Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) honored the 2011 Human Resources Professional of the Year February 8 in Columbia. More than 200 were in attendance as Willis “Trip” Gregory, III, SPHR, senior vice president of Palmetto Health, was named the 2011 Human Resources Professional of the Year. The event was presented by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC (Greenville, Columbia and Charleston offices).

In 2005, Gregory led record-setting hospital employee participation and engagement scores. He also spearheaded Palmetto Health’s transition from paper to electronic processes, including performance evaluations, employee satisfaction surveys and related tracking tools, benefit enrollment, hiring and data management. Gregory led the facilitation and implementation of the nationally recognized and highly effective HR Business Partner Model. The strategic impact of this contribution is monitored and measured through a variety of methods, including periodic leader surveys.

The South Carolina Human Resources Management Award for Professional Excellence was established in 1989 to recognize an individual for outstanding service and dedication to the human resources field. This year, Trip Gregory was joined by nominees from across South Carolina.

2011 HR Professional of the Year Award finalists:

· Allison Dennis, Santee Cooper

· Steve Nail, Hubbell Lighting, Inc.

2011 HR Professional of the Year Award nominees:

· Melissa H. Anderson, Domtar

· Deb Davidson, SPHR, South Carolina Research Authority

· George DeCroes, Jr., Eastman Chemical Company

· Gina Guilliams, Springs Creative Products Group, LLC

· Rachel Platt, SPHR, Metglas, Inc.

· Susan Rector, PHR, CLT, Fabri-Kal Corporation

· Annette Rollins, SPHR, First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc.

· Crystal Rookard, Midlands Technical College

· John Slavich, Human Resources Dynamics