Interview with Kelly Hunt - 2025 KYSHRM

The Workforce Therapy Files team attended the 2025 Kentucky SHRM Conference, in Louisville. We took the opportunity to interview over 20 professionals who stopped by our booth.

Jamie and Molley sat down to interview Kelly Hunt HR Manager for Perry Distributors, in Hazard, Kentucky. Kelly brings 20 years of combined leadership and HR experience to the discussion. She explained how her primary motivation for working in human resources is people. People build the business, and once the right individuals are hired, it becomes the employer's job to build them up. They discussed how the HR role is challenging, sometimes requiring professionals to act as a "babysitter" when employees bring personal issues, like stomach pain or a toothache, to the office. Kelly commented that HR work must always be proactive, not reactive, meaning professionals need to be ready for anything that comes their way.

When discussing employee appreciation, Kelly emphasized that you have to know your people, because appreciation looks different for each individual. It could be as simple as always giving someone a high five, or it could mean providing a confidential space where they can vent, or even "kick, scream, and cry" if needed. You take a template approach to everyone. Finally, Kelly offered the next guest the question: "Why did you choose to be in HR or did it choose you?".

To learn more, visit:

· Website: https://pdiperrydistributors.com

Kelly Hunt, thanks for stopping by to speak with us!

That's where we'll leave the conversation for today. Before we close the file, we invite you to reach out to us with questions, suggestions or other comments. We'd love to hear from you.

Need Help Supporting Your Company's Recruiting and Staffing Goals?

We're here to help. You can contact us via our individual websites, depending on your specific needs or questions:

· Jamie Swaim, SPHR – www.ParcelKnows.com

· Molley Ricketts – www.IncipioWorks.com

· Jason Heflin – www.CrowdSouth.com

We hope you found this file insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!