Winter 2011/2012 - Tiffin University

Shaun PolaskyHometown Akron, Ohio; now lives in Bradenton, Florida Class Year (S) 2005 & 2007Degree (S) MBA (Human Resource Management) and BA (Hospitality Management)44 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEShaun Polasky feels it’s important todiscuss how he got to where he is…andthat has always been about selecting theright university.“Tiffin University showed me earlyon that what you put into something iswhat you are going to get out of it…thateffort and results go hand in hand, andbuilding relationships and maintainingthem while in school and out of schoolwill always remain important. You neverknow who will need you down the roador who you will need to lean on in thefuture,” he said.Shaun’s first position after graduatingwith his MBA from Tiffin Universitywas achieved through TU networking.In 2007, TU Alumnus Curt Neth hiredShawn to serve as Regional Human ResourcesGeneralist for Nortrax—a whollyowned subsidiary of John Deere for theConstruction and Forestry Division intheir Ohio and Tennessee facilities.After approximately 2 years, Nortraxcreated a Shared Services structurein Tampa, FL, for which Neth was namedthe Director of Human Resources. Nethasked Shaun to join him and relocateas Corporate HR Generalist serving all32 locations within 11 different states.Shawn spent three additional yearswithin that role and gained invaluableexperience managing the payrolldepartment, learning corporate retailbusiness, and building life-long relationshipsthat, “I continue to cherish eachday,” he said.After spending approximately 5years with Nortrax and obtaining hisPHR (Professional in Human Resources)certification, Shaun was offered an opportunitythat he could not pass up withA minute with Shaun ...Favorite Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Inception, and any/all comediesno matter how cheesy.What you always wanted to be when you grew up? A professional golfer,but when I knew that was not going to pan out, I did the next best thingand became a Professional in Human Resources.What is your dream or best vacation? My wife and I have always wanted tovisit Ireland. We have no ties to the country, but there is something therethat is drawing us to it (could be the golf, the crystal, or maybe even thebeer). Fortunately, with my new position, I will have the opportunity tovisit within the next year or so. At which point, my wife and I will have totry and make a vacation out of it.If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would it be and why?As cliché as this may sound, I will always choose to have lunch with mywife. She is my best friend and a true inspiration to me in my life. Shehas supported me in every decision I have made personally andprofessionally, and has done so without reservation. I look up to herevery day as she puts on her scrubs and takes care of sick kids as a R.N.at our local Children’s Hospital. It takes someone special to do that dayin and day out and still have the energy and mental capacity to deal withme. She is great person, the love of my life, and I would be honored toenjoy lunch with her any day of the week.Shaun PolaskyTransitions Optical. Transitions Optical,a joint venture between PPG (PittsburghPlate Glass) and Essilor, has offices onfive continents and serves as marketleaders in the field of Photochromiclenses. “We use this technology to createproducts that protect and enhancevision by adjusting and adapting todifferent lighting situations,” Shaun said.“Today, we offer adaptive solutions inmore than 100 lens options in an effortto constantly improve the future ofhealthy sight.”For Shaun, it was a very difficultdecision to make the move away fromNortrax. However, the position at Transitionswas too intriguing personally andprofessionally for Shaun to ignore.“First,” he said, “Transitions haswon Gallup’s Great Workplace Awardtwo years in a row, which recognizes ourability to provide an engaged workplaceculture worldwide. Second, I was hiredin as a PPG employee--a position that isused as a breeding ground for placementwithin expanding roles as theybecome available. Third, I will have theopportunity to gain international experience,which is exceedingly importantwithin the global market we all live intoday. Finally, coming from the retail environment,I knew my next move neededto be with a manufacturing organization