Vice President of Human Resources - Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) - Marquette, MI
(2014-12 - 2025-09)
Independent electric distribution utility serving 54,000 customers across 10 Upper Peninsula counties with approximately 200 employees. Acquired by a private equity fund, requiring full corporate structure buildout including all HR, safety, and administrative functions.
- Promoted three times (Director → Senior Director → Vice President) in recognition of expanding scope and strategic impact across the organization.
- Built HR, safety, and payroll functions from zero following PE acquisition, establishing all policies, systems, and compliance frameworks while administering pension and benefits for 600+ retirees.
- Recruited 60+ skilled professionals within the first year to stand up a complete corporate structure, filling critical leadership and operational roles in a competitive rural market.
- Implemented UKG HCM/payroll platform, streamlining workforce administration and delivering approximately $100K in annual cost savings through process automation and vendor consolidation.
- Drove an 86% reduction in OSHA Recordable rates by redesigning the safety program with proactive hazard identification, enhanced training, and accountability-based reporting.
- Cut retiree medical costs by 50% through strategic benefits restructuring, preserving quality coverage while generating significant long-term savings.
- Led multiple collective bargaining negotiations, achieving meaningful cost offsets to wage and benefit increases while maintaining productive labor-management relationships.
- Designed compensation, variable pay, and performance management programs aligned to organizational strategy, culture, and PE return objectives.
- Managed HR data rooms and executive presentations for 8 potential buyers during a change-of-control process, contributing directly to a successful PE exit transaction.
- Implemented employee-centric onboarding and benefits enrollment processes, improving new hire time-to-productivity and employee satisfaction with self-service tools.
Regional Human Resources Manager - Potlatch Corp - Gwinn, MI
(2012-12 - 2014-12)
Sustainable forestry and solid wood products manufacturer; Lake States Region encompassing 400+ employees across multiple facilities.
- Promoted from Plant HR Manager to Regional HR Manager, assuming oversight of all HR operations across the Lake States Region.
- Developed and executed a union avoidance strategy at the Gwinn facility, strengthening employee engagement and direct communication channels.
- Launched the company's first health fair with biometric screening and flu vaccinations, increasing wellness program participation and establishing a model replicated at other sites.
- Overhauled training processes for new hires and internal promotions, reducing onboarding time and improving consistency across shifts.
- Partnered with plant leadership on leadership assessments and individual development plans, strengthening the supervisory pipeline.
Human Resources Manager - Leprino Foods Company - Remus, MI
(2006-01 - 2012-01)
World's largest mozzarella cheese manufacturer and a top U.S. whey exporter; 24/7 unionized production facility with 160 employees.
- Supported multiple contract negotiations with the facility's union, achieving favorable outcomes with zero strikes or work stoppages across all cycles.
- Led implementation of the plant's first Hazardous Materials Response Plan; personally trained and served as a Level-A First Responder.
- Restructured scheduling for skilled trades, enabling year-ahead schedule visibility that improved retention and reduced overtime costs.
- Modernized attendance and corrective action policies, transitioning to a progressive performance management approach that reduced grievances.
- Implemented Employee Self-Service and biometric timekeeping, eliminating manual time tracking errors and improving payroll accuracy.
- Developed and delivered leadership development curriculum covering communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence for front-line supervisors.
Human Resources Manager - Leprino Foods Company - Remus, MI
(2000-01 - 2005-12)
World's largest mozzarella cheese manufacturer and a top U.S. whey exporter; 24/7 unionized production facility with 160 employees.
Assistant Director, Staff Human Resources - Central Michigan University, Off-Campus Programs - Mt. Pleasant, MI
(2005-01 - 2006-01)
One of North America's largest providers of off-campus and online education, operating 60+ locations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- Implemented the division's first goal-based performance review system, aligning individual objectives with organizational priorities and improving accountability.
- Created an employee appreciation program on a limited budget, increasing staff recognition and contributing to improved morale scores.
