A leader with a proven track record, adept in strategic planning and human capital management. Excelling in conflict prevention, management,and resolution, and negotiation, significantly enhancing workplace relationships and operational efficiency. Achieving notable reductions in labor grievances, and ULPs,demonstrating exceptional mediation and facilitations skills using a bridge-building approach.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional/Field Operations Manager, GS-15
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
09.2022 - Current
Leading a team of mediators covering the east coast from Pennsylvania to Florida, providing services to enhance workplace relationships, mitigate negative outcomes from inevitable conflict, and create a collaborative, supportive work experience for each team member.
Solely managed large a federal agency change management project covering 11,000 employees. Currently planning Phase II; building a team to manage this phase allowing me to have a consultative role.
Provide a plethora of services that mitigate, minimize, or eliminate work stoppages.
Managing complex personnel issues in accordance with regulations and policies.
Continue to participate in internal working groups, mentor new managers, and mediators.
Mediator, GS-14
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Harrisburg
09.2018 - 09.2022
Managed a caseload addressing complex work issues, mitigated work stoppages, improved workplace relationships, and, in turn, reduced litigation costs for the organization.
Developed and delivered outreach opportunities to promote Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) services, resulting in repeat clients and new clients.
Requested to develop and implement a change management program for a VA, based on the FMCS mediator's reputation and product delivery.
Member of the Project Delivery Team for Regulatory Negotiations, member of the Inclusion Project, and appointed to the Arbitration Review Board.
Labor Relations Officer, Supervisor, GS-13
USDA
Beltsville
07.2013 - 08.2018
Managed a team of Human Resource Specialists that provided consultative and advisory services to management, resolving critical, complex matters for 8,000 employees on a national level, covered by 2 unions and 8 unique labor agreements.
Resolved multiple long-standing employee relations cases, Equal Employment Opportunity cases, and labor grievances within the first 6 months of employment, resulting in no liability to the organization and approximate cost savings of $485,000.00.
Re-engineered labor management relationships across geographically dispersed locations, creating a collaborative environment, enhancing research initiatives, and operational programs.
Most notably, the development of the first labor management committee, as required by the collective bargaining agreement signed in 1994.
Assisted in resolving a 10-year Fair Labor Standards Act grievance, resulting in a settlement agreement of $3.7 million versus the initial union proposal of $30 million.
Partnered with the Branch Chief to re-engineer Employee and Labor Relations work units within the division to increase the bench strength of Human Resource Specialists, to provide a more comprehensive client service experience, and to provide internal growth opportunities.
Employee/Labor Relations Specialist, GS-12
VA Medical Center
Lebanon
12.2010 - 07.2013
Administered and developed employee and labor relations programs for a healthcare facility of 1,300 union and non-union employees.
Maintained a collaborative relationship with the union, resulting in less than 5 grievances, 0 unfair labor practice charges, and 0 arbitrations over 26 months.
Resolved critical, complex matters, minimizing risk and liability to the organization by working intimately with senior leadership, managers, and front-line supervisors.
Chaired the Reward and Recognition Committee.
Developed and advanced committee initiatives to ensure a methodical, equitable system was created and followed regarding the issuance of performance awards, and other types of awards.
Sr. Manager, Regional Employee/Labor Relations
NHS Human Services
Harrisburg
04.2010 - 12.2010
Managed 24 field Human Resource Generalists stationed in satellite offices in Pennsylvania and New York, providing comprehensive consultative services covering 6,000 employees, covered by 2 unions and 3 unique contracts.
Successfully negotiated three labor contracts within nine months.
Collaborated with operational leadership regarding complex investigations, union organizing, strike preparation, and concerted activity, while maintaining workplace stability, resulting in no lost work time.
Managed and executed reductions in force involving union and non-union employees.
Employee Relations Manager
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Grantville
09.2007 - 10.2009
Assumed lead role in opening new property, meeting the goal of recruiting, hiring, licensing, and training 1,000 employees by the scheduled opening date.
Partnered with senior leadership to enhance operational efficiency through the application of human resource business strategies to maximize gaming and racing revenues, while managing multiple locations.
Negotiated a labor contract covering mutual tellers and directed 2 union avoidance campaigns resulting in no Union elections
Successfully defended six Equal Employment Opportunity complaints within six months, resulting in no liability to the organization and approximate cost savings of $1 million.
Managed two reductions in force involving management positions and line-level employees.
HR Liaison II
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey
04.2003 - 09.2007
Provided comprehensive Human Resource support and guidance for managers and supervisors for 1,300 employees across 7 departments for an organization of 6,000 employees, including multiple satellite locations
Redesigned and implemented a new Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) program for Peri-Operative Services affecting 90 employees
Extended the new FMLA program with a rollout over 18 months to the entire organization, affecting 6,000 employees, reducing leave utilization, agency replacement, and overtime costs
Managed multiple labor unions and contracts
Participated in a union avoidance campaign resulting in no election
Developed and established unemployment and FMLA processes, reducing manual administrative tracking methods and record keeping, allowing for increased accuracy tracking of patterns and identification of work unit trends
Divisional Human Resources and Operations Manager
Bon Ton
Harrisburg
04.1998 - 04.2003
Managed a team of 8 managers, 5 supervisors, and 65 line-level employees.
Managed an annual budget of $1.3 million.
Designed and implemented 'Lifestyle Scheduling,' decreasing turnover rates from 81% to 68% after the first 12 months, and 61% after 24 months.
Managed and developed recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion strategies, resulting in reduced turnover, decreased inventory shortages, and increased sales.
Assumed a leadership role for coaching, counseling, discipline/discharge, retention/turnover, and employee recognition programs.
Correctional Officer
Dauphin County Prison
Harrisburg
09.1990 - 09.1997
Managed inmate population, on average, between 50 and 100 inmates per cell block.
Permanent member of the Grievance Resolution Panel, representing the Teamsters.
Member of the Teamsters contract negotiation team.