1. LAURA J. GARMUS
Pasadena, CA 91108
Lauragarmus@msn.com
Laura is an award-winning, results-oriented human resource/operations/financial professional. She has extensive
experience in operating a $3.3 B multi-store business. This includes recruitment, retention, legal compliance,
compensation/benefit administration, training/development programs and operational/ financial performance. As a
Divisional Vice President and Regional Director, Laura’s success is attributed to her leadership and supervisory
capabilities. Laura is committed to long-range development of Company programs, and was entrusted with
executive transition responsibilities with the Macy’s/Robinsons-May merger.
At Macy's, Laura was entrusted with the responsibility of changing the way associates were scheduled. She worked
with Macy's IT and Kronos to develop a system which allowed the associate to create their own schedule, thus
improving attendance and reducing turnover. Laura piloted the program in her region, which Macy's ultimately
implemented in all 650 stores and Distribution/Credit Centers . Laura’s Region ranked #1 sales, #2 open positions,
#1 attendance, and #1 in operating expense.
As Divisional Vice President at Robinsons - May , Laura was responsible for determining manpower requirements,
creating job requisitions and job descriptions, setting hiring goals, monitoring hiring, and turnover results. Laura
supervised 13,000 base positions which peaked to 20,000 during the holidays. Laura’s division ranked #1 turnover,
#2 open positions, #2 attendance, and #1 in operating expense.
Laura is a respected entrepreneur, focusing on continuously improved retention programs which involve benefits,
work schedules, job descriptions, hiring guidelines, flex up/down strategies, and seasonal hiring programs. She
developed systems and procedures to promptly identify manpower needs by product and swiftly shift payroll as
trends occurred. The retention programs which she developed were adopted by the May Corporation each year
and were subsequently implemented at Macy’s.
Laura has opened 27 full line Department Stores and closed 16. She is informed on employment law in 5 states and
supervised 101 stores. Her management style achieves results for a great variety of different products.
Profit and Loss statements were a critical part of the business expansion at Macy's. Laura capitalized on growing
businesses at various store locations. This included selling and sales support functions. Laura negotiated with
outside vendors in salary contracts which resulted in collecting $500,000 revenue annually.
Throughout her career Laura has demonstrated an aptitude for systems development. She has been on the design
committee for in house commissions, scheduling, accounting, and timekeeping systems. She is recognized by her
peers as a leader in quality systems design.
Starting as an executive trainee, Laura advanced in Human Resources to Regional HR Director. From there she was
promoted into Store Operations where she was responsible for Facilities and Expense. She then advanced to VP
Staffing with responsibilities for manpower allocation, retention, and associate scheduling systems. She received the
Chairman’s award in 1998 and 2002 for her leadership abilities. During the Macy’s/Robinsons-May merger Laura
was responsible for the payroll and manpower planning for three different companies. She participated on the
Macy’s West integration team. At Bloomingdale's she opened a flagship store. Then at Macy's she received a
National award for implementing the Kronos Scheduling System, while managing $500 M payroll in 101 stores.
EDUCATION
B.S. Clinical Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles