February 9, 2017
Alumni Profile: Gary Snyder
Gary Snyder (MGMT ’95)
My 21-year career in human resources all started at ECU in 1991. I chose ECU because I wanted a large school in the Southeast with a reputable business program and a great social atmosphere. While my classes helped to prepare me for my first set of professional roles, the social interaction component set the foundation for my career.
Early on, I was accepted into the Honors College and I earned the Yellow Freight Systems Scholarship for academic achievement. I also took on some interesting HR internships, such as one with Perdue Farms, where I worked 20 hours per week in a poultry plant in Robersonville, N.C., and one with USAA in Norfolk, Va. After graduating from ECU with a degree in Management and a concentration in Human Resource Management, I went on to earn a master’s degree in Human Resource Development at George Washington University. It is my strong belief that a business education backed with specialized skill development, such as HR, allows for great career opportunities. So far, I’ve moved through five industries including insurance, technology, adult beverage, banking, and now, food & hospitality.
Prior to joining Compass, I held HR leadership roles at Diageo North America, Gateway Computers, and USAA Insurance. Then, I served in progressive HR leadership roles with Bank of America for nine years, culminating as the head of HR for the Consumer & Small Business Bank and Wealth Management Division which included 170,000 employees.
Today, as Chief People Officer for Compass Group North America, the largest food and support services company in North America ($16 billion), I oversee recruiting, diversity and inclusion, compensation, benefits, learning & development, labor relations, and communications & engagement. Compass Group NA has more than 240,000 associates in 27 operating companies across the U.S. and Canada.
I am also a member of the School of Hospitality Leadership Advisory Board and serve on the executive board.
I invite you to connect with Compass Group on LinkedIn!