Kristen Sandstrom has over 15 years of human resources experience in both the service and manufacturing industries, and had acted as business partner and advisor by developing and implementing human resource policies and programs in areas that include recruitment, employee relations, counseling, regulatory compliance, compensation and payroll, benefits, policy development, and training and development.

Currently, Kristen serves as Alphanumeric Systems' Vice President of Human Resources, responsible for developing and implementing strategic employment practices, including job-posting systems, employee referral programs, hiring methodologies, and negotiation of compensation packages. She also designs and implements exit interviews to target and correct causes of turnover. Kristen conducts job evaluations and salary surveys to ensure accurate classification or reclassification of positions in relation to internal and external pay practices, and assists in the design of sales compensation plans.

In the area of professional development and employee relations, Kristen has designed Alphanumeric's employee performance assessments to determine standards for performance measurement and has improved employee communications by developing both an internal newsletter and a comprehensive intranet site. She develops policy manuals, coaches and counsels management and line employees, and partners with management to resolve employee relations issues.

Kristen has also been instrumental in the development of Alphanumeric's comprehensive benefits program. She developed the company's 401(k) investment policy, facilitated sessions of the investment committee, and managed fiduciary and ERISA compliance. To ensure the benefits package met the needs of all parties, Kristen designed a robust employee benefit survey, negotiated contracts with benefit vendors, and reduced personal and corporate expenses by implementing a Flexible Spending Plan and replacing the indemnity plan with a managed care offering. During her time at Alphanumeric, Kristen has substantially strengthened standard employee benefits by adding disability insurance, service awards, and suggestion awards, and by improving the 401(k) plan and the policy regarding paid flexible time off.

Kristen is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Raleigh-Wake Human Resource Management Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with specialization in Human Services, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her master's degree concentrations are Human Resources Management and Financial Management, and she received certification in Team Performance from the Center for Team Performance. While residing in New York, Kristen also served as Vice President of the Society for Human Resource Management.