James Ferguson
Daytona Beach,FL
Summary
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to identifying and empowering individual strengths within a team to enhance operations and foster organizational efficiency, as well as a healthy and enjoyable workplace environment. Reliable Manager and Teammate with proven independent decision-making skills, sound judgment, and a positive attitude to drive consistent progress toward sustainable company success.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Operations & Human Resources
VerdeGo Aero
06.2023 - Current
- As Operations & HR Manager, responsibilities include oversight and management of HR Systems, processes, full-cycle recruitment, on/offboarding, trainings, benefits administration, and all facets of employment for a rapidly growing Aerospace engineering company
- Established and lead company Safety Team focused on consistent adherence to OSHA, ITAR, HIPAA, and all general safety standards
- Fostered a healthy and productive work culture by exemplifying strong communication and facilitated organizational growth through empowering the strengths of each individual to learn, realize, and achieve personal and professional goals.
Sr. HR Generalist III, HRIS Systems Administrator
Elbit Systems of America – Sparton
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Provide full-scale HR support to 800+ on-site employees, as well as develop and implement progressive HR practices and objectives, empowering employees to foster a high-performance culture based on progression, quality, and a successfully superior workforce
- Lead and assisted with company-wide implementation of new HRIS System (Dayforce)
- Prioritize and maintain the utmost of accuracy and efficiency with all employee & company data
- Being funded by the US Department of Defense, Sparton must remain continuously prepared for strict and frequent audits from the US Government.
Human Resource Generalist
Versa Business Partners, LLC. (Remote)
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Versa Business Partners staff is comprised of HR professionals, outsourced remotely to clients of a wide variety of occupations to complete tasks, projects, or often serve completely as the client’s main Human Resource representative(s)
- Under Versa, I worked with multiple clients at a time serving as HR Generalist, handling items such as On/Offboarding, Recruitment, creating offers, managing the entirety of the hire process, build/implement new processes, solving current employee issues, and more.
Southeast HR Coordinator
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
09.2018 - 01.2022
- Served as lead HR Representative for the Southeast region of a nationwide Civil Engineering Firm; in responsible charge of candidate selection, on / off-boarding, managed employee issues, benefits, status changes, and liaising between employees and Corporate HR
- Assumed additional role as Construction Safety Representative for the Southeast Region of GPI
- OSHA 10 & 30 Hour Certified
- Conduct interviews of prospective employees for jobs in the Civil Engineering field, as well as exit interviews for employees leaving the company
- Investigate and/or assisted with employee complaints, incidents, benefits, and workers comp issues.
Human Resources Specialist
Penn State University
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Acquire, process, and organize all documentation necessary for legal employment with PSU
- Review and hire new part-time employees in Workday and EJMS Systems, and collaborate with fellow specialists and managers to fully and efficiently complete the hire process
- Work progressively with my colleagues as we collectively learn and adapt to current trends/ issues in the process of moving forward with a major University-wide change of employing new Workday HR & Payroll system at Penn State
- Reconcile issues with Workday and assist others in the University-wide efforts to learn the new system
- Communicate with managers and leaders of other departments within the University in attempts to clarify and simplify an otherwise difficult transition for all involved.
Human Resources Associate
DelGrosso Foods, Inc.
03.2015 - 07.2016
- Began as internship and evolved into full-time employment with the company
- Assisted with all essential HR functions such as benefits coordination, payroll, employee status changes, new-hire orientations and onboarding, and applicable trainings
- Assisted in coordination with onboarding of new company-wide HRIS system, Ulti Pro
- DelGrosso’s owned three companies under their umbrella: DelGrosso Sauce Factory, Marianna Foods (Food distribution company) and DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
- During busy times, I would assist in different areas of all three as needed, doing a wide range of tasks.
Education
Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management -
Saint Francis University
05.2017
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice -
Saint Francis University
05.2015
Skills
- Human Resources Management
- Cross-Functional Teamwork
- Team Development
- Policy Implementation
- Process Improvement
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Employee Coaching and Mentoring
- Operations Management
- Computer Skills
- Problem Resolution
Activities & Leadership
- Human Resources Advisory Committee (HR-AC) – Penn State HR
- Appointed by VP of HR to aid in cultivation of ideal workplace through professional growth, internal networking, & employee recognition.
- NCAA Division I Men’s Golf – Saint Francis University
- 4-year starter, & Co-Captain for the 2013 Men’s Northeast Conference Championship Winning Team.
- Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity – Saint Francis University
- Served as Social Chair/ Event Coordinator, helped improve and grow community/school relations.
- SMART Program – Saint Michael’s Elementary
- Served as tutor for elementary school-aged children.
Awards
- SHRM Member.
- Three-Time Recipient of Altoona Mirror’s Frank Kiraly Award for Outstanding Athletic Achievement & Sportsmanship.
- Elected Team Captain by teammates all four years in high school, Team Captain for two years in college.
Timeline
Manager, Operations & Human Resources
VerdeGo Aero
06.2023 - Current
Sr. HR Generalist III, HRIS Systems Administrator
Elbit Systems of America – Sparton
01.2023 - 05.2023
Human Resource Generalist
Versa Business Partners, LLC. (Remote)
01.2022 - 01.2023
Southeast HR Coordinator
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
09.2018 - 01.2022
Human Resources Specialist
Penn State University
07.2017 - 08.2018
Human Resources Associate
DelGrosso Foods, Inc.
03.2015 - 07.2016
Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management -
Saint Francis University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice -
Saint Francis University