Gracie Mercado has been promoted to director, human resources, at the YES Network. Mercado, who had been manager, will oversee all aspects of the YES human resources functions, including employee relations, compensation and benefits, and recruitment.
“Gracie has a tremendous grasp for all aspects of human resources and has been an invaluable team member since joining YES in 2007,” said YES Network COO Ray Hopkins, to whom Mercado will report. “Her sense of leadership, her vision, her team-building attributes and her creative thinking will be welcomed in her new role.”
Mercado had been manager, human resources, since joining YES in June 2007. She has advised and counseled senior management on a variety of human resources initiatives. Mercado launched a new performance management process, designed and developed a new employee rewards and recognition program, expanded the company’s charitable efforts and overhauled its intranet site. In addition, she managed philanthropy initiatives and the internship program for the company.
Previously, Mercado held human resources positions at Polo Ralph Lauren and Coach. She graduated cum laude (dean’s list) with a B.A. in English from the University of Albany. In 2009, she was selected as a Rising Leader by the Women in Cable Telecommunications.
Damon Lovett and Robert Lupp, SPHR, have been added to the board of directors of the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), the world's leading clearinghouse for the human resource information management industry.
Lovett serves as HR systems consultant for the Baylor Healthcare System. His role includes advising organizational leaders on strategies, service delivery methods and organization models that support business objectives and identifying and recommending changes and enhancements for end-to-end HRIS to payroll processes. Prior positions include director, professional services, Aquire Solutions; and director, HR management systems, The First American Corp.
Lupp retired recently from Bayer, where he served as vice president, HR/Direct, Bayer Business & Technology Services. Prior roles included director, compensation and benefits, Bayer CropScience, and director, HRIS, Bayer Corp.
Since 1980, IHRIM has been the only membership association for HR technology professionals, advancing the industry by providing education and professional development opportunities through its annual conference, educational courses and webinars.