RICARDO D.

CURRY, SPHR
Chicago, Illinois 60707-4408
Email: rickcurry1@ymail.com

(M) 773-551-0415
(H) 773-889-9298
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/rick1curry
SUMMARY

Accomplished leader and strategic business partner with expertise in organizational development, HR department
startups, talent management, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, Employee Stock Ownership Plans,
labor relations/contract negotiations, union avoidance campaigns, and management restructuring. Extensive
experience with HR technology, total compensation plans, employee ethics, and HR shared services. Provides a
unique combination of broad HR knowledge and financial acumen gained through challenging experiences with
diverse organizations. Strong influencer, mentor, confidant and valued executive team member.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACT II JEWELRY, LLC (d/b/a Lia Sophia), Wood Dale, Illinois
2010 2015
Privately held international fashion jewelry designer and distributor with 30,000 independent sales advisors.
Vice President Global Human Resources (2011 2015)
Director of Human Resources (2010 2011)
Executive Committee member, Human Resources Business Partner and Communications Director for global
operations. Primary responsibility to plan and direct HR strategy for organizational effectiveness. Create
international HR infrastructure, government compliance and talent development for Company operations in USA,
Canada, China, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
Proposed a compensation philosophy and total compensation plan to support the Companys growth strategy.
Created a new compensation structure with corresponding levels in the USA, Canada and Switzerland.
Designed Managers Compensation Manual, related HR forms and manager training.
Created Sales Managers incentive plans to support our companys growth strategy in USA and Canada
resulting in 25% annual growth of Canadian independent Sales Advisors.
Proposed and implemented a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (IRS Sec. 409A) designed for reward
and retention of USA senior management while reducing Companys employment taxes.
Implemented state of the art HRMS/Payroll system in USA & Canada including best practices for
Employee/Manager Self Service, communications portal, and automated benefits costs controls.
Proposed and delivered training on employee coaching & counseling; union avoidance; and employment law for
USA and Canadian Managers, which increased effectiveness of handling employee relations issues.
Identified high-potential employees, potential knowledge loss of retirees and uniquely talented individual
contributors; then created individual development/succession plans including; structured training, and
developmental special projects.
Proposed and/or revised Performance Management documents, moved company to common review schedule,
and created budget for merit & promotional increases. Implemented 90-day new hire, and interim reviews which
improved accountability of employees transitioning within the company.
Recruited and staffed leadership positions including USA Vice Presidents, Managing Directors for Canada and
Europe operations. Worked with President to re-design VP roles to fit new operations.
Recommended & secured new USA insurance broker resulting in a 40% reduction in annual fees and improved
training of HR team. Created group supplemental health plan for Canada employees.
Proposed and implemented a global travel agency, and travel policies to reduce travel expenses.
Analyzed and revised programs for managing recruitment agencies, orientation/on boarding programs, OSHA
Safety/Global Harmonizing System, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Created executive benefits by replacing STD with Salary Continuation plans for Directors and VPs, and
enhanced LTD benefits in the USA and Canada. Reduced STD costs and increased manager retention.
Greatly improved company culture by implementing service awards, community service programs,
diversity/recognition luncheons, employee new letters, and HR department service model.
NICOR SERVICES & NICOR ENERCHANGE, (AGL Resources, Inc.) Naperville, Illinois
2008 2009
NICOR Services provides energy products and multi-company customer call centers. NICOR Enerchange conducts
natural gas trading and storage facility administration.

Ricardo Curry, SPHR

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Director of Human Resources

Member of the executive management team. Provided strategic and tactical HR leadership for two NICOR subsidiary
companies totaling five locations. Served as Chairman of the Ethics Committee.
Successfully implemented a Total Compensation Plan, with an entrepreneurial company compensation
philosophy. Established a new salary and incentive structure for 150 job titles.
Improved employee engagement and retention by implementing an Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
Educational Assistance policy; and multiple HVAC employee commission plans.
ALEXANDER COMPANIES, Aurora, Illinois
2001 2008
Privately held companies for retail, distribution & manufacture of building materials. 500 employees & 50 locations.
Director of Human Resources
Reported to the President/Owner. Established the first HR department through mentoring of three direct reports.
Responsible for cost-effective management of labor and employee relations. Managed self-funded health & Workers
Compensation plans, OSHA/Safety program and Dept. of Transportation files for 80 CDL drivers. Implemented
Ceridian HRMS/Payroll system. Created HR polices and succession planning process.
Successfully negotiated Teamsters Union contracts with benefit costs savings of $145,000 per year; and union
wage increases below non-union workers average of 3.0%. Won two union avoidance campaigns.
Leading member of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Committee. Completed the due diligence for a friendly
management buyout; secured $55 million finance package, and prepared ESOP Plan documents.
AURORA UNIVERSITY, Aurora, Illinois
Summer 2004
Adjunct Instructor: Human Resources MBA Program
Created and instructed HRMS Selection & Implementation class. Course included HR/Payroll system assessment,
RFP preparation, cost & benefits analysis, ROI calculations, and web-based employee & manager self-service.
BUDGET GROUP, INC. (Budget Rent-a-Car), Lisle, Illinois
1995 2000
$3 billion international holding company for seven businesses related to vehicle rental, retail and leasing.
Director of Human Resources Business Planning and Support (1999 2000)
Provide support for divisional presidents on strategic HR initiatives and integration of several acquired companies.
Prepare national HR department financial budget and manage PeopleSoft HRMS for 15,000 employees.
Successfully led cross-functional teams for 20 company acquisitions. Created seamless integrations of HRMS,
payroll and benefits plans. Managed acquired staff redundancies through strategic selection and retention.
Organized and presented to the Board the first multi-company, $12 million HR budget detailing the full scope of
human capital & technology expenses, and return the on investment (ROI) details for strategic HR projects.
Director of Human Resources Administration (1997 1999)
Responsible for the HR Shared Services department of 11 people. Provided administration of group benefits,
retirement plans, PeopleSoft HRMS and management reporting for employees in 36 States.
Created the HR Shared Services department to centralize the administration of PeopleSoft HRMS/Payroll and
group health & retirement plans (DC & DB Plans) for 15,000 employees. Implemented the Employee Stock Option
Plan in six countries during a major company restructure. Reduced benefit department staff from four to two, while
improving HR response time for management reports and employee benefit issues.
Led project to assess ROI and implement KRONOS time-keeping system, resulting in a 20% reduction of payroll
data-entry staff.
Manager Human Resources, Central Region (1995 1997)
Reported to VP Regional Operations. Provided functional support for seven HR Representatives serving a total of
1,400 employees at 65 locations in seven cities. Responsible for labor relations, manager staffing and development.
EDUCATION AND AFFILIATIONS
MA, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University West Florida BS, Psychology, DePaul University
Past President, Board of Directors for Valley HR Association - SHRM (Society for HR Management)
SPHR (Senior Professional in HR) HRCI - Universal Trainer Certification: AchieveGlobal (Zenger-Miller)
RICARDO CURRY