HRMAC Announces Chicagoland Awards of Excellence Recipients
Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) October 30, 2013 -- The Human Resources Management Association of Chicago named Brian R. Gamache, the former Chairman and CEO of WMS Industries, and Brian G. Clarke, Kensington International, its 2013 Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award recipients, respectively. The award presentations will be held during HRMAC’s premier annual event, SUMMIT 2013.
The annual Leader of the Year award program honors one Chicago-based business leader who has demonstrated the ability to execute leading-edge human capital practices while realizing business strategy success. The HRMAC Board of Directors selected Mr. Gamache for this award in recognition of his servant-leadership, his respect and caring for employees and his ability to inspire those around him to act and contribute their very best. Employees are supported in their personal and professional growth with an emphasis on work-life balance.
Not only did Mr. Gamache invest in the building of a stronger HR management team, he created a dedicated HR leader position at the Board of Directors level, and expanded the internal HR team to include functional experts. He also introduced a new employee opinion survey, revamped the WMS wellness program to include financial rewards for behavior change and renewed the Company’s commitment to 32 hours of annual training per employee and 16 hours of paid time off to support community volunteer activities.
With People as the lead component in his leadership philosophy focused on People, Products, Process and Profits, Mr. Gamache believes success begins and ends with a knowledgeable and engaged workforce. He nurtured a talented, creative workforce and a culture of innovation that would become the hallmark of WMS’ success. Under his leadership, and with the support of WMS employees, the Company has emerged as an industry innovator in global gaming entertainment with revenues more than doubling and stockholder value increasing nearly six-fold during his tenure.
Not only is Brian respected by his employees, the company has been recognized as a best place to work by the Chicago Tribune and the National Association for Business Research. Under his leadership, Fortune named WMS one of the fastest growing companies in the country and the WSJ names WMS among the Top 20 publically traded companies in compounded annual return over the past decade.
Following the acquisition of WMS by Scientific Games on October 18, 2013, Mr. Gamache continues with Scientific Games in a consulting capacity to provide strategic advice as the companies complete the integration and focus on the continued growth of the Company’s global gaming business.
In naming Mr. Gamache as the 2013 Leader of the Year award winner, Robert Davis, Board Chair and SVP, Human Resources and Corporate Services, American Medical Association announced “Brian is being recognized for a body of work and his successful collaboration with his HR executives to drive business success. We congratulate him for being a true champion of HR strategy.”
Mr. Clarke, the 2013 Volunteer of the Year, was also selected by the HRMAC Board of Directors.
As a long-time and active member, he has been both formally appointed, and informally drafted, into various HRMAC leadership roles. He has served multiple years as a member of the Board of Directors, and multiple terms on the membership, nominating and Leadership Series committees; the latter in which he continues to serve for the 2014 programs.
As Managing Partner of the firm he co-founded, Mr. Clarke has been a long time sponsor of HRMAC events including CHRO-only roundtables, Summit and the Leadership Series. The firm has generously hosted meetings and events and shared their internal thought leaders for program presentations and committee leadership.
“Brian embodies the spirit, commitment and passion that the award seeks to recognize,” noted Mr. Davis. “He is truly one of our ‘unsung heroes’ who has made a difference in HRMAC’s value proposition and the member experience,” he continued.
SUMMIT 2013 is the largest annual gathering of human resources professionals in the Midwest and includes presentations by business and industry thought-leaders, a trade show and special events for various groups. Over 800 human resources professionals are expected to attend the event, held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
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About HRMAC
Since its founding in 1915, HRMAC has been leading the dialogue on workplace strategy, connecting HR leaders with the industry’s best-in-class resources, and growing Chicago area companies and talent. With a membership of over 750 organizations and a network of more than 8,000 HR professionals, HRMAC is the oldest organization of its kind in the country and independent of other local, state or national organizations. For more information on HRMAC, the Awards of Excellence and SUMMIT 2013, please visit our website at http://www.hrmac.org.
WMS
WMS Gaming Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, is a leading supplier of innovative gaming entertainment products and services worldwide. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, distributes and markets casino games and gaming machines, video lottery terminals and video gaming terminals. More information on WMS can be found at now.wms.com or visit the Company on Facebook®, Twitter® or YouTube®.
Contacts:
M. Bernadette Patton, HRMAC
312.981.6790
bpatton(at)hrmac(dot)org
Mollie Cole, WMS
773.981.1194
mcole(at)wms(dot)com
M. Bernadette Patton, HRMAC, http://www.hrmac.org, +1 (312) 981-6795, [email protected]
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