Harris Corporation
Company: Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Florida
Company Description: Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Florida, the company has annual sales of over $4 billion and more than 14,000 employees — including 6,000 engineers and scientists — dedicated to the development of best-in-class assured communications™ products, systems, and services.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Human Resources Executive
Nomination Title: Jeffrey S. Shuman, Vice President - Human Resources & Corporate Relations
1. Tell the story about what this nominee achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
For over 110 years, the people of Harris have been our company's most valuable
asset. Since joining the organization in 2005 as Vice President of Human
Resources and Corporate Relations, Jeff Shuman has been instrumental in
bringing this philosophy to life by helping to integrate human resources in to
the overall corporate business plan. He has driven the HR organization to
analyze our actions and change processes within the context of our business
strategies and corporate values. This serves as the foundation on which we
are building our organization’s strategic growth plan.
Architect of Change
Shuman has been an architect of change for the Human Resources department
through key strategic initiatives he has led. Harris has instituted an
Integrated Talent Management approach to how we manage and grow our human
capital. This strategic initiative brings key human capital management
processes such as Performance Management, Workforce Planning, Skills
Management, Succession Planning, Recruiting, and Resource Scheduling into an
integrated whole. We now have the opportunity to shift our focus from chasing
talent to planning for our needs, and to obtain an accurate picture of our
talent globally.
In 2006, Harris implemented a corporate-wide set of values for the first time
in our history. Once our Executive Committee selected the core values most
reflective of Harris, Shuman has led the internal branding campaign to promote
these values to our employees worldwide and to help bring them to life using
the tag line “Shaping the Difference.”
Corporate Activist
Shuman believes that the leadership and teamwork skills learned through
community involvement are priceless training for the business world. He has
been personally involved throughout the years with many initiatives, most
recently as a supporter of the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, Wuestoff
Health Systems, Enterprise Florida, and the University of Florida Foundation.
Through his role modeling, many of our other executives have been encouraged
to partner with community and educational organizations, sharing their
knowledge and expertise to guide and grow these initiatives.
Under Shuman’s guidance, the Corporate Relations department is growing our
volunteer program and promoting opportunities to our employees for ways they
can get involved in the community. We are currently constructing our first
Harris Habitat House with Habitat for Humanity in one of the most economically
disadvantaged neighborhoods in Melbourne, Florida.
Business Impact
Shuman’s partnership with Howard Lance, Harris’ Chairman, President and CEO, has had a direct impact on our bottom-line. According to Lance, “Jeff is a full business partner in our corporation and has proven to be a non-
traditional leader for our HR organization. His in-depth understanding of both the business and HR aspects of our industry has been a tremendous asset and had a direct impact on our growth.”
Newcomers and old-timers alike have felt Shuman’s impact at Harris. He has
brought a refreshing approach to the organization and has a clear vision for
the future. He is helping Harris to find the balance between evolution and
revolution, challenging us to be leading edge, but not to lose our rich
history.
2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
Biography
http://www.harris.com/management-team.html
Harris Corporation’s Mission and Values
http://www.harris.com/mission-values.asp
Harris Corporation executive appointed to Wuesthoff Health System Board
(10/2/06)
http://www.wuesthoff.org/news/releases/shuman-boardmember-10-2-06.pdf
Attracting and Retaining Talent in Brevard (November 2006)
http://www.spacecoastbusiness.com/article-archive/?AID=20061110
Harris Family Medical Center Keeps Employees, Families and Company Healthy
(January 2007)
http://www.spacecoastbusiness.com/article-archive/?AID=20070117
2007 Space Coast HR Conference
http://www.melpb-chamber.org/docs/2007HRConference.pdf
Creating a Strategic HR Plan for Your Company (Chapter 7)
http://www.aspatore.com/store/bookdetails.asp?id=54
3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:
Jeffrey S. Shuman is vice president of Human Resources and Corporate Relations for Harris Corporation. He directs the development of the company’s work force, including talent acquisition, leadership development and training,
employee relations, organization change and effectiveness, compensation, and benefits. His business background brings a non-traditional mindset to how he leads the Human Resources organization and his vision for total talent
management. Shuman is a member of the HR 50, Human Resources Planning Society, and serves on the Board of Governors for the Florida Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors for Wuesthoff Health System.