Atlanta Alumni Chapter's Newest Members
Robert Rees -Nominated by Jennifer Bendetti
Robert A. Rees is a results oriented, relationship driven Senior HR and IT leader with proven capabilities in growth, restructure, M&A and turnaround. His demonstrated abilities in formulating strategy, service delivery, technology, payroll and total rewards design and administration have helped fortune 50 / fortune 500 companies achieve business objectives while improving service delivery. Currently, Robert serves a Senior HR leader at Colonial Pipeline Company in Alpharetta, GA managing all aspects of HR administration.
His passion is creating strategic vision, developing talent, managing and aligning teams and implementing processes that transform traditional HR and IT shops into value generators. Known for his successful projects, Robert builds organizational performance through business partnerships, innovation and a focus on operational excellence. Professionally, he thrives in team oriented environments where workforce strategy, leadership development and problem solving enhance individual performance and bolster employee morale.
Academically, Robert graduated in the top ten percent of the 2013 Robinson College of Business Executive MBA class, is a member of the Golden Key Society and serves on the GSU EMBA Alumni Board in charge of Career Development. He is originally from Savannah, GA where he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Armstrong Atlantic State University also an honor graduate.
Personally, Robert and his family reside in Sandy Springs, GA and spend most of their non-working time enjoying various outdoor activities including swimming, tennis, golf, hiking, biking and inline skating. Robert is very spiritual and gives pays it forward through community service and volunteering.
Recognition, Awards and Community Service / Affiliations
Accomplishments
His passion is creating strategic vision, developing talent, managing and aligning teams and implementing processes that transform traditional HR and IT shops into value generators. Known for his successful projects, Robert builds organizational performance through business partnerships, innovation and a focus on operational excellence. Professionally, he thrives in team oriented environments where workforce strategy, leadership development and problem solving enhance individual performance and bolster employee morale.
Academically, Robert graduated in the top ten percent of the 2013 Robinson College of Business Executive MBA class, is a member of the Golden Key Society and serves on the GSU EMBA Alumni Board in charge of Career Development. He is originally from Savannah, GA where he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Armstrong Atlantic State University also an honor graduate.
Personally, Robert and his family reside in Sandy Springs, GA and spend most of their non-working time enjoying various outdoor activities including swimming, tennis, golf, hiking, biking and inline skating. Robert is very spiritual and gives pays it forward through community service and volunteering.
Recognition, Awards and Community Service / Affiliations
- GSU Alumni Board EMBA Member
- Golden Key Society
- Secretary, Liquid Pipeline Roundtable (78 member companies)
- Santa mission through WBPC for Emory transplant recipients
- SHRM Member / IHRIM Member (HRIP) / Habitat for Humanity / United Way Pledge Volunteer
- AASU International English Honors Society / CUB College Union Board
- B.S.A Eagle Scout - National Eagle Honor Society member / Big Brothers Big Sister BBBS (@ Parkside Elementary)
- Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes 06,07,08,09
Accomplishments
- Compensation structure redesign with a focus on pay for performance and total cash compensation
- HR portal and Candidate onboarding for day 1 readiness (30, 90 & 1 year Mgr. toolkit)
- M&A: Ryder, NUI, SouthStar, Jefferson Island M&A (acquisition, people and systems integration)
- PeopleSoft 9.1, 8.9, 8.3, 8.0 and 7.5 implementations / upgrades – Benefits Administration, Merit and Variable Compensation program implementations.
- Total Retirement and Pension Outsourcing (TRO) & Benefits Administration Call Center Outsourcing (BA)
Andrew Byrd - Nominated by Barrett Carter
Andrew Byrd has been involved in one aspect or another of the entertainment business since childhood. After all, he was a class clown.
On a serious note, as early as elementary school, Mr. Byrd demonstrated early signs of a sense of community. As a second grader, he participated in a contest among several DeKalb County Elementary Schools to name a community park. His winning submission was: Friendship Park. Later, he joined the Boy Scouts. At the age of twelve, his entrepreneurial qualities begin to form, as he washed and waxed cars, and cut grass in the neighborhood. He now says, "I did those jobs for an amount of money that would not even be enough to purchase a movie ticket today. But, I was thrilled to have the chance to help my neighbors with tasks and earn some money."
His formal entrepreneurial enterprises originate to his late years in High School. In fact, his efforts and business acumen did not go unnoticed. So much so, a fellow classmate gave a briefcase to him as a graduation present. He was often teased by his friends for using holiday breaks and long weekends as an opportunity to work and to be productive while other classmates chose to see movies, shop at malls, eat at restaurants and engage in other playful activities. He was regarded as the guy who would be the “business man.”
In Mr. Byrd's words, his first "Real business was a mobile disc jockey business." Now, many years later, he will be the first to tell you, that there are disc jockeys, and there are MusicMASTER Disc Jockeys. He has spent the better part of his life developing, building, and perfecting the entertainment standard for the mobile disc jockey industry, in which he is highly respected. When one of his staff performs at an event, you can be assured of excellence. Fitting, the positioning statement for that company is; "At MusicMASTER Disc Jockeys, it’s more than playing music, it’s knowing how to entertain!"
At this point in his career, Mr. Byrd is founder and president of 6 businesses, mostly engaged in the wedding and corporate special events industries, employing staff members in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. His latest endeavors involve expanding some of his business activities into Florida. As busy as he is, he shows no signs of slowing.
Today, Mr. Byrd has nearly 30 years of entertainment and performance experience. He has been a touring musician, professional Emcee, Producer, Director, and a Radio Personality in Atlanta, and other markets in the Southeast. In college, he even explored possibilities in acting, having appeared in several movies, most notable; Love Potion #9 and Something to Talk About.
Mr. Byrd has been recognized by his peers and many of the top professional organizations in the wedding and special events industry, including but not limited to; DJ Times Magazine, Modern Bride Magazine, Atlanta Bride Magazine, Southern Distinction Magazine, and he is a two-time recipient of the Roy J.C. Jahn Visionary of the Year Award by the members of the Athens Wedding Professionals. He has also received the
BIO FOR ANDREW BYRD
Industry Service Award and Member of the Year Award by the National Association of Wedding Professionals.
In total, Mr. Byrd has performed at more than 4,000 private and corporate events for such entities as: Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, The Home Depot, Victoria’s Secret, Chic-Fil-A, UPS, AT&T, CDC, and many others.
Beyond the stage, Andrew also serves on the boards of many industry organizations, non-industry organizations and non-profit groups, exhibiting his entrepreneurial and humanitarian spirit. He is also an ordained minister.
Mr. Byrd has a leadership style that is decisive, a communication style that is crystal clear, and a sense of humor that leaves one laughing, even in the face of bad news.
As you can see, that is quite a resumé. Even with a lofty list of achievements, he is still committed to the ideals which he had when it all started.
When not traveling, dealing with the matters of his business interests or speaking, he may be found at his primary home in Braselton, GA or his farm south of Atlanta. He has many hobbies. The short list includes; spending time with family & friends, flying airplanes (even upside down at times) and helping others to enrich their lives.
On a serious note, as early as elementary school, Mr. Byrd demonstrated early signs of a sense of community. As a second grader, he participated in a contest among several DeKalb County Elementary Schools to name a community park. His winning submission was: Friendship Park. Later, he joined the Boy Scouts. At the age of twelve, his entrepreneurial qualities begin to form, as he washed and waxed cars, and cut grass in the neighborhood. He now says, "I did those jobs for an amount of money that would not even be enough to purchase a movie ticket today. But, I was thrilled to have the chance to help my neighbors with tasks and earn some money."
His formal entrepreneurial enterprises originate to his late years in High School. In fact, his efforts and business acumen did not go unnoticed. So much so, a fellow classmate gave a briefcase to him as a graduation present. He was often teased by his friends for using holiday breaks and long weekends as an opportunity to work and to be productive while other classmates chose to see movies, shop at malls, eat at restaurants and engage in other playful activities. He was regarded as the guy who would be the “business man.”
In Mr. Byrd's words, his first "Real business was a mobile disc jockey business." Now, many years later, he will be the first to tell you, that there are disc jockeys, and there are MusicMASTER Disc Jockeys. He has spent the better part of his life developing, building, and perfecting the entertainment standard for the mobile disc jockey industry, in which he is highly respected. When one of his staff performs at an event, you can be assured of excellence. Fitting, the positioning statement for that company is; "At MusicMASTER Disc Jockeys, it’s more than playing music, it’s knowing how to entertain!"
At this point in his career, Mr. Byrd is founder and president of 6 businesses, mostly engaged in the wedding and corporate special events industries, employing staff members in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. His latest endeavors involve expanding some of his business activities into Florida. As busy as he is, he shows no signs of slowing.
Today, Mr. Byrd has nearly 30 years of entertainment and performance experience. He has been a touring musician, professional Emcee, Producer, Director, and a Radio Personality in Atlanta, and other markets in the Southeast. In college, he even explored possibilities in acting, having appeared in several movies, most notable; Love Potion #9 and Something to Talk About.
Mr. Byrd has been recognized by his peers and many of the top professional organizations in the wedding and special events industry, including but not limited to; DJ Times Magazine, Modern Bride Magazine, Atlanta Bride Magazine, Southern Distinction Magazine, and he is a two-time recipient of the Roy J.C. Jahn Visionary of the Year Award by the members of the Athens Wedding Professionals. He has also received the
BIO FOR ANDREW BYRD
Industry Service Award and Member of the Year Award by the National Association of Wedding Professionals.
In total, Mr. Byrd has performed at more than 4,000 private and corporate events for such entities as: Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, The Home Depot, Victoria’s Secret, Chic-Fil-A, UPS, AT&T, CDC, and many others.
Beyond the stage, Andrew also serves on the boards of many industry organizations, non-industry organizations and non-profit groups, exhibiting his entrepreneurial and humanitarian spirit. He is also an ordained minister.
Mr. Byrd has a leadership style that is decisive, a communication style that is crystal clear, and a sense of humor that leaves one laughing, even in the face of bad news.
As you can see, that is quite a resumé. Even with a lofty list of achievements, he is still committed to the ideals which he had when it all started.
When not traveling, dealing with the matters of his business interests or speaking, he may be found at his primary home in Braselton, GA or his farm south of Atlanta. He has many hobbies. The short list includes; spending time with family & friends, flying airplanes (even upside down at times) and helping others to enrich their lives.
