2006 Human Resources Professional of the Year:
Ted Sewall, Mid-States Aluminum

The Fond du Lac Area Human Resources Association, a division of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce, has named Ted Sewall, Vice President of Human Resources from Mid-States Aluminum as the 2006 Human Resource Professional of the Year.

Ted has been instrumental in building and implementing an outstanding employee branded human resources program at Mid-States while making personal and professional contributions to the Fond du Lac community as a whole.

Ted started with Mid-States on April 15, 1996.  He has driven consistency and standardization to HR processes and procedures with a focus on improvement, creating greater effectiveness and fairness in application.

With the focus on process improvement this last year, Ted has led the HR team in spearheading two very progressive human resources initiatives within the organization.  The first being the implementation of an electronic internet-based benefits enrollment system and the second a wellness program which is recognized throughout the community as visionary and strategic.

In addition, a focus on strategically cutting costs while promoting the overall health of Mid-States associates resulted in the decision to implement a formalized and cohesive wellness program.  Due to Ted’s passion and vision, all components of the program have been positively received and supported by both associates and the management.

Ted continues to be heavily involved in the Fond du Lac community in a variety of ways.  He was a founding member of FABOH and continues on the Board of Directors and Community Health Plan Board of that organization.  He has been a member for years of the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home Board, the Fond du Lac Police and Fire Commission and the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board.

Ted will be retiring on January 31, 2007 from a long and rewarding career in Human Resources during which he has clearly made his mark on Mid-States Aluminum and the Fond du Lac community. 

The purpose of the Fond du Lac Area Human Resources Association Professional of the Year Award is to recognize a member of the Association for outstanding contribution to the Human Resources profession, to his or her employer, or to the community as a whole.

The Human Resources Association’s mission is:  to promote and professionalize Human Resources administration and encourage good Human Resources practices, further the education of members in current Human resources practices and philosophies and discuss problems of mutual interest to those engaged in the Human Resources field in the areas of business, industry, education and government.