John McMahan is a senior human resources director with extensive experience leading HR functions for startups, acquisitions, and high-growth organizations. He has a track record of transforming HR from an administrative role to a strategic business partner. At his current employer, DRS Environmental Systems, he led a turnaround effort implementing world-class HR practices that reduced recruiting costs by over 90% while improving hiring success rates. Previously, he consolidated HR operations during a merger and excelled at collective bargaining, benefits administration, and recruiting. McMahan holds multiple professional certifications and has received several honors recognizing his outstanding performance and leadership.

1. John McMahan, MA, SPHR
Greater Cincinnati/Northern KY Metro Area
Mobile: 859-609-3475
E-MAIL: mcmahanjt@me.com
LINKEDIN: https://LinkedIn.com/in/JohnMcMahan
H U M A N R E S O U R C E S D I R E C T O R
Start-ups | Acquisitions | Turnarounds | High-Growth Organizations | Union/Non-Union
LEADING HR AS A WORLD CLASS BUSINESS PARTNER FOR PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE
Strategic and innovative HR Executive who translates experience and vision into initiatives that foster a complete
connection between the needs of the business and the HR function. I combine an empowering HR leadership style with
a professional legal background to foster a creative and unique approach to HR processes, workforce issues, and
employee engagement. I respond to tough challenges, and appreciate the impact of value-added goals.
SIGNATURE HR QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive Multi-Site HR Organizational Development Benefits Administration
Management Experience and Employee Engagement
Affirmative Action and Diversity Employee Performance Environmental Health and Safety
Improvement
Talent Acquisition Leadership Development Collective Bargaining
Staff Mentoring and Coaching HR Policy, Process Strategic HR Leadership
And System Design
Known for transforming HR from an administrative entity to a trusted business partner.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DRS Environmental Systems | Cincinnati, OH | $100M US Defense Contractor 2011- Present
HR Director
Recruited following a merger to lead a turnaround in the value-perception of the HR function. As a member of the
Senior Leadership Team, I led a transformation effort geared towards the implementation of world-class HR practices.
 Recruiting/Affirmative Action: Reduced recruiting costs by over 90%, from $7,000 per hire to $420 per hire,
while increasing the success rate of candidates hired through behavioral interviewing. This has significantly
improved our ability to execute in key performance areas.
 Employee Development: Implemented Mentor/Protégé and successor development programs as a means of
promoting retention and career path orientation. This has served to improve retention and increase the
number of internal promotions.
 Production Improvements: Changed the way that our operations team addressed the issue of production
planning. We went from a tactical and reactionary approach, which yielded poor production preparation
results, to a planning organization that became strategically prepared to deal with manufacturing upsurges.

2.  HR Innovation: volunteered to evaluate the cost and efficiency of all DRS recruiting practices. This led to the
enactment of a much larger company-wide social media branding effort which has improved applicant flow
across the company as a whole.
HEALTHCARE WASTE SOLUTIONS | Cincinnati, OH | Nation’s 2nd Largest Medical Waste Removal Company 2007 - 2011
HR Director
Led the HR consolidation of multiple medical waste companies in the Mid-West and East Coast. Created new HR
systems, processes, and practices and provided essential managerial support until the company was sold in 2011.
 Emerging Organizational HR Support: Created a new HR infrastructure as a means of promoting a cultural
realignment geared towards matrixed support functions.
 Collective Bargaining: Directly involved in multiple contract negotiations with Teamster bargaining units,
including role as lead negotiator. (New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh). As a result, the company was able to
gain concessions which helped us to manage the business and control costs.
 Benefits Administration: Managed vendor selection, TPA relationships and cost impact for all employee benefits
programs. Through creative efforts and plan redesign, we were able to keep employee costs within the range of
affordability.
 Recruiting: Responsible for the acquisition of new talent for 14 locations along the eastern seaboard and upper
Midwest, with strong focus on Sales Associates, Managers and C-Suite, CDL Drivers, and Plant Personnel. We
became adept at staffing up quickly without sacrificing candidate quality.
BWAY CORPORATION | Cincinnati, OH | Nation’s Largest Packaging Company (Aerosol Division) 2002 – 2007
Regional HR Manager
Served as HR Leader for Aerosol Manufacturing Facilities in Cincinnati, OH and Milwaukee, WI. The Cincinnati facility
had 3 Unions, and I played an integral role in the labor relations process.
 Grievances/Arbitration: Personally handled numerous grievances, several of which led to successful arbitration
results.
 Collective Bargaining: Directly involved in 3 sets of contract negotiations, and became especially adept at
assessing the financial impact of negotiating positions.
 Plant Startup: Responsible for initial hiring and implementation of HR policies/practices and new start up plant
in Wisconsin. As a result, we were able to shorten the time for start-up and expedite the start of production,
which helped us win new business.
 Regional HR Support: Asked to provide regional support to other plants on various issues of importance,
including: HR Investigations, High Volume Recruiting, and a Successful union avoidance campaign in York, PA. I
was recognized as an HR resource beyond the bounds of the plants I directly supported.
HYSTER MIDEAST/NACCO INDUSTRIES | Cincinnati, OH | Multi-State Capital Equipment Sales and Service 2000 – 2002
HR Manager
Provided world-class HR support for a multi-state (10 location) company which sold Forklifts, Aerial Work Platforms, Rail
Car Movers, and other material moving equipment.
 HR Compliance: Asked to lead HR site audits at all 5 parent company manufacturing sites in North America. As a
result, we were able to identify numerous synergies and streamline HR practices.
 Managerial Guidance: Worked with managers at all sites to resolve numerous HR issues during my tenure.

3. HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 2015-2016 - Named “Key Employee” for participation in new bonus retention program: Top 10% of Leaders at
DRS ES (4 of 42 selected).
 Designated as DRS Local and Corporate High Potential Employee: 2013 - Present
 Chosen to serve as Mentor to a Senior HR Generalist at another DRS Division: 2015
 I am the only DRS ES employee to receive discretionary increases to base bonus structure for 3 of the past 4
years due to outstanding performance (2013, 2014, and 2016).
EDUCATION: DEGREES EARNED
BA – Political Science - Transylvania University
JD – Law – University of Louisville
MA – Labor and Employment Relations - University of Cincinnati
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
SPHR – Senior Professional in Human Resources (Since 2013, and recertified until 2020)
SHRM-SCP (Since 2015, and recertified until 2018)
License to Practice Law – Kentucky (Since 1994)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Workforce Investment Board of Butler, Clermont, and Warren Counties in Ohio (WIBBCW)
 Board Chair – 2015-Present
 Vice-Chair – 2013-2015
 Board Member at Large – 2011-2013
 Multiple newsletter articles written for local employers on various HR Subjects, including: “The Future of
Workforce: From The Outside In”; “Multi-Site HR Management: Art or Science?”; “Notes From The Other Side of
the Desk – Job Hunting From The Interviewers Perspective”
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES AND STELLAR PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS