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Member Profile
What led you to Human Resources as a profession?
I worked for an exceptional pharmaceutical company in Germany (Boehringer
Mannheim, later acquired by Roche of Switzerland) for 9 years developing
analytical methods to measure pharmaceutical ingredients within various human
and animal fluids. In essence, I was “talking” to molecules trying to understand
and modify their molecular structure to alter their interactions. Over time, I
developed a desire to broaden my focus so I went back to school and obtained
a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in organizational Psychology, and a
minor in Economics. I transitioned from changing molecular behavior to modifying
organizational behavior.
In your opinion, what is the future of HR?
Organizations seek to retain HR functions that require expertise to solve
complex problems in a highly competitive marketplace. First, HR is instrumental
in developing and supporting organizational structures that are able to address
market forces and build competitive advantage. Second, there is a need to
source and build retention strategies for talent that mitigate the shortage of
qualified and high-performing associates, as competitive advantage increasingly
comes from the hard-to-duplicate know-how of a company’s most-skilled
knowledge workers. Third, HR needs to direct compliance of an ever-changing
regulatory environment on a federal, state, and city level. The most successful
companies will be able to leverage their HR strength to maintain their leadership
in their industry. While the outsourcing of repetitive HR functions can reduce
cost, strategic HR leadership will allow organizations to charge a premium for
their products and services.
What would you recommend
to someone just starting out in HR?
Focus and determination are essential to being successful. These two factors,
combined with a passion for your profession, will support high levels of
performance which in return will allow you to learn more, get more involved and
move your career along. Hard work and sacrifice are part of it, but tremendously
rewarding when you work for a good organization.
What do you find is the greatest reward working in HR?
You have a direct impact on the organization and you understand each part of
it as you see each function working and interacting together. It is the big picture
view you have in HR that I find amazingly engaging. Organizations and human
behavior are complex but also, in many ways, simple. Honing my own skills on
when to be soft and when to hold the line are fascinating learning moments.
Still, nothing to me is more rewarding than working with both colleagues on the
managerial level and valued associates who deliver the product which makes
our company successful.
What role has NCHRA played in your career?
I had set my sights on becoming PHR certified early on in my career and since
I learn best in a classroom setting, I took advantage of the preparation courses
NCHRA offers. I still take advantage of the available resources, including
webinars that allow me to stay on track of recent case law. It’s fascinating how
quickly things evolve in the regulatory employment environment and NCHRA is a
critical source I can rely on to keep abreast of the changes.
HR
BIOGRAPHY
Julio Fernandez
Director of Human Resources
W San FranCisco
Member since 2003
Julio Fernandez is the Human Resources Director at W San Francisco. His
career with Starwood began in 1999 after an internship at the Sheraton
Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Since then, Julio has had assignments
at many of Starwood’s brands in a variety of Human Resources roles
including Sheraton, Four Points, W, and the Luxury Collection. Prior to
serving as the Human Resources Director at W San Francisco, he was the
HR Director at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento.
Among his many professional passions, Julio enjoys the development
and mentoring of people, training for service culture excellence,
and offering Myers Briggs type indicator and emotional intelligences
classes. He also loves the challenge of staying abreast of the regulatory
environment and managing its changes on the business environment.
