Management Team Bios

H. STEWART LACY

Improving Human Capital’s founder and president is H. Stewart Lacy. With over 29 years of experience in human resource management, Stewart brings excellent depth of knowledge and expertise to IHC. Some of his major accomplishments include:

• Starting a human resource function in North America for a foreign company which was expanding their operations to the U.S. and Canada
• Developing strategic HR initiatives which were used on a global basis
• Managing mergers and acquisitions
• Restructuring of compensation and benefit plans
• Implementing of new performance management systems
• Managing and leading workforces in both union and non-union circumstances
• Realigning a company’s HR systems with their business strategy

With Stewart’s extensive background and experience he helps management teams provide solutions to human resources issues which impact an organization’s effectiveness.

Stewart holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Relations and a Masters of Administrative Science from the University of Alabama. He is a member of the Institute for International Human Resources, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the SHRM Consultants Forum, World at Work, the Atlanta Human Resources Leadership Forum, and Phi Kappa Phi.

Stewart’s knowledge led him to form IHC and to use his experiences and the best practices from a variety of larger companies and varying industries to understand and help smaller businesses. The IHC team of experts he has assembled gives your company the “best of the best” without the expense of a full-time, permanent staff. IHC provides HR solutions to your firm based upon your current and future needs. 
 

KARLA BRANDAU

Karla brings 16 years of experience and expertise in personal development, leadership, and team building. She has researched and customized programs for many Fortune 500 companies. Even though Karla maintains a busy seminar schedule, she found time to write “Wake Up The Winner Inside,” a book that helps improve your adversity quotient and be mentally and emotionally tough.

Karla has a unique talent in assisting organizations and their employees to work better together as they make the people and profit connection through:

•  Personality, thinking style, and conflict management assessments
• Personal power principles which help employees and executives develop more charisma and increase their influence
• Communication skills which include collaboration, non-verbal clues and getting in and out of difficult conversations
• Diversity concepts that help corporate villages make all employees “one of us.”
• Creativity facilitation that helps organizations find creative solutions to challenges
• Building a values driven organization based on principled behavior

She specializes in hands-on-learning experiences and interactive modules such as Bugatronics and Working for the Soaring Design Research Center.

Karla has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Brigham Young University, is a Certified Speaking Professional (an earned designation from National Speakers Association), past president of the Georgia Speakers Association, and a member of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), the Business and Technology Alliance of Atlanta (BETA), the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), National Speakers Association (NSA), and has been an instructor for the American Management Association.
 

JOSEPH L. DICKENS

ANN WOODLY 

Ann Woodly is a management consultant specializing in the alignment of human performance with organizational goals and objectives. She brings upwards of twenty years OD and HR generalist experience, helping organizations design and implement strategies to address complex business challenges. She is a certified mediator experienced in conflict intervention/resolution, and possesses certification in Development Dimensions International’s ‘Targeted Selection’ and their ‘Skills for an Empowered Workforce’ workshop series. 

Below are highlights of some of her projects and accomplishments. 

•  Designed a highly versatile OD assessment and culture alignment process used to support initiatives in organizational change, performance management, leadership coaching/development, diversity awareness and team building/alignment. 
• Designed customized multi-rater feedback instruments for culture change and leadership coaching projects.
• Conducted company wide EEO audits, and designed/implemented diversity improvement initiatives.
• Planned and conducted in-house seminar offerings including Valuing Differences, Behavioral Interviewing techniques, Mediation/Conflict Resolution and Skills For Empowering Leaders. 
• Managed leadership development and succession planning projects.
• Designed and implemented performance management systems for organizations in the not-for-profit and private sectors.
• Developed compensation plans and a new hire orientation program for a national industrial equipment sales force. 

Ann holds a B.S. in Psychology from Fordham University and an M.S. in Human Resource Development from Georgia State University. She is currently enrolled in the National Training Laboratory’s Diversity Certification program. She is a member of the Organization Development Network, the American Society for Training and Development and the Organizational Change Alliance.
 

SALLY A. JAMARA

Sally Jamara is a senior consultant with over twenty years of proven success and progressive responsibility in Executive Management, Executive Coaching and Human Resources in the business environment. Sally has worked extensively in leading major organizational change resulting from mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing or significant business growth. She coaches high potential executives and executives experiencing significant business changes. She helps executives and their teams develop the necessary strategy and skills to be successful in a new arena and respond to future business challenges.

Prior to her consulting career, Sally was the SVP of Americas Human Resources for Bass Hotels & Resorts, Inc. She has had global responsibility with both large and small organizations in the manufacturing, high technology and hospitality sectors. In addition to her significant Human Resources experience, she has been Vice President of Customer Service and Sales, managing the P&L and overseeing client development. She has also successfully worked on mergers and acquisitions and in culture change environments.

Sally brings maximum effectiveness to her consulting and coaching practice because of the powerful combination of business experience and academic training. She holds a B.S. degree in Economics, a Masters in Organizational Psychology and is currently engaged in a program of study leading to a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology.

Sally has been the recipient of numerous executive leadership awards including: Executive Committee Award, Outstanding Teamwork Award and multiple Top Performer Awards in a number of different companies. She is certified as an Executive Coach and is a licensed Management Research Group Network Associate for the Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (LEA) 360-degree assessment and Personal Directions. She is also licensed as a Virtual CEO facilitator.

Sally has also developed programs and workshops on “Optimizing Return on Investment” and “Culture as a Competitive Advantage.” She has been a speaker for companies and for organizations driving leadership development programs.
 

ALLAN R. ZEITLIN

Allan Zeitlin is a seasoned human resource professional with over twenty years experience in the design, deployment and administration of employee benefit and executive compensation programs. He has served as a strategic partner to senior management of several major southeastern corporations involved in diversified manufacturing, information management, banking and construction. Allan also has extensive experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions, having served as the sole HR due diligence representative for 45 acquisitions and being responsible for post-acquisition synergies and integration of benefit programs.

He has served as the V.P. of Benefits and Compensation for National Service Industries, Inc., V.P. of Employee Benefits for First Financial Management Corporation, V.P. Human Resources of Fidelity National Bank. Earlier in his career he served the vendor community in insurance, financial planning and mutual fund operations roles.

Allan is qualified by experience encompassing:

• Strategic/Tactical Planning
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Contract Negotiation
• Vendor Relations
• Health & Welfare Plan Design – Managed Care Program Development
• Retirement Plan Design – Defined Contribution & Defined Benefit Plans
• Executive Compensation
• Long-term Incentive Plans – Annual Bonus Plans
• Deferred Compensation Programs – SERP Plans
• Wage & Salary Administration - Job Descriptions – Market Adjustments
• Stock Purchase/Stock Option/Restricted Stock Plans

He has saved his employers and clients well over $10,000,000 in restructured benefit plans, and has been instrumental in developing unique long-term incentive programs. He sincerely believes that companies can maintain the diversity and quality of their benefit offerings while diminishing the bottom-line impact of these programs.

Allan received his B.A. degree from Queens College and his J.D. degree from New England School of Law. In addition to his consulting work, he serves as an adjunct professor at Devry University teaching undergraduate classes in Business Law, Ethics, and Sociology. He is a recipient of the 2000 Web ACE award for creative benefit planning and has been a speaker on benefit-related issues at a number of Atlanta based organizations.
 

ALAN H. KING

Alan brings a unique set of skills to our clients with over 25 years of experience in business and consulting. His focus is on:

• helping client organizations achieve peak performance
• reach established goals
• improve their leadership effectiveness. 

His strong diagnostic skills have helped him build close working relationships with clients. As a result, his clients have been able to implement structural and system solutions that have helped them achieve competitive advantage and significantly improve their financial performance.

Alan has directed organization design projects, as well as strategic and business planning retreats. With proven organizational transformation experience, his expertise includes executive coaching, management consulting, leadership workshops, high performance work team facilitation, capital project partnering, presentations and the design and implementation of effective organizational support systems. 

Alan has worked with a variety of businesses and government agencies. He is recognized for his ability to develop and maintain effective rapport and relationships at all organizational levels from the top floor to the shop floor. 

Alan holds a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in business and organizational development.
 

DON LANG

Don works with organizations to bring practical solutions to effectively align talent with business priorities and strategies. With a diverse background that spans human resources management, line operations management, business development as well as P&L responsibility, he recognizes the importance of solutions that fit the business context, culture, leadership approach, and resources of the firm. Talent planning, assessment, leadership learning/training and coaching are particular areas of expertise.

In the area of talent planning, Don helps business leaders design and implement processes for staffing the business from recruiting to selecting to on-boarding new talent. He also helps business leaders assess current leadership talent against company growth plans and for leader succession to ensure effective business continuity.

Don has served organizations by conducting third party assessments for staffing key jobs, for profiling talent in newly acquired businesses, for executive development, and for succession management. He has over 12 years experience coaching professionals and executives from a variety of fields and industries in pivotal career situations including: assimilating quickly into a new leadership role, working through strengths and development needs in a current role as well as for future growth, and transitioning out of a company to a new career. Don has coached hundreds of line managers, executives, and human resources professionals in North and South America, Europe and Africa in developing assessment skills for selecting and developing top talent. He has worked with such organizations as Delta Air Lines, GE, Citibank, Allied Signal, 3M Europe, ING Barings, Mirant, and Tenet Healthcare.

Central to his partnership with firm leaders, Don works closely with management to identify opportunities to improve the alignment of the HR function with business needs and priorities, develop and implement performance management programs, and facilitate business planning and development training. In all cases, he creates straightforward solutions and simplified work processes with the business professional in mind.

Don holds an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Lafayette College. Professional affiliations include the Society for Human Resource Management, The Human Resource Planning Society, and The Human Resource Leadership Forum. 
 

Pierre Joubert, Senior Partner (CIRC)

Pierre Joubert is the senior partner of our practice in Canada. Pierre is located in Montreal, Quebec but covers projects throughout Canada. Prior to embarking on a human resources consulting career in 2000, Pierre began acquiring the skills he brings to his clients more than twenty (20) years ago holding various positions from operational, human resources and administration functions.

Extensive work-related and hands-on experiences in Canada, the United States, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom provided him with unique business exposures. He has worked for world known organizations such as Kruger Pulp and Paper, Air Canada, Price Waterhouse, Pepsico/FritoLay and CAE. Clients benefit directly from Pierre’s considerable experience and dynamic approach to business opportunity identification and resolution.

A business-oriented individual Pierre keeps the business agenda and the bottom line well in sight while delivering practical solutions supporting individual growth and building effective strategy. His direct participation in joint ventures, acquisitions, start-ups, divestitures and building effective strategic and business plans has provided him with exceptional knowledge on how to leverage individual contribution towards achieving business and personal goals. He also has access to expertise for very complex matters and has a unique ability to rally a team around issues quickly.

A B. Sc. in Industrial Relations, coupled with teaching and conference assignments in both English and French, have provided Pierre with continuous learning exposures. He is a member of the Industrial Relations Counselors Corporation of Quebec, Inc. (1980) and the Canadian Industrial Relations Professionals (1981).
 

Deborah L. Williams

Deborah L. Williams is a senior human resources practitioner who helps clients bring about organizational change and maximize their ROI for training and employee development. She has over 20 years of corporate and consulting experience and over 12 years of diversity management and leadership development consulting experience. Deborah helps organizations and individuals increase performance and effectiveness through leadership/ management development, managing and valuing diversity, and managing organizational change. Ms. Williams uses executive and leadership coaching to support clients in changing behavior to align with their personal and professional vision.

Deborah has provided consulting and training expertise for clients such as: State Farm, Nortel, Caraustar Industries, BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia, Marsh, Atlanta Community Foodbank, Federal Home Loan, Georgia State University, Georgia Power, Georgia Commission on Family Violence, Georgia Council on Child Abuse, Hewlett Packard Company, Coca-Cola USA, AT&T, Verizon, United Way, the U.S. Government, and numerous others.

Deborah has designed training, facilitated and managed consulting projects in transformational leadership, change management, career management, and valuing and managing diversity. She specializes in strategic approaches to culture alignment and effectiveness. Ms. Williams received her MBA and BA degrees from Ohio State University.

Deborah is active in a number of professional and community organizations and is currently a board member of Organization Change Alliance, HR Leadership Forum, and Fulton County Children’s Advocacy Center.
 

Janet L. Walsh

Janet Walsh is a senior a human resources consultant who uses her technical knowledge of human resource processes along with her broad base experience in industry to help businesses increase revenue, reduce costs and improve operating efficiency. She is the author of The Global 20 © to help business effectively grow internationally, and, co-author of SSSHR © a program methodology for helping businesses diagnose ineffective HR practices and replace them with profitable and strategy focused metrics.

Prior to her career in consulting, Janet worked for Fortune 100 and large multinationals leading the human resources function in the US and overseas with a focus on designing, developing and implementing strategic HR solutions to complex, business problems to achieve growth, profitability, customer satisfaction and quality. She has had significant on site, leadership experience directing fast-paced, marketing, sales, technology and manufacturing start up operations in more than 40 countries throughout the Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.

She provides expert leadership and advice to HR community through regular speaking engagements at SHRM, ASTD, WAW and IHRM. In addition she is the author of Keller Graduate School of Management’s national MBA capstone courses in human resources, where she is also a senior professor teaching global business strategy, compensation, training, organizational development, benefits, and international HR. She is a member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors for the World Trade Center Atlanta and of Bucknell University Alumni. She is also the Chair of the Georgia Digital Content Initiative, a digital arts education program.

She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Bucknell University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Loyola College.
 

Whit Perrin Wright

Throughout her 20-plus year career in human resources management, Whit Perrin Wright, CCP, SPHR, has worked extensively in job analysis, assessment and compensation. She has developed appraisal systems and compensation plans to facilitate employee-management communications and improve organizational performance. She began consulting in 1993 and has worked with clients in private industry, government and not-for-profit organizations.

Among past and current clients are the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Allied Holdings, AIG Designs (a subsidiary of American International Group), the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Defense Department, Georgia Pacific, ING Life of Georgia, Gwinnett County Government, ERB Manufacturing, and UPS Service Parts Logistics.

Prior to launching her career in consulting, Whit served as Assistant Commissioner in the Georgia Department of Labor, as Director of Personnel for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and as Assistant Director of Personnel for DeKalb County Government. She created and directed the first centralized examination program for Georgia’s occupational licensing boards while working in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Whit attended Emory University and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Georgia State University.

She is has earned the designation of Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) from WorldatWork and certification as a Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute. Whit is also registered as a mediator with the Georgia Supreme Court’s Office of Dispute Resolution.

She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, WorldatWork (formerly the American Compensation Association), and the Association for Conflict Resolution. Whit was founding member of the Atlanta Area Compensation Association and has served several terms as a member of its Board of Directors.

Lee S. Grande, M.S.

Lee S. Grande has twenty years of experience as a human resources executive and consultant. She has demonstrated competence in organizational change, executive coaching and development, human resource strategy design and execution, performance enhancement system design and all aspects of human resource management.

Prior to starting her career as a consultant, Ms. Grande was Senior Vice President for People Services and Development for AFC Enterprises, the 2.4 billion dollar world premier restaurant and specialty foods company. She joined the new organization, which was formed through a bankruptcy transition, in November 1992 as Vice President of Training and Operations Support. She played a key role in leading an extensive reengineering effort mapping the strategic vision for the newly formed enterprise including the financial, human resources, technology and business processes, and the acquisition of two major operating companies. She was rapidly promoted to the role of leading all aspects of the organization’s people systems and processes necessary to evaluate, develop, recruit, compensate and motivate the talent needed to drive AFC Enterprises’ phenomenal growth and success to become a public company in 2001. As a member of the company’s five-person executive management team, Ms. Grande led the organization’s position in developing a unique culture titled “New Age of Opportunity.” This culture established AFC’s reputation as a leading place to work with an inclusive, family friendly, high performance team of people sharing in the success of the company.

Prior to joining AFC Enterprises, Ms. Grande was a development and organizational consultant for Coca-Cola USA and was Vice President of Human Resources for Arby’s Incorporated. Ms. Grande holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Valdosta State University, where she graduated cum laude, was a Presidential scholar and a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. She has been a member of the American Society for Training and Development, the National Society for Performance and Instruction and the Women’s Foodservice Forum. Ms. Grande was the recipient of the 1995 Elliot Associates Hospitality Motivator of the Year Award and the 1998 Professional Excellence Award from the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Ms. Grande specializes in assisting organizations in the development of strategic human resources strategies and executive coaching during major change processes including merger and acquisition transitions or turnaround business initiatives. These strategies include the design of performance enhancement systems and tools, team building processes, and compensation, benefit and work environment initiatives.

Linda C. Crow

Linda C. Crow, SPHR Linda is a human resources consultant working with companies to align their human resources strategy with business objectives. She has over 20 years of experience in human resources management with extensive expertise in strategy alignment, change management, culture assessment, executive communications, team-building, training, compensation planning and preventative employee relations. Before consulting, she was Director of Human Resources for a private telecommunications company where she redesigned compensation and incentive programs for all levels of the organization and designed sales and customer service compensation programs and training programs to support cultural change. She worked with executive management of a $500 million software development company as Human Resources Director to implement performance management systems, lead wide-scale organizational culture change initiatives and a massive reorganization effort. As Vice President of Organizational Development for a $6 billion regional commercial bank she designed a restructuring process resulting in millions of dollars in savings. She led the management training and leadership development for over 2000 employees in this southeast bank.

As a member of the operating committee reporting to the General Manager, Linda led the successful turnaround of a high-tech manufacturing plant with severe labor problems; as human resources manager for the largest distribution division of a $6 billion corporation she and the management team defeated a UAW organizing campaign and implemented employee development systems for the first time in the company's history. As operations manager for an entrepreneurial staffing company with over $1 billion in sales, she opened offices throughout the southeast and served as internal business consultant to the franchise owners. Previously, Linda wrote political speeches and campaign literature for Winthrop Rockefeller, former Governor of Arkansas, and subsequently served on his personal staff to develop human resource communications policies and systems. Linda holds professional certification as Senior Practitioner in Human Resources (SPHR). She is a recent board member of both the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Georgia Executive Women's Network and a current board member of the Women’s Commerce Club. She chaired the SHRM South Conference for 1998. She also holds membership in the Board of Directors Network. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from High Point University.

James W. Mullis
Jim is a senior executive compensation consultant who provides consulting expertise in the design and implementation of executive compensation, sales and incentive plans, base compensation, and benefit programs.

Jim has more than 25 years of experience in compensation and benefit management, including work with large employers in domestic and international compensation. He has served as Executive Compensation Practice Leader in the Southeast for Watson Wyatt, Senior Vice President and Southeast Region Compensation Consulting Leader for Aon Consulting and Partner in Charge of compensation consulting in the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic regions for Ernst and Young.

Jim has developed programs for high-tech/telecom firms, manufacturing and distribution firms, health care organizations, financial institutions, family-held, not-for-profit and governmental organizations, including firms at the pre- and post IPO stages.

His clients include Flooring America, LTV, Hyperion Software, Dial Call (now Nextel), PhyMatrix Corporation, Weatherhead Industries, Knowledgeware, ARAMARK and Ringling Bros. Combined Shows. His corporate assignments have included United Technologies, General Dynamics, Aetna, Crestar Bancshares and Georgia State Government.

Jim earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He is a member of the American Compensation Association and its affiliate, the Atlanta Area Compensation Association. He has written and been quoted in several articles about executive compensation and is a frequent speaker on compensation issues for professional organizations.

Tamu Lewis
Tamu Lewis is a senior compensation and human resources expert who has worked on various types of strategic projects including compensation strategy, performance management, succession planning, career pathing, training, work force strategy, and competency development. Tamu has over 15 years of work experience, including 5 years of experience with large human resources consulting groups and 3 years with boutique consulting firms. She has worked in various industries including software, banking, healthcare, high tech and others.

Tamu has managed projects that include the following:

• Conducting comprehensive reviews of an organization’s compensation philosophy and strategy, current compensation programs and salary levels; resulting in the development of recommendations to change current programs to be consistent with overall business and human resource strategies.

• Designing and implementing web-based performance management and succession planning systems that strengthen and sustain leadership development efforts within the organization.

• Partnering with senior management to develop career paths in various departments that allow employees to better understand career options within their current department and across the organization.

• Developing competency based assessments and selection processes, within the overall employment process, to improve operational efficiencies, retention rates and employee satisfaction.

• Designing and administering compensation programs that are competitive with the external market and internally equitable; that support the organization’s strategy by rewarding desired behaviors and performance levels.

• Evaluating the effectiveness of work force strategies and implementing interventions to ensure optimal recruiting practices and retention rates.

Tamu’s compensation and human resources background includes work experience as the Compensation Manager for a software company and a Senior Consultant with both Mercer Human Resource Consulting and Ernst & Young. Tamu also held various management positions with NationsBank (now Bank of America).

Tamu earned a Bachelors degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina and a Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a Member of the Atlanta Area Compensation Association (AACA), WorldatWork and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She has earned the following certifications: Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

Terri Swain, Senior Consultant
Terri is a Senior Human Resources consultant specializing in Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and difficult employee relation issues. Terri brings a well-rounded perspective to her role as a human resource consultant, with experience as a human resources generalist as well as an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action specialist. She has consulted for both large and small companies, as well as performed local, national and international assignments in a wide variety of industries. She has served as project manager for many extensive human resources activities. Prior to her consulting role, she had Fortune 200 human resource management experience in the areas of employee relations, human resource planning, as well as training and development. Terri began her career in human resources via government compliance as an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), after a successful career in public relations.

Terri’s key accomplishments have included managing major reorganizations and staffing during mergers and acquisitions; designing and implementing performance management systems; developing start-up human resource plans; and developing corporate diversity initiatives. In addition to these activities, Terri has also designed and conducted several training programs in the area of fair employment practices. In her role as a compliance expert, she has written many Affirmative Action plans and streamlined the AAP process; assisted companies through Department of Labor audits; served as an expert witness in EEO cases; and conducted third-party discrimination, harassment and employee relations investigations. Terri often lectures and speaks about discrimination, harassment and other compliance issues. Terri’s success as a consultant is a result of her ability to quickly identify client needs and to provide practical, cost-effective and cost-saving solutions.

Terri graduated with high honors and a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a mentor with Communities in Schools, assisting at risk youth with the motivation to stay in school and is a board member for the Dallas affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation. She is also a member of the Business Women’s Council. 

 

 

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