Business News
American Community Newspapers Appoints Carol J. Will as Human Resources Director
Thursday 21. August 2008 - American Community Newspapers Inc. (AMEX:ANE) ("ACN") today announced the appointment of Carol J. Will as Corporate Human Resources Director, effective immediately. In this position, she will assume responsibility for all facets of Human Resources, supporting the company's corporate leadership by guiding and managing the overall provision of corporate and employee policies and programs.
Ms. Will will be reporting directly to Gene Carr, chairman and chief executive officer of ACN.
“Carol brings extensive experience in both office management and employee relations, compounded by an impressive legal background in employment policy,” said Carr. “We are excited to have her join our team and are confident that Carol will maintain ACN’s employee-oriented culture, local community approach and the high standards in which our Company has always adhered to.”
Ms. Will joins ACN from YUM Brands, Inc., which operates Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and other fast-food chains, where she served as the Governmental Affairs Coordinator. YUM Brands consistently lobbies state governments on legislation involving labor issues, including minimum wage, paid sick leave, immigration reform and other employment matters.
Prior to joining YUM Brands and relocating to Frisco, Texas, Ms. Will served in the Chief Counsel’s office of Johnson County, Kansas. In this role, she updated the county’s employee handbook and advised the county commissioners and county departments on legal topics including human resources. Additionally, Ms. Will worked for the State of Kansas Division of Post Audit as a legal compliance auditor for three years. In her early experience, Ms. Will handled such cases as wrongful termination and sexual harassment while working as a private practice attorney for a law firm specializing in family and employment law. She also served as the office manager, handling all payroll and taxes for the law office.
“I am very happy to be joining Gene and the team at ACN,” said Will. “This role gives me an opportunity to combine my disciplines and past experiences to help ensure the ongoing development of a superior workforce within a leading media business like American Community Newspapers.”
Ms. Will received her Bachelor of Science in sociology from Emporia State University where she graduated cum laude. She simultaneously earned a Master’s degree in social work and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.