2009 Lynda Ford Lifetime Achievement Award:

The Lynda Ford Award for Lifetime Achievement in Human Resources is given in memory of Lynda who passed away in January of 2007.  Lynda Ford, SPHR served as President of the Ford Group, a consulting firm that specialized in human resource and business development with the goal to strengthen organizations through their greatest potential resource…people.  

Lynda received her Master’s Degree from The New School for Social Research and her Bachelor’s Degree from Utica College.  She earned her SPHR Certification from the HR Institute of the Society for Human Resource Management.  During her career in Human Resources she held several key human resource positions with Carl’s Drugs, Stetson Harza and Upstate Cerebral Palsy.  She is a graduate of Leadership Mohawk Valley.  Lynda also taught as an adjunct instructor at the New School For Social Research and at Utica College.   Lynda served on the National Human Resource Development Committee, American Society for Training and Development, Friends of the ARC Foundation Board, Rome Family YMCA-CC Board of Directors, Utica Business and Professional Women's Association, Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, Rome Area Chamber of Commerce and a United Way panel member.  

Lynda served as President of MVSHRM.  Under her leadership many new initiatives were implemented.   The organization formed a Board of Directors, hired a chapter administrator, created the President-Elect position, held the first Annual Ursula Flagg Award for Human Resource Excellence, started certification study groups, SIGs (Special Interest Groups), donations for the President’s Choice, meeting sponsors and achieved the Chapter Superior Merit status with SHRM.   

 One of her greatest achievements was as an Author.  Her book, Transform Your Workplace, was published by McGraw-Hill in English, Spanish and Chinese, and has helped countless HR professionals and business leaders in building strong, profitable organizations.   Her opinion was regularly sought by the Wall Street Journal, CBS and other reputable media groups.  She had published articles in National HR Magazines and wrote a regular column for the Observer Dispatch.

As a Human Resource professional, Lynda exemplified the embodiment of the “lifetime Achievement” in Human Resources.  She was the ultimate professional, always living up to high ethical standards.  She always spoke the truth and often times took the unpopular position on very tough issues.   Lynda could be counted on for her leadership.  Her greatest joy was to see others recognized.  Lynda’s legacy is the perfect example of a lifetime achievement in human resources