MERLE E. RAY 3202 Chalfont Dr  Houston, TX 77066  (281) 827-4396  [email protected]

PROJECT MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FINANCIALS CONFIGURATION & DESIGN SALES, BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Talented, results-producing Business Development, Project Management, HR, & Client Consulting Professional with SAP ERP experience and a proven record of accomplishment in leading comprehensive growth strategies in support of business goals and objectives; expertise in directing the creation of human capital, operations, finance, marketing, and management tools and steering the execution of such programs via technology; demonstrated success driving growth in targeted markets through key relationships with stakeholders and implementation of strategic projects:

 New Client Acquisition Sales Support  ERP & Human Resource Technology  Project Management (Multiple Projects)  Human Capital Management  Performance Management  SAP Financials Configuration/Design  Compensation, Benefits & Rewards  Sales Marketing & Communications

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE NOBLE GROUPS, Houston, TX “Raising Performance. Reshaping Culture. Renewing Minds.” The Noble Groups provides leaders of big business, small business & non-profits with best practices strategy, funding, and development tools. Principal Owner & Consultant, 2003 – Present Provide business growth & performance deliverables as an independent contractor and project manager. . Developed profitability, feasibility, & growth plans for private sector business owners & non-profits. . Administered and assisted clients in negotiation of project contracts ranging from $30k to $3M. . Specialized in return on investment strategies, design, evaluation, outcomes and impact measurement. . Forecasted, collected and analyzed benchmarks, trends, supply & demand, and profitability. . Consulted and facilitated on enterprise project management teams. . Consulted with executives, stakeholders, and planning boards, employers and regional communities. . Researched, developed, & provided customizations for technology & non-technology projects. . Facilitated executive leadership discussions aligning goals & objectives with positive ROI. . Provided managerial & technical assistance to executives/managers supporting growing businesses. . Wrote business plans and grant proposals for government and private-entity funding projects. . Consulted clients and prospects of SAP ERP Financials & HR configuration and design

ADMINISTAFF of TEXAS, Houston, TX “Administaff is good for small business.” Publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Administaff is the nation's leading professional employer organization (PEO), serving as a full-service human resources department for small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. Senior HR Executive Consultant/Director, eHR Sales & Marketing, 1998 – 2003 Compensation &HR consulting for the company’s largest “select” employers w/ 1000+ employees. Led the primary vision, strategy, & development of the company’s largest acquisition.  Conducted compensation and HR consulting with clients that had more than 1000 employees.

…Continued… MERLE RAY Page Two Professional Experience Continued  Hired as Senior HR Consultant assigned total of 10,000+ work site employees and 250 client owners.  Human capital liaison and creator of Administaff’s HRPowerhouse.com, now HRtools.com.  Started an HR Services project resulting in the company’s largest eBusiness initiative of $6.25M.  Registered 20,000+ new businesses online in first six months with 74% repeat visits logged monthly.  Served on the 2nd largest project implementing ESS portal serving 70,000 employees.  Partnered with the company’s top sales teams to articulate and sell HR profitability to client owners.  Developed models for measuring client ROI and organizational performance.  Provided leadership to transition teams with client organizations undergoing merger or acquisition.  Interacted with management to coordinate the generation, review & approval of potential property.  Collaborated with negotiations team to support deal structure in negotiations.  Managed the procurement of technical data and coordinated feasibility with business unit personnel.  Ensured optimal use of technical data and resources; provided liability training & org’l development.  Managed and cultivated profitable relationships with vendors and consultants.

GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER, Houston, TX “Commit for life.” The Blood Center is a provider of blood & blood products for more than 170 hospitals in 25 counties and is recognized worldwide for its technologies, QA, & management expertise. Director, Human Resources & Employee Relations 1985-1998 Led workforce strategy, performance management, and development for a world-renown health care institution of 500+ employees multiple locations and operations budget of $60 million.  Designed compensation and benefits plans working directly with CFO & Chief Operating Officer.  Coached and facilitated operations in a team of 88 supervisors & managers, including executives.  Advised senior management; instrumental in leading the organization in its first transformation.  Managed and monitored employee benefits, including retirement 403(b) & compensation plans.  Owned HR compliance, performance management, and organizational development processes.  Promoted into this position while carrying out HRIS, benefits & compensation responsibilities:  Served as business process analyst for major HRIS and payroll system implementations.  Owned wage & salary analysis making key recommendations to executives and senior management.  Impacted overall $30M wage & salary budget, compensation structure, and rewards practices.  Led transformation from legacy IT systems to systems integrating payroll, benefits & HR function.  Served as HR Information System Administrator training users & customizing the system design.  Purchased software systems automating processes in benefits, payroll, etc.  Researched, analyzed, and compiled data annually to make key strategy recommendations.

OTHER EMPLOYERS  University of Texas, Health Science Center, HR Generalist, 1984-1985  Sakowitz Specialty Stores, INC., Senior Personnel Clerk 1981-1984

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS Project Management Professional (PMP), (Currently pursuing through Project Management Institute) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Leadership, College of Biblical Studies, Houston, TX, Feb 2003 Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Human Resources Credentialing Inst., Jan 2001 Public Administration (Major), Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, Jan 1985 Honors Graduate, Mary Brantley Smiley High School, Houston, TX, May 1981

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS All Microsoft Office & Windows Products ERP (SAP FI/CO) and HR Information Systems, ADP Payroll, Various Benefits & Real Estate Systems Enterprise Project Management Software Various Database & Software Systems Customer, Client & Donor Relationship Management Software Various System Concepts, Use, Design & Customization Techniques