• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) offers an extensive knowledge of benefit plans and compliance issues which we face on a consistent basis. • Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) offering a 15-year HR career distinguished by commended performance and proven results. • Extensive background in administering corporate benefit programs, including experience in implementing non-qualified employee benefit plans, employee education, communication and developing a benefit strategies that not only reward employees but also exemplifies corporate culture. • Demonstrated success in negotiating, developing teambuilding programs, writing personnel manuals, corporate policies, and management reports.

Benefits Director @ Responsible for the strategic planning, development, implementation, communication, analysis, and oversight/administration of the Company's Benefits & Compensation Program. Works proactively with other HR Centers of Expertise and Shared Service Center for carrying out the responsibilities of the position. Develop and present the Pillar Hotels & Resorts benefits philosophy objectives, strategic plan and overall deliverables to Executive and HR Leadership. Manages the study, analysis, design, evaluation, communication, implementation, and administration of current benefits programs, policies and procedures; including executive benefits, and all health & welfare, retirement, paid time off, and other fringes benefits. Develops recommendations for improvement. I coordinate with external auditors on the 401(k) audit, review and approve audited financial statements and file Form 5500 for all plans being administered. Key Results: • Saved the company over $1M by implementing a dependents audit for all employees enrolled in the company sponsored medical plan. • Manage vendor relationship with broker/consultants and oversee vendor relationships with various benefit plan carriers and vendors • Develop and implement ongoing employee communications initiatives to ensure positive employees' valuation of their Total Rewards with the organization including standardized new hire and open enrollment communications. • Interpret and ensure compliance with state and federal compensation-related laws. • Provides input in the annual budget process and track and monitor budget throughout the fiscal year. Develop, track, and analyze financial data quarterly and monthly reports for benefit plans. • Develops and executes strategy and plans for educating associates on benefits issues • Evaluates current benefit programs to determine competitive posture and recommend improvements. • Evaluate, recommend and analyze continued wellness program(s) initiatives. From June 2013 to Present (2 years 5 months) Irving, TXBenefits Manager @ Collaborated with leaders at Sammons companies in the US ensuring compliance, offered support, advice and counsel in the execution of the Sammons Enterprises strategy. Designed, planned, and implemented enterprise benefits programs, policies, and procedures. Responsible for ensuring programs met the needs of employees (and their families), complied with legal requirements, and were cost effective. Worked with senior management to create HR policies and procedures, established communication strategies and developed orientation, training and incentive programs. My responsibilities also included but were not limited to maintaining the HR department’s budget as well as the administration of the annual open enrollment process. I also completed and filed Form 5500 for all plans being administered. Key Results: • Educated senior management on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements and the possible affects it will have on the business units within the enterprise. • Fostered a teamwork/open-door environment conducive to positive dialogue across the organization. Personal efforts were cited as the driving force behind the collaboration of several key benefit projects. • Reduced benefits costs by 12% in 2010 and 2011 with the implementation (and combination) of a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), employee education, meticulous record-keeping and ensured that company did not pay for benefits for which employees were ineligible. • Updated employee manual covering issues including disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information. • Revised job descriptions for non-exempt employees. “Shadowed” and interviewed employees to construct an accurate picture of the duties and skills required for each position. • Played a key role in ensuring the successful transition of our retiree pension plan from one vendor to another. Worked on the communication campaign to ensure a seamless transition for retirees currently receiving a benefit. From August 2006 to June 2013 (6 years 11 months) Dallas/Fort Worth AreaBenefits Adminsistrator @ A large law firm with offices in Texas, New York and Washington DC with wide ranging areas of practice. Developed benefits programs to foster effective employee relations and partnered with carriers to develop working relationships that fits with the culture of the Firm. Administered the Firm’s employee group benefit programs which included: health and welfare (medical, dental, vision, FSA), group life and AD&D, short and long-term disability and 401(k) plans. Coordinated health fairs to promote employee wellness and performed exit interviews. Key Results: • Maintained the Human Resources benefit database, which included data entry, audits, adjustments, preparation of management reports and transmission of benefits data to insurance carriers. • Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs (including special events and a tiered awards structure) that increased employee satisfaction and productivity. • Resolved all escalated benefit inquires and issues. Worked closely with insurance carriers to ensure all Partner and staff benefit issues were resolved timely and efficiently. • Saved company thousands of dollars every month by reducing reliance on employment agencies. Brought the majority of formerly outsourced recruiting functions in-house to reduce billable hours from 200+ to less than 15 per month. From April 2005 to August 2006 (1 year 5 months) Dallas/Fort Worth AreaAccount Represenative @ Specializes in the design, implementation and administration of executive compensation and benefits programs. Account Analyst, 2003 to 2004 Managed client relationships and daily administration of Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans though Corporate Owned Life Insurance for Fortune 1000 companies. Key Results: • Prepared Section 16 Reports, which assisted clients with accurate stock accounting to remain in compliance the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. • Oversaw a wide variety of complex executive compensation consulting projects and prepared recommendations for client presentations. • Prepared and audited confidential financial reports which included monthly asset/liability report, fund performance and insurance benefits with respect to the client’s non-qualified plan(s). From April 2003 to September 2004 (1 year 6 months) Dallas/Fort Worth AreaAccount Administrator @ From March 1995 to May 2000 (5 years 3 months) Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

MBA, Business Administration @ Georgia State University From 2001 to 2003 BA, Industrial Pshychology and Organizational Develeopment @ University of Minnesota-Twin Cities From 1995 to 2000 Dana CEBS is skilled in: Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, HRIS, Mergers & Acquisitions, Performance Management, Deferred Compensation, Human Resources