top of page

Acerca de

Marble Surface

My Journey:
A Passion for People, Leadership, and HR Transformation

I’ve always believed that the heart of any successful business lies in its people. My career in human resources, leadership, and organizational transformation has been a dynamic and evolving journey that has taken me across industries, roles, and challenges, centered around one core passion: helping people and organizations thrive.

 

From Engineering to People Operations: Finding My True Calling

 

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and like many, I initially set out on a completely different career path. I studied engineering, architecture, and construction management at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology, thinking I would design structures and solve technical problems. However, as I immersed myself in my studies, I realized that my real passion lay not in blueprints and calculations but in people and how they work, grow, and build successful teams and businesses.

 

This realization led me to pivot my academic and professional trajectory toward organizational management and human resources, where I could combine strategy, leadership, and operational excellence to build workplaces that empower people to succeed. I eventually earned my BS in Organizational Management, focusing on HR, followed by an MBA in Human Resource Management. My real education came through hands-on leadership in high-growth, high-pressure environments.

 

The Home Depot Years: A Foundation in Leadership

 

My career truly began at The Home Depot, where I spent 16 years in various leadership roles, ultimately rising to Store Manager. During this time, I managed and supported teams of over 350 employees, working across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. These years were instrumental in shaping my leadership philosophy and my approach to people operations.

 

At Home Depot, I learned how to lead high-performing teams, drive sales growth, and create an engaging culture in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment. Some of my proudest achievements include:

 

• Growing store sales by over 10% in multiple locations through strategic workforce planning and customer engagement.

• Developing and mentoring employees, helping numerous supervisors and managers move into leadership roles.

• Implementing business analysis initiatives to optimize operations and improve financial acumen for managers.

• Building employee engagement programs that improved retention, morale, and performance.

 

During this time, I honed my ability to manage large-scale operations, develop talent, and drive business results through strategic HR initiatives. These skills would become the foundation of my career in human resources leadership.

 

A Leap of Faith: Moving to Gainesville and Expanding My Perspective 

In 2014, my wife, Karissa, and I took a leap of faith, deciding it was time for a significant change. Without ever having visited before, we chose to relocate to Gainesville, Florida—a decision inspired by a series of online surveys on FindYourSpot.com, which identified Gainesville as an ideal fit for our lifestyle and goals. A desire for warmer weather, new opportunities, and a fresh start drove our move.

During this transition, I explored new career paths, working as a Realtor while also pursuing professional training and community involvement. I attended leadership and development programs through the University of Florida, Santa Fe College CIED, Visions Inc., The Mankind Project, H.E.R., and other local organizations. These experiences provided invaluable insights into motivational drivers, effective communication, advocacy, and leadership. They also deepened my expertise in coaching, employee development, and organizational strategy, reinforcing my passion for helping individuals and teams grow, engage, and succeed.

Expanding My HR and Leadership Experience

Area Training Manager: The Mankind Project

Being the first professional Area Training Administration Manager for The Mankind Project Florida was an honor and a direct reflection of my commitment to personal and professional growth. In this role, I led large-scale training events focused on leadership development, personal growth, and DEI initiatives. I gained deep expertise in training program design, recruitment strategy, and operational leadership within a nonprofit setting. I am most proud of: 

• Developing and administering training programs focusing on leadership, personal growth, and multicultural education.

• Designing and implementing training, finance, record retention, and privacy compliance processes..

• Leading volunteer recruitment programs, increasing membership engagement.

• Managing statewide and national training events.

• Creating standardized role descriptions, operating procedures, and compliance practices.

This experience strengthened my ability to lead large-scale training programs, support leadership development, and implement strategic DEI initiatives.

Station Director: Delta Air Lines; Global Services

My role at Delta Air Lines introduced me to the airline industry, aligning with a lifelong passion for aviation. As a Station Director, I led HR strategy, workforce engagement, and operations for a Delta Air Lines ground station, ensuring top-tier service and team performance in a high-stakes, customer-driven environment. My  most significant contributions were: 

• Optimizing HRIS systems (Lawson, UKG, Taleo) to streamline hiring, I-9 verification, immigration compliance, and background checks.

• Conducting market pay analysis securing wage increases to enhance talent acquisition and retention.

• Redesigning recruitment and onboarding processes, cutting hiring time, and improving new hire integration.

• Developing leadership and performance programs, establishing mentorship, succession planning, and a structured feedback system to drive engagement and growth.

This role deepened my expertise in HR operations, workforce planning, and leadership development within a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. When Delta divested our division, it provided a valuable opportunity to fully dedicate myself to my passion for people operations and HR leadership.

Rediscovering My Passion for HR Leadership

 

As the world shifted during the pandemic, so did my career focus. I knew it was time to fully embrace my passion for HR leadership, talent development, and organizational transformation. This led me to two incredible opportunities:

 

Director of Human Resources, Concept Companies

 

Joining Concept Companies as their first Director of HR was an exciting challenge. I had the opportunity to build an HR function from the ground up, leading initiatives in:

 

• Organizational design and restructuring to enhance business efficiency.

• Leadership development and succession planning to strengthen internal talent pipelines.

• Employee engagement and retention strategies that improved company culture and performance.

• HR compliance and multi-state operations for a workforce of 180 employees.

• Talent management that increased efficiency in recruiting, onboarding and employee evaluation. 

 

Despite my contributions, economic challenges led to the company’s downsizing. While disappointing, this transition only reinforced my commitment to helping businesses navigate change and build resilient workforces.

 

Director of Human Resources, Volato

 

I then stepped into the role of Director of HR at Volato, a fast-growing, tech-driven private aviation startup. I led HR operations for a nationwide workforce of 265 employees across 36 states, including NY and CA. My work at Volato focused on:

 

• Building HR infrastructure to support rapid business growth.

• Enhancing HR systems and payroll processes to drive operational efficiency.

• Leading SOX compliance initiatives to ensure regulatory adherence.

• Developing performance evaluation, equity awards, and bonus structures to align rewards with business objectives.

• Creating performance evaluation, equity award, and bonus structures to align reward structures.

When Volato ceased operations, it marked the end of this chapter but reinforced my ability to lead HR strategy in dynamic, high-growth environments. This end also reinvigorated my passion for helping companies scale, adapt, and thrive.

Global HR Leadership at MHD-Rockland: A Mission of Service and Scale


In February 2025, I stepped into the role of International HR Manager for MHD-Rockland, a global aerospace company providing mission-critical aftermarket solutions and support to military and commercial operators. This opportunity marked the next evolution in my career, bringing together decades of HR leadership, operational expertise, and a deep passion for people development on an international stage.

I now support operations across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and assist with recruitment throughout Canada, including Quebec and Ontario. My work spans compliance, organizational design, international HR strategy, and cross-border recruitment,all grounded in the belief that people-first cultures drive high-performance organizations.

What drew me to MHD-Rockland was not just the company's global reach or deep roots in aviation, but its values; collaboration, integrity, and the unwavering belief in putting people first. As someone who leads from a servant leadership mindset, rooted in the inverted pyramid model, I see my role as clearing the path for others to succeed. That means removing roadblocks, listening actively, building trust, and empowering both employees and leaders.

Some of my key focuses include:

  • Strengthening recruitment strategies to attract specialized talent in aviation and aerospace.

  • Implementing streamlined onboarding and integration processes to support employee engagement from day one.

  • Partnering with leadership to align people operations with strategic business objectives across business units.

  • Leading culture initiatives that reflect our values, bridge global teams, and foster belonging.

At MHD-Rockland, I’ve found a role that fully integrates my love of aviation, my commitment to global HR excellence, and my passion for empowering people and businesses to thrive, no matter where in the world they’re located.

 

What Drives Me?

 

At my core, I am motivated by continuous learning, leadership development, and the belief that great people build great businesses. My DISC profile identifies me as a Leader (IDC), someone who is:

• Strategic and visionary, always aligning HR with business success.

• Empowering and engaging, inspiring teams to reach their potential.

• Fast-paced and results-driven, thriving in dynamic environments where I can solve complex challenges.

 

Beyond work, I love traveling (both domestic and international), cooking, hiking, boating, reading, journaling, volunteering, and spending time with Karissa. I find joy in exploring new perspectives, connecting with people, and continuously growing personally and professionally.

 

What’s Next? Let’s Connect!

 

I am eager to take on my next HR leadership challenge and always excited to connect with new people.  Let's connect! 

 

Email: chrisboser@icloud.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boserchris

Website: chrisboser2.wixsite.com/leadership

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle
  • Twitter - Black Circle
  • Facebook - Black Circle

© 2021 by Chris Boser. Proudly created with Wix.com

Follow me on social netwroks

bottom of page