MONTEVALLO — Barbara Forrest, director of human resources and risk management at the University of Montevallo, was named a finalist in the “Top HR Executive” listing by the Birmingham Business Journal recently. Criteria included the impact of the individual on the organization and its workforce, as well as personal accomplishments.
Forrest, a University of Montevallo graduate, has been employed in the division of business affairs for 24 years and has worked in human resources for eight years. She developed the insurance and risk management programs that are in place at UM and continues to oversee their implementation.
Forrest credits her receiving this award to the employees of the university and their teamwork in moving UM forward. “I know firsthand what the people in an organization mean to its overall success – and the success of the employees therein. True to form, the UM family has been with me through the best and worst events in my life. Since receiving the recognition of being among “Birmingham’s Top HR Executives,” I’ve received congratulatory notes and messages from colleagues all across our campus, all sharing in the delight of this prestigious award. I couldn’t do what I do, to be deserving of this award, without the cooperation of our entire workforce – we won this one together!”