Mary T. Cooley, Ph.D., SPHR, SCP
(505) 975-2626 (cell)
email: mary@hrsolutionsnm.com or mary.cooley@comcast.net
EXPERIENCE:
Principal Consultant
HR Solutions, LLC
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 9/99 – Present
Consult to over 100 different Southwestern US based profit and non-profit organizations on human resources and organizational development issues. Duties include C-level coaching and advising, creation and rollout of compensation and performance review systems, facilitation and training of employees and boards, development of key policies and procedures and compliance based audits and investigations for external parties (attorneys, board chairs, EEOC). Train leaders and employees on topics ranging from harassment, employment law, motivation, and legal and ethical termination.
Samples of specific activities include:
- Served as Interim HR Director for Presbyterian’s Espanola Hospital and El Centro Family Health Clinics (multiple locations throughout northern NM) while overseeing the regional searches for both positions.
- Created and implemented a paperless, online benefits program for 600 employees located in remote areas of four states.
- Conducted several key executives searches and relocations.
- Conducted on-site management and leadership training for all managers/supervisors of over 100 for profit and non-profit organizations across the Southwest.
- Lead the human capital efforts of the acquisition of Texas based electrical distributor Warren Electric by NM based Summit Electric Supply, (now the 17th largest electrical distributor in the U.S. with annual sales of over 700M and over 600 employees in five states and three countries). Served as VP of Associate Services for one year to facilitate the smooth transition of the acquisition.
- Expert witness for both plaintiff and defense attorneys since 2008.
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty Member
University of New Mexico, College of the Library/OLIT, 2012-Present
Teach graduate level elective courses on leadership, positive psychology and emotional intelligence. Co-taught with Dr. Patricia Boverie and teach courses independently as well.
University of New Mexico, Robert O. Anderson School of Business, Management Development Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 9/99 – 2008
Instructor for HR related courses as part of the Robert O. Anderson School of Management and Management Certificate Programs. Created customized training curriculum on behalf of UNM for a variety of clients. Created two 12-session HR certificate courses, Keys to an Effective HR Department and Power Tools of HR: Advanced Tools for HR Professionals. Successfully trained over 1200 professionals to date, including the entire UNM HR department. Both courses were among the most popular offered at UNM. Consistently ranked as one of the highest scoring instructors at the Anderson School.
- Authored an online training for UNM’s Auxiliary Services Division on customer service.
- Consistently ranked as one of the top speakers and trainers.
- Training clients included: Presbyterian Healthcare, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), State of New Mexico, French Mortuary, NM Mutual and Casualty, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, First Community Bank and UNM.
- Taught MGMT 562: Organizational Behavior and Diversity, Spring 2008.
Western Governors University (WGU)/Business School Faculty Member, 2014-2015.
Taught MBA and undergraduate business courses and HR certification courses (SPHR/PHR) focused on human resources theories and practices.
Director of Human Resources
Hyatt Hotels, Albuquerque, New Mexico 8/97 – 9/00.
Responsible for all areas of human resources including recruitment, training, benefits and compensation planning and implementation, and all employee relations issues for 300 employees. Implemented an Employee Assistance Program and dramatically increased number and type of training programs held for employees at all levels. Heavy emphasis placed on recruitment and retention, training and employer/employee relations. Supervised three human resources/payroll employees.
- Reduced turnover from 97% annually in 1996 to 45% in 1998; to 25% turnover in 1999. Recognized at an international level for this success.
- Improved favorability rating in Employee Opinion Survey from 91 in company (out of 107 hotels) to 29 in one year – single biggest improvement of any hotel in history of Hyatt.
Director of Human Resources
Futures for Children, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 5/96 – 8/97.
Responsible for all areas of human resources including recruitment, training, benefit and compensation planning and implementation and all employee relations issues. Conducted a national/regional salary and benefits survey; created a new performance management system. Created and implemented a flexible benefits plan.
- Implemented an on-site day care program for all staff.
International HR Consultant
Toulouse, France, 4/95 – 1/96.
Assisted small and medium sized companies with human resource issues including recruitment, policy development, compensation surveys, government compliance and cultural exchange. Conducted training sessions and benefit information meetings as needed. Held Secret Clearance.
- Trained recently relocated employees and spouses on cultural exchange challenges between U.S. and France.
Manager of Human Resources
Anderson DeBartolo Pan, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, 1/92 – 4/95.
(Arizona’s largest Architecture and Engineering firm)
Responsible for all human resource functions including recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee relations and government compliance for 300 employees located in offices in Arizona, California, Colorado and South Carolina; and satellite offices throughout the US and Thailand. Duties included hiring all employees including executive level staff. Created an internal referral system, which
dramatically reduced necessity to use outside recruiters saving the firm $225,000 in its first year of use. Created a flexible benefits plan which reduced employer and employee medical costs by approximately $200,000, 20% of the annual premium. Implemented a performance review plan as well as updated compensation levels for each salary grade annually. Reduced employee turnover 12%. Hired 120 new employees in a 12-month period. Implemented an HR information system (ADP) to dovetail with the existing payroll system. Created an employee handbook. Wrote and implemented domestic and international relocation policies. Created a policy on harassment in the workplace and trained all employees on how to recognize harassment.
First ADP client in state of AZ to go to an online/paperless benefits and payroll system. Recognized nationally for success of this program.
Technical Recruitment Manager
GTE/ Space Systems Group, Pasadena, California, 1/90 – 1/92.
Responsible for recruiting, interviewing, selecting and hiring all technical personnel to work on NASA/JPL space exploration projects. Recruited new graduates from select nationwide campuses as well as experienced candidates for all division positions. Worked closely with all technical managers to determine what type of candidates to look for to satisfy open requirements. Developed company brochure for on-campus recruiting. Monitored compensation and fringe benefits for all new employees. Coordinated employee morale and special employee recognition events. Tracked and monitored EEO hiring standards. Counseled existing employees with career related decisions and concerns. Supervised two recruiters and one administrative staff person.
- Recruited over 400 technical new hires in a six-month time period.
HR Representative, Academic and Cooperative Education Coordinator
California Institute of Technology/NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. 5/88-1/90.
Responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of the two largest Laboratory academic programs (500+ students). Recruited potential candidates from top university campuses across the United States. Gave training seminars to students on topics such as resume writing, communicating with supervisor, career planning and organizational policies/procedures. Coordinated the hiring process of students with JPL technical and administrative managers. Assisted in the conversion process of student employees to full-time employees. Oversaw the academic process of student employees via a computer system developed with individual school registrar offices. Created two program brochures, a program video, and a student and supervisor handbook that were distributed to colleges nationwide. Held Secret Clearance (DOD).
- Created a new employee orientation program used for all new hires, regardless of level.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Ph.D. Organizational Learning and Instructional Technology, (OLIT)
Dissertation title: Trait Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction Levels: A Quantitative Study of Faculty Teaching Online
Graduated: 2014, GPA: 4.01/4.0 – Graduated with Distinction
Named convocation student speaker by the UNM College of Libraries faculty, May 2014
University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona.M. A. in Higher Education Administration
Minor: Human Resource Management
Graduated: 1994, GPA: 3.57/4.0
University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona.
B. A. in Communication
Graduated: 1988
Certified, Mediator. UNM Law School, 2021.
Certified, Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), Awarded Lifetime Certification Designation, 1994-Present.
Certified, Development Dimensions International (DDI) Facilitation Skills Trainer, 1999.
Certified, Thomas-Killman Conflict Resolution Instrument, 1999.
PUBLICATIONS:
“What Grade Has Your HR Department Earned?” A speech written for the UNM’s semester kickoff to the community. Reprinted with permission in several academic periodicals across the Southwest. January 2003.
Putting Out the Fire: Reducing Turnover in the Service Industry, Cover article, Employment Management Journal, Winter 2004.
- Training Curriculum Created for UNM and Other Clients:
- Understanding Employment Law: From Hiring to Retiring
- Legal Issues In Employment
- Effective Difficult Conversations
- Effective Performance Reviews
- Creating A Harassment-Free Workplace
- Valuing Differences – Making Diversity Work
- Interpersonal Communication In Today’s Workplace
- Manager’s Guide to the World of Employment
- Goal Setting That Works
- Embracing Change
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Keynote speaker for the following organizations:
International Ticketing Professionals Association (INTIX), National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO), The National Home Healthcare Association, The National Banker’s Association, the National Bookstore Manager’s Association, and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
ASSOCIATIONS / HONORS:
- HR Educator of the Year Award, recipient, National Society of Human Resource Management/Southwest Regional Conference, 2006.
- Professional Excellence Award recipient, NM Society of Human Resource Management, 2003.
- Most Passionate HR Professional Award recipient, NM Society of Human Resource Management, 2002.
- Honored as one of “40 Under 40” in New Mexico by the New Mexico Business Weekly, 2002.
- Commission on the Status of Women, Visions Award Recipient, 1999.
- YWCA’s “Women on the Move” nominee, 1999, 2003.
- SHRM State Council Co-Director/Professional Development, 2016-2017.
- President, Human Resource Management Association, 2002.
- Diversity Director, SHRM National Board, Area VI, 2001-2002.
- HRMA Chair, Diversity Council and Statewide Conference 2000 Committee Chair, 1999-2000.
- National Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Member, 1993 – Present.
- Human Resource Management Association (HRMA), Member, 1995- Present.
- Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) HR Committee Task Force Chair, 1998-1999.
- Board of Directors, Personnel Committee Chair, – Ronald McDonald House, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1999 – 2001.
- Board of Directors – Adelante Development Center, 1999 – 2001.
- Founding Board Member, New Mexico Ethics Alliance, 2006 – 2009.
- Disciples of Christ, Disciples Home Mission, Presidential Search Committee/National Search, 2022.
- Disciples of Christ, DHM National Board Member, 2023 – 2029.
- United Way of Central NM Board Member, 2010 – 2014.
- United Way, Alexis de Tocqueville Stewardship Chair, 2009 – 2012.
- United Way Women In Philanthropy Steering Committee Member, 2003- Present.
- United Way Allocations Team Member, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2009, 2019.