Arkansas SHRM Honors Human Resources Guru

Coleman Peterson, a 30-year veteran of the human resources world, was recently presented with the Jim Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd annual Human Resources State Conference and Exposition in Springdale.

Peterson oversaw HR for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. through one of the retail giant’s most significant periods of expansion. He retired from Wal-Mart in 2004 and formed Hollis Enterprises LLC, an HR consulting firm based in Bentonville.

During his time at Wal-Mart, he stressed a program to get, keep and grow company associates.

Peterson said he accepted the award with “a great deal of humility.”

“There is no greater recognition than that of your peers,” he said.

Peterson should know – his peers have recognized his achievements many times.

“Cole has received the highest recognition within the human resource industry when he was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources,” according to the Hollis Enterprises Web site.

He was also awarded with the Society for Human Resource Management’s highest recognition, the Award for Professional Excellence, and in 2004, Linkage Inc., an HR firm with offices around the world, presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Human Resources Excellence, according to the Web site.

“Whenever we have the opportunity to achieve these sorts of awards, you don’t do it alone,” he said, thanking his wife Shirley Peterson.