Tonja LaFrenz

TONJA LAFRENZ
3220 Coal Mine Avenue · Rifle, Colorado 81650
(970) 930-0068 · getajob@sopris.net

CAREER COUNSELOR / ADVISOR / RECRUITER / HUMAN RESOURCES

Accomplished HR executive and career consultant, with an exceptional 20+ year record of cultivating and developing top talent for companies with 50 to 400+ employees. Continuously maximize performance and productivity through innovative recruitment, placement, and organizational strategies. Dynamic relationship manager, with demonstrated success in building valuable partnerships and creating positive workplace environments. Diverse background spans employment consulting, municipal, retail, telecommunications, tax services, and financial services organizations.

Professional strengths include:

Human Resources Management · Recruitment · Career Consulting · Organizational Development · Team Leadership
Risk Management · Training & Development · Negotiations · Compliance · Performance Management · Staffing
Community Outreach · Policy Development & Implementation · Employee Relations · Compensation & Benefits
Conflict Resolution · Coaching & Feedback · Process Improvements · Client Relationship Management
Willing to Relocate


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BLONDE BOMBER ENTERPRISES, INC., Glenwood Springs & Rifle - Colorado · 1996-Present
Small employment consulting company with $500K-$2M+ in sales; DBA Office Services Unlimited, Inc.

President & Owner / Employment Consultant
Place individuals in temporary and direct hire positions; fill client job orders through networking and advertising. Screen, interview, and test applicants on job-related skills and forward top candidates to clients. Process payroll for up to 200 temporary employees per year including payroll quarterly reporting, electronic tax payments, accounts payable / receivable, general ledger, and W-2’s. Send financials to a CPA for year-end income tax processing. Manage all aspects of HR functions including unemployment & workers’ compensation claims, training & development, and regulatory compliance. Develop and execute marketing, advertising, and promotional programs. Build and maintain client network.
· Promoted from temporary administrative employee to Placement Coordinator within one year of employment; purchased business in 1999 and grew to $2M in sales by second year.
· Placed hundreds of applicants via strategic networking; recognized as local industry leader and staffing expert.
· Significantly reduced workers’ compensation costs by obtaining Cost Containment Certification through insurance carrier, which is the highest level of safety management offered.
· Became educated in IT and security clearance recruiting by researching industries, networking, and attending seminars; placed translators & interpreters in Baghdad after 9/11 via a Federal contract as a 3rd party recruiter.
· Raised $33K in 2002 for YouthZone, a non-profit organization that assists troubled children.
· Organized and co-founded “Community Employment Connection—Keeping Hope Alive” community brainstorming sessions for the unemployed in 2009; recognized in local newspapers.
· Received a Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association Top Brass Award, honoring top local businesses.


CITY OF BULLHEAD CITY - Bullhead City, Arizona · 2004-2006
City government in one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona (population 40,000+) with 400 employees.

Human Resources Manager / Risk Manager
Performed professional and managerial duties including recruitment & selection, compensation & benefits, training & development, employee relations, risk management, union negotiations, wellness, safety, and other related human resources programs. Assisted City Manager in revision of employee performance appraisal system and policy manual. Presented departmental budget recommendations and cost-analysis justifications to City Council. Served as a mediator between managers and their staff using conflict resolution methods. Recommended disciplinary actions and performed terminations face-to-face. Managed an HR staff of 5 people. Negotiated and bargained with Police Department’s union reps regarding compensation and benefits.
TONJA LAFRENZ · Page 2 · getajob@sopris.net



CITY OF BULLHEAD CITY, continued. . .

· Recommended and obtained budget allotment for SkillCheck computerized job-related testing software; replaced out-dated paper testing system.
· Recommended and obtained budget allotment for ADPScreening computerized screening for applicants to the; replaced inefficient screening via phone, mail, and fax.
· Implemented internet recruiting for upper-level IT positions utilizing industry specific sites; replaced previous system of mailing job opening brochures which yielded little or no response.
· Collaborated with IT department to develop a new and effective performance evaluation system that accurately and consistently tracked employee performance evaluation dates electronically utilizing AS/400 system.

LACO GAS N STUFF - Glenwood Springs, Colorado · 1995-1996
Four convenience store locations with approximately 50 employees.

Human Resources Manager
Managed all facets of human resources including payroll, interviewing, selection, new hire orientation, training, employee relations, evaluations, employee benefits, and regulatory compliance. Acted as liaison between managers and employees; addressed problems and resolved conflicts. Handled unemployment claims and appeals. Processed accident reports and workers’ compensation claims. Processed accounts payable; also reported weekly and monthly store sales for general manager and owner of business.
· Revised existing employee handbook to comply with all current state and federal legislation.
· Established company’s first-ever new hire orientation classes.
· Developed and implemented all company forms for use of warning reports and terminations.
· Created effective and consistent employee performance appraisal system for managers.
· Reduced unemployment costs by initiating thorough investigation / documentation on every claim; also reduced workers’ compensation costs by working with insurance carrier to obtain discounts through select providers.

EARLY CAREER NOTES (full details upon request)

HR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. - Chicago, Illinois / Recruiter & Office Manager
· Facilitated re-hiring of 500+ Ameritech employees during company reorganization; also recruited 250+ employees for First Chicago Bank and Jackson Hewitt Tax Services.

HEATHERTON MANAGEMENT TEAM, LTD. - Chicago, Illinois / Human Resources Generalist
· Recruited all levels of staff for 100+ client companies in diverse industries.

SUPER VALU FOODS, INC. - Harvard, Illinois / Human Resources Manager
· Developed employee policy manual and job descriptions; also administered weekly payroll for 90 employees.

EDUCATION

M.S.I.R., Human Resources & Industrial Relations
Loyola University - Chicago, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Nebraska


PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Public Sector Human Resources Management Certification · HIPAA Compliance Certification
Bargaining & Negotiating Seminar · IT Terminology Training offered by SemCo


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Past Advisory Board Member, Better Business Bureau – Mountain States
Past Ambassador (5-years), Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
Past Secretary (3-years), Rotary International - Glenwood Springs, Colorado