UW-Madison: Finalists named in search for human resources director

CONTACT: Darrell Bazzell, (608) 263-2467, dbazzell@vc.wisc.edu

MADISON – Four finalists have been selected in the search for a new human resources director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The finalists are:

– Robert Lavigna, vice president for research, Partnership for Public Service, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization working to revitalize public service.

– Ann Sherman, director of human resources and equal opportunity officer, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.

– Jana Wessels, assistant vice president, University of Iowa Health Care Human Resources, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

– T. Hensley “Ted” Williams, co-principal, The Williams Group, a human resources consulting firm based in Des Moines, Iowa.

A search and screen committee made up of faculty, staff and students recommended the finalists to UW-Madison Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell.

“I am grateful to members of the search committee for the hard work and diligence they brought to the task of filling this key leadership position,” Bazzell says. “The committee has presented a strong group of finalists for the position.”

The candidates will visit the UW-Madison campus in the next few weeks to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members. Dates and itineraries for the campus visits, which will include public forums, will be announced when details are finalized.

The human resources director leads the human resources enterprise for an institution with approximately 15,000 employees, including more than 2,100 faculty, 7,000 academic staff and 5,200 classified staff, plus 5,000 graduate assistants and 7,000 student employees.

In addition to providing leadership, policy direction and management oversight of all human resource services for UW-Madison faculty and staff, the human resources director is expected to take a lead role in developing programs to realize campus goals, such as recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and integrating new technology.

The new director will succeed the retired Carla Raatz, who held the position since 1988. Steve Lund, director of the Academic Personnel Office, is serving as interim director.

More information about the finalists is available at: http://www.vc.wisc.edu/Searches/HRDirector/default.html