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Innovative and strategic leader with over 20 years of human resources and organization…
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Dennis Armstrong shared thishttps://lnkd.in/gSgzCXbz Happy to share the recently published Blog at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Professional and Executive Development (UWCPED)! Many thanks to Mark Hasting, CEO & President of Blain’s Supply and Blain’s Farm & Fleet and to Jane Blain Gilbertson, Executive Chair of the Board, for their support and to the WUCPED instructors who delivered program content and to the 15 emerging leaders who participated in the inaugural 2025 program! Blain’s will now have a great bench of leaders ready to support the growth of the company!Designing an Emerging Leaders Development Program That Works: Key Questions to AnswerDesigning an Emerging Leaders Development Program That Works: Key Questions to Answer
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Dennis Armstrong shared thisI am delighted and honored to support UW EBC as a program director for 2026 along with the other outstanding leaders noted here!UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
Dennis Armstrong shared thisAs UWEBC enters its next phase, we’re evolving how we design and deliver learning, and we’re thrilled to welcome our Practice Directors in Residence! 👏 David Dwight - Product Management 👏 Dave Schroeder - Cybersecurity 👏 Shawn D. Belling, Ed.D, PMP, PMI-ACP, CSP - Agile 👏 James Rink, Ed.D. - Manufacturing 👏 Jason Voiovich - Marketing 👏 Spencer X. Smith - Growth 👏 Jennifer Anderson - Change Leadership 👏 Dennis Armstrong - Talent These seasoned leaders bring real-world, hands-on expertise to help shape and guide our programming across our four focus areas. You'll be sure to see them throughout the year as they turn their insights into action! Learn more and get to know your new Practice Directors in Residence at https://lnkd.in/gmZMK6Ai -
Dennis Armstrong shared thisExcellent advice Marshall! I have always shared with leaders that they are always on the stage from the time you get out of your car or walk into the building until you leave the same way at the end of the day! And if you don’t think your employees know what kind of mood you are in, you are simply ignoring reality! Everyone is watching everything everywhere all the time! The recent Jumbotron rom-bomb is a recent example!Dennis Armstrong shared thisI always say these words before any speech, video or presentation. IT'S SHOWTIME! This is also advice that I give to my executive coaching clients. “Do I really have to watch whatI I say and how I act in every meeting… for the rest of my career?” This is one of the most common questions I’ve been asked by leaders over the years. My answer is always the same: Yes. If you want to be a great leader that day. Leadership IS a performance. You don’t get to step out of character when the spotlight feels inconvenient. The people around you are always watching - and learning from you. That may sound exhausting, but it’s also an incredible privilege. The best leaders never forget: in every meeting, every conversation, every moment - it’s showtime! Life is good. Marshall
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Dennis Armstrong shared thisCheck this out! Great preview of the upcoming UW EBC Conference in Madison WI next week! If you have not yet signed up, do so quickly as seats are filling up! This is a great conference with great speakers and tracts for HR, Customer Service, Marketing and Supply Chain!UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
Dennis Armstrong shared thisGet a sneak peek of what’s ahead at the UWEBC Annual Conference! Nancy Giordano, author of Leadering and one of our featured speakers on September 30, is joining us for a LinkedIn Live interview—and you’re invited. 📅 Date: September 25, 2025 🕒 Time: 12:15pm Central She’ll share insights from her work, stories behind the book, and a preview of what she’ll be bringing to the stage. Have a question for Nancy? Submit it here: https://lnkd.in/gWxn_qaT Don’t miss this chance to hear from her directly before the big day! -
Dennis Armstrong shared thisAs a sailor, I think Marshall captured he essence of change in this post perfectly! So how do you deal with change: - Do you stay on course even when the winds change? - Do you change you course when hit with changing winds? - Do you drop you sails and way until the winds change? Or - Do you adjust you sails to leverage the changing winds? The choices you make will impact the course of your life!Dennis Armstrong shared thisIn our journey through life, we may need to “adjust the sails” many times. It is great to be an optimist. Hope for the best! It is also wise to be a realist. The world is what it is. We live in a period of incredibly rapid change. The age of stability is long gone. Rather than resisting, make peace with continuous learning. Even better, learn to enjoy it. Make 'sail adjusting' an expectation. Even when you step into a new role, realize that this position may not last forever. Organizations, strategies, and markets shift quickly. Always be “packed and ready” to move on when you need to. The best leaders - and the happiest people - are those who can adjust their sails and keep moving forward, no matter which way the wind blows. Life is good. Marshall Thank you for reading my reflections. I always love your comments.
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Dennis Armstrong shared thisI am excited and honored to be a part of the upcoming HR track at the University of Wisconsin’s E-Business Consortium. Great organization that provides opportunities for businesses to share best practices and drive engagement, teamwork and performance! Check it out!UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium)
Dennis Armstrong shared thisIntroducing the Human Resources Track Steering Committee for this year’s UWEBC Annual Conference! These HR leaders are shaping a track that will explore approaches to talent strategy, workforce transformation, and building people-centered organizations. Their insight is helping us design sessions full of takeaways, future-focused thinking, and ideas to elevate HR impact across industries. Meet the leaders guiding this year’s track: •Dennis Armstrong – Talent Transformation Strategist and Retired Chief Human Resources Officer, Blain's Farm & Fleet (Blain Supply, Inc.) •Jen Kilman – Director, Talent Development, OMRON Americas •Kelly Konkol – Global Head of Human Resources, Harley-Davidson Motor Company Learn more about the Annual Conference here: https://lnkd.in/dUtXzVPi #UWEBC2025 #HumanResources #HRStrategy -
Dennis Armstrong shared thisWe kicked off our first Emerging Leader Development Program on 6/11/2025. The program cosists of three full days of four highly interactive worshops, one day per month in June, July and August, on well curated topics designed and delivered by a UW CPED instructor and a Blain’s senior leader. Jeff and the rest of the UW CPED instructors and Blain’s senior leaders, including Kate Schlesinger and I did a great job of providing critical information and content that will support the development of the 15 outstanding emerging leaders selected for this year’s inaugural program! The program concludes in September when each of the three 5 leader teams will present their projects, using the knowledge and skills they’ve learned, to the Blain’s Leadership Team (LT) wil then decide which projects may get funded in next years budget. Many thanks to Jeff and the other UW CPED instructors and Blain’s leaders who delivered the topics in June! Our next session on July 9th will be at the Fluno Center in Madison! I can’t wait to see the fantastic day we have planned for these emerging leaders in action!Dennis Armstrong shared thisBlain's Farm & Fleet (Blain Supply, Inc.) isn’t just a great place to shop. It’s a 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑇𝑜 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘, recognized year after year for its culture and values. Now, they’re raising the bar again. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Professional & Executive Development, Blain’s has launched its first-ever Emerging Leader Development Program, designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate and lead change in a fast-moving world. A special shoutout to Dennis Armstrong, former CHRO and now Talent Strategist at Blain’s, who led the charge in designing and championing this initiative. It was a privilege to join this inaugural cohort and work with emerging leaders across the organization, diving into the fundamentals of change and what it takes to lead it effectively. Blain’s understands what high-performing organizations already know: If you want lasting change, start by equipping your people to lead it. #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalChange #HighPerformance #EmergingLeaders #ChanConsulting #CultureOfExcellence #ChangeLeadership
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Dennis Armstrong shared thisExcited to join this group of talented executives to discuss leadership at UW’s Center for Professional and Exective webinar: developing frontline through advanced leaders seminar! Check it out!Dennis Armstrong shared thisPlease join me as I facilitate a conversation with three incredible executive leaders about leadership development in 2025 - what they are seeing as executives at their organizations, and other insights and tips into developing frontline through advanced leaders. Alan S. Kaplan, MD, Dennis Armstrong, Pam Rushing, CPCU https://lnkd.in/ew54uW3bWelcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Leadership Development in 2025: Insights from Executives on Preparing Frontline to Advanced Leaders. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Leadership Development in 2025: Insights from Executives on Preparing Frontline to Advanced Leaders. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
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Dennis Armstrong shared thisJust wanted to share that my blog on retail strategy just got published by the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Professional and Executive Development! Please take a minute to read and let me know what you think! Best, Dennis https://lnkd.in/d8Zfk5Kr
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Congratulations Pete! 🎉
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisDr. Prasad Kodukula, PMP, PgMP, DASSM, ACP, BCES, PMI Fellow
Dr. Prasad Kodukula, PMP, PgMP, DASSM, ACP, BCES, PMI Fellow
Dennis Armstrong liked thisAs we celebrate PMI Volunteer Month this April, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to give back through PMI Chicagoland’s mentoring program 🙏. I’ve served as a mentor in this program for the past 10 years. The program runs for 20 weeks, twice a year, with each mentor working one-on-one with a mentee to help achieve a selected professional or personal goal. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring more than 15 mentees, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. This photo was taken last week at the midterm session of our current program 📸. I’m thankful to be part of a chapter that creates such meaningful opportunities to support and uplift our project management community. #PMIVolunteerMonth #PMIChicagoland #Mentoring #ProjectManagement #GivingBack #Leadership #PMI Khal Daghestani, PMP, SMC Noel McElroy, PMP, CSM, ITIL, MBA, SAFe 6 SSM Kenneth Ropiak Francis Labayen Ravi Avasarala MBA, PMP, DASSM, CSM, SAFe SA, RTE, SM Rich Klein Roland Calia #IllinoisTech #StuartSchoolOfBusiness -
Dennis Armstrong liked thisVersique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting
Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting
Dennis Armstrong liked thisMeet the team behind HR Interim Consulting at Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting. HR leadership gaps do not wait for the perfect hire, and the right interim professional keeps your people strategy moving without missing a step. With Minnesota's new paid leave law now in effect, the demand for experienced HR interim leaders is only growing. Our team places professionals who are ready to step in and make an immediate impact across roles such as CHRO, VP of Human Resources, HR Director, HR Business Partner, Talent Acquisition Leader, Total Rewards Manager, and more. With a strong understanding of both HR operations and the urgency that comes with interim needs, this team knows how to match the right leader to the right organization at the right time. Meet the team: Jenna Estlick, President Angie Howard, Sr. Managing Director of Recruiting Jenny Kriha, Sr. Director of Client Partnerships Kim Gabrielse, Sr. Director of Client Partnerships Kelly Davis, Director of Client Partnerships Avary Pomerleau, Director of Client Partnerships Colee Bean, Sr. Recruiter Darrin Olmscheid, Sr. Recruiter Kyria Stark, Talent Engagement Specialist Learn more about the team and how we can help: https://lnkd.in/giywHWJp -
Dennis Armstrong liked thisDennis Armstrong liked thisIf I had to give up one leadership habit for Lent, it would probably be this: Interrupting people. Sometimes I jump ahead in conversations because I feel I’ve already figured something out. Yet when we interrupt people, we may unintentionally send the message that we’re not really listening. And good leadership starts with listening. Sometimes the habits we need to stop are the ones that come most naturally. What’s one leadership habit you’ve had to work on? 🎙 At The Table Podcast: #264 — Give It Up To learn more about this topic, listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gqVSHnVD
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisAmazing work to all of the teams at Purina Mills, LLC and Blain's Farm & Fleet (Blain Supply, Inc.) for bringing two phenomenal companies together. Cannot wait to carry a top notch product for our neighbors!Dennis Armstrong liked thisAfter years of working to make it happen, it’s finally here. Blain’s Farm & Fleet now proudly carries Purina Animal Nutrition livestock feed. This has been a long time in the making—and we couldn’t be more excited to bring you one of the most trusted names in animal nutrition. Whether you’re raising chickens, cattle, swine, or more, you can now find the Purina feeds you’ve been asking for, right here in-store. Stop in, stock up, and see what the wait was all about.
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisThis is a great example Of using data to drive direction in a community. Shout to Forward Janesville for this community/voter survey and sharing the details.Dennis Armstrong liked thisJanesville is moving forward, and our community is feeling it. We asked local residents about priorities, growth, and the future of Janesville. The message was clear: there’s strong support for thoughtful, responsible growth and a shared belief in where we’re headed. 📊 51% say Janesville is on the right track, driven by a strong economy, job opportunities, and continued investment in our community. At the same time, residents are focused on what’s next—housing, city spending, and job growth. When you look at the 2026 Community Poll alongside the 2025 BRE Survey, one thing stands out: Janesville has momentum. As a community, we have an opportunity to build on that progress while tackling challenges like housing and affordability. This is a community that believes in where it’s going and is ready to build what’s next. Dive into the Community Poll’s full results, insights, and slides here: https://hubs.ly/Q048CbQq0 Watch the highlights 👇 What excites you most about Janesville’s future?
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisDennis Armstrong liked this✨ An Invitation to Elevate Your Leadership Effectiveness ✨ Are you a leader navigating complexity and transformation? I've got space for two new coaching clients! Let's work together to cultivate a grounded presence that fosters clarity amidst uncertainty, confidence in chaos, and resilience through non-stop change. 🔍 Why Choose Coaching with Me? My coaching approach blends strategic insight with practical tools to help you to lead change in ways that build trust, adaptability, and performance while minimizing change fatigue and burnout. The result = stronger leadership + healthy, high-performing cultures ➡️ Empowerment: I’m committed to helping you build resilience, leveling up your nervous system literacy and emotional intelligence skills so that you and your team can thrive. I will help you tap into your strengths and invite you to explore different perspectives to move yourself and the organization forward. ➡️ Expert Guidance: With years of experience guiding transformation, I bring a wealth of experience to our sessions. I will challenge you and ask powerful questions to help you move from where you are to where you want to be. ➡️ Holistic Approach: As a certified mind-body practitioner, I focus on enhancing self-awareness, embodiment, and intuition, strengthening your ability to lead with confidence and purpose. 🎤 What my clients say "Every time we meet, something big shifts." Susan F Are you ready to shift your perspective and take inspired action? 📅 Book your complimentary consultation to learn more. Link in comments. #executivecoaching #leadership #transformation #vision
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisDennis Armstrong liked this✅ Translate data into action! Training to bridge the gap for professionals, leaders, and anyone looking to make data-driven decisions. 📈 This hands-on course focuses on applying advanced data and analytics methods to real supply chain and operations challenges. Designed for those with varying levels of technical experience, we'll learn how to use analytics to improve forecasting, planning, and operational decision-making. 💡Learn more and enroll now: https://lnkd.in/gRtWA384 🤝 UWEBC member? Ask me about a discount! #SupplyChain #Analytics #DataDriven #Operations #ProfessionalDevelopment #UWMadison UW-Madison Interdisciplinary Professional Programs UWEBC (University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium) Ralph Asher Jeff Clement
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisIn our fast-paced professional lives, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But sometimes, the most impactful work happens outside the office. Taking time to step away and dedicate ourselves to giving back is rewarding, especially when the mission so closely aligns to the work we do every day. We can make a difference in the lives of others and contribute positively to the world around us. Grateful to be able to volunteer with Besa, support LifeCare Alliance and proudly represent Cardinal Health.Dennis Armstrong liked this👏 Proud team moment! This month, my leadership team stepped away from our screens and spent the morning at LifeCare Alliance - an in-home health agency in Central Ohio that provides essentials like Meals on Wheels to older or homebound adults and the medically challenged in the region. In just two hours, we prepared 2,090 meals that were delivered directly to those in need. It was a powerful reminder of why our mission at Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions matters: Helping people feel supported, independent and able to thrive at home. Seeing that mission in action - and contributing to it hands-on - was invaluable. Grateful to LifeCare Alliance and Besa for allowing us the opportunity to work alongside your incredible teams.
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Dennis Armstrong liked thisDennis Armstrong liked thisGrateful for the thoughtful gesture from my workplace celebrating the arrival of our newest family member 🌸 Receiving flowers during such a special moment was a reminder of how meaningful it is to be part of a team that truly values people… not just as employees, but as individuals and families. This new chapter comes with a lot of change (and a little less sleep), but also a renewed perspective on what matters most. I’m thankful to be supported both at home and at work. Appreciate the kindness and support… it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Experience & Education
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
View Dennis’s full experience
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Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer
Ohio Food Bank
Health
Honors & Awards
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Forbes Best Mid-Sized Company to work for 2024
Forbes
Recognized by Forbes as Best Mid-Sized Company to work for in 2025 for a record seven times in a row
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OnCon Top 50 HR professionals
OnCon
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OnCon Top 50 HR Professionals 2023
OnCon Awards
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OnCon Icon Top Fifty HR Professionals Award
OnCon Conferences as voted on by my peers
Annual OnCon Icon Award for Top 50 HR Professionals as voted on by other HR leaders
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Forbes Best Mid-size Employers 2019
Forbes Magazine
Annual award sponsored by Forbes for best companies based on independent survey of employees of companies.
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Forbes Best Mid-sized Companies in Illinois 2019
Forbes Magazine
Annual award provided by Forbes magazine based on independent survey of employees of mid-sized companies.
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Forbes Best Mid-sized Companies to work for 2018
Forbes
Independent assessment conducted by Forbes to identify the best companies of different sizes to work for in the United States.
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HR Team of the year 2015
Crain’s Cleveland Business
My HR Operations team received the HR team of the year for innovative approaches for engaging and retaining associates in our production factory.
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HR Executive of the Year 2014
Crain's Cleveland
Recognized for development and implementation of HR strategy and processes to support the Vitamix Corporation during a period of extraordinary growth from 2011 through 2014, while sales doubled and total employment increased threefold.
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Forbes Best Mid-sized companies to work for 2021
Forbes magazine
Annual award presented by Forbes magazine based on results of a survey of 50,000 employees nationwide.
Organizations
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SHRM
HRPS
- Present
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