Fisher Phillips Launches New HR Consultancy

WASHINGTON D.C. (June 20, 2016) – Fisher Phillips, the management-side labor and employment law firm, has launched a wholly-owned new subsidiary called Foundations Human Resources Consulting based in Lexington, Kentucky. The new company is led by former Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. executives Carol Sampson and Stephanie Prewitt. Fisher Phillips made the announcement during the SHRM Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Firm Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen said: “Employers will benefit from the unique experience that the professionals at Foundations HR Consulting bring after years of working in Toyota. These consultants have built their practice on a strong foundation, and deep knowledge of legal, labor and employment issues.”

Quillen said that any employer will be able to maximize its organization’s staff performance in a lean business environment when applying the steps outlined by Foundations HR Consulting. “Employers can achieve positive results when applying the practices that Carol and Stef have developed.”

Kiyoshi (Nate) Furuta, retired Chairman and CEO of Toyota Boshoku America, states that he was proud to work with Carol Sampson through her career with Toyota and was impressed by her commitment to fostering programs that balanced the needs of the company with the needs of the employees; programs built on mutual trust, teamwork, cooperation and continuous improvement. Furuta was Executive Coordinator, Human Resources, and a member of the management committee of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, USA, Toyota’s first wholly-owned assembly plant in North America, when he hired Ms. Sampson.

“Very early in her career, I realized that she truly understood the impact positive employee relations have on the success of a business," Furuta said. He further stated that after a long and successful career with Toyota, he is "excited that Carol will now have the opportunity to share her first-hand experience with other companies."

Carol Sampson has implemented lean Human Resources programs that have ensured stable and positive employee relations at Toyota’s North American manufacturing facilities. Her experience included working with experts in the Toyota Production System, and she has used this experience to counsel suppliers and other Fortune 500 companies.

Sampson has more than 30 years of practical work experience at three automotive manufacturers, a Human Resources degree, and the experience gained from being a small business owner that she will bring to her clients as they partner with her to form their own foundation of positive employee relations.

Sampson has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Alabama, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Stephanie Prewitt has partnered with Human Resources executives to implement systems and processes that are not only legally sound, but also further the principles of lean business operations. Much of her experience has been with Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. where she served as Assistant General Counsel.

For nearly 20 years, Prewitt has counseled Human Resource Departments on labor and employment matters and has specialized in disability and medical management issues. Prewitt’s experience at Toyota also included legal oversight of numerous plant start-ups, systemic investigations, voluntary termination programs, and extensive training and development programs. 

She earned her law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law and graduated, magna cum laude from Duke University.

The professionals with Foundations Human Resources Consulting will help employers with a variety of issues, including:

• Developing Positive Employee Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Communications, Culture and Change Management
• Morale Management Initiatives
• Compliance

There will be five human resources consulting professionals in the new organization.

Sampson said: “We know the people at Fisher Phillips through the work they do with Toyota. They have the same commitment to developing the solid HR foundations that are important to successful organizations. It is so exciting to have the opportunity to partner with them in this venture.”

Prewitt added: “The best-run organizations understand the importance of sound employee relations, communications and compliance. Toyota set a high bar and we want to help other companies implement positive programs.”

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You can read more about Foundations Human Resources Consulting on the company’s website at www.FoundationsHR.com.