DEBI CHERNAK, SPHR

SENIOR HR PROFESSIONAL / BUSINESS PARTNER / DIRECTOR / VP

Strategic & Workforce Planning
Corporate & Employment Branding
Recruiting & Retention of Top Talent
Organization Development, Culture & Values
Employee Relations & Engagement
Coaching & Performance Management
Total Rewards / Compensation & Benefits
Best Companies to Work for in Colorado
Employment Law Compliance
Contracts  *  Facilities  *  IT  *  Administration

EDUCATION

M.Ed. in Organizational Performance & Change
Colorado State University, Denver, Colorado  *  GPA 4.0

B.B.A. in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude
Loyola College, Sellinger School of Business & Management, Baltimore, Maryland 
*  GPA 3.9
Concentrations in Management, Marketing & Organizational Behavior

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

VICE PRESIDENT of HUMAN RESOURCES, BRANDING & ENGAGEMENT
The Affinity Corporation, Inc.  *  Denver, Colorado  *  2009 to 2010
The Affinity Corporation partners with community stakeholders to develop and
empower vibrant, sustainable communities through affordable housing, economic
development, and educational achievement. 
 *  Executive accountability for strategic planning, budgeting, internal and
external branding and engagement, marketing, communications, staffing,
organizational structure, compensation and benefits, organization development,
business development research, customer training and support.
 *  Joined the company as Director of Human Resources and quickly promoted to VP
of HR, Branding & Engagement. Reported to CEO and supervised Director of
Development Services, Director of Creative Strategy, Director of Communications,
and Human Resources Manager.

DIRECTOR of HUMAN RESOURCES
Aztek Networks, Inc.  *  Boulder, Colorado  *  2001 to 2008
Global leader in the development of telecommunications access network products;
named a Top 25 Small/Medium Company in “Best Companies to Work for in Colorado * 
in 2008 and 2009.
 *  Executive Strategy Team member, instrumental in guiding Aztek’s
transformation from a privately-held contract engineering company to a venture
capital-funded product leadership company. 
 *  Post-VC funding, spearheaded Cultural Values Initiative that became the
foundation of the company’s new vision, mission, guiding principles, and
strategic plans and budgets.
 *  Drove the restructuring and alignment of corporate/department/individual
strategic planning, budgeting, goal setting, and performance management
processes.
 *  Ensured that Total Rewards philosophy and compensation and benefits programs
continually met recruiting, retention, and strategic business goals and
objectives. 
 *  Implemented innovative recruiting, engagement. and retention strategies,
including an incentive stock option plan, dual career ladder for technical staff,
expanded flex-time and telecommuting opportunities, and contractor/employee
referral bonus program.
 *  Directed recruiting, selection, and onboarding to meet Aztek’s real-time,
flexible staffing needs scaled to product development and release lifecycles.
 *  Developed and implemented a values- and competency-based 360-degree
performance management program tied to corporate goals and objectives.
 *  Trained and coached employees, managers and executives on core
organizational competencies, including leadership, management, values-based
decision making, employee relations, performance, goal setting, interviewing,
team building, and legal compliance.
 *  Directed task forces conducting needs analyses, research, and vendor
selection for applicant tracking, talent management, and HRIS software solutions
to increase efficiency and effectiveness of HR processes, reduce costs, and
improve HR metrics.
 *  Senior member of IT/Facilities Committee.
 *  Supervised staff of up to four, including a Senior Technical Recruiter,
Benefits Administrator, Travel and Events Coordinator, and
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.

VICE PRESIDENT of HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION
Live Wire Networks, Inc.  *  Denver, Colorado  *  1996 to 2000
Competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) providing VoIP, DSL, LAN/WAN network
integration, and voice and data cabling services to commercial and residential
customers along the Front Range. 
 *  Established and directed human resources, sales, and marketing functions.
Developed, documented, and trained employees on policies and procedures for
recruiting and selection, performance management, compensation, benefits,
administration, sales, finance, and operations. 
 *  Revamped sales commission plan and instituted employee and customer referral
bonus programs. 
 *  Drove corporate branding and marketing campaigns, including development of
new logo and identity package, PR and media advertising campaigns, new product
and service introductions, web site, trade shows, quarterly customer newsletter,
and corporate networking activities. 
 *  Developed human resources and customer service plan for multi-state
expansion and delivered presentations to private and venture capital investors. 
 *  Joined the precursor company (Advanced Cabling & Communications, Inc.) as
Business & Marketing Manager; co-founded AccNet of Colorado, LLC; ACC and AccNet
later merged to form Live Wire Networks.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

PHR/SPHR Certification Course Instructor  *  Colorado State University; Regis
University; Colorado Human Resource Association; Boulder Area Human Resource
Association

Business & Marketing Manager  *  Gallagher Marine Systems, Alexandria, VA

Founder & President  *  ExecuType Business Centers, Inc., Baltimore, MD

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE

Best Companies to Work for in Colorado, 2010  *  Marketing & Social Media
Committee
CHRA Annual Conference; Colorado SHRM Biennial State Conference  *  Volunteer
Alliance of Professional Consultants  *  Officer, Member, Fellow
Conifer Community Park * Beaver Ranch  *  Board of Directors, Fund-Raising
Chair, Bark Park Chair 

CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

SPHR  *  Senior Professional in Human Resources
PHR  *  Professional in Human Resources
CPC  *  Certified Professional Consultant

Society for Human Resource Management
Colorado Human Resource Association
Boulder Area Human Resource Association
Colorado State University Alumni Association 
The DaVinci Institute