GREENEVILLE – Kimberly Cordial, a three-time Tusculum University graduate who has succeeded in the human resources field for nearly 20 years, will continue her career progression by leading that sector at her alma mater.
Kimberly Cordial
Cordial has been selected as Tusculum’s chief human resources officer and will be responsible for designing, implementing and administering the university’s personnel management program. Joining the Tusculum family Monday, July 8, she will provide counsel and serve as a coach and mentor to key stakeholders and leaders on all matters related to human resources.
Specifically, she will oversee everything from payroll to benefits to employment policies that complement Tusculum’s mission by fostering a pioneering spirt in a caring Christian environment. Cordial will also serve as a member of Tusculum’s Executive Cabinet.
“Kimberly has produced tremendous results during her career and has repeatedly been entrusted with positions of increasing responsibility,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “Her knowledge, skill and track record of excellent performance will provide great value to Tusculum and continue to position the university as an outstanding place to serve. We are thrilled to have Kimberly join the Tusculum family and continue to provide best practices for effective and efficient human resources operations.”
Cordial served for nearly 20 years at Tuff Torq Corp. in Morristown, which manufactures hydraulic, mechanical, electric and hybrid drivetrain products used by companies around the world. She began her employment there as a human resources assistant and climbed the ladder by holding positions such as payroll administrator, human resources supervisor, human resources assistant manager, director of human resources and business administration and senior director of human resources and business administration.
Among Cordial’s accomplishments in her roles were:
- Managing an annual labor budget of more than $30 million, a $4 million benefits budget and a $2 million general affairs budget
- Crafting staffing strategies and monitoring hiring processes for more than 600 employees in 14 departments
- Increasing productivity by 100% and profitability by $800,000 annually
- Handling payroll for more than 400 employees and cutting errors by 45%
- Reducing turnover by 50%
- Pioneering a department manager talent development succession planning framework that fostered leadership excellence and achieved a 100% retention rate of key personnel
- Establishing and leading community engagement functions
Cordial most recently served as senior director of human resources for Diversified Foods and Seasonings in Covington, Louisiana. She oversaw strategic and tactical planning and execution for initiatives in human resources, process safety, engineering programs and management information systems at the corporate and plant level. She served on the company’s leadership team.
She honed her skill set as a Tusculum student. She earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational management, with a concentration in human resources management. She also holds two master’s degrees, one in organizational talent development and the other in business administration. Supplementing those degrees has been additional knowledge gained on the job in state and federal regulations, operational standards and software.
Cordial is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Lakeway Human Resource Management Association.
“Tusculum has shaped my career in many respects, and I know from firsthand experience the caliber of education my alma mater delivers to students and the impact of a degree from the university,” Cordial said. “I am proud to be a Pioneer and am grateful to continue my growth by teaming with the outstanding faculty, staff and leadership, who are committed to producing career-ready, civically engaged professionals among our student body. I look forward to partnering with everyone to help Tusculum achieve the next level of success.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.