LINDA BYRD HEDGEPETH
Ashland,VA
Summary
PROVEN ABILITIES AND RESULTS: A senior executive with proven leadership skills in the employment and civil rights arena. Strong advocacy and organizational skills. Excellent analytical and legalistic background in implementing Title V11 and other federal laws. Ensured the drafting of a financial initiative and its passage for the first program in the Commonwealth's history in redefining credit worthiness for minorities, women and disadvantaged businesses. Lead the largest civil rights organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Created the first state-wide initiative to honor Women of Distinction in the State of Virginia. Versatile Executive Director, focused on promoting mission and increasing effectiveness of key programs. Quick and firm decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Recognized for successfully collaborating with management to develop work plans, financials and strategies. Successful Executive with over 15 years of demonstrated ability in delivering mission-critical results. Offering outstanding communication and cross-cultural team management skills. Entrepreneurial attitude for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Ambitious team leader adept at creating strategic alliances with organizational leader and effectively aligning with and supporting key business initiatives. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. Committed job seeker with a history of meeting company needs with consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
Appeals Examiner
Virginia Employment Commission
Richmond, VA
10.2021 - Current
- Performs federally mandated appeals functions sanctioned by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Virginia Unemployment Compensation
- Act for claimants and employers relating to unemployment insurance (UI) claims, state set-off debt collection, labor disputes and disaster relief
- Fairly and impartially conducts administrative hearings to determine whether it is appropriate to affirm or reverse initial determination of Qualification and eligibility for UI benefits and issues written decisions to claimant and employer
- Reviews case materials from initial determination to prepare for hearing
- Research laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions as applicable to individual cases
- Determines the necessity of witnesses and arranges for subpoenas to be issued, as required
- Presides over hearings, which involves maintaining order and proper decorum, administering oaths, defining issues, explaining appeal rights and interpreting and explaining pertinent laws, regulations, and policies
- Taking testimony, questioning and cross-examining witnesses, and ruling on objections, admissibility of evidence and other matters of law
- Recording evidence and testimony
- Reviews requests and makes decisions during the hearings on postponements and continuances
- Issues appeal decisions for cases affected by other federal laws, such as the Treasury Offset Program, Trade Readjustment Act, and the Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers and Dislocated Worker Programs
- Applies knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations affecting subject area as well as administrative procedures for conducting hearings, due process standards and legal processes.
Senior Quality Assurance Coordinator
Capital One
08.2009 - 03.2020
- Conducted internal audits and inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of Quality Assurance processes.
- Investigated customer complaints regarding product quality issues, identified root causes, and developed corrective actions.
- Created detailed reports on Quality Assurance activities for management review.
- Monitored performance trends in order to identify potential areas of improvement within the QA process.
- Participated in design reviews to provide input on aspects related to Quality Assurance requirements.
- Documented non-conformance issues, identified corrective action plans, tracked progress, and reported final resolution status for each issue.
- Allocated complaints to governing departments for investigation and tracked resolution times.
- Developed and maintained Policy and Procedure (P&P) system, integrating regulatory compliance tools to maintain conformity with [federal, state and local regulations governing the Credit Card Act] and all other guidelines.
Advertising & Business Account Credit Specialist
Verizon/Idearc Media
05.2005 - 07.2008
- Created and developed Ad Campaigns for online Businesses as well as print advertising
- Ranked in the top 10% of all employees for growth and retention of clientele
- Reviewed credit standing and conducted needs analysis to determine best marketing strategy
- Provided on-site training of new employees, achieving efficient onboarding productivity
- Directed production of all advertising materials, including preparing copy, evaluating proofs and enhancing layouts
- Developed campaigns, led design and tracked results
- Masterminded highly successful digital strategies for various platforms to attract customer engagement.
President/CEO
Inspire Development Consultants
Richmond, VA
11.2000 - 05.2005
- Diminished regulatory risks by overseeing adherence to compliance and regulations across all projects
- Advised operational teams in creation, roll out and management of improved customer experiences
- Developed customized training for local businesses and non-profit organizations
- Provided primary customer support to internal and external customers
- Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
Executive Director
Virginia Department of Minority Business
Richmond, VA
07.1998 - 11.2000
- Served as executive to the Governor on all minority affairs issues
- Revamped the entire department's organizational structure and ensured compliance with federal and state mandates for certification
- Successfully secured the passage for the first financial initiate in the department's history
- Increased the procurement dollars from state agencies to minority businesses
- Effectively and efficiently implemented VDOT's Disadvantaged Business program
- Strategically doubled agency operating budget within one year.
Executive Director
Virginia State Conference NAACP
04.1984 - 07.1998
- Managed the state Headquarters and over 100 units throughout the commonwealth
- Successfully mediated all discrimination claims brought to the State Conference throughout tenure
- Raised all operating capital and successfully organized and coordinated state and regional conferences yearly
- Served as the Virginia representative on the national NAACP Economic Taskforce.
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA
04.1982 - 04.1984
- Developed and implemented strategies for recruitment and admissions of new students.
- Assessed applications, conducted interviews, and evaluated credentials to determine eligibility for admission.
- Facilitated communication between prospective students, faculty, staff and other departments.
- Organized college fairs and events to promote the school's programs.
- Prepared reports on enrollment trends to inform institutional planning decisions.
- Managed student data systems related to admissions activities.
- Collaborated with faculty members in developing admission criteria for various academic programs.
- Created marketing materials such as brochures, fliers, newsletters. to promote the school's offerings.
- Provided guidance on registration procedures and policies to incoming students.
- Conducted outreach activities in local communities to increase awareness of the school's programs among potential applicants.
- Developed relationships with high schools counselors and administrators for recruiting purposes.
- Resolved student issues or complaints related to admission processes or services provided by the department.
- Attended conferences and workshops to stay current with trends in higher education admissions practices.
- Coordinated orientation sessions for newly accepted students.
- Reviewed academic transcripts from previous institutions for transfer credit evaluation.
- Cultivated relationships with alumni networks for development purposes.
- Orchestrated and maintained active communication system with prospective students, parents and high school and community college counselors and attained enrollment goals.
- Recruited, hired and oriented departmental staff.
Education
M.S. Degree -
Virginia Commonwealth University
B.A. Degree -
Virginia Union University
Certified Scrum Master
Product Owner Certified
Mediator
M.D. - Biblical Counseling
Friends International Christian University
Merced, CASkills
- Team Oversight
- Report Compilation
- Policy and Procedure Adherence
- Performance Feedback
- Team Leadership
- Conflict Resolution
- Program Leadership
- Member Databases
- Stakeholder Relations
- Mitigation Skills
- Presentation Skills
- Supervision Abilities
- Policy Interpretation Knowledge
- Group Facilitation
- Deadline Management
- Legal Compliance
- Accuracy and Precision
- Building Student Relationships
Accomplishments
- Served on the Virginia Supreme Court task forcer to end cultural and racial biases in the court systems.
- Reviewed and amended local comprehensive plans and addressing employment discrimination throughout the Commonwealth.
- Served on the Commonwealth's procurement task force to point out injustices in contract awards for discretionary funds.
- Effective communicator and known orator.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint Presentations and leadership training.
Timeline
Appeals Examiner
Virginia Employment Commission
10.2021 - Current
Senior Quality Assurance Coordinator
Capital One
08.2009 - 03.2020
Advertising & Business Account Credit Specialist
Verizon/Idearc Media
05.2005 - 07.2008
President/CEO
Inspire Development Consultants
11.2000 - 05.2005
Executive Director
Virginia Department of Minority Business
07.1998 - 11.2000
Executive Director
Virginia State Conference NAACP
04.1984 - 07.1998
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
Virginia Union University
04.1982 - 04.1984
M.S. Degree -
Virginia Commonwealth University
B.A. Degree -
Virginia Union University
Certified Scrum Master
Product Owner Certified
Mediator
M.D. - Biblical Counseling
Friends International Christian University
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