USDA workforce development expert Roger Slater, strategic adviser to the Human Capital Officer for the U.S Department of Agriculture, will walk dealers through strategies for navigating a changing workforce and succession planning at “Leading Change & Succession,” FWEDA’s 71st annual convention in Palm Springs, Calif.

Slater will use results from a workforce survey of FWEDA dealers in his presentation. His keynote address is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., Friday Nov. 16.

Slater is recognized as a subject matter expert in Strategic Workforce Planning and its successful application in bridging the gap between strategy and execution in an operational environment. In doing so, Slater designed, developed and deployed a workforce planning model for managers to use data and leverage technology to make informed, educated decisions geared toward results-oriented performance.  The model is universal and flexible in its design and is applicable in both the private and public sectors.

His career includes serving as the senior adviser to the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the Department of Education. Slater has more than 25 years of experience in five federal agencies and is known for his innovative approaches in the Human Capital discipline.

He was a human resources officer who pioneered the strategic alignment of Human Capital programs to the organization’s mission. In this capacity Slater developed numerous tools in automated and data-driven platforms.  Before that, Slater served in several Human Capital positions within the Department of Defense and as the HR Officer for the U.S. Army Support Group, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, during Operation Desert Storm.

Slater’s presentations to private and public organizations, as well as veterans groups, include competency based human capital management; data-driven workforce planning; strategic recruitment; HR as a strategic partner; and performance-based interviewing and career development.  Slate graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and is certified in several subject matters including consulting skills for HR professionals, mediation, change management, focus group facilitation and project management.