Ashley Wallace
Spanish Fort
Summary
High-achieving VP of Human Resources adept at driving company growth and productivity by locating the best talent and establishing effective, modern policies for the workforce. Key influencer in developing relationships among and with the workforce, partnering with business unit leaders and executive management to help drive business goals, foster positive employee relations, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and promote growth within the organization to fuel future success. Results-driven human resources executive with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth. Demonstrated record of success in building successful teams and managing profitable operations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President Organizational Effectiveness
Vertex Energy
04.2023 - Current
- I have fiduciary responsibility for the 401k plan and the defined benefit plan that we call the Cash Balance Plan.
- I updated and improved our retirement plans, both the 401k and the CBP, to ensure successful end of year plan testing. Had this not been accomplished, Vertex would be required to inject an additional ~$500k - $750k to rectify the imbalance.
- I authorize all contracts and serve as plan sponsor for all benefit offerings.
- I oversee the executive compensation, Long Term Incentive Program (stock grants and options unless we offer cash like we did this year because our stock price is horrendous).
- built a performance management program
- developed job grades
- transitioned us away from a PEO to Paylocity and was the project sponsor and project lead on the implementation and build out of the platform (Vertex has never processed payroll in-house before so it was a heavy lift to bring this in-house), served as mentor to the payroll admins/HR Managers on payroll compliance and laws, Had to set up the SIT and SUI accounts in each state for each legal entity as well. This transition away from the PEO to Paylocity captured a savings of over $100k.
- We're still implementing the recruiting module and will move to performance after that.
- Because all of our benefits were offered through the PEO, I partnered withour broker and developed a comprehensive benefit offering sponsored by Vertex Energy. I was able to capture enough savings to add company-paid life, STD and LTD for all employees and increase the employer contribution to the dental and vision coverages as well.
- I was also able to capture a reduction in premiums for the July 2023-June 2024 renewal of our BCBS of TX health coverage and a reduction in premiums for the Jan 2024 - Dec 2024 renewal of our BCBS of AL renewal.
- I oversee the workers comp program
- I work hand-in-hand with the C Suite and provide them guidance on strategic initiatives as it relates to our workforce
- I have full autonomy, authority, and approval related to all things HR and OE.
Sr. Manager, People & Organization
Aker Solutions Inc.
06.2022 - 04.2023
- Established the strategic direction of U.S
- Human Resources processes and offerings and ensured alignment with the objectives and goals of the business to drive organizational effectiveness, promote a culture of transparency and growth, and develop talent and competence across the organization
- Acted as a global resource within Human Resources on process improvements, system upgrades, and strategic planning and served as subject matter expert on U.S
- Employment law and compliance
- Collaborated with global peers and leaders on Human Resources topics and initiatives and provided support to global regions to adapt programs to meet local laws and culture
- Provided guidance on organizational structure and design to optimally support order capacity and aided leaders in accurately forecasting staffing needs based on future capacity and backlog
- Developed meaningful metrics and KPI’s and provided monthly updates to the U.S senior leadership team, as well as the executive leadership within the Subsea business unit
- Continually assessed trends and results to determine needed changes and improvements
- Served as strategic business partner to the U.S
- Senior leadership team to support the continued growth and development of the organization
- Oversaw the joint venture activities for Human Resources in the U.S
- Related to the separation of the U.S
- Subsea business unit from Aker Solutions and defined the activities necessary for integrating the business unit into the new joint venture entity
- Conducted diligence and assessments to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations, defined appropriate processes needed for successful assimilation of employees, and identified risks and liabilities along with mitigation recommendations
- Defined and executed on creating duplicate systems and benefit plan offerings needed for U.S
- Employees remaining with Aker Solutions
- Created and fostered strong relationships with vendors and key stakeholders to strengthen and drive the success of Human Resources programs and offerings
- Directly oversaw performance management, succession planning, talent development, talent acquisition and retention, leadership development, employee relations, onboarding, compensation and benefit administration, immigration and global mobility, and payroll
- Served as first-line contact on whistleblower cases, ethics line cases, and conflict of interest allegations
- Established yearly departmental budget and provided guidance to other leaders on budget allocations related to recruiting and headcount, employee development, retention initiatives, and immigration support
Vice President, Human Resources & Recruiting
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
10.2006 - 12.2021
- Developed and guided organizational effectiveness to support the executive leaders on all company initiatives
- Collaborated with operations, safety, and legal teams to develop compliant company policies and procedures
- Aided the Chief Human Resource Officer in the strategic development and execution of HR goals, plans and budget
- Provided guidance to executives and management teams in HR matters, directing HR team members on HR functions including benefits, compensation, employee relations, talent acquisition, succession planning, and performance management, in addition to developing, interpreting, and implementing policies and procedures according to federal and state laws and DOT regulations
- Mentored and fostered collaboration between the corporate and field HR team members to maintain consistency and alignment of practices and policies
- Oversaw the KAG Ethics Line and ensured all investigations, complaints, and inquiries were assigned, followed up, resolved, and closed out per protocol and in a timely manner
- Conducted and/or assigned investigations and worked with operational, executive, and legal leadership as needed
- Analyzed and aggregated investigative data to identify programs and communication mechanisms necessary to foster positive employee relationships to promote a healthy work environment
- Lead union free strategy for US operations and served as primary contact for all labor relations concerns
- Directly oversaw administrative, technician, and CDL driver recruiting processes including a team of 35 driver recruiting professionals to ensure maximum efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement of recruiting practices throughout the organization
- These efficiencies reduced the application to start date metric by 50% for CDL drivers and significantly lowered the application to job offer extended metric to an average 5 days
- Coordinated the HR functional specialties and established onboarding processes for the M&A activities for US operations
- Implemented and lead the CDL driver retention initiative resulting in a decrease in driver turnover of greater than 5% in 15 months resulting in $1.8 million in savings
- Serve as primary HR Lead for the implementation of a new HCM system
Director, Human Resources Field Operations
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Successfully built and designed the HR Field Operations team and directed the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the HR function for approximately 8,000 field employees within all US divisions of KAG
- Strategized with operations, safety, and maintenance management teams, in coordination with field team members, to effectively execute alignment of HR initiatives with the goals of the business
- Ensured positive working relationships between the field team members and corporate HR teams to ensure the HR training needs were met for field team member in the areas of general HR knowledge, leadership, succession planning, coaching and mentoring, recruiting, onboarding, and performance management
- Provided support to all levels of the organization to enhance team member performance and engagement, ensured compliance with DOT regulatory requirements and state and federal employment laws, developed positive team member relations, and communicated policies and procedures with clear and consistent messaging
- Aided in the M&A process to integrate newly acquired subsidiaries and team members into the KAG culture
- Designed, developed, and facilitated quarterly HR training for new managers throughout the organization that improved terminal manager retention by 30% throughout US operations
- Assigned investigation workload for the KAG Ethics Line and oversaw all internal investigations regarding employee relations and labor relations issues, analyzed trends among complaints to proactively implement ER programs to promote positive team member relations, and served as primary lead on all highly sensitive complaints
- Lead union free strategy for US operations and served as primary contact for all labor relations concerns
Manager, Human Resources-Specialty Products Group
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Collaborated with senior management, business unit leaders, regional and local managers, and team members to provide guidance to the Specialty Products Group on HR policies and issues
- Managed the overall functions within the Specialty Products Group of onboarding, policy development and implementation, corrective actions and coaching on terminations, employee relations including labor relations training and education, compensation planning, regulatory compliance and training and development
- Conducted and responded to internal investigations, including EEOC and employment law claims, and ethics hotline calls
- Established open communication methods between field team members and human resources team members
- Fostered strong positive relationships between management and field team members by establishing monthly terminal meetings and consistent feedback sessions
Manager, Human Resources- Merchant Gas Group
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Partnered with business unit leaders, regional and local managers, and team members to provide guidance on HR issues and promote positive employee relations
- Managed all HR functions within the business unit, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, benefit administration (401k and wellness programs included) and policy development and implementation
- Coached and provided corrective actions related to terminations, employee relations, compensation planning, regulatory compliance, including EEO-1 and VET 100 reporting, AAP compliance, workers compensation claims, management, personnel records management, FMLA/LOA administration, training and development, unemployment claims, internal investigations, and EEOC and employment law claims
- Oversaw employee payroll processes and procedures
Registered Nurse, Surgical ICU
Infirmary Health Systems
01.2006 - 12.2006
Human Resources Manager
Gevity HR
01.2001 - 12.2003
- Laid off
Education
SHRM-SCP -
Society of Human Resource Management
01.2016
SPHR -
HR Certification Institute
01.2016
B.S. - Nursing
University of Southern Mississippi
01.2006
B.S. - Business Administration – Human Resources
University of South Alabama
01.1998
Skills
- High- Performing Talent Acquisition
- Succession Planning & Talent Development
- Policy & Procedure Creation and Adherence
- Field & Corporate Office Collaboration
- Team Building & Relationship Management
- National Employment Law Expertise
- Employee Relations
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Merger & Acquisition Restructuring
- Benefits & Compensation Administration
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Decision-Making
- Critical Thinking
Certification
- Society of Human Resource Management, SHRM-SCP, 2016
- HR Certification Institute, SPHR, 2016
- SHRM-SPC
- SPHR
- RN
Timeline
Vice President Organizational Effectiveness
Vertex Energy
04.2023 - Current
Sr. Manager, People & Organization
Aker Solutions Inc.
06.2022 - 04.2023
Director, Human Resources Field Operations
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2015 - 01.2018
Manager, Human Resources-Specialty Products Group
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2013 - 01.2015
Vice President, Human Resources & Recruiting
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
10.2006 - 12.2021
Manager, Human Resources- Merchant Gas Group
Kenan Advantage Group (KAG)
01.2006 - 01.2013
Registered Nurse, Surgical ICU
Infirmary Health Systems
01.2006 - 12.2006
Human Resources Manager
Gevity HR
01.2001 - 12.2003
SHRM-SCP -
Society of Human Resource Management
SPHR -
HR Certification Institute
B.S. - Nursing
University of Southern Mississippi
B.S. - Business Administration – Human Resources
University of South Alabama