At Atech Logistics, persons are the guts of each choice, and nobody understands that higher than Michelle Feeney, Human Sources Director. With almost a decade of expertise at Atech and a background rooted in creativity and flexibility, Michelle brings a people-first strategy to HR that’s grounded in equity, empathy, and a deep dedication to doing what’s proper.
A Artistic Journey into HR
Michelle’s path to human assets was something however conventional. With a Bachelor’s diploma in Tremendous Arts and a minor in Artwork Historical past, she initially envisioned a profession in animation. However after years of administrative roles and loads of publicity to folks and operations, her profession trajectory shifted.
“I used to be filling in for an HR Director who was on maternity go away,” she recollects. “I hadn’t thought of HR earlier than, however I shortly realized how a lot it aligned with the folks expertise I’d inbuilt my earlier roles.” That short-term project sparked a long-lasting curiosity. Michelle pursued post-graduate coursework in Human Sources Administration, in the end discovering that her new path mixed construction, creativity, and function in a approach that felt proper.
Since becoming a member of Atech in 2016, Michelle has made a long-lasting mark, rising right into a management place and serving to form the corporate’s HR practices throughout a time of super development.
Main with Flexibility and Equity
In a job as dynamic as Human Sources, no two days are ever the identical. Michelle’s tasks span the whole lot from advantages administration and compliance to worker relations and staff’ compensation. “You may stroll in with a set plan, and one telephone name can change your total day,” she explains.
That unpredictability doesn’t rattle her; it energizes her. “HR is type of the issue division,” she says with a smile. “Whether or not you’re stopping points or fixing them, you’re all the time studying. That’s what retains it attention-grabbing.”
For Michelle, some of the essential elements of the job is sustaining belief throughout the corporate. “I’ve all the time tried to construct an HR division that individuals really feel snug turning to,” she says. “It’s not nearly imposing insurance policies—it’s about being a useful resource.”
With Atech working throughout a number of states and beneath the added oversight of DOT and FMCSA rules, staying compliant requires fixed vigilance. Michelle thrives on the problem. “It’s intricate however extremely rewarding to know we’re doing issues the proper approach,” she says.
Constructing with Coronary heart
Reflecting on her time at Atech, Michelle is happy with how a lot each she and the corporate have grown. When she began, Atech had about 150 workers and 11 terminals. In the present day, that quantity has grown to over 265 workers and 18 terminals—and counting.
“After I began, I used to be a one-person division,” she recollects. “Now we’ve added one other staff member, and because the firm grows, the division will too. It’s thrilling to consider what’s forward.”
Her biggest sense of accomplishment comes from serving to shift the notion of HR as one thing greater than a spot for disciplinary motion. “If I’ve helped create an setting the place workers and managers see HR as a accomplice, that’s a hit I’m actually happy with.”
Life Past the Workplace
Exterior of labor, Michelle embraces her artistic aspect and adventurous spirit. “I’ve dabbled in the whole lot from pottery to woodworking to knitting,” she says. She’s additionally an avid prepare dinner and baker with goals of taking superior culinary lessons sometime.
Journey is one other ardour, fueled partially by a childhood with restricted publicity to it. “I hadn’t been on a aircraft till I used to be 18 or outdoors of California and Nevada till I used to be 20,” she says. Now, she’s been to fifteen states and eight international locations, with loads extra on her bucket checklist.
Exploring new locations additionally evokes her work. “I really like researching locations earlier than I go to, studying in regards to the tradition, the historical past, the meals. That curiosity and appreciation for various views helps in HR too.”
Why Atech Feels Like Residence
Michelle credit a lot of her skilled achievement to Atech’s supportive tradition. “It’s not simply speak. Our management really values folks,” she says. “That’s extremely essential for somebody working in HR. It permits me to deal with proactive, significant work as an alternative of regularly placing out fires.”
She additionally enjoys the chance to contribute to firm occasions, like Atech’s annual administration summit. “It’s one of many extra artistic elements of my function,” she says. “Plus, it’s an ideal probability to attach with your entire staff in individual.”
When describing the tradition to potential workers, Michelle highlights the little issues: appreciation occasions, considerate touches at every terminal, and a real sense of household. “It’s a spot the place your work is valued, your voice is heard, and your development is supported,” she says.
Trying Forward
As Atech continues to increase, Michelle is happy for the longer term. “We’ve grown a lot already, however there’s nonetheless rather a lot forward,” she says. “I’m proud to be a part of an organization the place I really feel like I could make an influence each day.”
If she weren’t in HR, Michelle says she may see herself pursuing authorized compliance consulting or a specialised function inside the HR area. However it’s clear she’s precisely the place she’s meant to be.
“Serving to folks, fixing issues, and contributing to a greater office, it’s what I really like,” she says. “And I’m grateful I get to do it right here at Atech.”
