Professional History
I am an HR professional who enjoys interacting with people and driving change within an organization. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work for two start-up companies, Metera Networks and Covaro Networks, that was later acquired by ADVA Optical Networking (based in Munich, Germany), managing all aspects of HR for the US, Canada and Latin America.
Before joining ADVA/Covaro, I had a long career in Human Resources, with over 30 years of experience. I started working at the age of 8 and have never stopped. My first jobs were typical minimum wage positions that a child could get, but I always took something away from each job and the people I worked with. Every experience had a lesson to be learned and helped shape who I am today as I moved from one job to the next.
In the early 1990s, I decided to pivot from a career in pharmacology to human resources because I was passionate about working with people and wanted to help create a positive and mutually beneficial workplace for both the company and its employees.
I have gained valuable experience working in professional business environments, where I have learned about various aspects of business, including marketing, communications, facilities, payroll, administration, office management, event planning, accounting, and more. This has given me a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run a successful business from end to end.
Professional History & Experience |
ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING NORTH AMERICA, INC. FORMERLY COVARO NETWORKS, INC.
Richardson, Texas
January 2006- January 31, 2023
Director Human Resources Americas
HR Business Partner to GM of ADVA Edge Cloud Business Unit and GM of ADVA Optical Engines Business Unit
Reported directly to the CEO/VP HR. Responsible for planning, design, implementation, and support of all aspects of Human Resources for the Americas (North and South America) and Canada. Prepare, roll-out and manage global programs, which include ADVA University, Management Training Program (MTP), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Train the Trainers program, Buddy program, FUNtivities program and more. Manage and maintain HRIS (Workday), carry out assignments including benefits management, performance management, staffing/recruiting, classification, labor management, payroll support, management of all immigration cases, EXPAT assignments, internal and external audits, employee relations, employee benefits, global training & development program (ADVA University), MSDS, health and wellness programs, and serve as the administrator for designated human resource safety and training programs. Plan and prepare for sales kick-off meetings and work with Marketing team on logos and ideas for company material and communication for internal and external communication. HRBP for two BU’s, former HRBP to CFO and CTO.
Details of duties include:
• Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Team for the following acquisitions:
Covaro Networks - January 2006 (asset purchase)
Movaz Networks – July 2006 (acquisition)
Overture Networks - January 2015 (acquisition)
MRV Communications – August 2016 (acquisition)
• Implementation, integration and rollout of HRIS systems (Persis and then Workday)
• Integration of HRIS (Workday) and Benefits Enrollment system (PlanSource) with ADP WorkforceNow
• Implementation and rollout of Benefits Enrollment systems (Benergy and then PlanSource)
• Work closely with global HR management team to ensure global alignment between all regions regarding HRIS rollout and global programs and policies (Americas, Germany, UK, Poland, India, China, Australia, Japan, Israel)
• Manage and market Management Training Program (MTP) for all levels of management
• Manage and maintain global HR SharePoint site for HR and Employees
• Manage and market global ADVA University Program for all levels
• Travel to regional offices in North America, South America and Canada
• Travel to ADVA sites in the outside of the Americas for meetings and conferences
• HR Management for +450 employees in the Americas and Canada
• Manage a team of 5
• HR Process management (draft and maintain HR company processes)
• Plan and implement benefit plans (401k, Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Life, AD&D, FSA, etc.)
• Claims issues and appeals processing
• Plan and implement policies and procedures
• Develop documentation for human resource and facilities as well as methods and procedures for their operation
• Recruitment
• Work closely with Facilities and IT Manager to process all new hires and terminations
• EXPAT/H1B/L1A-L1B/B1Visa’s/Green card/Passport Processing
• OSHA administration
• Organize meetings and employee functions (holiday/summer parties)
• Preparation of offer letters and consulting agreements
• Preparation of termination/separation agreements
• New hire orientation preparation and on-boarding
• Exit meetings
• Employment verification
• Performance Improvement Plans (PIP)
• Performance Management
• Tailored Trainings
• FMLA & Leave Administration
• Workers Compensation Administration
• Coordinate Town Hall & Breakfast Meetings
• Coordinate and host socials at work
• Corporate Credit Card management
• Reductions In Force (RIF)
• Compensation Plan Administration
• Relocation Assistance
• Audits (TL9000, 401k, etc.)
• 5500, 5558 and EEOC filing and reporting
• Job description management
• Salary Benchmarking
In January 2006, ADVA Optical Networking acquired Covaro Networks, and I was fortunate to work with some of the most talented technical professionals in the communications industry for over 17 years.
COVARO NETWORKS, INC. (FORMERLY ARRISO NETWORKS) Richardson, Texas 2002 – 2006 Manager of Human Resources North America Report directly to the CFO and President/CEO. Responsible for planning, design, implementation, and support of all aspects of North America Human Resources and oversee facilities functions. On-call, support for Human Resources and facilities issues. Perform all personnel management duties. Carry out assignments in direct support of major functional areas of the President/CEO and CFO, including preparing board material, performance management, staffing, classification, labor/management, employee relations, employee benefits, training and development, and technical services. Serve as the administrator for designated human resource safety and training programs as well as all administrative and facilities functions. Duties include: • HR Management for over +130 employees (U.S. & Canada) • Plan and implement benefit plans • Plan and implement policies and procedures • Perform monthly audits on all monthly invoices for Section 125 Cafeteria plan (medical, dental, vision), flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care) and 401k plan • Develop documentation for human resource and facilities as well as methods and procedures for their operation • Recruiting (setting up ads, Labor Postings and filter resumes) • Work closely with facilities and IT Manager to process all new hires and terminations • Set up all functions for employee to start work (i.e. office set-up, badges, training, new hire orientations) • Set up all functions for employee terminations and RIF’s (exit process, severance agreements, account terminations) • H1B/L1A-L1B/B1Visa’s/Green card/Passport Processing • OSHA administration • Organize meetings and employee functions • Prepared Employee Handbook • FMLA Administration • Manage the office manager• Manage Reductions In Force (RIFs) • Office management, Administrative & Receptionist duties (assist all VP’s and employees as needed) • Sales - Responsible for managing, training and maintaining Sales CRM (Salesforce.com). Administrative support sales department personnel in all administrative inside and outside sales functions. On-call, support for Regional Sales Managers. Follow up on all sales leads from webinars, shows and conventions (work closely with Director of Marketing and VP of Sales.) • Integration (Covaro into ADVA) • Due Diligence for Covaro Asset Purchase |
ASSOCIATED BUILDING SERVICES (ABS) Dallas, Texas 2002 Manager, Human Resources Northwest RegionReported directly to the VP of Human Resources who was located in Houston, TX. Managed all aspects of HR out of Dallas regional office. • Recruiting, testing, hiring and processing all applicants and employees
• Organized and managed monthly training meetings for managers and employees• New hire orientations• Administered all HR functions included but not limited to TWC Claims, hearings, HR files, payroll administration, implemented policies and procedures and new customer set-up• Managed HR Generalist and Field Manager |
METERA NETWORKS, INC.Richardson, Texas 1999 - 2001 Human Resources ManagerReported directly to the President/CEO. Responsible for planning, design, implementation, and support all human resource, administrative and facilities functions. • HR Management for +150 employees in North America (U.S. & Canada) • Designed and implemented policies and procedures • Created all forms and worked closely with CFO and attorney’s to create legal documents • Planned and implemented benefit plans • Performed monthly audits on all monthly invoices for medical, dental, vision and 401k plan • Developed documentation for human resource and facilities as well as methods and procedures for their operation • Recruiting (set up ads, Labor Postings and filtered through resumes) • Worked closely with IT Manager to process all new hires and terminations • Set up all functions for employee to start work (i.e. office set-up, badges, training, new hire orientations) • Set up all functions for employee terminations and RIF’s (exit process, severance agreements, account terminations) • H1B/Visa/Green card/Passport Processing • OSHA administration • Organized meetings and employee functions • Managed Receptionist and HR admin. |
AUTOCRAFT ELECTRONICS Carrollton, Texas1996 - 2001Manager, Human ResourcesReported directly to the Vice President of Human Resources located in Houston, TX. Responsible for all human resource functions for Carrollton, TX facility. Carried out assignments which included payroll, recruiting, performance management, staffing, classification, labor/management, policies and procedures, employee relations, employee benefits, and training and development. Serve as the administrator for designated human resource safety and training programs. Human Resource Management for +500 employees. Company handled aftermarket car and stereo electronic products for Ford and GM. |
AUTOMOTIVE, MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY |
ADMINISTRATIVE BENEFITS, INC.
Addison, Texas
1994 - 1996
Human Resources Manager
Reported to CEO and CTO of a multi-service company that supported over 50 small businesses with HR, benefits and payroll services. Responsible for all aspects of HR and benefits services for all customers. Provided support to managers and employees for recruitment, hiring, employee relations, time-keeping, performance management, leaves, benefits, training and development, policies and procedures and employee hanbooks, issues and claims, reviews, on/offboarding, recordkeeping, management and compliance of personnel files, auditing and reporting.
UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS/TENET (USPI)
Contractor
Supporting C-suite with administrative office and clerical duties.
AUTOCRAFT ELECTRONICS
HR Manager
Managed all aspects of HR for 500 employee company headquartered in Houston, TX
PHARMACY CORPORATION OF AMERICA (PCA)
Pharmacy Techinican
Pre-packaged and compounded medication for nursing homes.
PHARMACIES
During college, I worked at several pharmacies as a Pharmacy Technician supporting the Pharmacist on duty.
SILVER CINEMASAssistant & HR AdministratorReported to the Senior Vice President of Operations. Responsible for all aspects of local HR responsibilities for recruitment, onboarding, time-keeping, payroll, benefits, performance, absences, training and development, on/offboarding, recordkeeping, management and compliance of personnel files, auditing and reporting.
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"Every position I had growing up helped me become who I am today."