Local exec ready to talk about your HR challenges
Sept. 25, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Small business owners are encouraged to bring their human resource challenges to a Western Michigan University workshop Thursday, Oct. 3, to learn about finding and developing great employees.
Marcia Koestner, vice president of human resources at Checker Motors, will present "Tools for Smart Managing" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Federal Room of the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce building, 346 W. Michigan Ave. Part of a monthly series of workshops offered by WMU's Women's Business Development Center, the program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Patricia Guenther at (269) 387-2714 or <patricia.guenther@wmich.edu>.
In her talk, Koester will present an overview of the human resource process, including hiring, job descriptions, performance appraisals, and rewarding and retaining stellar performers. She encourages attendees to come to this interactive workshop ready to talk about their own interests and challenges with managing employees.
Koester has worked at Checker Motors for nearly 30 years, the last 10 of them as head of human resources. Her responsibilities include hiring, labor relations, health and safety, workers' compensation, security, training, and communications. Koester is a member of the Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association, and serves on the boards of the Northside Business Association and the WMU Alumni Association. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at WMU.
WMU's Haworth College of Business established the Women's Business Development Center in 1999 to offer support to female professionals and entrepreneurs by providing training, problem-solving consultation, current business information and networking opportunities.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu