Lisa Wheeler
Director of Human Resources
Company:
SoDel Concepts
Industry:
Professional Services
Number of full-time employees:
1,200
Number of locations:
10
How long have you been with the company?
8½ years
How long have you been in a HR role?
3 years
Innovative Solutions
When Lisa Wheeler took the position of director of HR, the company was entering into a huge period of growth, with the pending opening of what have become its two highest grossing restaurants, new consulting and management projects, including taking over food service at the two NASCAR events at Dover Speedway. The first thing Wheeler did was move all application and onboarding paperwork online. She also started working closely with the Delaware Restaurant Association to help change the perception of the restaurant industry in Delaware. Together the team is working to professionalize the industry by expanding both the services available to HR professionals and by raising the bar for other restaurant groups.
Success
The HR team has helped grow the company, hire the needed employees, and perhaps most importantly increase the number of qualified restaurant professionals by creating stability and incentives to join and move up within the company. This has also helped change the perception of the restaurant industry in Sussex County. When there are restaurants that offer health care, 401(k) plans, paid vacation, paid maternity and paternity leave, other restaurants must consider including these things to compete for qualified professionals.
