The 2012 HR Awards – Finalists

Cleveland State University
Tracy Porter, college associate lecturer, Department of Management and Labor, and CSU SHRM Student Chapter co-adviser
Tracy Porter is a college associate lecturer with the Department of Management and Labor at Cleveland State University. Involved in the academic and business community for more than 20 years, Porter has also taken on the role of co-adviser of CSU’s Society of Human Research Management chapter.
DentalOne Partners
Charles Newton, recruiting operations specialist
Currently employed by DentalOne Partners, Charles Newton made a distinct impact as HR administrator/benefits specialist at his previous employer, the Cleveland Sight Center. He incorporated a new applicant tracking system, a new on-boarding program and a new benefits management program for employees of the center.
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Deborah Bridwell, deputy executive director, Commission on Economic Inclusion
Deborah Bridwell is deputy executive director of the Commission on Economic Inclusion at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. She takes a strong leadership role in directing the commission’s efforts in growing the region’s minority-owned businesses, increasing access to well-paying jobs and including more minorities in senior management and board leadership.
John Carroll University
Ryan Zubal, student
Ryan Zubal is an upcoming senior student at John Carroll University with a demonstrated passion for HR. A member of the school’s Society for Human Resource Management chapter since fall 2011, he assumed the role of president in spring 2012 and has worked hard to further develop and grow the organization.
MCPc Inc.
Beth Stec, vice president of corporate communications and human resources
Beth Stec has worked for MCPc Inc. for 14 years. Currently serving on the executive team as vice president of corporate communications and human resources, she continues to drive the HR best practices she’s built over the years to support the delivery of excellent customer service by MCPc employees.
Menorah Park Center for Senior Living
Jamie Herbst, director of human resources
Jamie Herbst has been employed in human resources for 27 years, 16 of them with Menorah Park Center for Senior Living. As the director of human resources, she has developed several initiatives intended to advance the caliber of the nonprofit organization in the eyes of its employees, guests and community members.
MTD Products
Fran Walsh, director of health and welfare benefits
Fran Walsh has been with MTD Products for more than 40 years. As director of health and wellness benefits, Walsh oversees the everyday administration of benefits for more than 4,000 employees in nine locations — earning her three peer-nominated “Golden Sprig” awards for going above and beyond to further the company, employees or mission.
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Douglas Dykes, director of human resources
Douglas Dykes is the director of human resources for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. After joining NEORSD four years ago, he set out to challenge antiquated practices and underdeveloped employees by updating and incorporating new programs and processes in the areas of hiring, wellness, compensation and succession planning.
The Oatey Co.
Nickie DiCarlo, director of leadership and associate development
Nickie DiCarlo is the director of leadership and associate development for The Oatey Co., where she oversees and leads the leadership development strategies, associate development programming, succession planning, organizational change management and internal communication strategies. She held a variety of training and organizational development roles previously with Key Bank and PolyOne.
OrthoHelix Surgical Designs Inc.
Jessica Kelly, human resources manager
Jessica Kelly was hired earlier this year as a HR manager for OrthoHelix Surgical Designs Inc. to organize the company’s newly created HR department and ensure it thrived. She has already begun and implemented many policies and programs, including a grant-funded wellness program initiative.
The Sherwin-Williams Co.
Diane Hupp, vice president of employee relations
Diane Hupp is vice president of employee relations for paint solutions company The Sherwin-Williams Co. She was nominated by an employment litigation attorney who was “cynical about large corporate HR culture” — that is, until Hupp’s “honest, legal and positive” approach to HR changed his mind.
Stark State College
Kristin C. Hannon, career development director
Kristin C. Hannon is the career development director at Stark State College, where she applies her many years of HR expertise to guiding the region’s future leaders. She assists students with mock interviews, resume writing and direct daily support, and serves on one of the college’s committees related to human resources.
STERIS Corp.
Laurie Allen, senior compensation analyst
Laurie Allen has been senior compensation analyst at STERIS Corp. since 2001, where she leads the company’s global merit planning process, among other duties. These include planning, developing, implementing and administering job evaluation, performance appraisal and wage/salary administration and management programs for STERIS and its divisions and subsidiaries, among others.
Summa Western Reserve Hospital
Jennifer Miller, manager of compensation/HRMS and benefits
Jennifer Miller is the manager of compensation/HRMS and benefits for Summa Western Reserve Hospital. She was instrumental in developing the organization’s employee “Gateway,” as well as in continuous development of the organization’s UltiPro system — enhancing overall business operations in addition to HR and payroll.
Vocational Guidance Services
Susie Barragate, director of human resources
Serving as director of human resources for Vocational Guidance Services since 1999, Susie Barragate has transformed the function of the company’s HR department. Her achievements include creating the agency’s competitive, its multileveled compensation structure, an agencywide customer service training program and an organizational review system.