SUBJECT
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Confirm Appointment of Ms. Allison Victoria “Tori” Bateman to serve as the Director of the Human Resources Division.
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DESCRIPTION
The Polk County Charter specifies the county manager’s appointment of executive service employees is subject to confirmation by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Manager has appointed Ms. Allison Bateman to the position of Director of the Polk County Human Resources Division, effective July 7, 2026.
Ms. Bateman is an experienced human resources executive with extensive leadership experience in strategic people operations, compliance, workforce development, organizational infrastructure, and executive advising. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Human Resources for One More Child, where she established and led the organization’s centralized people operations function, overseeing employee relations, talent acquisition, benefits administration, performance management, payroll operations, and workforce strategy.
Throughout her career, Ms. Bateman has demonstrated success in developing organizational strategy, implementing performance management frameworks, modernizing HR systems and processes, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening employee engagement and retention. Prior to her executive HR leadership role, she held progressively related responsible leadership positions with Publix Super Markets, Inc., including Senior Employment Law Investigator, Strategic Project Manager, and Manager of HR Legal & Employment Law.
Ms. Bateman holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida Southern College, a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Florida Southern College, and maintains the Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation through the Society for Human Resource Management. She is also active in community leadership and professional development initiatives throughout Polk County.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend the Board confirm the Manager’s appointment of Tori Bateman to serve as the Human Resources Division Director, effective July 7, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Human Resources Director is an authorized position in the adopted budget, and the existing appropriations are sufficient to cover the negotiated base salary of $151,000.00 and employment benefits at approximately $42,368.00.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Bill Beasley
County Manager
863-534-6444
billbeasley@polkfl.gov