As Vice President of Human Resources for this private equity-managed hospitality group, I report directly to the COO and am a member of the executive leadership team. I oversee multiple concepts and brands, supporting 18 companies, 15 restaurants, and over 1,300 employees. In this capacity, I provide strategic leadership guidance and support to our field and Corporate partners in the United States and Singapore.

The Restaurant Recruitment Roundtable is a conglomerate of the nation's most respected talent acquisition professionals in the restaurant and hospitality industry. With over 100 represented brands, the RRR will fill your plate with educational webinars, networking opportunities, and meaningful conversations.Recruiting professionals are represented across all segments of the restaurant industry from fast food to counter service to casual dining to fine dining. Companies that participate include but are not limited to: Cava, bartaco, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants, P.F. Chang's, Brinker, Cheesecake Factory, Torchy's Tacos, Raising Canes, and more. We meet virtually bi-monthly to discuss trends, challenges, and best practices for the restaurant industry. Additionally, we communicate ongoing via email through our email distribution regarding daily ideas, thoughts, and questions. If interested in becoming a member of the RRR, please visit our website at https://restaurantrecruitmentroundtable.com/ or email info@restaurantrecruitmentassociation.com.

Reporting directly to the CFO and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, As the Vice-President of People for a private equity-managed plant-based hospitality group overseeing 17 companies comprising 15 restaurants and more than 1300 employees across the United States and Canada, I provide strategic guidance to field and corporate partners, including the CEO, CFO, Executive Chefs, Directors of Operations, and the organization's leadership team. My role encompasses comprehensive oversight of employee relations, recruitment, talent and performance management, compensation, and legal compliance.

Reporting directly to the CEO and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, I serve As the Vice-President of Human Resources for a private equity-managed hospitality group operating 12 different concepts and two hotels. My responsibility spans 24 companies encompassing 21 restaurants, of which 3 operate under Culinary 226 and Bartenders 165 Union bargaining agreements, 2 hotels, and a workforce of over 1500 employees. My role involves guiding field and Corporate partners, including the CAO, CFO, Executive Chefs, Directors of Operations, and the CEO across the US organization.

Reporting directly to the COO and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, as Vice President of Human Resources for this private equity-managed hospitality group, I oversaw seven different concepts, supporting 18 companies comprising 15 restaurants and over 1100 employees. In this capacity, I provided leadership to our field and Corporate partners, including two Chief Operating Officers, a Vice President of Finance, Executive Chefs, Directors of Operations, Loss Prevention partners, and the CEO across the United States and Singapore.

Reporting directly to the COO and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, as the Director of Human Resources for this private equity-managed hospitality group, I oversaw seven different concepts, supporting 18 companies comprising 15 restaurants and over 1100 employees. In this capacity, I provided leadership to our field and Corporate partners, including two Chief Operating Officers, a Vice President of Finance, Executive Chefs, Directors of Operations, Loss Prevention partners, and the CEO across the United States and Singapore.

Reporting to the Vice-President of Human Resources, I was Regional Director of Human Resources for this private equity-managed casual dining brand, overseeing seven regions encompassing 68 restaurants. In this capacity, I provided guidance to our field and Corporate (RSC) partners, including the Executive Vice President of Ops, Director of Operations, Loss Prevention partners, and the CEO of the Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill organization across the US. My responsibilities included overseeing employee relations, recruitment, talent and performance management, training and development, compensation, and ensuring legal compliance, including conducting wage and hour investigations. I was the primary point of contact for all personnel, employee relations, and legal matters.At Smokey Bones, we specialize in three things: good food, good drinks, and good times. We are a bar and fire grill, but not necessarily in that order. We are grill masters who respect the power of the open flame.

I help raise awareness of the program and serve as spokesperson at times because of my involvement in the program and a past graduate as well.

As the dedicated HR Leader, I provided guidance and direction to 32 districts encompassing over 414 retail stores within Chico’s FAS (CHS) organization, supporting District Sales Managers, Regional Sales Managers, Loss Prevention Managers, and Heads of Stores for the White House|Black Market brand across the United States. In this capacity, my responsibilities involved managing issues related to associate relations, ensuring that problems were methodically documented and devoid of any arbitrary or discriminatory aspects. Additionally, I conducted investigations into inquiries, allegations, and complaints, offering guidance and recommendations to management for resolving problems based on specific circumstances while adhering to policies and maintaining consistency. I also contributed to formulating and coordinating Chico's stance in legal matters, hearings, and charges connected to employment practices. Collaborating closely with District Sales Managers, Regional Sales Managers, and Executive Management, I played a pivotal role in performance management during the annual review process and succession planning. Moreover, I partnered with both Field and Corporate teams in Learning and Organizational Development, as well as Compensation/Benefits, to facilitate the implementation of new programs, processes, and initiatives. Staying abreast of legislative changes impacting human resources, I established and upheld a repository of state employment laws to communicate pertinent updates to the appropriate management and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Additionally, I researched and analyzed Chico's human resources data concerning employment practices to ensure fair treatment of associates. Addressing and meticulously documenting associate relations matters reported through the Open Door & Ethics Communication process was also part of my responsibilities.

ESP PROSEARCH is a team of Retained Executive Recruiters dedicated to disruptive technology focusing on SSL, LED Lighting, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the related Semiconductor Industry. Utilizing our proprietary search methodology and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we identify, recruit and place C-Level Executives, Vice Presidents, Directors, and Managers, in Sales and Marketing, Engineering, Product Development, Product Marketing, Science and Technology. We have proven success delivering outstanding talent that has made significant contributions in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia with Industry Titans to the leading edge Start-Ups. We continue to confidentially build the largest network of industry-specific professionals who can complete today’s mission and achieve tomorrow’s vision! Professionals who excel in this space are encouraged to align with our firm confidentially.SSL / LED Lighting:ESP PROSEARCH has been dedicated to the LED Lighting industry since 2008. We attend and sponsor some of the most important conferences in the industry, including Light + Build (L+B), LIGHTFAIR International (LFI), Strategies in Light (SIL), LEDucation, CES, IoT Evolution Summit, and more. We have relationships with key individuals in all facets of the industry.IoT:ESP PROSEARCH evolved into the IoT industry as the Internet of Things has rapidly changed how the world interacts and connects and is discreetly building the largest global network of true IoT experts in an array of key critical disciplines. To service the unique needs of the IoT ecosystem incorporating HW, SW, Interoperability, Cloud, and Analytics, we added subject matter experts to our team. Pedro may be contacted at 786-573-9273 or pedro@espprosearch.com

Serve as Regional Human Resources manager for this publicly traded 750MM company. I managed three Regions (NE, MA, SE) consisting of 26 Districts with 170 Retail Stores, including Bebe Fashion, BEBE Sport, PH8, and 2B Outlet business with sales of over $400 million in my three regions combined. I was responsible for over 300 employees in the management team and over 4000 sales stylists in my three regions.

Serve as Director of Human Resources for this multi-business empire consisting of Recording Studios, Hospitality Management, which is inclusive of five restaurants and two hotels, as well as the real estate portfolio for the organization. I spearheaded the establishment and execution of the Human Resources department from its inception, strategically crafting benefit programs, training initiatives, recruitment processes, organizational development strategies, legal compliance frameworks, and developing internet-based HR systems and intranet employee self-service systems. Additionally, I introduced performance management systems and oversaw payroll/compensation functions. One of the notable achievements was seamlessly transitioning the company from a self-insured to a fully insured health insurance program. This strategic move saved the company $380K annually and expanded benefit coverage while reducing employee and employer contributions. In safety, I formulated a comprehensive program inclusive of employee incentives, resulting in a 60% reduction in claims activity. This initiative, coupled with a meticulous accounting system that correctly allocated payroll dollars to the appropriate WC codes based on job classifications, culminated in a 32% decrease in total Workers' Compensation premium upon renewal. My meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach was evident in the audit of 401(k) contributions, where I discovered an excess of actual cash contributions amounting to $65K, along with $52K in forfeiture accounts. This discovery led to my appointment as three companies' 401(k) administrator. Furthermore, I orchestrated the negotiation and smooth transfer of all 401(k) assets from Merrill Lynch to John Hancock, resulting in annual savings of $7K in third-party administrator expenses. I also implemented pre-employment programs that substantially mitigated the company’s liability exposure to wrongful hiring practices.

Served as Director of Human Resources for this residential developer with combined sales of over $750mm. I established and executed the HR department from the ground up, strategically crafting benefit programs, training initiatives, recruitment processes, and organizational development strategies, ensuring legal compliance, and spearheading the development of internet-based HR systems alongside intranet employee self-service systems. I orchestrated the implementation of performance management systems and managed payroll and compensation. Additionally, I assumed operational and financial responsibilities for two rental properties, each generating $6,000,000 annually. By optimizing operational procedures and embracing industry best practices, I successfully decreased operational costs by 33% at the rental properties. I propelled occupancy rates from 57% to 94% within four months. Moreover, I mitigated risk exposure by instituting safety programs that substantially minimized liabilities, reducing the worker's comp mod rate to an impressive .70 within the construction industry. I also introduced pre-employment practices encompassing background checks and initiated a Drug-Free workplace program while overseeing the company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). My negotiation skills came into play when I secured health insurance benefits with partners, achieving a renewal with no premium increase and saving the company 22% in premium contributions. Furthermore, I orchestrated the transition of the dental program from AETNA to MET LIFE, resulting in a 7% cost reduction while enhancing employee coverage.

Served as Human Resources Manager for this multi-state $500 mm start-up private opportunity-driven, full-service real estate organization that owns and operates 46 properties with over 14 000 apartment units across nine states. 500 hourly employees/75 salaried professionals. Led the HR department in executing benefit programs, training initiatives, recruitment, and organizational development, ensuring compliance with legal regulations. Implemented internet-based HR systems and intranet employee self-service systems, along with overseeing payroll and compensation. Introduced self-insured benefits, securing a 20% cost savings on anticipated premiums during the 2004 renewal, boosting annual operating cash flow by $247,000, and spearheaded the design and implementation of a cost-effective HR Information System, achieving implementation under $20K (saving $50K) and reducing monthly service fees to under $1.25 per employee (a 50% savings). Successfully slashed Workman’s Compensation expenses by 37%, decreased unemployment rates by 40%, and achieved a 98% success rate in disputing claims.

Served as Human Resources Manager for this $2.4 billion multi-state and multi-country leading producer and marketer of fresh and fresh-cut produce. 700 US employees/ 500 Latin America employees

Served as Human Resource Manager/Communications Associate for this $10 billion multi state fast food giant.Human Resources Manager 1995 - 1998Communications Associate 1989 - 1994