By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU – One day after sharp criticism about the city’s failure to fill a human resources director position vacant for nine months, city officials have named a new HR director who will assume the role in May.
Toni Vanderboom brings more than 12 years of experience in human resources, from both the public and private sectors, according to a city of Wausau news release, and spent nine years with the city of Milwaukee.
The position has been vacant since the July resignation of former HR Director Myla Hite, who received roughly $23,000 in a grievance settlement with the city upon her departure. Under the terms of Hite’s settlement, which does not publicly disclose the reason for Hite’s grievance, she agreed not to sue the city, according to city documents.
Hite began working for Wausau in 2014 and replaced previous HR director Michael Loy.
In a Wednesday radio interview on WXCO, Wausau City Council member Romey Wagner said he believes morale at City Hall is low due in part to the lack of an HR department head. Wagner chairs the city’s HR committee.
Vanderboom holds bachelors degrees in English and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse, where she graduated with honors; a master degree in Fine Arts from the University of Utah; and her CP certification through the Society for Human Resources Management.
“I am excited to join the City of Wausau and am committed to providing solutions that will positively impact the city and provide first-rate service to all city employees,” Vanderboom said in the news release.
Vanderboom begins her role May 8.
