Mark Van Bruggen, IPMA-CP

Statement:

I write this statement having just returned from the IPMA-HR Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN where Chapter and Region leaders from around the country discussed their perceptions of our association.  To these leaders, it is clear that recent progress has been made in communication throughout IPMA-HR.  It is also clear that even more needs to be done.

IPMA-HR is unique in that the association is more than a chapter/region/national organization.  Fact is the majority of our members are not affiliated with a local chapter.  But chapters and regions play an important role in establishing a local/geographic presence for IPMA-HR. At the same time, our international presence and reputation is growing as well.

We have a diverse association.  Today, we need a leader who understands and can communicate the diversity and importance of IPMA-HR.  With experience at every level of the association, and the understanding of IPMA-HR products and services, I have the ability to lead the association into the ever expanding global markets, while seeing that the importance of our local chapters and regions is not lost.

Today, we need to anticipate the forces that will determine the future of IPMA-HR.  We need to anticipate the gradual economic improvement likely to follow on the heels of a private sector economic recovery.  We need to position IPMA-HR to respond to change as it occurs in the field of Public Sector HR Management.  To do this, we need to solicit and listen to that which our members envision as being the future of public sector HR management.

Along with a very capable staff, the leadership of IPMA-HR has done well to weather the recent economic storm.  Today, IPMA-HR finds itself still operating with small, but positive revenue surpluses.  This kind of leadership needs to continue while not losing site of the aspects of our association that are most important to our members (and prospective members).  Everything that IPMA-HR stands for, advocates, produces and represents must be in the best interest of our members - the strength of our association.

As a proactive leader, I will seek opportunities to strengthen IPMA-HR.  My ability to listen and understand both sides of an argument will result in informed and well communicated decisions.  My strength in communication and building relationships goes beyond IPMA-HR.  In my daily life, I strive to not only understand others, but to also act in a manner that takes more than one perspective into account.  As President of IPMA-HR, I can assure our members that their thoughts and opinions will be solicited, valued and acted upon.

Biographical Sketch:

As a child, my family moved around… a lot. By the age of 12, I had lived in the states of Michigan, North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio. So I am a Midwestern boy at heart. Since the age of 15, with the exception of six years in college (B.A. in Sociology and a Masters in Public Administration; Univ. of Delaware), I have spent my entire adult life in New Jersey.

For over 22 years, I have been working at the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (formerly the New Jersey Department of Personnel). The New Jersey Civil Service Commission serves over 140,000 State and local government employees. I currently supervise a team of HR Consultants who assist State and local jurisdictions in meeting their workforce needs within the rules that govern New Jersey Civil Service.

Of course, I have a long history of activity and leadership in IPMA-HR. In 1997, I became a charter member of the IPMA-HR New Jersey Chapter and the chapter’s first Treasurer. In addition, I have held several positions of leadership in IPMA-HR, including:

1999 – New Jersey Chapter President

2000 – Eastern Region HR Specialist of the Year Award Recipient

2003 – Eastern Region Conference Host Chair (Atlantic City, NJ)

2003 – Eastern Region Member At Large

2004 – Eastern Region Treasurer

2007 – Eastern Region President

2009 – Eastern Region Representative to IPMA-HR Executive Council (term ends 12/31/2011)

2010 – Eastern Region Frank H. Densler Award Recipient

Through it all, I have remained an active member of my chapter (missing only one chapter meeting since 1997). This year, I am also serving the IPMA-HR Eastern Region as the 2010 Conference Program Chair. I wouldn’t say I “live and breathe IPMA-HR”… but I have a passion for the association; the experience and training it has given me; and more than anything else, the friendships that grow year to year.

For more information about my personal life and candidacy; or to contact me directly, please check out my website at www.markvb.net.