HR Notices From April 18

MEDC Taps ProQuest Executive to Lead Workforce Development Efforts: Michigan Economic Development Corp. president and CEO Michael A. Finney named former ProQuest executive Elliot Forsyth the organization's new vice president and COO for talent enhancement effective April 25. Forsyth joined ProQuest in 2002. As senior vice president of human resources and business services, he was responsible for creating best practices in global human resources, procurement, facilities, internal communications, and continuous improvement. Forsyth also served as acting vice president for content operations. Prior to ProQuest, Forsyth was vice president of operational human resources for Excel, PLC, leading HR support for more than 200 locations across North and South America. His earlier experience includes Rubbermaid, where he was responsible for international human resources and work site improvements. In addition to managing labor relations, Forsyth drove world-class manufacturing practices across the company's two largest manufacturing facilities. He also led full business integration across European operations and due diligence and integration of acquisitions and joint ventures in Mexico, Japan, and Europe. Forsyth is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, American Society of Training and Development, and is past president of local Society of Human Resource Management Chapters. Named Volunteer of the Year by the March of Dimes of Southeast Michigan, Forsyth serves as chair of the Michigan board of directors. He is a member of the executive committee for Ann Arbor SPARK as well as a member of the Washtenaw County Workforce Development Board. He received his bachelor's degree in communications and business from the University of Mount Union.