LORETTA LOVE HUFF- QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Proven leadership (people and project management), analytical, oral and written communications skills gained from a multi-disciplinary background in human resources, information services, marketing research and finance.

Expertise in organizational development and effectiveness, performance measurement, improvement and management, compensation and benefits, employment law, staffing & recruiting, management coaching, training, facilitation, culture definition, diversity, retention, human resource management, employee relations, (M&A) acquisition management, downsizing, policy development, and HRIS/HRMS.

EDUCATION

University of Chicago, MBA Finance      

Howard University, BS Psychology

WORK EXPERIENCE

EMERALD HARVEST CONSULTING, LLC       5/00 - present

President, Principal Consultant                                                    

Provided a broad range of speaking, training, facilitating, business consulting and coaching services in the areas of marketing and sales development, strategic planning, leadership, management and employee development, team assessment and team building, conflict resolution, and business management. Facilitated leadership and personal development workshops and conducted public presentations on a variety of professional development business topics. 

SAGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.                   7/99 - 11/00

Vice President, Human Resources                                                             

Responsible for overall management of the human resource function. Standardized the performance process and led the organization through a focal performance and salary review. Counseled managers on performance issues and terminations. Established a staffing process and centralized the offer process. Brought recruiting function in-house reducing recruiting costs significantly.  Evaluated and selected top on-line recruiting tools to increase candidate flow. Developed a behavioral-interviewing guide for managers.

Evaluated HRMS packages and project managed the implementation of SAP HR (via an ASP model). Substantially upgraded weekly headcount report improving its accuracy. Managed all company benefits programs including administration of Employee Stock Purchase Program. Evaluated benefits brokers, implemented employee self-service, and seamlessly conducted company’s first online benefits open enrollment.

Developed a "new manager" training overview including a "manager toolkit" of forms; established a weekly orientation program & assumed responsibility for and improved the monthly new employee orientation. Developed a "Skills Assessment" tool to conduct a gap analysis between current and optimal skill level within organization. Developed a "Retention Tool" to support managers in having meaningful conversations with their employees to improve retention. Developed a training curriculum for employees and managers.

Developed an acquisition/integration process and led the integration effort in an acquisition of a company that was half our size.

MERLIN VENTURE PARTNERS, LLC (self-employed)     5/97 – 7/99

Managing Member, Principal Consultant                           

Provided strategic and tactical HR and business consulting to small- and medium- sized businesses

Clients: Sagent Technology – Compensation consulting: developed dual career ladder and salary recommendations for engineering population, provided retained HR consulting/advising service.

Aspect Telecommunications - Acting HR Director; provided overall divisional HR management

Autodesk - Interim HR Sr. Manager, team assessment and teambuilding

Carrera Golf - Business plan development

Kaspick & Company - Contract recruiting (technical and non-technical)

SOFTBANK Forums (now Key3media)      8/95 - 5/97         

Sr Director of HR

Responsible for overall management of human resources and facilities functions including benefits, compensation, payroll, employee relations, employment, management coaching, organizational effectiveness, performance management, training, space planning, risk management, purchasing and corporate policy. Designed and implemented company’s first performance management system and focal salary review process. Developed and launched new employee orientation program. Orchestrated several redeployments. Led cross-functional effort with IS and Facilities to automate and streamline new hire processing in a high growth environment. Oversaw design & build-out of new corporate office. Participated in due diligence for acquisitions and negotiated employment agreements for key executives.

SEGA OF AMERICA                                7/94 – 8/95

Manager of Benefits and Client Services                                                        

Developed company’s first benefits philosophy and strategy statement.  Investigated, analyzed and implemented cost savings measures and process improvements. Led task force for transition of HRIS system and evaluation of healthcare benefit brokers. Oversaw administration of company benefits programs. Provided HR generalist services for sales, marketing and sales support organizations. Performed HR Generalist functions.

HR Generalist                                                                                        

Provided HR services to sales, marketing and Toy divisions. Consulted managers on effective performance management and implementation of corporate policies. Provided employee relations counseling. Led three task forces to improve internal processes (i. e. new hires, new employee orientation, employee recognition). Led the HR team in development of layoff policy and process.

APPLE COMPUTER, INC.    1/88 - 7/94

HR Programs Manager

Compensation Consultant                                                                            

Sr. Staffing Specialist                                                                                           

KRAFT FOODS, INC.                5/84 - 1/88

Corporate Recruiter                                                                                                       

CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK (now Bank of America)    8/81 – 5/84

College Relations Specialist                                                                     

Commercial Lender

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.     6/72 – 7/81

HR Manager/ HR Consultant

Manager, Market Research Services

Computer Programmer                                                                                        

AWARDS

Phoenix Business Journal: Top Women in Business 2010 Honoree

National Council of Negro Women: 2010 Women of Excellence

Top Hat Award, Maricopa County, MCbiz, 2008

2-time Class I MBE Supplier of the Year, 2004 & 2006

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

National Association of Women Business Owners (Phoenix), President 2009 – 2010, Programs Chair 2007 - 2008

University of Phoenix Online, Graduate School of Business, Online Faculty 2003 – present, Strategic HR Management, Transformational Leadership, Systems Thinking, Organization Behavior, Conflict Management Systems

Ottawa University, School of Business.  Organization Communication, Conflict Management

National Association of Women Business Owners, President Elect, 2008 – 2009, Board member 2007 – present

National Speakers Association, Board Member, 2007 – present, Professional Member 2004 – present

Black Professional Coaches Alliance, Member 2005 – present. Membership Committee Chair

Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council, MBE Input Committee Director & Vice-Chair 2008 - 09, Director, 2004 – present; Awards Dinner Committee member

Gabriel’s Angels, Immediate Past Chair, 2008–09, Board Chair 2007-08, Board member 2005 – present

International Coach Federation, Certified 2004, Certified Professional Effectiveness Coach (New Ventures West 1998)

City of Sunnyvale, Personnel Board, 1999 - 2003, Chair 2000-2001, 2003

Valley of the Sun HR Association, member 2006 – 07, Northern California HR Association, member 1996 - 2004