HR Operations & Talent Acquisition - Landro Group | LPT Realty fka Landro Fox Cities Realty, LLC - Appleton, WI
(2024-11 - 2026-04)
- Rebuilt and standardized end-to-end recruitment operations to support scalable growth, enabling immediate effectiveness for a newly hired Recruiter and creating a repeatable, low-dependency hiring model suitable for ongoing use.
- Centralized all applicant sourcing and tracking into a single CRM (FUB), improving pipeline visibility, accountability, and decision-making while reducing manual coordination and information gaps.
- Optimized recruitment marketing and employer branding strategy through targeted job board positioning, and premium sourcing tools, resulting in higher applicant visibility & apply rate.
- Improved applicant perception of the organization, strengthening public employer reviews and brand credibility—factors applicants explicitly referenced when deciding to apply.
- Designed and delivered applicant-facing recruitment and onboarding materials, creating a consistent, professional experience that clarified expectations, accelerated engagement, and reduced early-stage friction.
- Developed and implemented a structured, multiweek onboarding program that improved early productivity, role clarity, and cultural alignment for new hires.
- Established core operational infrastructure to support growth with reduced risk, including policies, standardized templates, payroll and benefits administration, budgeting, and compliance reporting.
- Independently implemented and administered a new payroll system, managing 1099 processing, vacation tracking, and 401(k) administration while ensuring ongoing compliance and accuracy.
- Supported organizational growth through hands-on hiring, employee relations, and cost-control initiatives, including vendor cost reduction and execution of high-impact internal events within tight budgets.
Voluntary Early Retirement
(2024-03 - 2024-10)
I took a planned career break when I reached retirement age. However, I decided to return to the workforce to apply my experience in advancing other companies' growth journey.
Divisional Director, Human Resources – Components Business Units - Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (An Illinois Tool Works / ITW Company) - Appleton, WI
(2010-10 - 2024-03)
Led HR strategy and HR operations for multiple business units in a matrix environment, supporting 400+ employees, aligned to ITW 80/20 operating model and divisional business strategy.
- Partnered with executive/divisional leadership as a strategic HR Business Partner (HRBP) to drive organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategy, and leadership effectiveness tied to business performance.
- Implemented ITW 80/20 Front-to-Back methodology to optimize succession planning, capability development, and talent segmentation, reducing complexity and improving focus on critical roles and high-value work.
- Developed and executed multi-year HR roadmaps and people plans to cover talent gaps, leadership readiness, performance management, and long-range staffing needs (strategic workforce planning).
- Managed employee workforce risk (including retirement risk/high-retirement exposure, bench strength, and continuity planning) to support business continuity and operational stability.
- Coached leaders and developed high-potential talent through performance management cycles, career development planning, and individual development plans (IDPs) for high-potential and critical-role employees.
Campus-Wide Senior HR Manager - Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (An Illinois Tool Works / ITW Company) - Appleton, WI
(2006-11 - 2010-10)
Directed enterprise HR function / HR shared services for ~1,400 employees, spanning talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, wellness, training & development, leadership development, legal compliance, and EHS/safety partnership.
- Led, mentored, and performance-managed a multi-disciplinary HR team (HR managers + specialists) across recruiting, payroll, benefits, safety, and health/wellness, ensuring service delivery and policy adherence.
- Built and executed HR strategy and annual operating plans, aligning people initiatives, headcount planning, and HR programs to ITW enterprise priorities and organizational goals.
- Designed and governed compensation strategy and programs, including job evaluation, market pricing/benchmarking, internal equity, and performance management practices.
- Led DEI and employee engagement initiatives, supporting culture, retention, and leader accountability (engagement actions, communication, and adoption).
- Created and standardized HR policies and compliance frameworks (handbook/policy administration, HR governance, consistent program execution) to reduce risk and improve cross-division consistency.
Specialist to Manager, Human Resources - Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (An Illinois Tool Works / ITW Company) - Appleton, WI
(1997-03 - 2006-10)
Progressed from HR Specialist to HR Manager supporting employee relations, recruiting, compliance, training, and leadership development across multiple business units.
Specialist to Manager, Human Resources - T&J Mfg Inc - Oshkosh, WI
(1993-05 - 1997-03)
Built the HR function from the ground up for a ~110-employee manufacturing business (non-union).
- Owned policy administration, training, labor law compliance, compensation/benefit surveys, employee relations, safety, workers' comp, and payroll.
- Implemented performance reviews and sourced time/labor software to improve consistency and controls.
