Preston|Reffett hires managing director of professional services

Preston|Reffett, LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Jim Lawler as managing director, professional services to the firm’s professional team. In this role, Lawler will work with companies to address mission-critical talent and organizational issues such as succession planning, leadership development, organizational design, and strategy implementation. Lawler brings deep human resources and organizational development expertise coupled with business and financial acumen, which enable him to develop practical, real world solutions that will drive improved performance.

Prior to joining Preston|Reffett, Lawler established his own consulting practice in 2008, and held human-resources leadership roles in retail, consumer products and manufacturing sectors. He has extensive experience working at the board and C-level.

Lawler also has comprehensive international experience, having lived and worked abroad with three of the world’s leading consumer companies. His experience includes:

• Global chief human resources officer, Royal Ahold;
• Chief human resources officer, Ahold USA;
•  Executive VP human resources, Giant Foods;
• Senoir VP human resources, Rexam PLC (CFP Sector); and
• VP human resources, PepsiCola Europe/SubSahara Africa.

Through these experiences, Lawler has developed the ability to identify, organize and deploy talent to achieve stretch goals. His collaborative style and focus on the client’s strategic objectives empower him to generate results in a way which is “user-friendly” and sustainable to Preston|Reffett’s clients.

Lawler has a BA in Economics with Honors from the University of Georgia, and has completed graduate coursework at several universities. He is currently attending Georgetown University's world-renowned Leadership Coaching certification program. He is a Member of the Human Resources Planning Society, the Human Resources Leadership Forum, the Society for Human Resources and the Potomac Officer’s Club. Lawler and his family reside in Chantilly, Va.