2021 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Ashley M. Bruton, MSHR, SHRM-CP, PHR, Director of Human Resources, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District

Ashley M. Bruton, MSHR, SHRM-CP, PHR, loves aviation for some of the same reasons that she loves HR: “The landscape is ever-changing, so each day is unique and challenging, and they both contribute to improving the lives of the people they serve (employees/the community).”

Bruton is the director of human resources for the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District. An accomplished human resources professional with a master’s in human resources management, Bruton has worked at the airport for more than three years.

“One of the things I love about HR is that it is constantly changing,” she said. “From compliance with new laws and legislation, to technology, to employee expectations and understanding the various generations currently in and entering our workforce, to even navigating through a pandemic, there is never a dull moment.”

As the HR director, she leads a department that is responsible for maintaining the personnel needs, benefits administration, regulatory compliance, recruiting efforts, compensation and performance evaluation process, and all stages of the employee lifecycle for an airport that is experiencing significant growth across all departments. She has fostered a positive, relationship-driven, and customer service-oriented culture.

Bruton spearheaded the implementation of the airport’s first integrated human resource management system. She moved hundreds of employee files from a paper-based system to electronic files. Part of the new HRM system required time clocks to be set up around GSP for hourly employees. This implementation was met with resistance initially but is now widely accepted as an efficient and user-friendly resource for employees thanks to Bruton’s ability to communicate the importance of moving to electronic timekeeping. She also  implemented an employee engagement survey program that has opened dialogue and strengthened the relationships between staff and senior leadership.

Finally, Bruton re-wrote GSP’s Human Resources Handbook, ensuring that GSP is in compliance with current human resource regulatory requirements. She completed all of these projects, including her day-to-day responsibilities, in approximately 18 months with only one other employee in her department while supporting an organization of over 200.

In addition to her professionalism on the job, Bruton is an active participant in two local human resource associations, and she is a member of the ACI-NA Human Resources Committee Steering Group that directs committee activities for the North American airport industry.