Heather Merrick has over 15 years of experience in human resources related roles, with strong experience in talent acquisition, organizational and workforce development, employee engagement, HR policy development, and HR strategy. She joined Express Employment Professionals in 2015 and currently serves as the Managing Director for Specialized Recruiting Group, an Express Employment Professionals company to partner with client companies in providing HR solutions for recruiting and retaining top-notch talent, including training, workforce development, and recruitment strategies. Heather also provides consultation on HR policy development; best practices for employee engagement, organizational development, talent acquisition, and succession management; Veteran hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives; and HR strategy for business success. Her recruiting experience includes manufacturing leadership, engineering, skilled trades, human resources, accounting/finance, sales & marketing, information technology, project management, administrative, medical, government, and non-profit roles.
In addition to her private sector work experience, Heather served 7 years on active duty in the United States Army and is a certified SHRM Foundation Inclusion Captain for Veteran Hiring, Onboarding, and Retention initiatives. Her education includes a bachelor of business administration degree with a double major in human resources management and marketing; a master of business administration degree with a concentration in human resources; and she is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.
Heather is also an active volunteer in the community, having served on the AHRM Board of Directors in Grand Rapids in a variety of roles since 2013 including being selected as President for 2022, Vice President for 2021; serving as the Director of Workforce Readiness for the MISHRM Council for 2020 and 2021; and serving on a Board Committee for Family Promise of Grand Rapids in 2020 and 2021. Previous volunteer experience includes Michigan Blood; American Red Cross (Board Committee); Goodwill Industries of Grand Rapids; and Mosaic Film Experience.