DEBI L. PETTIT, SPHR
Business Advisor

518-907-4481
pettit@citec.org

Summary:
Debi has been a human resources generalist for the past 20 years with a proven track record in both union and non-union environments in the areas of safety, employment and labor laws, benefits and payroll administration. As one of CITEC’s Business Advisors, North Country companies have turned to her for expertise in the areas of employee recruiting practices, implementing policies, updating employee handbooks, as well as training managers / supervisors on how to communicate effectively with employees and be better leaders.

Professional Experience:

Business Advisor, CITEC, Inc. - Aug 2010 to present
Providing assistance to North Country companies in the areas of human resources, including employee recruiting / retention, federal and State labor requirements and HR management services for start-up or small companies without an HR expert on staff.

• personnel policy development
• federal and NYS employment requirements
• effective programs for employee training
• change management (certified)
• employee selection & retention
• integrating Lean improvement processes to HR, office and production areas

Human Resources Director, Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, Inc., Plattsburgh NY (Jul 2008 - Aug 2010)
Managed HR department and all related functions for global headquarters and non-union manufacturing facility consisting of 350 employees. Responsible for leading organizational culture change from small privately owned family business to corporate environment (still privately owned family business but with 20,000 employees worldwide) for this manufacturer of high end luxury chandeliers and lamps.

• Implemented policies, procedures and structure where none existed previously.
• Implemented compensation structure for facility – salaried, non-exempt office and production positions.
• Developed job descriptions for every position within company.
• Member of Lean Mfg. Steering Committee
• Led restructuring efforts during 2009 recession that included job consolidations, downsizing and using NY Shared Work Program to retain trained talented team members.

Human Resources Director - Salerno Plastics Corp., Plattsburgh NY (Oct 2003 - Jul 2008)
Managed HR department and all related functions for non-union plant of 100 people. Lean Manufacturing Coordinator for both manufacturing plants, Plattsburgh and Chateauguay, Canada. Member of the company Strategic Lead Team.

Human Resources Director - Williamsport Wire Rope, Williamsport PA (Jan 2003 - Sep 2003)
Responsible for all aspects of Human Resources for two plant 600 person company. Managed labor relations working directly with Union Executive Committee and United Steelworkers International representative.

Human Resources Manager - BBA Nonwovens, Lewisburg PA (1997 - Apr 2002)
Managed HR department with an annual budget $5MM consisting of Human Resource Assistant/Payroll Clerk and Safety Coordinator in the administration of human resources, payroll, safety/security and workers’ compensation policies/procedures for the Lewisburg plant (200 employees – 150 union represented by PACE).

Education / Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Two Semesters, University of Phoenix (2003)
Certificate in HR Management, Penn State University (1992)
Senior Professional in Human Resources, accreditation (2007)
Membership: National Society for HR Management, Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), associate member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

 

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