PAULA C.

LABIAN
HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE

A highly accomplished, innovative TOP HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE with demonstrated success in delivering results and creating positive culture in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. Provides innovative, strategic, and hands-on operational human resources leadership. Possesses a solid record of building collaborative and highperforming teams. Strong business acumen and an in-depth understanding of human resources and financial/human capital implications of business decisions.
STRATEGIC PLANNING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TALENT MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & HRIS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE MERGERS/ACQUISITIONS/INTEGRATION TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYEE/LABOR RELATIONS RISK MANAGEMENT CULTURE/CHANGE MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE COACHING

BUFFETS, INC. Greenville, South Carolina $1.2B Family Dining Restaurant chain, with over 25,000 employees and a portfolio of 500+ locations in 38 states. Five brands: HomeTown Buffet, Ryans Grill, Old Country Buffet, Fire Mountain Grill, and Tahoe Joes. Executive Vice President, Human Resources 2011- 2013

Responsible for developing and implementing strategic human resources plan for restaurants and corporate support to integrate programs for five brands while aligning workforce with companys short- and long-term business objectives. Provided leadership and strategic direction for corporate and field training, recruiting, compensation, benefits, HR analytics, field human resources/employee relations, and employee communications. Consultant/Advisor to Board of Directors and Compensation Committee Chairperson regarding executive compensation. Directed implementation of new applicant tracking system for corporate/restaurant management and hourly crew members, focused on recruiting, retaining, and developing top talent for organization. Delivered talent management architecture that was integrated from end-to-end, including employment branding; streamlined on-boarding processes; assessments for restaurant positions; workforce planning tools; and initial platform for succession planning to achieve company objectives and goals. Designed and implemented new benefits programs for corporate/restaurant management and hourly crew members, integrating programs for all brands. New designs focus on preventive care, cost containment, and integration with disability and workers compensation programs. First-year cost savings exceeded $1M on medical plans alone. Elevated talent throughout human resources team, resulting in headcount reduction of 30% and total labor savings of over $600,000. Realigned field support to proactively address known deficiencies in performance management and coaching, supporting employment claims and charges trending downward.

AHOLD, USA $22B Grocery Retailer, with over 100,000 employees, four U.S. divisions, and 700+ stores. Executive Vice President, Human Resources

Boston, Massachusetts

2009-2010

Served as executive team member and chief human resources officer responsible for leading strategic direction of U.S. human resource policies, programs, and services. Provided strategic leadership for corporate and field initiatives to maximize recruiting and retention efforts and align team goals and objectives with company culture, core values, and business goals. Ethics Committee Member. Consultant/Advisor to international Board of Directors. Promoted from Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Stop and Shop and Giant Landover brands.

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Developed and implemented people strategy for consolidation of four U.S. divisions, including performance assessments, career development plans, leadership development training, and restructuring/early retirement programs. Achieved $60M savings in administrative costs year one. Led assessment of human resource programs and developed strategic plan to more effectively manage financial risk associated with over $4B in health and welfare, and pension multiple-employer plans while ensuring programs were cost effective, competitively designed, and aligned within culture and core values. Achieved status as most cost-effective union negotiations in history of company. Coached and mentored senior leadership and executive team, with emphasis on ensuring leadership styles conducive to reinforcing culture and core values while inspiring increased performance levels. Contributed to global team to update international succession plan and increase value of global leadership development training. Expanded corporate diversity initiatives through collaboration with field operations and senior leadership to align programs/projects with supplier diversity and regional business development initiatives. Evolved diversity from human resource initiative to an organizational initiative that guided how company operated in all aspects of business.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC. Austin, Texas The worlds leading retailer of natural and organic foods, with 280+ stores and 54,000+ employees in North America and United Kingdom. Listed on Fortune Magazines 100 Best Companies to Work For. Global Vice President, Human Resources 2003-2009

Top human resource executive provided leadership and strategic vision to lead the company through significant growth while evolving the culture. Led design and delivery of human resource policies, services, and related programs including: payroll, stock administration, strategic employee communications, global training and development, employee relations, HRIS, risk management, and facilities management. Advisor and consultant to Executive Council. Chaired Employer Committee, Investment Committee, and Benefits Administrative Committee. Promoted from Director of Total Rewards. Developed strategic recruitment plan to support 87 new store openings within U.S., Canada, and UK and significant merger and acquisition activity. Increased new hire retention by 25% while improving candidate quality, further promoting a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and innovation. Designed and implemented comprehensive compensation and benefits package to support recruiting and retention efforts while emphasizing culture of compassion and self-responsibility. Generated over $40M in direct cost savings while significantly improving administrative processes for employees and HR team. Developed a best-in-class human resources team by aligning team goals and objectives with business goals, assessing individual/team capabilities, developing career paths, and better aligning skills with traditional and non-traditional roles.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA, INC. Jacksonville, Florida The largest health plan provider in Florida and part of the larger Blue Cross Blue Shield health care system. Director, Total Rewards 1999-2003

Directed compensation and benefits administration, program design and development, and human resource information systems to support more than 10,000 corporate and field employees and more than 1,500 retirees. Led programs in excess of $2B. Managed executive compensation and benefits. Advisor and consultant to Board of Directors. Worked extensively with Chief Executive Officer and executive team. Promoted from Compensation and Benefits Consultant. Led redesign of compensation and benefits programs to support cultural transformation, align programs with evolving competitive environment, and increase performance management. Designed format and led focus group sessions to develop baseline for understanding needs of employees, alignment with core values and culture, and identify opportunities for improving performance levels. Developed innovative programs in the areas of integrated disability management, including workers compensation, safety, short-term and long-term disability, pension, and 401-K subsequently used by Blues plans throughout the U.S. as a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield Associations National Employee Benefits Association (NEBA). Designed and implemented early retirement programs.

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

HARRIS SPECIALTY CHEMICALS MANUFACTURING, INC., Jacksonville, Florida, Director, Human Resources, 1997-1999. BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA, INC., Jacksonville, Florida, Manager, Compensation and Benefits, 1993-1997. MARINE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC., SEA BARGE, Jacksonville, Florida, Division Manager, Human Resources and Facilities, 1990-1993. GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY, San Diego, California, Manager, Administration, 1984-1987. BANK OF CORONADO, Coronado, California, Manager, Administration, 1981-1984.
EDUCATION

St. Louis, Missouri M.A., Business Management, Human Resources Development, 1997
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA,

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY,

Chapel Hill, North Carolina B.A., Political Science, 1980

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Harvard Executive Retail Academy, 2009 Numerous Leadership, Human Resources, and Business Courses
PUBLIC SPEAKING

Panel Speaker Human Resources in Tough Economic Times, Watson Wyatt Client Conference, 2008, Chicago, IL Keynote - The Importance of Employer Branding, Southern Methodist University Human Resource Executives Roundtable, 2008, Dallas, TX Appeared on ABC 20/20 News, Health Care Crisis in America, 2007 Featured in various articles, including Fortune Magazine, Employee Benefit News, The Wall Street Journal, Austin American Statesman, Jacksonville Times Union, and BizMe website Panel Presenter The Conference Boards National Conference on Health Care, 2004, New York City and San Diego, CA
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Society for Human Resource Professional, SPHR Designation, Member since 1986 Global Professional in Human Resources, GPHR Designation (testing May 2013) World at Work, Member since 1986 National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, Member since 2003 International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Member since 2003 Board of Director for Family Care Connections (501c), 1993 to 1997 Florida SHRM Legislative Committee Member, 1993 to 1996
AWARDS

Global All Star Whole Foods Market Global Leadership Award 2004 Top 25 Family Friendly Company City of Jacksonville 2000-2003 Benny Award Honorable Mention Employee Benefit News 2001 Grand Image Award Jacksonville Public Relations Association 2001 Award of Distinction State of Florida Public Relations Association 2001