Bill Kofahl
Global HR Executive Business Partner
Change Leader with a Passion for Helping Organizations and Individuals Thrive
- EXECUTIVE PROFILE -
William “Bill” Kofahl
A results-oriented Human Resources Executive with a proven track record of designing and implementing global HR strategies in fast-paced technology, engineering, manufacturing, and consulting industries. Recognized for fostering cross-functional collaboration and delivering impactful solutions within complex matrixed organizations.
Key strengths include:
- Leveraging HR expertise, business acumen, and organizational savvy to drive business outcomes.
- Leading and developing high-performing HR teams in diverse and dynamic environments.
- Expertise in strategic planning, change management, talent and organizational development, facilitation, succession and workforce planning, acquisition due diligence and integration, and coaching.
Extensive international experience living and working in the US, Germany, and the UAE, with hands-on HR leadership across North America, Latin America, Europe, India, and the Middle East & Africa.
- Benchmark Achievements -
Strategic Planning
Organizational Development
Strategic Planning
In Dubai, developed and implemented human resource strategies that increase regional headcount 25% annually over 3 years while reducing per head cost of the human resources service delivery.
Change Management
Organizational Development
Strategic Planning
In Germany, led a $20M+ restructuring project including conducting swift and successful workers’ council/union negotiations. Delivered project ahead of schedule and on budget.
Organizational Development
Organizational Development
Succession & Workforce Planning
Managed the redesign and international rollout of a competency-based performance management system that resulted in an increase of “on-time completion” of employee feedback sessions.
Succession & Workforce Planning
Succession & Workforce Planning
Succession & Workforce Planning
Led the HR aspects of the transfer of a 100+ employee manufacturing operation from Madison, WI to Asia.
Acquisition Integration
Succession & Workforce Planning
Acquisition Integration
Synchronized across 8 European countries the HR post-acquisition integration of a $350M carve-out acquisition.
Coaching
Succession & Workforce Planning
Acquisition Integration
Coached 100s of individuals on topics ranging from individual development, performance gaps, career planning, and executive leadership.
- CAREER PATH -
Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC) , a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Newport Beach, CA - 2019-2020
- Global Corporate Director of Talent Management - Remote (2020)
- Vice President Human Resources - PCC Aerostructures – Newport, Beach, CA (2019)
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), USA, Germany & UAE - 2001-2018
- Vice President, Corporate Human Resources, Latin America, Fort Lauderdale, FL (2015 – 2018)
- Vice President, HR, Emerson Network Power - Chicago, IL (2014 - 2015)
- Vice President, Corporate HR, India, Middle East & Africa - Assigned to Dubai, UAE (2011- 2014)
- Senior Director, HR & OD, Emerson Embedded Computing and Power - Assigned to Munich, Germany (2008- 2011)
- Director, HR, Artesyn Embedded Computing - Madison, WI (2005 - 2007) Emerson acquired Artesyn Technologies in April 2006
- Manager, Corporate HR, Artesyn Technologies - Boca Raton, FL (2003- 2005)
- HR Consultant - Minneapolis, MN (Artesyn Technologies) (2001- 2003)
Banta Digital Group, Minneapolis, MN - 1998-2001
- Operations Manager (1999-2001)
- Manager of Organizational Development (1998-1999)
- Demonstrated Competencies -
Functional
• Talent & Organizational Development
• Employee Relations
• Recruitment & On-boarding
• Succession & Workforce Planning
• Compensation & Benefits
• Employee Retention
• Employee Communications
• Ethics Compliance
• Legal Compliance
• Acquisition Due Diligence & Integration
• Facilitation
• Coaching
Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Change Management
• Business Acumen
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Strategic Agility
• Developing Direct Reports
• Managerial Courage
• Sizing Up People
• Building Effective Teams
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity and Trust
• Dealing with Paradox
- EDUCATION -
University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Bachelor of Science (BS)
- The requirements of a successful HR leader -
My Philosophy on the Requirements of a Successful HR Leader
Strategic Agility –
HR must align policies, procedures and practices with the overall strategy of the organization. HR leadership must be involved in setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring that the organization has the human capital required to achieve the strategic objectives.
Business Acumen –
HR must have a strong understanding of the organization, the products or services, and the needs of the end user customer. HR must be aware of market conditions and trends that could impact the utilization of the organizations human capital.
Transactional Excellence –
HR must deliver all transactional services to the employees of the organization, and other stakeholders, in a timely manner that meets the set expectations. If the HR organization does not deliver on transactional excellence, it will not be trusted enough to be able to demonstrate strategic agility.
Trusted Counselor –
HR must build relationships that are based on trust. HR must demonstrate to employees that they will be their advocate, while at the same time helping employees understand decisions that have been made by the organization. Concurrently, HR must be the voice of the employees to the leadership of the organization, while supporting the organization’s leadership in making the best possible business decisions.