Human Resources Director

RALPH M. CHETCUTI

** *********** **. **** 203-***-****

Easton, CT 06612 Cell 203-***-****

*********@*********.***

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Strategic Human Resources, Labor Relations and Employee Benefits business executive with diverse industry experience including public, private and not-for-profit companies. Skilled in building organizational competence to drive business growth by identifying organizational requirements, leading change in organizational capabilities and culture, and building business-focused HR teams. Experienced in line HR roles, staff HR functional specialties, and management consulting. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, high standards, results-oriented, and pragmatic.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

HR & Organizational Strategy Leadership Development

Labor Negotiations Conflict Resolution

Ethics & Compliance Benefits Design & Cost Containment

Leading Change Contract Administration

NLRA, First Chair, FLSA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, Fed. State & Local Regs

EXPERIENCE

NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL OF 2011 to 2012

CARPENTERS BENEFIT FUNDS

Human Resources Director/Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer

Worked closely with the Executive Director to evaluate and reorganize the entire Funds operations, reducing costs by staff reductions, reorganizing functions and departments, automating or outsourcing various processes and negotiating fee reductions from vendors and consultants.

• Established a Human Resources function as there was none in place. Established policies and procedures, performance evaluations, progressive discipline, training programs, etc.

• Rewrote the Employee Handbook and provided training as to the terms and conditions regarding employment.

• As Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, assisted in the development, implementation and training of a comprehensive Compliance and Ethics Program.

• Reviewed the qualifications of the staff, recommending changes as needed and training as necessary.

• Prepared Job Descriptions for all positions in the organization and made salary recommendations where appropriate.

• Conducted a thorough inventory of Employee personnel files, securing a substantial amount of legally required documents that were missing such as I-9s, etc.

• Revised or created forms for new employees and forms to track changes for employees, i.e. salary changes, promotions, etc.

• Oversaw the implementation of a new benefits administration and management system modernization program involving a conversion from a legacy system to a suite of integrated modules, interfaces and automated workflows.

• Oversaw the recruitment for several positions because of staff changes and the creation of new positions.

• Oversaw the creation and distribution of the Funds Newsletter.

• Edited numerous member communications such as Summary Material Modifications and Summary Plan Descriptions.

• Prepared and administered several Requests for Proposal to retain new attorneys, accountants, actuaries and benefits consultants.

RMC CONSULTING, LLC 2011 to Present

Principal

A consulting practice providing assistance to organizations on issues regarding human resources, employee benefits, pension and savings plans, labor and employee relations and payroll.

NEWMARK KNIGHT FRANK 2008 to 2011

Director of Human Resources & Payroll

Headed Human Resources, Labor Relations and Payroll functions for a private real estate brokerage and property management company employing 2,000 brokers and support staff.

• Redesigned and merged numerous benefits plans resulting in $400,000 in annual savings in administrative costs and reduced premiums.

• Merged three 401(k) plans reducing costs $375,000 annually and vastly improving service.

• Monitored the use of agency temporary workers, which resulted in a savings of $250,000 annually.

• Monitored the overtime of clerical staff resulting in an annual savings of over $200,000.

• Negotiated a settlement with Local 32BJ of outstanding money due resulting in a reduction of $175,000 in liquidated damages.

• Worked closely with the Legal department to bring work related to EEOC and employment issues in house resulting in annual savings of $150,000 in legal bills.

• Instituted companywide Employee Assistance Program.

• Developed and presented a Harassment Training Program for managers, employees and brokers.

• Developed and administered employee performance evaluation program.

• Assisted in the planning and carried out a companywide staff reduction.

• Developed and instituted formal Salary Program creating graded jobs with corresponding salary ranges.

• Upgraded payroll to a web based system for both weekly, bi-weekly and commission payments.

• Introduced Human Resources Information System capturing information for all employees and brokers.

• Developed and implemented a federally mandated Affirmative Action Plan.

HOP ENERGY, LLC 2005 to 2008

Director of Human Resources, Payroll & Labor Relations

Responsible for the Human Resource, Labor Relations and Payroll functions for over 1,100 employees in a company owned by a private equity group. Managed during a period of bankruptcy and the subsequent reorganization.

• Developed strong working relationships with Branch Mangers and Union Officials resulting in harmonious labor relations and savings of $250 K in legal expenses.

• Negotiated a settlement of underpaid overtime with the CT Department of Labor resulting in a saving of $38,000 in fines and penalties.

• Audited and revised all non-union positions, adjusting compensation where required to ensure equitableness and compliance with FLSA. Revised and administered company bonus and commission programs.

• Saved $250,000 in legal expenses by handling grievances and labor negotiations with minimal use of outside legal counsel.

• Instituted new recruitment policy resulting in a savings of $100,000 in recruiting fees.

• Negotiated and administered 16 labor contracts with various Teamsters Locals in five Northeast states resulting in considerable savings in overtime costs and improved efficiencies.

• Planned and managed the installation of a Human Resources Information System.

• Evaluated company benefits programs and introduced new providers for all health, dental, life insurance and 401(k) plans.

• Managed the move of the Corporate Headquarters from Darien, CT to White Plains, NY.

THE NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION 2002 – 2005

Vice President of Human Resources & Labor Relations

Developed and administered all policies and procedures relating to 1,200 employees for a not-for profit thoroughbred horse racing organization. Negotiated and administered 23 labor agreements at three racing facilities. Supervised a staff of eight in the administration of human resources, labor relations, benefits, pensions and compensation.

• Reorganized the Association through the term of a Federal Monitor by establishing new policies and procedures, and instituting performance evaluation procedures. Restructured various business departments resulting in improved efficiency, productivity and employee morale.

• Reviewed and restructured compensation levels for all non-union and management positions.

• Saved $2 million annually by negotiating changes to the medical plan for a large, unionized department.

• Audited all non-union positions to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Paid overtime retroactively where due and ended overtime pay where it was inappropriate.

• Restructured the asset investment strategy of five pension funds increasing the value of the assets $3 million by diversifying plan assets.

• Redeployed a $1.4 million expenditure associated with providing non-employees health coverage. Replaced Blue Cross/Blue Shield with a negotiated PPO network, computerized the record keeping and brought all services under one administration reducing the administrative costs by $500,000 annually. Funds subsequently became available to expand the on premises health clinic, which also then served as the gatekeeper for all health services.

THE NEW YORK TIMES 1981 – 2002

Director of Labor Relations (1997 – 2002)

Director of Newsprint Purchasing (1994 – 1997)

Executive Director of Operations (1992 – 1994)

Director of Payroll & Benefits & HRIS (1989 – 1992)

Director of Human Resources (1987 – 1989)

Assistant to the Director of Labor Relations (1984 – 1987)

Employee Benefits Analyst (1981 – 1984)

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Dowling College, Oakdale, NY

Bachelor of Arts (Twice achieved Dean’s List)

New York University, New York, NY

Courses in Human Resources, Benefits and Compensation

Cornell University School of ILR, New York, NY

Courses in Industrial and Employee Relations

Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Courses in Law for the Layman

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics

Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional

AFFILIATIONS

The International Foundation of Employee Benefits

The Society of Human Resources Managers

Human Resources Leadership Council

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics

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