James J. Grates, SPHR President & Managing Partner Jim is a founder, President and Managing Partner of Arris Consultants LLC. His background includes over 30 years of management and operations experience including over 25 years as a senior human resource professional and as a c-level executive. He holds an AAS in Marketing from Herkimer Community College and a BS in Business Administration from Utica College /Syracuse University. He is a certified Senior Human Resource Professional (SPHR) and his professional experience includes positions in the life sciences, healthcare, chemical/plastics, and food processing industries. Prior to founding Arris Consultants, Jim served as Vice President Human Resources and Operations with Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (“AMRI”) a publicly traded chemistry-based drug discovery, development and manufacturing company. In this role he managed all of AMRI’s Human Resources functions and supported that organization’s growth from a private company with less than 75 employees and $7 million in sales to a staff of over 1200 employees, $180 million in sales and international operations. Prior to AMRI, Jim served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services with Corporate Health Dimensions (now CHD Meridian Healthcare), a national leader in the provision of Employer-Sponsored healthcare services to large and mid-sized companies. In this role, Jim oversaw all Human Resource activities for a firm with 26 corporate sponsored healthcare facilities located throughout the United States. Jim also served as Manager of Human Resources with Saint-Gobain (Norton) Performance Plastics, Inc., a world leader in the manufacture of PVC and polyurethane foams and sealants used primarily in automotive, construction and industrial applications and as Manager, Human Resources for Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation, the second largest manufacturer of baby food products. Jim is an active member of the Society of Human Resources, the Capital District Human Resource Association and currently serves as a Board Director for the Albany Capital Region Workforce Development Board, and with New Horizons North a not profit organization supporting handicapped adults. He also volunteers his time to Boy Scouts and the Friends of Niskayuna Rowing Association. Jim’s areas of expertise include: recruitment and talent acquisition, organizational development, benefit administration, compensation administration, policy development administration, employee relations, labor relations, HR legal issues (prevention, compliance and remediation), affirmative action, employee communications, supervisor coaching, group facilitation, quality/process improvement facilitation, and merger/acquisition support. Contact Information: Jim Grates, SPHR President & Managing Partner Arris Consultants, LLC Niskayuna, NY 12309 Tel: (518) 396-7657 E-mail: jim.grates@arrisconsultants.com