Shannon Ulmer, MBA

Experience

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  US Airways (formerly America West Airlines)

  May 1997 - Apr 2006

  Warranty Senior Specialist

  Tenth largest airline in the world with corporate headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. Operates 3,130 flights per day to 132 destinations in 31 countries from its hubs in Phoenix, Charlotte and Philadelphia.• Distinguished as a valuable employee and achieved four promotions within nine years• Directed $1 million landing gear cost recovery program• Collaborated with vendors for the sale of over 30,000 excess aircraft components resulting in $5 million in cost savings in accordance with State and Federal government regulations and airline policies• Accountable for cost recovery of airframe, component, and power plant warranties of $9 billion Boeing Fleet (over 140 aircraft)• Strategically negotiated and attained full recovery or prorated recovery on out of warranty equipment• Directed annual departmental United Way campaign and used a unique wellness plan (departmental jet pull) as the basis for increasing donations Show less

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  Maricopa County

  Apr 2006 - Jul 2006

  Animal Control Officer

  Visited local communities and educated residents on proper animal care. Negotiated with the public and resolved matters accordingly. When required, issued citations and legal documentation. Provided departments with updates and communicated to all levels of the division.• Demonstrated excellent conflict resolution skills through mediation with public

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  Cheifetz Iannitelli Marcolini, P.C.

  Jul 2006 - Apr 2012

  Mid-sized law firm with locations in Arizona and New York specializing in business transactions and disputes, complex commercial litigation, construction defect law and litigation, regulatory compliance, creditors’ rights, real estate, zoning and land use matters and HOA disputes.• Achieved promotion to highest Human Resources position (Director level) in law firm within four years• Supervised a team of 30 staff and all HR administration for national multi-site organization including benefits, compensation, employee wellness and rewards, 401(k) retirement plans, budget, training, and employee development• Managed employee compensation, benefits, and professional development using PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM) software• Collaborated extensively with benefits brokers to develop tools to assist employees in benefits selection• Spearheaded $36,000 in annual cost reductions in benefits while increasing employee benefit coverage• Supervised employee leave, including STD, LTD, and FMLA• Directed employee terminations including COBRA benefits• Oversaw 401(k) employee retirement plans including ERISA• Directed organization’s employee wellness program• Managed payroll and competitive compensation administrative functions for national multi-site operation in accordance with FLSA testing• Oversaw all payroll administration including annual bonuses and employee reimbursements• Created detailed employee policies and procedures manual; audited semi-annually to ensure compliance with State and Federal government regulations• Communicated organizational development objectives and recommendations with Executive Leadership and acted as a liaison between senior management and staff regarding benefits, compensation, staffing, budgets, and organizational process improvements• Governed over $4.5 million in financial accounts and over 900 clients (including Fortune 500 clients)• Analyzed monthly, quarterly, and year-end budget and finance reports Show less

  • Law Firm Administrator / Senior HR Business Partner

    Oct 2010 - Apr 2012

  • Assistant Law Firm Administrator / HR Business Partner

    Jul 2006 - Oct 2010
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  McKeddie Cooley, P.L.L.C.

  Apr 2012 - Oct 2012

  Human Resources Business Partner (Contract Position)

  Law firm specializing in Homeowner Association (HOA) litigation and homeowner’s rights, personal and corporate risk assessment, general civil litigation and business formations and dissolutions.• Oversaw payroll and compensation budgets for law firm• Provided highly complex benefits guidance, data analysis, and interpretation of data and policies to Executive Leadership• Advised Executive Leadership on current Human Resource laws, regulations, and policies to ensure compliance with Federal and State government regulations Show less

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  AmeriCorps VISTA

  Feb 2013 - Mar 2015

  Associate Director - Arizona College Access Network

  Organization of over 350 college access professionals and organizations dedicated to the expansion and improvement of services to low-income, first-generation college students to prepare for, plan, transition and succeed in postsecondary education.• Advised Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) Executive Leadership on network job descriptions, developing performance standards, candidate evaluations, and making recommendations for position appointments• Planned and implemented professional development College Access Professional (CAP) Training for college access and higher education professionals to develop an understating in their role in developing a college-going mission for all students, particularly those in poverty or facing other barriers in postsecondary planning• Evaluated programs and reported on stakeholder and member feedback to identify of areas for improvement and initiate necessary changes in processes to increase membership over 250%• Built and fostered higher education relationships and strategic partnerships to leverage the network’s resources to better serve students• Collaborated with Arizona College Access Network (AzCAN) steering committee members regarding program development strategies• Facilitated and coordinated strategic efforts focused on program evaluation• Served united on multiple steering, advisory, and resource management committees for local nonprofit and State education stakeholders including AzCAN Steering Committee, Job’s for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) Board of Directors, Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) Youth Resource Committee, and the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) Scholarship Review Committee Show less

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  Jobs For Arizona's Graduates

  Dec 2013 - now

  Board of Directors Officer

  Committees: Executive, Human Resources, Business Development, Strategic PlanningJAG's mission is to help young people stay in school and to acquire the academic, personal, leadership, and vocational skills they will need to be successful upon graduation. JAG provides college and career success programming for students who have a desire to better themselves.

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  Children's Action Alliance

  Mar 2015 - Jun 2018

  Director of Operations

  Children’s Action Alliance is an independent voice for Arizona children at the state capitol and in the community working to improve children’s health, education, and security through information and action.• Key leadership team member serving in highest level Human Resources position within the organization• Oversaw all HR administration for statewide organization including employee relations, benefits, EEOC, ADA, compensation, employee wellness program, 403(b) retirement plan, budget, training, and employee development• Collected and conducted salary survey market analysis of survey data from identified peers and published salary surveys, analyzed compensation policies and data for prevailing wage rates, determined market competitiveness and developed compensation and budget recommendations to Executive Leadership and Board of Directors• Performed FLSA testing and internal equity studies for contract, exempt, and non-exempt employees• Oversaw all payroll administration including annual bonuses and employee reimbursements• Collaborated with benefits brokers to develop tools to assist employees in benefits selection• Oversaw 403(b) employee retirement plan and collaborated with investment team to review best practices, new government rules and regulations, and historical market data• Supervised employee leave, including STD and LTD, and implemented temporary assignments to cover anticipated staff shortages• Developed methods to improve employee policies and procedures manual to ensure ongoing compliance• Oversaw $2.6 million annual operating budget and $1.5 million endowment• Managed organizational move to new Phoenix and Tucson office locations including implementing processes, oversight of lease negotiations, vendor contracts, and project management resulting in larger office space to accommodate growth• Created and analyzed monthly, quarterly, and year-end budget, forecast, cash flow, and finance reports Show less

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  Renaissance Personnel Group

  Oct 2018 - Mar 2019

  Contractor

  Renaissance provides expertise in recruiting and placement for the executive search.

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  Arizona Department of Economic Security

  Mar 2019 - now

  • Responsible for overall leadership of Employee Relations (ER) within the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) including extensive Talent Acquisition and Operations oversight• Coach and mentor Executive Leadership on current Human Resource laws, regulations, and policies to ensure compliance with Federal, State and Agency regulations• Increased statewide field team site visits by 65% to increase DDD employee customer service in remotely located offices as part of Customer Service goals in accordance with Arizona Management System (AMS) Lean guidelines• Responsible for 310% average monthly increase in closed ER cases as part of AMS Continuous Improvement goals• Designed and deployed HR initiative for implementation of 17 ER Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as basis for training manual for onboarding new ER team members• Established a 97% team approval rating of Satisfied or Very Satisfied in overall employee surveys and ER team has been awarded eight Shining STAR Awards for outstanding service• Build effective business partnerships with Central Human Resources, Division Executive Leadership teams and other State agency leaders Show less

  • Senior Human Resources Business Partner

    Apr 2020 - now

  • Human Resources Business Partner

    Apr 2019 - Apr 2020

  • Deputy Human Resources Administrator

    Mar 2019 - Apr 2019