Using my story and life experiences to help others grow their grit. Motivational speaking for schools, small businesses, large corporations and corporate events. Founder and writer for a weekly newsletter called "Growing Grit".

Motivational Speaker & Writer

Ramsey Solutions

• Led platform strategy for Ramsey Trusted consumer verticals, optimizing lead scoring for high-performing provider matches.
• Collaborated with senior tech leaders to modernize platform architecture, enhancing efficiency and scalability.
• Spearheaded migration from microservices to a domain-driven architecture, improving overall engineer experience.

Platform Product Manager

• Developed customer journeys connecting Dave Ramsey's content with service providers, scaling Ramsey Trusted to largest business unit.
• Led product discovery and iterative experimentation, achieving first $1M revenue month and 8-figure annual revenue.
• Doubled active business verticals by launching new matchmaking solutions based on high-value consumer needs.

Product Manager

• Shaped UX for core consumer products like Financial Peace University Online and Financial Coach Master Training.
• Transitioned into product leadership, owning cross-functional delivery of online learning and coaching tools.
• Co-led creation of Ramsey’s early design systems, improving developer efficiency by 30% and foundational work towards standardizing UX across flagship experiences.

Frontend Developer

Savi Technology

Brought on in a contract role to assist in releasing an entirely new version of their Savi Tracking web-based application. Collaborated with product owners and the development team in an Agile environment. Converted Flash-based user interface screens to modern front-end technologies, using Java, Spring MVC, JPA, HTML5, CSS and AngularJS.

Web Developer

Tempur Sealy International

Managed day-to-day front-end web development needs for Tempur-Pedic’s online presence, tempurpedic.com. Worked with copywriters and designers to implement online content for interactive product landing pages, ongoing and seasonal promotions, and online web forms. Collaborated with a large and diverse team to  design, develop and release an all new and innovated web presence in November 2013.

Web Development Consultant

Helping dads 10x their grit so they can grow it in their kids | Dad of 4 with dwarfism | Motivational Speaker | Software Engineer Turned Product Manager | Overcoming odds | Inspiring the world.

👋 Hi, my name is Kris. 

I am 4’5’’ tall, and was born with dwarfism.

Doctors told my parents I would never make it.

After I survived, doctors then told my mom to place me into an institution because I’d never walk, talk, or live a “normal” life.

As you are figuring out, it didn’t turn out that way.

“Challenge accepted” has been my mantra.

So has a faith in God and His ability to help me through anything.

That has led me to …

→ Recovering from 20+ surgeries all under the age of 20
→ Graduating high school in 2001
→ Going to college
→ Teaching myself how to design, code and media production
→ Starting multiple small businesses
→ Building a career in tech as a developer and now a product manager
→ Getting married
→ Having 4 kids, 2 with dwarfism

Maybe the doctors were right about one thing, after all.

My life is far from “normal”.

And I am 💯 percent here for it.

You might say I have quite the story.

So do you.

That’s why earlier this year I decided to start sharing my story via #linkedin, one-on-one conversations, and public speaking.

Not for my own gain, but to inspire you to face and share your own stories.

Because that’s the first step to building self-confidence and the life you want.

If you like what you’re reading, be sure to follow and even drop me a DM.

Hope this encourages you to push through whatever you are facing right now.

Kris Hammons

Human Resources Compensation Manager

Panera Bread

Sr. HR generalist role creating and/or executing human resource initiatives with key business partnerships to the retail leadership teams: 

• Current: Two Panera Regions (2 RVPs, 20 Area Operating Partners, 1 Regional Area Learning Manager, 8 Multi-Unit Training Managers, 2 Talent Acquisition Managers, 2 Regional Bakery Operations Managers, 8 Lead Bakery Market Managers, 2 Channel Growth Managers, 8 Channel Growth Specialists, and up to 140 cafes in 2 Panera Regions (IN., KY., TN.) and (NC., SC., VA).

• Previous: One Panera Region (1 RVP, 10 Area Operating Partners, 1 Regional Area Learning Manager, 4 Multi-Unit Training Managers, 2 Talent Acquisition Managers, 1 Regional Bakery Operations Managers, 4 Bakery Market Managers and up to 60 cafes in (IL., MO., NE.) and also Au Bon Pain Company (1 COO, 6 RVPs, 50 non-traditional cafes (IL., FL., DC., MD., NJ., NY., OH., PA., DC., MD.) with HRM and Recruiter (2) direct reports.

Senior Human Resources Manager

Spring Mobile

Supported up to 13 regions for all 3 brands as the designated HR leader for Vice Presidents, Regional Directors, DMs, Store Managers.
• Selected as Master of Ceremonies for field management conference in 2017, based on my facilitation skills and positive high energy. 
• Presidents Club (S Factor) awards in 2016 and 2017 based on field leader and peer nominations for outstanding service. 
• Built trusted HR business partnerships from responsiveness, field travels, integration, and alignment.  
• Successful results from Department of Labor onsite audits and achieved multiple dismissals from EEOC charges filed.  
• Managed the HR websites for all 3 brands and implemented HR Acuity case file system for HR field team. 
• Built and facilitated Respectful Workplace and HR 101 training for companywide use resulting in 35% reduction in hotline calls. 
• Supported fast store count growth acquisitions for Spring Mobile (+800) and consulted on several reorganizations for all 3 brands. 
• Transferred HR role from GameStop stores to Tech Brands stores in July, 2015. Several field travels to learn 3 new businesses, build leadership partnerships in field, and corporate office relationships in Salt Lake City headquarters.

Field Human Resources Manager (Tech Brands: Spring Mobile & Simply Mac) a division of GameStop INC.

GameStop

Provided HR leadership within a 6-billion-dollar business by building partnerships with the Market VPs of Stores, Regional Directors, District Managers, and Store Management in the areas of all field human resources functions. My role supported up to 8 RDs, 115 DMs, 4,000 employees and partnerships with 13 other field HR Managers. 
• Requested by SVP of HR to facilitate leadership development workshops to prepare hi-potential DMs for Regional Director positions.
• Recognized with the first “Gold Bunny Pin” Service award at the annual operations conference in 2011 for gold standard HR service.  
• Changed job role for one year to lead the implementation of leadership training to include a million-dollar investment with DDI.
• Designed and facilitated several leadership developments workshops for field managers, multi-unit leaders, and HR Managers.
• Influenced SVPs, RDs, DMs, and Store Managers in resolving employee relations issues or conflicts by providing trusted advice.  
• Reduced EEOC settlement costs each year by instituting performance management processes, training, and internal investigations. 
• Successful audits in state labor law compliance from communication, education, reporting, internal audits, and accountability.

Field Human Resources Manager, Generalist (South, West, North, Central) Markets

Specialized HR business partner role internally created and designated to provide leadership development to 8 regions (1 Market VP; 6 Regional Directors; 2 Regional VP's, 106 District Managers, 16 DMT's; 16 MTSM's, 1300 SMgrs.) within the Market (close to 1,300 stores). Some of the essential job functions included:
• Led talent management, retention, succession planning, and recruiting processes.
• Served as the field point person for all training initiatives.
• Designed and developed metrics to assess effectiveness.
• Facilitated workshops individually and in group settings to train and retain high-potential leadership.
• Leveraged a comprehensive knowledge of adult learning principles in teaching new job skills.
• Served as a coach to all levels within the field organization to drive strategy.
• Dedicated point person for the review process and subsequent development plans.
• Designated subject matter expert for DDI and Online Performance Tools (OPAL) offerings.
• Provided employee relations support as needed.

Talent and Organizational Development Manager, North Market

• HR business partner that provided strategic leadership in all employee relations, recruiting and talent management for Central Region covering over 635 locations in (NE., IA., KS., OK., AR., MO., IN., IL., IN., TN., KY., VA., NC., SC.). Supporting 1 VP of Stores, 4 Regional Directors, 48 District Managers and reporting to DVP of HR. My field based office was located in St. Louis, MO. The company was trending toward 6 billion dollars in sales revenue. My 4 regions represented over 700  million dollars in volume.

Field Human Resources Manager, Central Market

American Signature Inc.

•  Led HR functions for Central Region, which generated sales revenue of 300 million as part of a $1 billion dollar company. The major responsibilities, as an HR business partner, is being the center of excellence with 3 other RHRM's, 2 RSMs, 5 DSM's, 200 GM's covering 37 big box stores in 6 states (IL., IN., MI., MO.,TN., WI.). This position is strategically located in the field with a company car and extensive travel budget to visit stores and the Ohio headquarters. 

•  Managerial facets of Generalist duties including employment law; coaching; mentoring; investigations; training; public speaking; EEOC mediations; conflict resolution; talent acquisition; compliance management. 

•  Achieved strategic partnerships, which impacted the following: reduced EEOC charges, lawsuits, increased sales, redesigned organizational culture, leadership development, outsourcing, recruiting, succession planning, new store staffing needs.

Regional Human Resources Manager, Generalist

Footstar INC. (Footstar Athletic Division - Just for Feet and FootAction)

• Restructuring combined Just for Feet and Footaction into Footstar Athletic. 
•  This new position reported directly to the VPHR. Annual sales revenue was $1 billion for this specialty retail division of a multi billion dollar company. The major responsibilities included partnering with 5 other HRM’s to improve field HR compliance functions with staffing in stores, labor laws, HRIS systems, background checks, SSN integrities, time clock edits, safety practices, and process improvements to streamline profit and productivity for 600 locations, 35 DSM’s, and 8,000 employees. Managed all internet recruiting functions. Mastered several systems: (Lawson, Crystal, Carco, Kenexa). 

• Established influential business partnerships with Shared Services teams including benefits, payroll, customer service, LP, and IS. This led to new systems which improved compliance with staffing, minor’s labor laws, pre-employment testing, SSN errors, I-9 auditing, consistent pay practices and time edits. Extensive travel to visit stores, corporate office in NJ, and Service Center in Dallas.

Human Resources (Corporate & Stores) HRIS Manager

Footstar INC. (Just for Feet Division)

Regional Human Resources Manager (Generalist) 
Just for Feet Division (April 2002-April 2003) 
• Supervised all field HR functions including, recruiting; associate development; associate relations and annual performance management process for 5 districts (45 stores or $250 million in sales revenue) in the western region for Just for Feet stores. 

Group HR Manager, Organizational Development 
Just for Feet Division (April 2001-April 2002) 
• Directed training for a $500 million dollar chain of 93 stores, 2 RVP’s, 11 DSM’s and 6,000 employees. 
• Supervised 2 Regional Recruiting Training and Development Managers as direct reports in satellite locations. 
• Created all training and development programs for field (designed company handbook, deployed e-learning modules, launched 360 feedback, designed employee training website, conference content development, facilitated leadership workshops, and all field training programs based on strategy)
• Partnered with other HR leaders in the 2 other brands (FootAction and Meldisco) for best practices.  

Regional HR Training, Development, and Recruiting Manager 
Just for Feet Division (March 2000-April 2001) 
• Traveled to manage all training & recruiting needs for the $200 million dollar western region with 45 stores, 1 RVP, 5 DSM’s, and 3300 employees including staffing processes, new store training and learning systems.
• Footstar INC. acquired Just for Feet during bankruptcy and I was offered this position after acquisition was completed.

HR Generalist, Organizational Development, Training, Recruiting Manager

Just For Feet

JUST FOR FEET INC. World’s Largest Athletic Shoe Superstore 
•  Files bankruptcy in 1999 (5 month process) 
•  1999 (9 months)-Human Resources Regional Trainer
•  1998 (1 year)-District Sales Manager(45.5 Million)–Birmingham, AL. 
•  1996 (2.5 years)-Director of Corporate Training Store (10 million)–Birmingham, AL. 
•  1996 Store Director, New Store (8 Million)–Buchead, Atlanta 
•  1994 Store Manager, Flag-ship Store (18 million)–Las Vegas Forum Shops. Relocated four times for advancement opportunities in Nevada, Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri. 
•  Earned a Best Attitude Award from President in 1997 and again in 1998 at national leadership conferences. 
•  Facilitated training over 100 new and existing store management teams during a huge new store growth period for 2 years. 
•  Mastered entertainment retailing in the company’s 18 million dollar flagship store in Vegas.

Store Operations (Store Manager, Store Director, Training Director, DM, HR, Training, Recruiting)

Edison Brothers Stores INC

(Corporate) Wild Pair Buyer & Merchandiser (1 year) 
•  Overseeing buying & merchandising for 80 stores 
•  Extensive travel to all 80 west coast stores annually 
•  Promoted 1993 from flagship store to home office in St. Louis 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Store Operations) Retail General Manager (7 years) 
•  Supervising 10-40 employees & 2 Assistant Managers per location 
•  Mall based stores generated excess of $1 million annually 
•  Promoted 10 times to 7 states from 1986-1993 in the following locations: 

• General Manager of WILD PAIR Store Locations: (5 different locations in California) Flagship Store in Fox Hills Mall, Northridge Mall, Westwood Village, Century City, Montclair Plaza. 

• General Manager of CHANDLERS (6 different states) Store Locations: (Garden State Plaza) Paramus, NJ. (Hartford Mall) Hartford, CT. (Winter Street) Boston, MA. (Thousand Mile Mall) Troy, MI. (Louisville Mall) Shelbyville, KY. (Glenbrook Mall) Fort Wayne, IN.

Corporate Buyer and Store Operations

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY: 
Human Resources professional with strong work ethic. Additionally recognized for an outstanding legacy in aligning business strategies and talent management with measurable solutions. Blended background of business operations and human resources leadership. Long term tenure and progression in dynamic organizations. 

Specialties: Leadership Development, Diversity/Inclusion, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, Coaching, Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition, Merger/Integration, Employee Relations, Legal Compliance, Investigations. 

Certifications: Hay Group Emotional Intelligence; DDI/Franklin Covey Certified Facilitator, HR Council & SHRM Human Resources Management, Wicklander-Zulawski Interview & Interrogation Certified, ASTD & SHRM Member; Communicating with Diplomacy & Professionalism, Business Writing Grammar Skills, Desktop Publishing, Information Mapping, President of Home Owners Association, PADI Certified Diver.

taplio

The Battle

Kris Hammons

David Dowty

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?