C. MATT ELAM
Knoxville
Summary
Highly accomplished leader with a proven track record of over 20 years in driving organizational structure, infrastructure, and change management to deliver tangible results.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Talent Acquisition Lead
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
03.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the U.S
- Department of Energy's largest multi-disciplinary research lab, delivering scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs to address critical national needs
- ORNL focuses on solutions in energy, national security, and advanced materials, while also providing economic benefits through its research and world-class facilities
- It plays a key role in areas like nuclear science, environmental sustainability, and computational research
- Report directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, overseeing a team of 45 with an annual budget of over $1.5M
- Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and development to manage workload, requisition volume, and resource allocation
- Develop and implement recruitment strategies for 18 directorates within a $2B operation
- Produce and analyze key hiring metrics including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, sourcing effectiveness, and process enhancements contributing to improved efficiency
- Create innovative talent acquisition strategies building a robust pipeline of candidates to meet hiring needs
- Authored and updated talent acquisition policy and procedure manuals, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Led the Talent Acquisition & Mobility Group, implementing continuous improvement processes that align with company culture and growth objectives
- Negotiate contracts with external vendors and employment agencies optimizing sourcing capabilities
- Ensure strict adherence to organizational values and ethics in all recruitment activities
- Drive the vision and execution of talent acquisition programs, deploying cloud-based systems in hybrid work environments
- Partner with HR leadership teams across Compensation, Benefits, HRIS, Labor Relations, and Learning and Development to align talent strategies with broader organizational goals
- Engage regularly with executive management, board members, and external stakeholders through face-to-face, phone, and electronic communication
- Compile and present multiple reports and statistical analyses involving turnover, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, time to hire, total number of applicants, tenure, industry trends, affirmative action, OFCCP compliance, and other human resource related metrics
- Partner with Chief Inclusion Officer to ensure a robust outreach plan to support our DEI goals and metrics
- The team has filled 1,400 positions a year for the past two years, many with stringent search requirements
- We hired employees from 70 different countries
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the U.S
- Department of Energy's largest multi-disciplinary research lab, delivering scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs to address critical national needs
- ORNL focuses on solutions in energy, national security, and advanced materials, while also providing economic benefits through its research and world-class facilities
- It plays a key role in areas like nuclear science, environmental sustainability, and computational research
Senior Recruitment Specialist
Aerojet Rocketdyne
07.2019 - 02.2022
- Company Overview: Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-class developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion and energetics systems for customers including the U.S
- Department of Defense, NASA and other agencies and companies, both in the United States and abroad (acquired by L3Harris)
- Served as the primary recruiter for all 'Difficult to fill' and confidential executive recruiting efforts
- Successfully partnered with multiple hiring managers across all disciplines in space programs, defense programs, and corporate overhead positions filling more than 100 positions in 2020
- Actively mentored less experienced recruiters with sourcing, interviewing, screening, and other advanced recruiting techniques
- Lead all college recruiting programs, including career fairs, student association video chats, and public speaking events
- Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-class developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion and energetics systems for customers including the U.S
- Department of Defense, NASA and other agencies and companies, both in the United States and abroad (acquired by L3Harris)
Senior Partner
CCR Group
09.2017 - 10.2019
- Company Overview: CCR Group was an Executive Search firm specializing in multiple industries, which include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Banking, and Technology sectors
- Retained to search and compile confidential information and present detailed reports that have empowered clients in salary and contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, safety programs, employee theft, and company expansions
- Confidentially recruited and negotiated senior level positions in multiple industry sectors
- I had a desire to return to a team environment where I can share my experience with teammates, as well as assist in growing a company
- CCR Group was an Executive Search firm specializing in multiple industries, which include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Banking, and Technology sectors
Talent Acquisition Manager
WSDOT
01.2016 - 09.2017
- Company Overview: WSDOT is responsible for more than 20,000 lane-miles of roadway, nearly 3,000 vehicular bridges and 524 other structures
- This infrastructure includes rail lines, state highways, state ferries, and state airports
- Responsible for overseeing and managing the agency’s recruiting process, applicant tracking system, and regional recruiters with their ongoing recruiting efforts
- Led multiple confidential investigations, serving as the primary point of contact with Human Resources and acting as the lead investigator in cases where a potential conflict of interest existed with the local HR business partner
- Worked directly with Executive staff to fill several high-level positions within the agency
- Represented the agency on a governor appointed task force to review and update statewide multiple agency Human Resources policies
- Worked directly with the office of the governor regarding executive appointments as well as addressing constituent complaints
- Lowered the time-to-fill from 85+ days to below 50 days within six months
- In 2016, team filled over 800 requisitions
- WSDOT is responsible for more than 20,000 lane-miles of roadway, nearly 3,000 vehicular bridges and 524 other structures
- This infrastructure includes rail lines, state highways, state ferries, and state airports
Manager of Talent Resources
Vulcan Materials Company
03.2013 - 12.2015
- Company Overview: Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates —primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete
- Vulcan Materials has over 323 aggregate facilities in 25 states, including Mexico and Canada
- Responsible for overseeing and managing the company’s recruiting process, managing Vulcan Materials applicant tracking system, and divisional recruiters with their ongoing recruiting efforts
- Lowered the time-to-fill from 80+ days to below 60 days within two years
- Team filled over 1,000 requisitions; in 2014, we exceeded 1,300 hires; in the first 10 months of 2015, we hired more than 1,200 new employees
- Reduced the use of outside recruiter fees from over $1M per year to $165K per year in 2014
- Implemented a company wide Skilled Labor Recruiting Plan, College Recruiting Plan, and Diversity Recruiting Plan within two years
- Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates —primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete
- Vulcan Materials has over 323 aggregate facilities in 25 states, including Mexico and Canada
Senior Corporate Recruiter
Dignity Health
06.2008 - 02.2013
- Company Overview: Dignity Health is a system of 42 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada
- Founded in 1986, Dignity Health is the fifth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in California
- Responsible for the direct recruiting for six corporate offices: Phoenix, Rancho Cordova, Glendale, Pasadena, San Francisco, and Las Vegas as well as executive level positions for 42 hospitals
- Managed and directed the hiring process for new corporate employees and hospital executives
- Consistently hired more than 200 new employees per year in 30 states
- In 2011, took responsibility for all Executive Level Recruiting and saved the company more than $1.8 Million in recruiting fees
- Dignity Health is a system of 42 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada
- Founded in 1986, Dignity Health is the fifth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in California
Corporate Recruiter-contract position
Gencorp Aerojet
04.2008 - 06.2008
- Company Overview: Gencorp Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense, strategic, tactical missile and armaments areas in support of domestic and international markets
- Conducted and managed the search process for engineering and engineering support positions in the Aerospace, Missile/Space Propulsion, and Defense Armaments Markets
- Responsible for the full cycle recruiting process and engaging as a liaison between Hiring Managers and potential new hires to ensure best hiring practices and results are achieved while adhering to the Aerojets policies, directives, and procedures
- Gencorp Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense, strategic, tactical missile and armaments areas in support of domestic and international markets
Corporate Recruiter
SBM Site Services
04.2007 - 12.2007
- Company Overview: SBM is a facilities management company and employs more than 6,000 individuals servicing more than 350 million square feet throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America
- Coordinated the recruiting efforts for SBM Site Services which included over 100 locations in 30 states
- Created and taught the training module for 'Behavior Based' interviewing and recruiting for all company managers
- Hired the company’s first Facility Security Officer and assisted in attaining the company’s security clearance with the Department of Defense
- Hired over forty-five salaried employees during tenure with the company
- Worked directly with the President/CEO regarding the growth and recruiting strategies for the company
- Left the company for a three-month military assignment
- I did some contract work for the company as an outside recruiter after my military duty
- SBM is a facilities management company and employs more than 6,000 individuals servicing more than 350 million square feet throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America
Senior Partner
Andiamo Ventures
09.2002 - 04.2007
- Company Overview: Andiamo Ventures (AV) was an Executive Search, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Services Consulting firm specializing in multiple industries, which include Real Estate & Construction, Hospitality, Accounting & Finance, Manufacturing, Banking, and Technology sectors
- Created, implemented, and managed an advisory services firm that focused on executive search and consulting specializing in multiple industries including Aerospace Engineering, Building Products and Materials, Engineering, Accounting & Finance
- Grew the company to multi-million-dollar firm that owned assets in Mining, Banking, and Construction industries
- Retained to search and compile confidential information and present detailed reports that have empowered clients in salary and contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, safety programs, employee theft, and company expansions
- Created an internal security program to counter corporate espionage for clients in emerging complex industries and markets
- Recruited multiple positions simultaneously, growing one client company from 28 employees to over 200 in 8 months
- Managed recruiting teams that completed over 600 searches internationally
- Sold the company to my business partners
- Andiamo Ventures (AV) was an Executive Search, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Services Consulting firm specializing in multiple industries, which include Real Estate & Construction, Hospitality, Accounting & Finance, Manufacturing, Banking, and Technology sectors
Division Director/Recruiter
Robert Half International
02.2002 - 09.2002
- Company Overview: Robert Half provides specialized staffing services for accounting and finance professionals
- Rated as Top Billing Recruiter in the entire company two consecutive months
- Responsible for and consistently surpassed full personal quota set by corporate
- Hired, trained, and managed four new executive recruiters and two support staff
- Developed and implemented training programs to ensure staff were continuing their corporate recruiting education
- Managed the daily activities of the senior recruiting team, tracked and maintained recruiting goals for the office
- Left the company to start my own firm with the option to return if desired
- Robert Half provides specialized staffing services for accounting and finance professionals
Executive Recruiter/Project Manager
Management Recruiters International
01.1998 - 02.2002
- Company Overview: MRI is one of the largest and most successful recruitment organizations in the world
- With a full range of Permanent Placement options ranging from Retained or Contingency Search with approximately 600 offices in 40 countries
- Achieved the status of CSAM (Certified Senior Account Manager) and broke the Rookie-of-the-year record as a first-year account executive
- Promoted to senior leadership team within two years of start date
- Successfully recruited, managed, and maintained accounts in 8 different business sectors
- As Recruiting Manager, coordinated searches for a team of 4 recruiters and tracked the progress of the searches and client accounts
- Trained all new employees on company database software and recruiting processes
- MRI is one of the largest and most successful recruitment organizations in the world
- With a full range of Permanent Placement options ranging from Retained or Contingency Search with approximately 600 offices in 40 countries
Campaign Director
United Way
06.1996 - 01.1998
- Company Overview: United Way is a nonprofit organization that works with more than 1,200 local United Way offices throughout the country in a coalition of charitable organizations to pool efforts in fundraising and support
- Promoted from Assistant Campaign Manager to Campaign Director within six months
- Oversaw campaign plans, goals, and timelines of Top 100 Corporate Employee Campaigns and Gifts
- Reported a 26% increase in 1997-98 campaign goals
- Provided leadership in developing creative strategies to assure attainment of campaign goals
- Managed and motivated 20+ staff members to implement effective methods for maximizing campaign potential and performance
- United Way is a nonprofit organization that works with more than 1,200 local United Way offices throughout the country in a coalition of charitable organizations to pool efforts in fundraising and support
Team Leader
United States Army
03.1987 - 03.2010
- Company Overview: US Army is the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces and performs land-based military operations
- Served as: Counterintelligence Agent/Foreign Intelligence Officer, Special Operations Medical Sergeant, Infantry Leader, Cold Weather Survival Training Instructor, and Airdrop Technician (Parachute Rigger)
- Served with; Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, 325th Infantry Airborne Battalion Combat Team, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 184th Infantry Air Assault Battalion, First, 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups, Joint Special Operations Command, and 75th Ranger Regiment
- Managed from 4 to 200+ soldiers during career
- US Army is the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces and performs land-based military operations
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications
University of Houston
Houston, TXStrategic Human Resources Leadership Course -
Cornell University
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Course -
Cornell University
Skills
- Taleo
- SuccessFactors/SAP
- ICIMS
- PC-Recruiter
- NeoGov
- Microsoft Office
- Network Business Programs including implementing Outlook and Outlook Express on PC Desktops
- Expert proficiency rating for research of 'Open Source Intelligence', internet research, database searching programs, and using Boolean Logic programs
Certification
- Strategic HR Leadership Certificate Holder – Cornell University ILR School.
- Conflict Resolution Certificate Program Graduate – U.S.A Mediation Center or similar organizations.
Hobbies and community activities
- Running
- Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Orienteering
- Former member of the Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America and Chairman for the River City District (Sacramento, CA)
- Current member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion
- Past President of the VEDA (Vulcan Employee Development Association) Cycling Team
- Current member ORNL Cycling Group
- Treasurer for Lewisbrooke HOA
- Board Member for ORNL Gives annual charitable fundraising and community
Timeline
Talent Acquisition Lead
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
03.2022 - Current
Senior Recruitment Specialist
Aerojet Rocketdyne
07.2019 - 02.2022
Senior Partner
CCR Group
09.2017 - 10.2019
Talent Acquisition Manager
WSDOT
01.2016 - 09.2017
Manager of Talent Resources
Vulcan Materials Company
03.2013 - 12.2015
Senior Corporate Recruiter
Dignity Health
06.2008 - 02.2013
Corporate Recruiter-contract position
Gencorp Aerojet
04.2008 - 06.2008
Corporate Recruiter
SBM Site Services
04.2007 - 12.2007
Senior Partner
Andiamo Ventures
09.2002 - 04.2007
Division Director/Recruiter
Robert Half International
02.2002 - 09.2002
Executive Recruiter/Project Manager
Management Recruiters International
01.1998 - 02.2002
Campaign Director
United Way
06.1996 - 01.1998
Team Leader
United States Army
03.1987 - 03.2010
Strategic Human Resources Leadership Course -
Cornell University
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Course -
Cornell University
- Strategic HR Leadership Certificate Holder – Cornell University ILR School.
- Conflict Resolution Certificate Program Graduate – U.S.A Mediation Center or similar organizations.
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications
University of Houston
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