Meet Our People
Stephen R.
Q: What is it like to work in human resources (HR) at Itron? What types of things are you doing in an average week in your job?
A: Since joining the team in February 2022, working at Itron has been a tremendously rewarding experience. After retiring from the Air Force, I was nervous about transitioning into the private sector, but it could not have been a more seamless transition with Itron. My role is challenging and allows me to work with employees and leaders in a broad range of capacities ranging from basic HR functions to strategic planning. As the HR Manager for Liberty Lake, Canada and Mexico, my role has now expanded to include HR strategies for employees in all of North America, which is very exciting and fulfilling.
Q: We hear a lot about “company culture” these days, across media, social networks and more. How would you describe Itron’s culture?
A: Company culture was a legitimate concern of mine as I transitioned from the military. How was I going to adjust from a culture of ‘whatever it takes to get the job done’ to the private sector? As I stated above, it really was, and continues to be, a seamless transition. The culture at Itron is amazing. Because we are global, we are naturally diverse, not only in culture, but in ideas and solutions. I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to work with my counterparts all over the country and across the world. For example, I was fortunate to partner with my HR counterpart in Budapest to facilitate a few Management Fundamentals courses for professional development. The insight from Marta was very helpful for me in my growth as an HR Manager.
The iFlex model Itron implemented in 2022 has been amazing for my work/life balance. I truly feel like I have the best of both worlds: I get to both work from home and come into the office to collaborate with my co-workers or enjoy time together during a site event, like our annual Cornhole Tournament, Masters Mini Putt-Putt Challenge or my personal favorite, our holiday parties. There is a sense of friendship and family that goes beyond our work.
Q: What aspects of your military career helped you to be successful in the corporate sector?
A: As I transitioned, I was confident in what I could bring to my position at Itron. The military prepared me for leadership, followership, mentorship and the basic discipline to not only do my job but do it to the best of my ability. Two deployments over my career prepared my family and I for days or nights where I work longer hours than usual. My military career also gave me resiliency to deal with difficult issues as they arise and work towards solutions. I oversaw entire sections in the military and was involved with professional military organizations that lent themselves to more leadership and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, I took several professional military education courses that helped me with team building, conflict management/resolution, leadership development and project management. Lastly, throughout my career, I had to engage and strategize with senior leaders, up to and including the rank of General. This helped me become comfortable with public speaking, regardless of the audience.
Q: What gets you excited about coming to work at Itron every day?
A: The fun and exciting part about working in HR for Itron is that each day brings a new set of challenges. Yes, there is the standard work that must be done, but helping employees and managers solve problems is exciting. It is humbling to be part of someone’s growth and development while working for such a great company.
Q: Employee growth and development are important to Itron, what opportunities have you had to grow personally and professionally?
A: I have been fortunate enough to have several professional development opportunities. For one, I was able to facilitate iGrow/iFlex courses for employees, as well as Management Fundamentals, which allowed for development of my teaching and facilitating skills. From a personal development perspective, it was my goal to dig deeper into my Itron knowledge base, which led me to become an Itron Internal Auditor. This allows me to learn about our different businesses throughout the company, which deepens my understanding of how we solve challenges for our customers. Additionally, I have been able to dust off my Spanish speaking from when I was a child, when I work with my customers in Mexico, which has allowed me to start teaching my kids Spanish.
The past two years with Itron have been great. As a father of three young children, I am thankful I get to be continually involved in their daily lives and activities after their sacrifices to my service for so long. My wife Brittny and I could not be any happier with Itron. I get to coach my daughter in softball, watch my other daughter perform aerial silks and chase around my 4-year-old son. I could not have asked for a better runway to land my plane after my military service.
Meet Our People
Meet Our People is an Itron series highlighting the amazing humans who contribute to our company’s purpose to create a more resourceful world and help make Itron a great place to work. Profile content is written by each individual and authentic to their personal employee experience.
