County Selects new Human Resources Director

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners welcomes Eric Kleinert as the new Director of Human Resources, joining Escambia County from Carmel, Indiana, where he most recently served as the human resources director for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Kleinert’s responsibilities with Escambia County will include supervising the Human Resources Department, mentoring and evaluating staff, advising the county administrator on the needs of the department and representing the department before the board of county commissioners. Kleinert’s first day with Escambia County is Friday, March 31.

Kleinert graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Master’s Degree in human resources management and from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science. With 20 years of experience in the field of human resources, Kleinert has also earned his Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate from the HR Certification Institute and Senior Certified Professional certificate from the Society for Human Resources Management.

As the director of human resources for the Indiana Department of Transportation, Kleinert served more than 3,500 employees, directing a human resources team working in affirmative action, benefits, disability, employee relations, leave administration, recruiting and workers’ compensation. Prior to his position at IDOT, Kleinert was the human resources director for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from January 2014 to June 2015, serving approximately 1,750 employees. Kleinert has also served as the human resources director for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the regional human resources director for the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Kleinert grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana and became interested in human resources while working at a temp agency shortly after graduating college. Kleinert said he was drawn to the way human resources could impact and support an organization, and he soon entered the field through an entry-level HR position.

The prospect of becoming Escambia County’s human resources director interested Kleinert not only because of the county’s mission and values, but also because of the area’s attractive lifestyle. Kleinert’s wife, Melanie, and two daughters, Gabi and Madi, will be relocating along with him.

“I think it’s a combination of the opportunity to continue in public service as well as the quality of life in the county,” Kleinert said. “We’ve visited the county several times over the past 15 years, and it’s an area we targeted as a place we’d like to relocate to.”

In his new position as the county’s human resources director, Kleinert said he plans to take time to analyze any HR-related issues in Escambia County and develop relevant, timely and sustainable solutions as needed, operating under what he calls a “coaching” management style.

“It’s adaptable based on the employee,” Kleinert said. “I will push employees in certain situations and challenge them to grow. In others, it will be hands-on, especially as they’re new to processes, and try to grow them in a more applied manner.”

Kleinert said he’s looking forward to continuing the county’s human resources mission while supporting the mission and vision of the board of county commissioners.

“It’s something that I can relate to,” Kleinert said. “The fiscal responsibility, the commitment to customer service – in my current organization, those are some of our core values, as well.”

To learn more about the Escambia County Human Resources Department and its services, click here.