Michael W. Dolen

Acquired on December 31, 2010 by a private investor and the senior management team, Gerber Coburn (formerly a subsidiary of Gerber Scientific, Inc.) became COBURN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Coburn designs, engineers, manufactures and services highly complex computer integrated optical lens processing systems and the appropriate consumable supplies that are used in surfacing prescription lenses, and then coating and machining them for eye wear. Coburn also supplies eye care practitioners with state-of-the-art vision diagnostic systems.

Worked the asset sale of Gerber Coburn on behalf of Gerber Scientific, and later accepted invitation of new owner to lead the HR and risk management functions of this new privately held company. Installed in only 6 weeks a new HRIS, payroll services, health insurance and benefits programs, property & casualty insurance, workers' comp, and hired key staff, all completed before newco go-live.  Serve today as senior management team member, minority owner, executive adviser and employee advocate. Introduced employee engagement survey and programs. Negotiate annually all aforementioned benefits and business insurance programs. Key participant in safety and wellness programming. Personally conduct all recruitment efforts in-house (70+ adds in 6 years covering all disciplines). Revamped performance management system and added a formal individual development planning process. Championed "Customer First" culture initiative and spearheaded "Be Our Guest" employee training to reinforce service excellence standards.

$500+ million global manufacturer of innovative automation technologies marketed to increase productivity in a variety of industries including apparel manufacturing, lens processing, thermal and inkjet imaging, and more. Rose rapidly from HR Director (1995) at GC to HR VP (1999) at GS, Inc. Oversaw expansion due to organic growth and acquisitions integrating multiple corporate cultures, policies and benefits, and consolidating facilities. Participated in business strategy development as part of corporate SMT leading to significant growth in target market segments. Centralized, managed and mentored HR staff of 7 full time and 3 part time employees providing shared services among 4 business units and parent company. Instituted applicant tracking system and e-learning employee development program to improve services while reducing company spend in recruitment and training. Modeled annual equity grant and incentive bonus programs for review and approval by CEO and Compensation Committee of Board of Directors. Investigated and issued reports to senior management and Board of Directors for whistle-blower complaints. Regularly attended and presented at BOD committee meetings.

HR and labor relations assignment in a newly created role of HR Director for both Town and Board of Education reporting to both Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools as a shared service. Oversaw contract administration for 9 collective bargaining units and over 1,000 employees, chief spokesperson and negotiator over several CBAs and represented management in union discussions, grievance hearings and arbitration cases.  Put new HR practices into place for benefits administration, workers compensation and recruitment / selection.

Recruited to lead the HR function for a start-up state-of-art manufacturer of ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets and other furniture products headquartered in Enfield, CT with factories in Vermont and Ohio. True start-up operation; one of a handful of people to quickly build and grow the business and capitalize on the emerging home improvement market. Reported to cabinet icon and owner Malcolm Healey. Implemented entire human resources and benefits structure from scratch. Company moved to Ohio in 1990 whereupon I was recruited to the Town of Enfield.  Continue to stay in  touch with Healey family who sold the business to MASCO Corporation in 1999 for $1 billion.

Additional post-graduate work at NYU and UNH