Graybar has appointed Michelle K. Reckelhoff as Vice President of Human Resources as the employee-owned distributor continues updating its people operations, talent programs and HR technology.
In the role, Reckelhoff will provide strategic leadership across Graybar’s human resources centers of excellence. Her responsibilities will include people operations, total rewards, talent attraction and talent management.
She will also work across the organization to improve Graybar’s HR systems, platforms and processes as the company prepares its workforce and operating structure for future growth.
People operations generally covers the systems and services that support employees throughout their careers, including onboarding, records management, workplace policies, and employee support.
Total rewards includes compensation, benefits, retirement programs, incentives and other offerings used to attract and retain employees. Talent attraction and management involve recruiting employees, developing their capabilities, identifying future leaders and supporting succession planning.
Reckelhoff brings extensive human resources leadership experience to Graybar, including more than 20 years with footwear company Caleres.
She most recently served as Senior Director of Human Resources Business Partnerships at Caleres. In that role, she worked with business leaders to align workforce strategies, organizational structures and employee programs with broader operational priorities.
Her experience is expected to support Graybar as it continues to modernize its HR capabilities while preserving the employee-ownership culture that is an important part of the company’s identity.
Graybar is one of North America’s largest employee-owned companies. Employee ownership can create a closer connection between workforce performance and the company’s long-term results because eligible employees participate in the value created by the business.
The structure also places importance on employee engagement, leadership development and succession planning as the organization grows across multiple markets and operating locations.
Graybar distributes electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products. It also provides related supply chain management and logistics services.
The company operates more than 355 distribution facilities across North America and sells products from thousands of manufacturers.
Its customers use Graybar’s products and services to power, connect, automate and secure facilities across commercial, industrial, infrastructure and other markets.
Managing a workforce across a large distribution network requires HR systems capable of supporting recruiting, training, compensation, safety, mobility and career development across many locations and job types.
Reckelhoff will help Graybar improve those systems while ensuring that its people strategy supports changing business requirements.
Her appointment comes as distributors and industrial companies increasingly invest in automation, digital tools and more advanced supply chain capabilities. These changes can create new workforce needs involving technical skills, data, customer service and operational leadership.
Graybar Senior Vice President of Human Resources Beverly Propst said Reckelhoff will help align HR strategy with the company’s business priorities while supporting employees through the transformation.
Reckelhoff was recognized with a St. Louis Business Journal HR Award in 2022. The award honors professionals contributing to workplace excellence and innovation across the St. Louis region.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational studies from Fontbonne University and is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional.
KEY QUOTE:
“As we transform Graybar for the future, our people and our employee ownership culture remain vital to our success.”
“I am confident Michelle will provide the leadership, vision and innovative thinking to ensure our HR strategy supports our business priorities, so our people and our company will continue to thrive.”
Beverly Propst, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Graybar
