HR is a family affair at Mickey

Dana Wells-Layne has joined Mickey as Human Resources Director, responsible for administration and design of all recruiting, hiring and orientation; benefits; workers? compensation; and training programs. At the same time her mother, Gail Wells, previously Vice President, Human Resources, has accepted a newly created position at Mickey Truck Bodies ? Vice President of Employee & Community Affairs. They both report jointly to Dean and Matt Sink, President/CEO and VP Manufacturing, respectively.

Gail Wells (left) and Dana Wells-Layne.

Dana was most recently Sr. HR Business Partner at Steelcase, a High Point manufacturing company. She joined Steelcase in 2003 as a Financial Analyst before transitioning to an HR career. Prior to Steelcase she was an Adjunct Professor at Laurel University in High Point where she taught courses in Human Resource Management and Team Building.

Dana earned an MBA from High Point University in 2011 and a Double Major degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification; a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from GTCC; and was a member of the class of 2015 ?Leadership High Point? though the High Point Chamber of Commerce.

In her new role Gail, generally known as ?Momma Gail? among Mickey?s manufacturing employees for her dedication to their safe and prosperous work environment, will focus on reinforcing the relationships between employees Mickey management; identifying employee issues and opportunities; and recognizing employees who go ?above and beyond? in the workplace and the community. She will also work closely with High Point area organizations and learning institutions to promote the Mickey brand to prospective employees and community leaders via local events, career fairs and classroom visits. Gail joined Mickey in 1997 as Human Resources Manager and was promoted to Vice President in 2011.

?I want to spend as much time as possible with our employees in the manufacturing plants so that I can truly understand their issues and identify their opportunities to improve the quality of their lives and the quality of their work,? says Gail.

?Of course I was familiar with Mickey and knew it was a great place to work since my mother had been coming to work here for 19 years? says Dana. ?But I never realized how big and prestigious a company it was within the High Point business community until I participated in the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. Then I went through the interview process here and I knew it was where I wanted to work as an HR manager. I could tell this company really takes care of its employees.?

?We are an ?employee-first? company ? no exceptions,? Dean says. ?And these two appointments underscore that commitment. Gail and Dana will be an excellent team in building the Mickey brand inside and outside of the company.