Rob Lockard

With over a decade of experience in Management, and almost as much in HR, Rob is an analytical, innovative, creative, conceptual, high-energy, and flexible business professional who has an expertise in the core areas of HR, such as Employee Relations, HR Technology, Recruiting, Benefits and Training/Development.

He holds a Masters’ of Human Resource Development (MHRD) degree from Clemson University and has possessed either a PHR,  or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification since January of 2007.

Interestingly though, Rob hasn’t  always been an HR Professional.

Like a growing number of Americans (almost 40% at last count), he “found” his way into the profession. His journey actually began as a Collegiate Mascot (“The Tiger”) , then as a Semi-Pro Mascot (“Gruff” with the Greenville Grrowl, an ECHL Hockey Team), while fulfilling a day-time gig as a Student Teacher.

So what got him this far in life? Really good people.

For example, there were two years as the Graduate Assistant for Conference and Event Services at Clemson University. Rob was responsible for ensuring that the training & development aspect of the 12 person team were adequately met. During this time, he had an opportunity to help manage, and train a team, while utilizing the practice that he learned in the classroom during real-world applications. The result of his efforts were 6 stand-alone training & development programs, which increased the departments ROI by $43,000 in the first year, an additional $23,000 in the second year.

Following Grad School, there were three years  as a Conference and Events Manager at Clemson.  During this time, Rob served as ACCED-I or Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Professionals – International‘s Director of Region 9, supervising events/gatherings for other Collegiate Conference & Events Professionals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. His achievements as the youngest Director in ACCED-I history resulted in being awarded the title of “Outstanding New Professional in 2002″ by the organization.

There were folks who taught him HR professionalism….

As an Executive Team Lead – Human Resources with Target in Myrtle Beach, SC Rob got his wish to learn alot about the actual day-to-day running of Human Resources. In this role he quickly moved into a District Resource role, and served as an HR expert in an Employee Relations, and the HRMS/HRIS capacity for 12 stores from Wilmington, NC to Savannah, GA. In addition to his regular duties, he also helped to open two brand-new stores, and lead a team of 40 individuals from NC, SC and GA into New Orleans just after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and later Rita.  In those environments, Rob injected positive change and sealed his commitment to HR as a profession.

folks who have inspired his HR leadership….

Due to a family event, Rob moved back the nations capital, Washington DC.

While working in DC, and advancing the environments of AICR, RAFFA, P.C. and THE CENTECH GROUP, Inc. he himself has been influenced by many fellow HR professionals and leaders.  Included in this list are various strong and positive leadership role models found through connections with the country’s premier resource on HR practices,  the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

And folks who have called him to action...

Committing himself to advancing HR as a profession, Rob serves as President of the local/state SHRM Chapter, the  Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area (or “HRA-NCA”), is an HR Activist with avid attendance to HRevolution Conferences, and as an HR Expert on Focus.com.

Rob donates his (extra) time to the DC Community, lending his HR guidance to The Taproot Foundation, and as a contributor to The Washington Post.

If you would like to contact the Rob,  please feel free to leave a comment to any of the posts, on the Contact Page or connect with him on Linked-in , and/or twitter as @lockard7.