Joseph Dale Walsh
1263 Wendy Road; Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732
Home 803-817-6515, Cell 803-370-0877
REGION HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Senior results focused Human Resource Professional with extensive fortune 200 experience in driving increased profitability and performance through effective strategic improvement and change initiatives. Demonstrated ability to analyze needs and lead a successful Human Resource team of professionals to deliver value by optimizing alignment with organizational goals. Strong track record as a credible HR activist, building positive relationships at all levels to create trust and partnering. Proven generalist leader with expertise in all areas of HR management practices, including people, performance, information, and work.
Strategic Problem Solving * Organization Development/Effectiveness * Labor Relations * Talent
Management * Training * Regulatory Compliance * Policy Development and Administration * Leadership and Teambuilding * Interpersonal Skills * Communication * Integrity * Project Management * Employee
Relations/Union Avoidance
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
· 18 years of progressive region level leadership with “exceeds” performance ratings as a credible Human Resource activist and partner delivering value to the business.
· Championed safety efforts in multiple-mill mfg region, with 40% decrease to 1.5 RIR in 3 yr period.
· Posess a unique mixture of both specialized non union and union skills. Successfully developed and managed union avoidance strategies (regarded as Company’s expert) . Also successfully conducted negotiations and arbitrations at represented facilities in region. Union experience allows me to speak and train passionately about remaining union free. Experience includes successful campaign management .
· Maintained union-free status at 8 mills in a significant market downturn, impacting 400 associates in reductions with no EEO charges or compliance complaints. Developed matrix tools to maximize skills retention and minimize compliance issues. Received special recognition award.
· Partnered with corporate benefits to drive costs out of the benefit system while preserving key attraction/retention benefit options (workers compensation, health insurance, retirement). Member of company advisory committee for substance abuse programs. Received special recognition reward.
· Managed a team of 6 highly skilled HR professionals in a Fortune 200 heavy manufacturing organization. Conducted change management processes to drive HR culture to more strategic based partnership, as well as more performance management based systems for operations.
· Recommended, selected, and implemented new business-wide employment selection process to improve candidate quality, reduce spending and enhance defensibility of hiring decisions.
· Experienced change management with multiple positive merger/acquisition culture integrations. Managed work system changes as necessary to adapt and improve efficiencies.
· Implemented successful peer grievance resolution programs for two non union plants
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Region Human Resources Manager, Weyerhaeuser Company, Charlotte, NC. 2002 – December 31, 2008 (Fortune 200 Forest Products Manufacturer of paper, wood, and converted products)
Manage, support, develop, and mentor a team of 6 wood products manufacturing facility
HR managers in the East/Southeast region, insuring effective professional delivery of
HR expertise, critical processes, and flow to work needs for the region. Provide support and expertise to generalists and operations management on all HR functions. legal compliance, problem solving, counseling, union free maintenance, training, OE and coaching support at region locations.
Page 2 Joseph Dale Walsh
· Managed HR function for region to provide effective value delivery of HR services receiving “above average” to “exceeds” performance ratings.
· Provided region leaders expertise on legal compliance, problem solving and associate relations resulting in no actionable EEO charges, government compliance claims, or lawsuits
· Developed & delivered critical needs training (union avoidance, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, substance abuse, AA & EEO compliance) Feedback on training delivery has been consistently in the excellent range from mgt, associates, and formal feedback questionnaires.
· Aligned performance and compensation for salaried and hourly positions in the region, implemented
formal performance management tools, competencies assessments, and development processes resulting in performance differentiation, retention strategies, and a stronger leadership pipeline.
· Directed regional efforts on talent growth, change acceptance, diversity and inclusion, work systems development with positive results in all areas
· Led two plant work system changes resulting in cross functional skill increases and improved plant efficiencies.
Regional Human Resources Manager, Willamette Industries, Fort Mill, SC. 1990-2002
(Fortune 500 Forest Products Manufacturer)
Led a team of 8 professionals to provide HR services to 20 facilities (5 unionized) in KY, NC, SC, GA, TN and FL. This includes a region safety mgr, training mgr. workers comp mgr, and ER Mgr.
· Recommended & implemented move to self insured Worker’s Compensation programs in several states. Ultimately gained self insured status for all facilities in Eastern US. Savings was substantial.
· Developed and presented safety, compliance, union avoidance, and mgt development programs.
· Provided positive employee relations and labor relations expertise as appropriate by site. Developed union avoidance strategies and training. Remained union free in all non union operations.
· Ensured productive collective bargaining (lead negotiater), contract compliance, grievance handling, advice and counsel, arbitrations, and miscellaneous labor issues at the unionized plants in region .
· Managed and oversaw several successful greenfield plant start ups including development of work systems, employment selection and staffing, training, orientation, etc. of a fiberboard plant and a particleboard plant in Bennettsville, SC, as well as a corrugated box plant in Plant City, FL.
Regional Human Resource Specialist, Shreveport, LA. International Paper 1988 – 1990
(Fortune 200 Forest Products Manufacturer)
· Conducted, compiled, evaluated, employee opinion surveys, with follow up recommendations and change action at manufacturing facilities.
· Managed union avoidance strategies, while learning campaign management strategies and subsequently assigned and successfully managed three union campaigns for the company in representation elections in the Mid South, and Midwest (outside my region) remaining non union.
Manager of Human Resources - High Point, NC - McEwen Lumber Company, 1984 – 1988
· Implemented and managed McEwen Lumber Company’s first HR function, including development of HR policies and programs, employee handbook, company’s first safety program, and employee relations strategies at 13 distribution and sales centers in the Southeast
· Achieved and exceeded metrics and goals, i.e. reduced OSHA recordables, gained substantial savings in medical spending, workers compensation, insurance premiums, improved employee relations, and reduced compliance liabilities.
EDUCATION
Masters Degree Education, Counseling - Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina
Bachelors Degree, Psychology - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ,North Carolina
Honors - Morehead Scholar