Luis Herrera

Luis Herrera Racine is a seasoned human resources director with extensive experience in global HR strategy and workforce development. Recognized for his strong operations background and his ability to align HR functions with organizational goals, he has led cross-functional teams across diverse industries and international regions. His leadership approach centers on strategic alignment, operational excellence, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Global Leadership Experience

Luis is a results-driven HR leader known for his capacity to partner effectively with executives, managers, and teams. His career includes broad experience managing strategic and operational HR functions across the United States and multiple global markets, including China, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, and Germany. His international exposure has supported his ability to guide organizations through complex workforce challenges and multicultural environments.

Industry Expertise

Over the years, Luis has built significant industry experience in high-tech manufacturing, operations, sales, engineering, supply chain, consumer packaged goods, and the food industry. He also brings proven expertise in B2B distribution, transportation, and foundry operations. His versatility across industries has enabled him to design and implement HR strategies that drive performance improvements, operational efficiency, and workforce engagement in a wide range of business environments.

Specialized Competencies

Luis has developed strong competencies in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, transformational change, and labor and employee relations. His background also includes talent management, leadership development, lean manufacturing principles, and workforce planning. These capabilities have positioned him as a trusted advisor during periods of organizational change and growth.

Educational Background

Luis earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He later completed an Executive Master of Business Administration at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. His academic achievements strengthened his leadership, analytical, and strategic management skills, contributing to his long-term professional success.

Military Experience

Luis proudly served in the United States Marine Corps across several locations. His military background developed his discipline, teamwork, resilience, and operational leadership abilities. These foundational skills have influenced his approach to managing teams, guiding organizational initiatives, and navigating high-pressure environments throughout his career.

Career Beginnings

Luis began his professional career at Motorola, Inc., in Florida, where he served as an HR Business Partner and HR Manager. These early roles provided him with essential experience in shaping HR strategies, supporting business operations, and partnering with leaders to drive organizational performance.

Corporate HR Leadership

Luis continued his career at Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, Michigan, a $19 billion global food manufacturer with more than 33,000 employees. He first served as a Senior HR Business Partner and later as a Senior Employee Relations Consultant, contributing to workforce development and organizational effectiveness.

From 2005 to 2008, Luis Herrera worked at Grainger Industrial Supply, a 10.5 billion global B2B industrial supply company with over 25,000 employees worldwide. As Senior HR Manager, he supported 13 distribution centers across the United States and Mexico. He developed engagement strategies, partnered on lean methodologies, and led an initiative to shift the culture to a pay-for-performance model.

International Impact and Joint Venture Leadership

One of Luis’s most distinguished accomplishments was leading HR for the Components Division at Navistar, a global truck and defense manufacturer. He was selected to lead a significant project that required relocating to China for six months to help launch a joint venture with Janghui Automotive Corporation. He created HR strategies, established expat infrastructure, and completed HR due diligence to form the Components Division from three acquisitions. His performance earned him a promotion as HR lead for the newly established business unit.

Executive HR Roles

From 2015 to 2018, Luis served as HR Director at Brunswick, a 4.1 billion marine industry manufacturer. He led HR for a 750 million division operating in six U.S. and Canadian locations. His initiatives improved engagement, reduced turnover, and enhanced productivity. He also guided HR due diligence for a significant acquisition in the aluminum boat sector.

Luis later joined Wheels, Inc., where he served as HR Manager and Strategic HR Business Partner. He led talent strategies, supported executives, and maintained business continuity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by transitioning employees to remote work and managing safety protocols. He also oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts, training programs, and compliance functions.

At Hendrickson International, Luis served as HR Director, executing HR strategies for eight locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He focused on leadership development, talent acquisition, and engagement in a competitive labor market.

Most recently, Luis was Senior HR Director at Reynolds Consumer Products, overseeing HR for the Hefty Waste and Storage and Hefty Tableware business units, with a focus on engagement, retention, and community involvement.

Charity and Volunteer Work

Since 2016, Luis has volunteered with By the Hand, supporting inner-city youth in Chicago. He also participates in biannual trips to Owassipie campground in northern Michigan to repair equipment for Boy Scouts facilities.

Personal Life

Outside of work, Luis Herrera enjoys welding, home brewing, and gardening. He also loves scuba diving, biking local trails, and kayak fishing on calm lakes.