Wendy DeGarmo
Talent Development
Lebanon
Summary
Results-oriented with strong ability to facilitate processes to identify talent and foster professional growth. Committed to driving organizational success through impactful talent development strategies. Possesses understanding of learning and development strategies, coupled with skills in program design and implementation. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Senior Talent Development Manager
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc
03.2023 - 01.2025
- Built collaborative relationships with stakeholders to identify talent gaps and develop effective strategies for addressing them.
- Boosted employee engagement through the creation of targeted professional development pathways.
- Collaborated closely with HR and OD partners to align talent development initiatives with broader workforce planning efforts.
- Completed Talent Reviews bi-yearly with C-Suite, Vice Presidents, and Director-level leaders.
- Identified high-potential leaders and partnered to create and execute development plans.
- Coached high-potential employees. Supporting their progression into leadership roles within the organization.
- Evaluated existing learning materials, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
- Aligned talent development strategy with overall business goals.
- Strengthened internal communication channels regarding professional development opportunities, raising awareness about available resources and programs.
- Directed training programs and development paths for managers and supervisors.
- Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
- Developed career paths by performing skills assessments for all corporate roles.
- Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials.
- Researched and obtained relevant course materials to achieve training objectives.
- Analyzed effectiveness of training programs at all levels and recommended updates.
- Selected and assigned instructors to conduct specific training programs.
- Developed job-specific competencies and performance standards. Designed development guides for corporate office employees.
- Designed and facilitated leadership development programs and provided executive summaries with program impact measurements.
- Implemented an Individual Development Plan process and completed individual consultations to support successful completion of IDPs.
- Mapped online courses to support ongoing development initiatives.
- Led multiple development projects achieved deadlines and navigated budget constraints.
- Developed scripts for video based training and led video shoots.
- Facilitated Working Genius seminar for teams to align tasks with individuals' innate talents, improving productivity.
Senior Training and Development Specialist
Cracker Barrell Old Country Store
05.1998 - 03.2023
- Developed lesson plans and instructional materials for Title II and VII, Effective Communication, Coaching, Retail Merchandising, Labor-Scheduling, Effective Shift Management courses.
- Delivered engaging presentations and facilitated group discussions for optimal participant involvement.
- Facilitated virtual, in-person and blended learning sessions.
- Reduced turnover rates by providing employees with development resources and support.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through feedback analysis, resulting in ongoing program improvements.
- Composed informative instructional materials, including manuals, guides, and job aids.
- Facilitated open lines of communication between management and employees, ensuring training programs remained relevant to both organizational goals and individual needs.
- Partnered with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and relevance of training content.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to managers in training.
- Analyzed and evaluated training effectiveness and program outcomes.
- Streamlined training processes by identifying areas of improvement and implementing targeted solutions.
- Utilized variety of instructional design methodologies to create effective learning experiences.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strict deadlines and adhering to budget constraints.
Retail Manager: Field Operations
Cracker Barrell Old Country Store
06.1995 - 05.1998
- Led a $2 million operation, improving profitability through managing labor and supply costs, inventory, and reducing shrink.
- Grew top-line sales from $1.62 million to $2 million in 17 months.
- Reduced shrink by 2% in the first 11 months in the unit.
- Achieved the highest sales increase and lowest shrink percentage in the district for 3 years.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, adjust inventory levels accordingly, and maximize revenue opportunities.
- Increased sales by implementing effective merchandising strategies and optimized store layouts.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues, and difficult customers.
- Implemented loss prevention strategies to minimize shrinkage and improve profitability.
- Recruited top talent for retail positions by conducting thorough interviews and selecting qualified candidates.
- Achieved monthly performance goals by setting clear objectives for employees while providing regular progress updates.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying opportunities for staff development and career progression.
General Manager
L. Luria and Sons
09.1984 - 06.1995
- Led $6 million operation with 120 employees and 4 associate managers.
- Achieved monthly performance goals by setting clear objectives for managers and employees.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies.
- Managed labor and supply costs, inventory, and reduced shrink.
- Managed employee reviews, training, and schedules.
- Recruited talent by conducting thorough interviews and selecting qualified candidates.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Interpersonal Communication / Marketing
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 05.2001 -
Skills
Talent Reviews
Training needs analysis
Course design and development
Training facilitation
Career development
Leadership training
Decision-making
Leadership development
Writing and editing content
Conflict resolution
Coaching and mentoring
Certification
Leadership Architecture Certification-Korn Ferry
Timeline
Leadership Architecture Certification-Korn Ferry
06-2024
Succession Planning and Talent Development -HCI
04-2024
Performance Coaching - Prosell
02-2024
Training and Facilitation - ATD
12-2023
Senior Talent Development Manager
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc
03.2023 - 01.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Interpersonal Communication / Marketing
Bowling Green State University
05.2001 -
Senior Training and Development Specialist
Cracker Barrell Old Country Store
05.1998 - 03.2023
Retail Manager: Field Operations
Cracker Barrell Old Country Store
06.1995 - 05.1998
General Manager
L. Luria and Sons
09.1984 - 06.1995
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