Karen Ancell

Web Portfolio: http://www.webprofile.info/kancell T: 908-387-1372 M: 908-303-0755 Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Email: ancellkaren@gmail.com

HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE

Contribute to achievement of organization goals by positioning HR as strategic business partner. Develop innovative solutions across all HR functions by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to improve employee engagement, reduce costs, streamline processes, and boost profitability. Skilled at building environment that supports individual, team, and company excellence. Respected partner, coach, and senior management consultant. Communicate vision, build rapport, and create organization-wide consensus through expertise in:

Professional Competencies
Organizational Development Strategic Business Partner Employee Relations Benefits Strategy Strategic Planning Risk Management Compliance Leadership

EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
Fitzgeralds Casino, Black Hawk, CO 20002013 Vice President of Human Resources Supervised Benefits Manager and Training & Recruiting Coordinator managing all HR functions, budgeting, business planning, and performance management for 190-employee, casino with 500+ slots and video poker machines, 10 live table games, three bars, and two restaurants. $2.3 million EBITDA goal achieved as team member identifying and implementing cost savings in labor, purchasing, risk management, and processes. Cut self-insured workers compensation reserves from $460,000 annual average to less than $100,000 and maintained level from 2002-2012. Managed execution of benefits strategy for self-insured health and welfare plus retirement programs including annual renewals, plan communications, open enrollment, and vendor management. Implemented common performance review date and facilitated talent review sessions that improved calibration and consistency in employee performance assessments. Developed new wage and salary guide for management that provided guidance on compensation for new hires, promotions, and merit increases. Improved scores on employee engagement survey after initiating companys first monthly and annual recognition programs. Lowered annual turnover from 76% in 2009 to 31% in 2012 by creating modular, management skills training program for entire management team. 75% reduction in annual self-insured workers compensation claims (40 to 10) and 30% decrease in total claims cost achieved in less than four years. Ross Dress for Less, Boulder, CO 19992000 Store Manager Managed operations merchandising, inventory control, recruiting, training, customer service and loss prevention for $5 million retail store specializing in discounted clothing, shoes, and home furnishings. Bath & Body Works, Westminster, CO 19981999 Store Manager Led 10-member staff managing all day-to-day retail functions and training newly appointed assistant managers and managers district-wide for high-volume, blue ribbon, $1 million store selling bath and body products. $1 million in sales achieved in 1998 receiving "blue ribbon" status for first time.

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Store Manager (continued)

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Served as internal consultant to stores district-wide, assisting with training and advising on merchandising, customer service, and selling. Selected by district manager to train new store managers and assistant managers in three states. Barnes & Noble, Glendale, CO 19931998 Store Manager Recruited to manage first store in Phoenix, Arizona that generated $3 million in annual sales. Transferred in January 1996 to manage all business functions for $6 million flagship store in Glendale, Colorado with up to 100 employees (depending on season) for one of nations largest retail booksellers with 450+ stores and 1,000 college bookstores in all 50 states. 100% compliance on loss prevention audit attained within four months of managing Glendale, Colorado store and each quarterly audit thereafter through 1997. Won 1996 national sales contest by increasing average transaction more than $5 from November 1 through December 25. Reader's Market, Atlanta, GA & Phoenix, AZ 19871993 District Manager Provided leadership for 38 store managers and service reps first in $3.4 million Georgia and South Carolina District, then $3.6 million Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada District. Managed openings, staffing, training, and staff oversight for division of Waldenbooks with 600 bookstores inside Kmart stores and 1,400+ employees. Awarded District Manager of Year in 1988 for exceeding sales budget 22% and training newly promoted district managers, and hiring and identifying new district manager candidates. Created store opening checklist and toolkit incorporated into new store opening process company-wide. Opened 10 stores in eight months in Atlanta, GA and five stores in Utah and Colorado in three months.

Additional Career Position

Store Manager, Waldenbooks, Charleston, SC & Atlanta, GA (19801987)

EDUCATION
B.S., History, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Workers Compensation, Mountain States Employers Council FMLA & the Law, Mountain States Employers Council Conducting Workplace Investigations, Mountain States Employers Council Union Avoidance, Mountain States Employers Council Sexual Harassment, Mountain States Employers Council

AFFILIATION
Society for Human Resource Management, Member