Gerald Westry, MPA

Experience

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  US Army

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  Senior Human Resources Business Manager

  Senior Human Resources Business Manager for an organization consisting of approximately 1285 employees. Served as the Senior Human Resource Manager and advisor to the Senior Military Officer. Responsible for all Human Resources support element functions which includes personnel readiness, strategic replacement operations, personnel actions, performance appraisals, promotions and demotions, awards and decorations, military pay and leave, mail operations, coordinates command information activities, benefits and finance services. Managed a staff of 15 human resource professionals. Show less

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  US Army

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2012

  Human Resources Director

  Senior Human Resources Manager for the 49th Quartermaster Group, consisting of approximately 1800 employees with a critical mission of providing fuel and water across the world. Served as the primary human resource advisor to the Brigade Commander and 2 subordinate battalions on all human resource support activities, which included: awards, daily personnel actions, promotions, benefits and evaluations. Managed and developed a 14 member staff.

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  160th Signal Brigade

  Jun 2012 - Jun 2013

  Human Resources Director

  Human Resources Director for an organization consisting of approximately 3,000 employees. Served as the Senior Human Resource Manager and advisor to the Senior Executive Officer with organization dispersed over five geographical locations. Planned and executed key human resources support functions to include personnel readiness, awards, benefits, promotions, evaluations, pay, leave and strategic planning. Developed and supervised a staff consisting of 45 human resource professionals.

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  US Army

  Oct 2013 - Feb 2016

  Senior Human Resources Officer - Deputy Chief Diversity Officer / Equal Opportunity Program Manager

  Advise and support the Superintendent and the United States Military Academy by ensuring equitable treatment for all persons based solely on merit, fitness and capability in support of readiness. Advise and assist the Superintendent on the Army Equal Opportunity policy to ensure the Academy provides fair treatment for all military personnel, family members, and civilian employees without regard to race, religion, gender or national origin and an environment free of unlawful discrimination.Lead Human Relations Education (EO) program responsible for planning/organizing special education seminars and provide consulting services to commanders, agency managers, supervisors, employees and military members in developing their understanding Equal Opportunity and diversity issues. Program Manager oversight in all functional areas of Equal Opportunity such as complaints adjudication, special emphasis programs, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), diversity initiatives, and meeting the Army’s strategic mission, goal and objectives. Assist the Chief Diversity Officer on all strategic diversity initiatives. Show less

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  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  May 2016 - Aug 2018

  Division Chief, Voluntary Services and Minority Veterans Program Coordinator

  Served as the Service Chief, Voluntary Service (Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations) (Service Chief) Department for Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia. Responsible for the total management of the Fisher House Program and the Voluntary Service Program. Serves as the liaison for all community partners and the Veteran Service organizations. Responsible for community outreach and act as the Minority Veterans Program Coordinator. Plans, coordinates, and integrates all assigned activities in the service. Performs critical program review and analysis across a broad spectrum of initiatives and issues related to community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations. Show less

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  Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)

  Aug 2018 - Nov 2020

  Diversity, Inclusion & Recruiting Program Manager

  Diversity, Inclusion, & Recruiting Program ManagerDefense Contract Management Agency (August 2018 - Present)● Research diversity trends & industry best practice to benchmarking progress● Implement workforce diversity & inclusion programs, initiatives, & training at all levels● Serve as lead diversity & inclusion instructor to teach more than 12,000 team members● Provide guidance on trends analysis of more than 20 affinity groups & ERGs● Recruit talent via partnerships with colleges/universities & professional organizations● Generate comprehensive data for EEO team to create diversity reports, including:○ Disabled Veteran Affirmative Action Program, Federal Equal OpportunityRecruiting Program, & Management Directive-715 Show less

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  Booz Allen Hamilton

  Nov 2020 - Sept 2022

  Human Resources Business Partner

  • Provide Human Resources (HR) support across multiple HR functions to address employee questions, -concerns, and issues. • Deliver high-touch, empathetic customer service to internal customers.• Provide timely outreach, response, and solutions to address and resolve sensitive, complex inquiries with personal attention and focus on employee experience. • Apply specific functional knowledge of policies and procedures as well as general industry knowledge in the delivery of responses and development of or contribution to creating solutions.• Leverage discretion and sound judgment to execute customer service- based procedures and processes while maintaining the integrity of confidential employee information. Show less

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  City of Richmond, Virginia

  Sept 2022 - now

  Provides expert guidance on strategic human resources policy and implementation to align with the utility’s strategic goals, ensuring safe and reliable services. It oversees safety, organizational support, employee relations, workforce strategies, and the FOIA process.Key Responsibilities:• Executive Leadership: Advise senior management and collaborate on policy initiatives and industry standards.• Policy Development: Create, assess, and refine policies to improve utility services, including water, sewer, stormwater, and natural gas distribution.• Impact Evaluation: Monitor policy effectiveness, conduct impact assessments, and recommend improvements.• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare policy documents, reports, and briefing notes to communicate positions and implications.• Workforce Strategy: Partner with HR on employee relations, especially in a unionized setting, and implement initiatives to enhance workplace culture.• Organizational Oversight: Lead safety and support teams, drive workforce innovation, and ensure FOIA compliance. Show less • Provides a neutral, independent, and confidential environment for consultations and listens to concerns to discuss appropriate options for resolution.• Guides, coaches, and refers employees to appropriate resources and coordinate resources as necessary.• Facilitates informal resolution processes. • Keeps secure records in accordance with the recommendations from the International Ombudsman Association. Generate annual reports to share with Senior Level Executives identifying themes emerging from data collected throughout a fiscal year.• Identify organizational culture needs, process improvements and training. Show less

  • Senior Policy Advisor, Organizational Support and Safety - Department of Public Utilities

    Aug 2024 - now

  • Ombuds Officer

    Aug 2023 - Aug 2024

  • HR Division Chief of Labor & Employees Relations and EEO

    Sept 2022 - Oct 2023