Human Resources Director/Manager

SANDRA (Sandy) B. THOMASON

Wake Forest, NC *****

http://www.linkedin.com/in/sandythomasonlinkedinsite

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

PROFILE

Accomplished, respected, and energetic professional with extensive leadership and experience in all Human Resource functions, Employee Relations, Community Relations and Corporate Communications. SPHR certified for 12 years. Strengths include initiative, versatility, unparalleled level of energy and enthusiasm, skilled in managing multiple activities simultaneously, customer focus, strong interpersonal skills, quick study of new concepts, responsiveness, efficiency, and attention to details with follow-through. Areas of expertise:

• Compliance • Performance Management

• Program/Project Management • Public Relations and Communications

• Recruitment & Staffing

• Employee Relations & Process Improvement • Community Relations & Special Events

• Training and Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sirchie – Youngsville 2009 - Present

Human Resources Manager – Direct, plan and coordinate all Human Resource Functions, Employee Relations, Community Relations and Employee Communications to include: Recruitment and Staffing, Compensation, Benefits Administration, 401K, Mediation/Disputes, Safety Program, Workers Compensation, Performance Management, Compliance with Legal Requirements and Regulations, Policies and Procedures Development, Contributions, Training & Development, Job Descriptions, Development of Health & Wellness Program, and Coaching Management Staff on HR Policies & Procedures. Created Sirchie’s first HR Department by developing and implementing many new processes and procedures for an international company in business since 1927, as its first Human Resources employee/Manager.

Capital Associated Industries – Raleigh 2009

Human Resources Consultant – Directed all Human Resource Functions, Employee Relations, Community Relations and Employee Communications at Sirchie (see above)

Embarq, Sprint, Carolina Telephone - Wake Forest, NC; Tarboro, NC 1985-2008

Program Manager – EMBARQ® Business Markets, 2005 - 2008

Managed training and development for National Field Sales organization (500+) to ensure transfer of knowledge of new and existing products and services, in order to meet sales objectives

• Managed a large, high-profile project to prepare sales force to sell strategic data products through new courses, coaching, workshops, communications, reporting, metrics, and on-going reinforcement; received highest level award for leading this project

• Created a new concept and managed the development by providing 2 on-line resources for sales: one for managers and one for new hires/current sales employees.

• Teamed with several different organizations on the Sales Methodology project to develop and implement a new sales approach; managed the sales simulation training for the entire sales force at the end of this launch; received an award from the company for this work

Program Manager – Sprint National Network Services, 2001 - 2005

Managed training and development for 500+ business technicians by supporting deployment of new sales activities, as well as managing many special projects that had direct impact on the technicians. Initiated process improvement projects to increase efficiencies and developed supporting methods and procedures.

SANDRA B. THOMASON PAGE 2

• Managed a national ride-a-long project where employees rode with technicians to identify roadblocks they faced; led to identification of many issues and then solutions, which in turn increased productivity, clarification of methods and procedures, increased training, and increased revenues and collections

• Chaired a Load Reduction and Cost Containment team – to decrease ‘truck rolls’ and improve efficiencies; also initiated idea and work on a “Commitments Met” team which led to 5% increase in commitments met; received company award for this project

• Evaluated the customer satisfaction survey results, making recommendations for different questions, measurements and improvements

Senior Recruiter/HR Program Manager – Sprint Human Resources – 1997-2001

Directed selection process by sourcing, recruiting, and interviewing perspective candidates. Developed recruitment strategies, determined compensation, and staffed according to EEO/AA guidelines. Advised management of HR policies and procedures and consulted on employee relations issues related to staffing and workforce development.

• Managed this entire process for business markets (1,500+) – sales, engineers and technicians, as well as residential call centers; represented the company at career fairs

• Standardized HR policies and procedures, including: compensation, drug-screening process, transfer processes, etc; initiated idea to improve drug screening process

• Presented orientation training to new hires and National Management Practices to managers

• Developed interview questions for hiring managers (many times I handled the first interview)

• Determined salaries, working with internal information and the hiring manager

• Managed special projects involving reorganizations, job descriptions and staffing

Development Consultant – Sprint Human Resources – 1995-1997

Managed the performance management process, employee development, and succession planning for the four-state region (about 4,000 employees)

• Implemented and trained region on new performance management system; became the single subject matter expert on the program; other regions in the country followed our lead

• Counseled and coached executives on conducting performance reviews

• Organized succession planning information to develop a “High-Potential book” – in work with executives

• Consulted with Directors to evaluate departmental processes – compiled and analyzed data – recommended solutions; led change management initiatives

Speakers Bureau Manager – Sprint Corporate Communications – 1993-1995

Developed, implemented, marketed and administered employee-presented programs to inform, persuade and create positive perceptions to external audiences of customers, key leaders and stakeholders. Worked directly with executives to coordinate special events and projects that affected employee and public perception of the company

• Emceed business conferences, appeared in radio and TV interviews

• Trained as: a Quality Circle facilitator, member, and Baldrige program

• Initiated idea and worked with IT group to develop a computerized tracking program for key leader contacts and volunteer team

• Created and managed numerous special events, some of which included: President’s going away party (over 1,000 people); New Headquarters employee orientation and grand opening

• Implemented the launch of “CHOICES” a project involving numerous presentations to 9th graders in two different school systems in NC; received award for this program

• Produced many publicity pieces, including flyers, brochures, AV programs, and information packets; worked with advertising company

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Staff Community Relations Manager and Methods and Results Administrator– Carolina Telephone Corporate Communications – 1985-1993

Provided direction by developing and planning programs for: the company’s community relations efforts, educational campaigns, and the speakers bureau program. Identified and analyzed external data, evaluated results and prepared reports, procedures and practices for these activities.

• Increased presentations to the public from 532 to 1,922 (annually) and received a national award from the National Association for Corporate Speaker Activities (NACSA) for this innovative marketing campaign/program

• Made such dramatic improvements in the speakers bureau program that the other regions in our company modeled their programs after ours

• The Community Relations Report – awarded me a national Bellringer Award for the “ChildWatch” program I developed and managed for the company - a statewide program that included the governor’s endorsement in publicity

• Developed and taught a one-day public speaking course (10 per class) to all management employees (over 500 employees in a 5-6 year period)

• Presented workshops at local, regional and national levels

• Provided support to 23 community relations teams in the company; during this time, Carolina Telephone received national recognition and an award for one of the best community relations programs in the country

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Organizational Communication, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 2005

Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Public Relations Concentration, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 2000

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

• Inducted into 4 honor societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key Honor Society and Lambda Pi Eta.

• Selected to be the Student Commencement Speaker for graduation – over 2400 graduates

• Candidate for Outstanding Student of Department

• Master’s – 4.0 GPA; Undergraduate Degree – 3.91 GPA, 4.0 in major; National Dean’s List recipient

• Earned both degrees while working fulltime and raising a family which were heavily involved in extracurricular activities – Raleigh News & Observer had major articles for both degrees

• Currently hold Senior Professional In Human Resources Certification – SPHR (12 years)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• President - Wake Forest Kiwanis Club - 2008-2009; 3-year board member; “Kiwanian of the Year” award in 2007

• Chair: Town of Wake Forest Recreation Advisory Board (appt. by Town Council) - current

• Member of Wake Forest Centennial 1st Light New Year’s Eve committee

• Personnel committee and nomination committee member at Church - current

• Past “Chamber Member of the Month” winner

• Wake Forest Chamber Leadership Program graduate

• Chamber Education Committee member for 7 years (coordinated high school career fairs each year)

• NC Child Advocacy Institute – Communications Team member

• Junior Achievement volunteer

• Edgecombe County Kids Count Committee Member

• Wake County Schools Education Summit Facilitator

• Volunteer softball coach for 9 years; also, basketball coach

• Optimist Club Board Member

• Guest speaker at various events – particularly schools; high school Athletic Booster Club Leader

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