HRMAC Award Winners Announced
John E. Rooney, U.S. Cellular, Becky Bacidore, Nicor, Inc. and Lyndy Nierman, SSP BPI Group are the first recipients of HRMAC’s new Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards. The presentations were made at SUMMIT 2008 on November 5 in Rosemont. (See related story below.)
(L to R) John Rooney, Becky Bacidore, Lyndy Nierman
In the first year for each of these excellence awards, HRMAC’s Board of Directors sought to recognize innovative leaders and high-energy volunteers who are affecting real HR change in their companies and for the HR community.
As the Leader of the Year recipient, John Rooney is a poster child for building the business strategy through a sound, comprehensive foundation of HR practices.
Key to this recognition is the value he places on the associates employed by the company. He has identified the quality of the workforce as U. S. Cellular’s strategic differentiator in the highly competitive telecommunications arena. HR is tapped to lead the strategic direction that creates customer loyalty by way of loyal, enthusiastic and engaged associates. Leadership, training and succession planning are central to his personal leadership philosophy. He is highly respected by his employees, recognized by peers as a thought-leader, and is a model for display of the highest levels of professional ethics.
In the Volunteer of the Year nominations two outstanding contributors were recognized.
Becky Bacidore has consistently modeled strong leadership and the highest levels of professionalism in her many volunteer roles with HRMAC. Whether chairing this year’s Membership Committee, leading the West Suburban Interest Group for two years, or serving as a member of the Board of Directors, the Leadership Series Committee, and the Education Committee, Becky has displayed a positive attitude and a willingness to contribute with both enthusiasm and brain power. She is a true impact player!
Lyndy Nierman has a long tenure of contributing to the HR profession in a variety of roles and capacities. At HRMAC, she has been active on the Membership Committee, the Nominating Committee and held leadership roles with the North/Northwest Interest Group for many years. For the past four years, she has chaired the New Member Breakfast series and continues in that role today. Those who have volunteered with her know she is a frequent speaker, a go-to resource for even the not-so-easy tasks, and a giver who generously shares her network. Lyndy’s tireless service and HRMAC advocacy make her a volunteer to be cloned!
We congratulate these winners and the many outstanding HR professionals nominated for both awards. Details on the 2009 Awards of Excellence program will be announced in the spring.
