Human Resource Director

LISA RUTHERFORD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, THRP

540-***-**** • ********************@*****.***

SUMMARY

Human Resource Director with extensive experience in government contracting, financial services, distribution, not-for-profit and healthcare industries. Experience supporting 500 plus employees across the US as well as managing and working with a 100% remote workforce. Passionate about building great human resource support across all levels of the organization and partnering with business leaders to support the mission of the organization. Exceptional at building relationships with people and creating and maintaining an employer of choice culture. Executive leader who excels at partnering with business leaders across all functions within the organization.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Total Rewards Consultant – Arcfield Corporation (defense, intelligence, space and civilian agency government contractor) 5/2025 - present

• Lead the design and administration of various incentive programs that help the organization meet business objectives.

• Manage efforts around but not limited to: annual plan renewals, ad-hoc plan modifications, participant attestations, and incentive plan configurations.

• Assist with all benefit plan oversight, including the 401k Plan administration. Director of Human Resources – Akiak Holdings LLC (Akiak is an 8(a)-government contractor, Alaska Native Tribal owned technology company)

9/2024 – 5/2025

(My position is part of company-wide layoffs at this government contractor)

• Working directly for the CEO of this technology company, partnering with leaders in all departments to advance the Company’s mission.

• Develop the human resource function from the ground up, starting with a corporate strategic plan to build a good-to- great recruitment plan and a great place to work environment.

• Evaluated health and welfare plan resulting in 30% reduction in employer and employee costs while increasing benefit levels for all employees.

• My responsibilities include human resources, talent acquisition and retention, benefits administration, performance management, and payroll administration.

• Support 50+ employees working in a 100% remote environment throughout the country.

• Certified Tribal HR Professional (THRP through the NNAHRA) Director of Human Resources – Perry Engineering 8/2023 – 9/2024

• Working directly for the President, partner with leaders in finance, IT, operations and project management to advance the Company’s strategic objectives.

• Highly skilled at and passionate about building a total rewards program and training and development programs that works for the Company and for the employees, keeping employees engaged at a high level.

• Aggressive improvements to the health insurance program, employee benefits and flexible work environment.

• Elevated the HR function from a transactional department to a strategic partner.

• Managed the implementation of the Paycor HRMS system.

• Strategic and hands on oversight of HR/payroll programs.

• Support almost 100 employees and manage one HR professional. SVP/Director of Human Resources – First Bank 9/2005 – 8/2023

• Strategic partner on the Executive Management Team, reporting directly to the CEO.

• Through partnerships with functional leaders, the Bank grew by 35%.

• Built a robust performance management and total rewards program with real time data to analyze competitive salary ranges and variable compensation plans.

• Developed and managed an employee training and development program to include entry level training, career development training and succession planning. Implemented a learning management system that worked for all levels within the organization.

• Transitioned from traditional hiring programs to behavioral based programs for talent acquisition and team building.

• Management liaison to the Board Compensation and Governance Committee, providing timely HR analytics and reports.

• Strategic oversight of all employee benefits and rewards programs.

• Slashed annual health insurance costs from 10-25% annual increases down to less than 5% increases year-over-year.

• Managed the talent acquisition process to improve the candidate experience and new employee on-boarding.

• Evaluate the Bank’s Human Capital, including a plan to develop and retain high potential employees while driving efficiency ratios from 82% to 61%.

• Institute a robust succession plan for key positions, including the corresponding development plans to prepare employees for a career at the company.

• Actively promoted diversity and inclusion, driving our minority employee representation from less than 5% to almost 20% while at the same time ensuring all managers and leaders are culturally aware of their diverse workforce.

• Supervise a team of three human resource professionals, with zero turnover within the HR department.

• Implemented a flexible work policy to allow for work/life integration and contribute to a positive work environment.

• Managed the implementation of both Sage and Ceridian HRIS systems to increase HR department efficiency. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Implemented a High Potential Employee development program with less than 1% turnover within this group.

• Reduced healthcare costs by 32% over a five-year period through plan management, vendor negotiation and employee education programs at First Bank and by over 30% at Akiak year one.

• Implemented several integrated software solutions at three employers.

• Built start up human resource strategy and robust programs in four different organizations.

• Drove positive employee experience programs allowing my company to become an “employer of choice” and delivered a “Best Places to Work” award at First Bank.

• Implemented predictive analytics for talent acquisition and employee development in three organizations.

• Implemented staffing models that improved the efficiency ratio from 82% to 61%.

• Implemented a Learning Management System that supports all strategic objectives and employee development and training needs.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS (Present and Past)

• Committee Member and Secretary to the Board, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley’s Business Forum

• Committee Chair, Virginia Bankers Association HR Committee

• Board Member, N.W. Works, a non-profit supporting adults with disabilities.

• President, Winchester Area Society for HR Management

• Chairperson of Fund-Raising Committee, Valley Health’s Festival program

• Member, National SHRM

• Member, Winchester Ares SHRM

• SPHR certified, SHRM-SCP certified

• THRP certified (Tribal Human Resource Professional)

• Certified Talent Optimizer (Predictive Index)

EDUCATION

MBA (3.8 GPA), James Madison University

BBA (3.4 GPA), James Madison University

School of Bank Management, Graduated top 10%, University of Virginia TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Highly skilled in technology with skills in MS Outlook, MS Teams, SharePoint, ADP, Kronos, Ceridian, PayCor, Sage Suite, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access

AWARDS

• TALENT OPTIMIZATON AWARD – 2019

• WASHRM HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – 2002

• BEST PLACES TO WORK IN VA AWARD AT FIRST BANK

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