Human Resources Employee Relations

Christine M. Wheelen, SPHR, SHRM SCP

Reading, PA 19605 610-***-****

*********@*******.*** www.linkedin.com/in/christine-wheelen

Human Resource Director

HR Leader Business Management & Strategic Planning Driving Change and Transformation Initiatives

Experienced professional with demonstrated history of working in chemical industry, manufacturing, logistics and distribution, telecommunications, wireless and video communications, demand response energy, utilities, insurance, public schools, and local city government. Translate strategic business plans into people strategies throughout employee lifecycle, including talent selection and development, HR metrics, organizational design, change management, performance analysis, and employee relations. Strong relationship manager, aligning business strategies and people initiatives. Expertise in coaching senior leaders. Passionate about creating a culture of diversity and inclusion. Significant experience with large scale business transformation.

Areas of Expertise:

HR Management

Labor / Employee Relations

Diversity & Affirmative Action Planning

Strategic / Succession Planning

Union Negotiations

Recruitment for All Level Positions

Training & Development

Employee Engagement

Performance Management

Change Management

Professional Experience

SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT 7/24 to current

(Currently engaged in assignments with Paradise Pointe Pool Care, LLC & Brass Monkey, LLC. Previous assignment – Boston Beer.)

Provides senior-level Human Resources consulting services for long-term and short-term assignments.

Provides strategic leadership and oversight of all HR functions including: recruitment, talent management, employee relations, investigations, compliance, succession planning, and organizational development.

Assists the leadership team contributing to organizational leadership and success.

YUASA BATTERY, INC., Reading, PA 6/22 to 6/24

Lead acid battery manufacturer headquartered in Japan. USA location established in 1979.

Director, Human Resources

Oversaw the strategic direction, planning, coordination, administration, and evaluation of HR function.

Established human resources objectives in line with organizational objectives

Developed and drove talent management strategies, ensured effective staffing alignment with business needs.

Directed the effective and efficient administration of the performance management process.

Managed effective and efficient workers compensation program.

Handled all employee relations matters in the most efficient, legally compliant manner.

INTERDIGITAL, INC., Conshohocken, PA (Remote) 2021

Pure research, innovation, licensing, wireless, and video communication Company on NY stock exchange founded in 1972.

Affirmative Action - Equal Employment Opportunity Advisor / Consultant

Disseminated equal employment policies and guidance to 600 employees. Recommended remedies to eliminate and prevent unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment. Investigated employment practices and alleged violations of law. Prepared company to be compliant and meet all legal requirements of new government contractor.

Implemented HR policies and programs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including OFCCP, AAP, EEOC, and FLSA.

Directed development and implementation of Affirmative Action Plans, meeting requirements and being legally complaint as a new government contractor.

Christine M. Wheelen *********@*******.*** Page Two

EXETER TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (ETSD), Reading, PA 3/18 – 3/21

Suburban public school district located in Berks County, PA, serves 2 municipalities, employs 800+ employees.

Director, Human Resources (Contract Completed)

Collaborated as cabinet member reporting to Superintendent (contracted position). Led HR team. Secured developed, and sustained top-quality, high-performing staff. Served as Title IX Coordinator / Compliance Officer

Directed all labor relations matters, including Loudermill hearings, grievance meetings, disciplines, furloughs, workers compensation and unemployment hearings.

Developed and implemented COVID19 return-to work plan, fulfilling safety requirements.

Reduced workers compensation injuries, chairing Department of Labor & Industry state certified Safety Committee, resulting in 5% reduction of workers compensation insurance premium.

Served on Diversity Committee, increasing hiring employees of color.

BRENNTAG, Reading, PA 11/14 – 1/18

International chemical manufacturing and distribution company in Northeastern, PA with 400 employees.

Director, Human Resources

Chief spokesperson for labor and employee relations. Represented the Company at all labor hearings and arbitration hearings, grievance resolution at union facility with 2 labor unions. Negotiated union contracts, oversaw succession planning, policy development and implementation, and recruitment for all levels in the organization. Directed performance management and developed performance improvement plans.

Spearheaded strategic planning, developing SWOT Analysis for division and long-term and short- term goals.

Established training and development plans for all levels in organization, increasing company and individual performance and aiding in succession planning.

Directed job grading and wage and benefit evaluation, creating a fair and equitable compensation plan.

Conducted employee engagement surveys, determining quality of employee satisfaction, allowing company to be aware of morale issues, other workplace issues and recommending improvements.

Monitored results of customer service satisfaction surveys, making recommendations for improvement.

Worked closely with safety department, encouraging high-performing safety culture.

Worked with local government agencies, obtaining grant funding for training, resulting in reduced training costs.

Developed plan for future company expansion and reorganization plans, preparing for growth and development.

READING AREA WATER AUTHORITY, Reading, PA 5/12 – 11/14

Director of Human Resources / Consultant

Managed labor relations for 200+ employees, oversaw union contracts, union negotiations, resolved grievances, disciplinary meetings, and represented Authority at labor hearings, and arbitration hearings.

Led organizational planning and development employee safety, welfare, benefits, and wellness, resulting in a safer working environment, and becoming more competitive in the job marketplace.

Provided clients with planning and advice on compensation, benefits, HR policy development, recruitment, staffing, training / development, ensuring positive employee relations.

INTERNATIONAL BATTERY, Allentown, PA 7/11 – 4/12

Venture capital owned, green technology company that provided environmentally friendly, large format, rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries. Company was closed in 2012 due to lack of funding from venture capital owner.

Director, Human Resources

Focused on strategic planning, career development, high-end energy engineering recruitment, preparing annual HR budget, policy development and implementation. Managed and facilitated green card and visa process for foreign employees.

Ensured legal requirements of government contractor were in compliance, ITAR, AAP, drug free workplace, meeting legal requirements of being a government contractor.

Generated new emphasis on workforce development efforts, increasing cross training and enhanced skill sets.

Served as active member on upper-level management team, collaborating as main advisor to all of staff at all levels on human resource matters and HR legal issues.

Christine M. Wheelen *********@*******.*** Page Three

CPOWER, Allentown, PA; (Headquarters New York City, NY) 3/10 – 3/11

Strategic energy asset management firm founded in 2001, one of largest non-utility Demand-Response service providers in the US, Canada, and England. Acquired by Constellation Energy Group and closed Allentown Office.

Director, Human Resources & Administration

Directed HR department. Conducted high-end recruitment for energy engineer professionals. Led HR functions in California facility. Served as legal representative at unemployment, workers compensation, and human relation hearings.

Established foreign subsidiary in U.K. (London), implementing foreign ADP payroll system, developing international HR policies, and performing foreign recruitment.

Managed Canadian HR functions, supporting sales representatives working and residing in Canada.

Oversaw strategic planning, helping to expand and meet goals for growth and profitability.

Developed and revised HR policies and procedures, improving consistency and fairness in handling HR matters.

Visited all CPower locations, handling all employee relations issues.

Performed acquisition process and merger of benefits and procedures into new organization, creating new job and training opportunities, and enhancing image of new company.

CITY OF READING, Reading, PA 11/07 – 8/09

Director, Human Resources

Led and managed city's Human Resources department. Prepared annual budget. Recruited, screened, and recommended applicants for municipal employment. Managed employee benefit programs.

Administered municipal labor relations, being a key player in union negotiations, contract administration, grievance resolution, arbitration hearings, and related programs.

Trained on employee relation topics (harassment, diversity, ethics,), promoting culture of respect and compliance.

ELECTRON ENERGY CORPORATION, Landisville, PA 1/04 – 11/07

Design and manufacture rare earth permanent magnets that are used in spacecraft, military defense systems, and medical science.

Human Resources Manager

Oversaw career planning, management development, and succession planning. Managed and facilitated green card and visa process for foreign employees.

Established a 15% savings for the corporation, evaluating and modifying existing health plans.

Implemented an enhanced Employee Assistance Program, helping with employee performance issues and behavior issues impacting productivity.

Assisted corporation, maintaining drug-free workplace requirement due to manufacturing products for government contracts.

Developed and implemented progressive human resources' strategic plan, achieving specific goals in the next 4 years.

Implemented computerized HRIS system (Abra), maintaining applicant flow logs, attendance records, tracking employee training and development, and creating critical HR reports and employee information and certifications.

Provided new direction for effective diversity initiatives and reestablished Affirmative Action Plan, achieving EEO goals and requirements.

Christine M. Wheelen *********@*******.*** Page Four

Additional Relevant Experience

AGERE SYSTEMS INC. (Formerly Lucent Technologies), Reading, PA, Recruiter - Supervisor / Facilitator

CONESTOGA ENTERPRISES, INC., Birdsboro, PA, Human Resources Administrator

THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Reading, PA, Human Resources Generalist / Benefits Specialist

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA), GPA: 3.76 (on 4.00 system), Alvernia University, Reading, PA

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Business Administration & Finance, GPA: 3.36, Alvernia University, Reading, PA

Associate of Science (AAS), Specialized Business, Schuylkill Business & Technical Institute, Pottsville, PA

Professional Certifications

SHRM Senior Certified Professional Human Resources Certification (SHRM - SCP)

Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR)

Certified DISC Behavior Analyst (CDBA)

Extra-Curricular Activities

Member, Society for Human Resources Management

Board Member, Fellowship Farm (Non-Profit Diversity Organization)

Chairperson, Alvernia University Alumni Chapter of Berks County

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