The City of Allen is welcoming a new face to lead its human resources department with the recent appointment of Chereé Bontrager as the Director of Human Resources, starting August 5. With over two and half decades of experience in the human resources field, Bontrager is set to bring her expertise, predominantly honed in north Texas municipalities, to the city's administration.
Before accepting the position in Allen, Bontrager played a key role as the Human Resources Director for the City of University Park and has a history working in several other cities including Richardson, McKinney, and Sachse. In a release shared by the City of Allen, her extensive career is highlighted by her innovative approaches to improving employee engagement and her contributions to leadership development within the profession.
Her leadership roles extend to various professional bodies such as the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA) and the Texas Municipal Retirement System Advisory Board. "Chereé’s incredible professional experience will help give the City of Allen a competitive edge as we work to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce with a heart for serving others," City Manager Eric Ellwanger said, as cited by the City of Allen.
During her tenure at the City of University Park, Bontrager's initiatives included updating compensation models, launching an employer-paid short-term disability program, and a focus on employee training that aimed to raise morale. Her efforts were recognized when she was named “Human Resources Professional of the Year for Small Companies” by Dallas HR in 2021, according to an announcement from the City of Allen. "We have a unique opportunity in city government to make a difference in the lives of others," Bontrager said, as per the City of Allen. "The City of Allen is known as an organization that puts employees first so they can best serve the community. I’m excited to join that effort by equipping employees with the tools and resources they need to truly thrive at work."
Bontrager's academic credentials also speak to her role, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Human Relations from Amberton University and a Master’s Degree in Conflict Management & Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University. She holds SPHR certification since 2008 and SHRM-SCP certification since 2015. Her professional affiliations include longstanding memberships with Dallas HR and the Society for Human Resource Management.
