Rachel Dirksen, PHR, SHRM-CP

Director of Human Resources

Rachel Dirksen is the Director of Human Resources at Chastain-Skillman. With over 15 years of experience in HR and bachelor’s degrees in Human Resource Management and Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Illinois State University, Rachel also has a Professional Human Resources Certification (PHR) and is a Society Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Rachel oversees all Human Resource functions within the firm, from managing our staffing process (including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding processes) and developing and assessing benefits, health and safety, and training and development programs. Rachel also serves as an Employee Liasion for CS employees.

Before joining the CS team, Rachel started her career out of college as an HR Coordinator at Menards in Illinois. She helped open several different stores both in Illinois and Ohio. Afterward, she moved back to Illinois and started her career in the manufacturing world as an HR Generalist at Elkay where they manufactured drinking fountains.  She then took a promotional opportunity as an HR Manager at Alouette Cheese and oversaw two cheese manufacturing plants, one in Illinois and one in California. After her husband took a promotional opportunity to Pennsylvania, Rachel discovered a fantastic opportunity with Conestoga Woods Specialties as an HR Manager. She was the HR Manager of over 500 plus hourly employees and seven buildings. They then decided to move to Florida to move closer to family, where she joined the team at Dart Containers. In July of 2022, Raachel joined Chastain-Skillman as the Director of Human Resources.

When asked why Rachel chose Chastain-Skillman, she said it was “because of the people and culture.”

“When interviewing I could tell they truly cared about their employees and their futures,” she said. “Not many companies match $1 for $1 up to 10% for their 401K. This proved that they did not only talk the talk they also walked it. They were looking for someone that could help them grow their team and share with others why they are a great place to work.”

What unique talents (skills that are work-related) do you contribute to the team?

I am strong-willed and always try to think of new and creative ways to recruit new applicants and retain our current employees. I love getting to know our employees and am always available for any questions and ways I can better assist them in their careers.

What is your favorite part of your role at CS or a part of the day or week you enjoy the most?

My favorite part of my job is getting to know CS employees and watching them and helping them grow in their careers.

Meet the Rest of Our Team!