culture.
Served as HR leader for the Albuquerque facility, serving 700 employees at multi -site regional locations.
Heavily involved in preventative labor organizing efforts, including the defeat of two union campaigns.
Designed and implemented front-line management development program.
WELLS FARGO BANK (Albuquerque, NM) 1996 - 1999
Global financial services company offering banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, consumer and commercial finance .
Human Resources Generalist. Supported management with resolving HR issues and collaborating on projects
and initiatives. Conducted investigations and facilitated mediations for harassment and discri mination claims.
Managed employee relations, recruitment, training, benefit and compensation for multi-state branches (retail
banks and call centers). Created new hire and personnel files and entered them into HR Information Systems.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Graduate Coursework in Strategic Human Resources Management
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Master of Business Administration in Human Resources
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
CERTIFICATIONS
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Lominger Leadership Architect
DDI Administrator and Interviewer Voices 360 Administrator
PUBLICATIONS
Quinn Trank, C., Stambaugh, J., & Bemis, H. (2013). Capturing success, not taking the blame: Bringing human
resources management into the mergers and acquisitions development and pricing processes. People and
Strategy. 35(3), 30-37.
Bailey, A., Bemis-Shields, H., & Ford, E. (2008). Employee wellness programs. In C. Wankel (Ed.), 21st century
management: A reference handbook. (pp. II-103-II-109). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Leadership Rutherford (Board Member) and Leadership Rutherford (2011 Graduate)
United Way Allocations (Panel Volunteer)
Society for Human Resources Management - SHRM (Member)
SHRM National Special Expertise Panel on Corporate Social Responsibility (Member)
SHRM of NM State Council and HRMA of New Mexico (Board Member)
H. Bemis 615-***-**** Page 2