Stihl hires HR exec from HII

Virginia Beach-based Stihl Inc. has named Melody Doleman as its new vice president of human resources, effective Sept. 6.

She will be responsible for overall strategic management of human resources for the chainsaw and outdoor power equipment manufacturer. Stihl employs more than 3,000 workers in the United States and supplies the majority of Stihl products for the U.S. market, as well as components and products for 80 markets around the world.

Stihl Inc. is the largest subsidiary of the global Stihl Group.

Doleman joins Stihl after serving as vice president of human resources for a division of Newport News-based Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. Before joining HII, she was vice president of human resources/operations at B&B Manufacturing Inc.

“We are pleased to welcome Melody to Stihl,” Terry Horan, president and CEO of Stihl Inc., said in a statement. “At the heart of our success as a company is our people, the real people manufacturing, distributing, marketing and selling Stihl equipment. Melody has a keen understanding of the human resource role in developing an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes employee development and retention, and organizational quality and continuous improvement. She brings to Stihl more than 25 years of experience as a leader and mentor that will greatly benefit our employees here in Virginia Beach, as well as our branches across the country.”

Doleman earned a bachelor of arts in mass communication and media studies from the University of South Carolina.

“Stihl is known for innovation, leadership, and a commitment to their people,” Doleman said in a statement. “I look forward to bringing my passion for building highly engaged and empowered teams to the organization and working together to grow this world-class organization’s tradition of excellence.”