Eickhoff Named Director of Human Resources
The Gannett Fleming board of directors promoted Heather Eickhoff, PHR, SHRM-CP, to director of human resources. The corporate position includes oversight of the firm’s talent acquisition, learning and development, benefits, compensation practices, and employee relations.
“For Gannett Fleming to remain successful, we must attract and retain top talent and foster an environment to build the next generation of thought leaders. Our Human Resources team is a strategic business partner in making this happen. I’m excited about the talent, energy, and fresh ideas that Heather brings to her new role,” said Robert Scaer, chairman and CEO.
Eickhoff, a 20-year industry veteran, has been at Gannett Fleming for the past five years, serving first as the manager of compensation and retirement before being promoted to assistant director of human resources. While in that role, she revamped the onboarding process, formalized a companywide titling structure that will be the basis of a reinvigorated career track, and oversaw the firm’s move to a remote workforce during COVID-19. Eickhoff is also a mother of two and is passionate about mentoring the next generation, serving first as a youth soccer coach and now as a high school field hockey coach.
“Gannett Fleming has shown tremendous resiliency and compassion over the past year as we’ve adapted to unthinkable changes in our communities, industries, and working environment,” Eickhoff said. “I’m proud to lead a team of dedicated professionals who are helping navigate these waters to keep lifelong learning, recruitment and retention, and employee support at the center of our work.”
Eickhoff replaces Roderick Savidge, who joined Gannett Fleming in 1994 and has helped the firm thrive through its tremendous growth, from 1,400 employees to more than 2,500 now.
“Rod did an exceptional job over the last 26 years of building a human resources function from the ground up at Gannett Fleming,” Scaer said. “He took a two-person team and designed a state-of-the-art department with the right leaders and subject matter experts, creating a competitive advantage for us.”
Savidge has overseen more than a dozen acquisitions, introduced more robust benefits beyond the paycheck, and expanded the Human Resources Department to include learning and development, talent acquisition, and employee relations.
