Laura Bostwick Stoddard, founder of Blue Heron, has over twenty years experience in Human Resource management and advanced during her corporate career to the executive level. HR academic training and years of experience have given her the ability to effectively design, build and staff organization structures that position organizations to meet business needs and attract and retain quality talent.

She has worked in a number of HR roles for several Fortune 500 companies, including Union Carbide, Fidelity Bankers Life, Touche Ross, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Virginia and Baxter Healthcare/Caremark. Her experience covers corporate strategy development, knowledge management system deployment, design and implementation of streamlined organization structures and compensation systems, and the implementation of Project Management Organizations and world class training programs.

Prior to founding Blue Heron, Laura was a Senior Vice President of Coffou Partners, Inc, a Chicago-based search firm. There she was a leader in the firm in business development and completion of mid to senior management searches in a number of functional areas that included eCommerce and Information Systems Technology and Architecture, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Senior Project Management, Business Development & Strategic Planning and General Administrative Management. Her clients have ranged from small businesses to Fortune 10 companies. Her assignments have included domestic and international positions, across an array of industries such as consumer and durable goods manufacturing, healthcare, engineering and environmental.

Laura received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Cottey College for Women, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of Wyoming, and a Masters in Industrial Relations from Iowa State University.

Email Laura at lstoddard@blueheronltd.com

Jennifer joined Blue Heron in the summer of 2003. She brings to Blue Heron over eight-years experience in HR roles from information technology, engineering, banking, corporate sales and marketing, and the hospitality field. Jennifer has a diverse background which provides broad insight to client needs and industry understanding.

While with Dell Computer’s headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, she managed professional recruiting for the corporate sales and marketing teams. Her responsibilities included teaching effective interviewing techniques, strategic organizational development, and managing on campus recruiting programs. She worked with management to determine succession planning for top performers and innovative solutions for building pipelines and bench strength for the teams.

Additionally, Jennifer has also consulted in the hospitality industry, most recently working with Sedona Resort’s Tides Inn Resort of Irvington, Virginia. Her work there included creation of an interviewing/recruiting plan and implementation of an intern program.

Jennifer holds an Associate of Science in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Email Jennifer at jsmiley@blueheronltd.com

Lori comes to Blue Heron with a varied background in Human Resources and Executive Search experience from Dell Computer Corporation in Texas and from several employment agencies in both North Carolina and Texas. At Blue Heron, Lori will work closely with the executive recruiters to provide research and editorial services. She will help in the development of comprehensive position descriptions and in preparation of formal candidate profiles to be presented to the clients for their executive level searches.

At Dell, Lori was responsible for all aspects of the hiring process for the inside sales representatives in Dell’s Corporate Business Group. In August 2000, Lori joined Dell’s Executive Briefing Center, where she was responsible for advising and consulting with management, including Michael Dell, on the upcoming customer sales briefings.

Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, with a Journalism emphasis, from Elon University in Burlington, North Carolina.

Email Lori at lkithil@blueheronltd.com