Luncheon Meeting 11:30am to 1:30pm
​Holiday Inn, Downtown Johnstown
​Shawn Kaufman
Riggs Industries

​HRCI and SHRM Credits: Approved 1.5 General Credits

Overview: There has never been a better time to be an HR professional. Mr. Kaufman will discuss this with those in attendance. Topics covered will be how the staffing shortage has provided HR the perfect storm to raise our profile. He will discuss the bottom line impact through recruiting and retention strategies. He will talk about how HR must adopt a sales/business development mindset. He will help attendees increase their business acumen. Mr. Kaufman will teach attendees to seek learning opportunities outside the HR function, as well as seeking leadership roles in industry, civic, or volunteer organizations. Mr. Kaufman will help HR professionals increase their stock within their own company and market those abilities and accomplishments.

Mr. Shawn Kaufman is the Director of Human Resources for Riggs Industries Inc., parent company of J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers where he has been the department head for 15 years. Riggs Industries is one of the largest and most diverse family-owned businesses in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The company is engaged in a variety of industries including manufacturing construction, retail and custom welding and fabrication. His primary responsibilities include recruitment, retention, employee relations along with employee benefit design & management, and policy development. While with Riggs, Mr. Kaufman has worked closely with internal stakeholders to develop creative and unique recruitment & training strategies and community outreach programs. Mr. Kaufman currently serves as a Board member of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, Business Co-Chair for the Cambria Somerset Manufacturers Consortia and a Past President of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Board. He serves on an advisory capacity with multiple career & technology centers, a community college and an under graduate college. He is frequently asked to speak to educators and student groups regarding job opportunities in the skilled trades, educational requirements and employer expectations. He has presented at national conferences and been interviewed in trade publications on matters related to employee recruitment and retention strategies. Prior to joining Riggs, Mr. Kaufman worked for several commercial real estate management and development companies. He has been an adjunct instructor in the Business Department at Mount Aloysius College for 20 years. Mr. Kaufman has a Master’s Degree in Human Resources / Industrial Relations from St Francis University in Loretto, PA.