WASHINGTON – NAFCU Director of Human Resources and Administration Scott Brown has recently been certified as a senior professional in human resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute. Brown began preparing for the exam last summer and successfully took the SPHR examination in November 2004. The exam is a rigorous, four-hour computer-based test of the candidate's knowledge of employment laws and regulations; employee and labor relations; compensation and benefits; health and safety regulations; human resources development; and best practices in organization management. The Human Resources Certification Institute is a subsidiary of the Society for Human Resources Management, which Brown has been a member of since 1993. Since coming to NAFCU, Brown has developed and implemented a number of policies and procedures that have contributed to enhancing the work environment at NAFCU including an orientation program for new employees; a new annual performance review and performance planning process; redesign of the employee benefits program; implementation of a uniform recruiting and selection process that is now followed by all departments and divisions; and a process for annually benchmarking NAFCU salaries against other D.C. Metro area associations. Brown received his B.A. degree from the University of Virginia and later received his M.S in organization development from American University in Washington, D.C. A 17-year HR veteran, he got his start as a training program manager for the NTL Institute in Alexandria, Va., from 1988-1993, and then served as the institute's manager of human resources, a title he held for five years. Brown came to NAFCU in March 2000, and has been responsible for all human resource functions as well as overseeing various administrative areas. "Scott certainly deserves this recognition. We are proud of his dedication to professional growth and integrity," said NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker. "He consistently ensures that all of our employees and the needs of the association are taken care of, and he has been a great addition to NAFCU."