When Rich Saucedo jets over to Paris—five or six times annually, usually for two weeks at a time—it isn't just for the amazing sights. He's there on business.
On May 1, Saucedo was promoted to the vice president of human resources for Americas Bel Brands, a France-based cheese company, known for brands such as Mini-Baby Bel and Laughing Cow Cheese.
"I am excited and honored to have accepted the role, [which] combines my 20 years of HR experience into one position while working for a fantastic company that truly values people and diversity," he said. "I feel like I captured every HR professional's dream role where I have the freedom to act and expectation to do the right thing for people as regular part of our ways of working."
Saucedo is now responsible for all HR strategy for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. That includes talent development, learning and development, compensation and benefits and HR generalist support for sales, marketing, industrial, finance and supply chain.
"It's been amazing [working for a Paris-based company] and I have learned a lot," Saucedo said. "One interesting fact I quickly learned is the French culture takes wine and cheese to a whole new level of appreciation. I've had more conversations about cheese in the last year than I have had in the past 20 years. And once educated on it, it's hard not to appreciate and crave it."
Saucedo, not surprisingly, said he has "completely [fallen] in love with [the French] way of living, food and architecture. I actually miss it when I'm not there. I'm already planning the next house party, which will be 'Paris in a Bottle,' where I plan to bring the best of Paris wine and food to Chicago."
Bel Brands has a 150-year history of being a unique company with strong values, Saucedo said. "It's awesome to know I am in a position where I can make sure we never lose this unique and caring culture. It's a huge responsibility, which I gladly accept."
Saucedo said one of his career goals is to lead the talent and learning function for Bel, though that would require a move into Paris—but that's a "win-win for me," he added.
"Our internal and external company slogan is 'Sharing Smiles' and when our leaders talk about the business, this always works its way into the presentation. The business is doing incredibly well and is globally successful in profits and growth. We celebrate often with events at the office like beer and cheese fest, wine tasting and wellness challenges. The company just won Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest for the 7th year in a row," he said.
Saucedo is very active in Chicago's LGBT community. He, for instance, is an investor in Halsted's Bar and Grill in Boystown and he's a multisport athlete within the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ). He plays dodgeball, softball and volleyball.
"As migrants, we didn't have much money growing up, but money wasn't the big challenge. In fact, my childhood was rich in very simple and beautiful ways," he said. "My personal challenge came later in life when I grow past my own insecurity of feeling that other people were better than me if they had more money, more education, were more attractive or because they were straight. I've learned through teachers, coaches, friends, family and a lot of self-reflection that we have total control over our own self value. We decide for our self what is important and how we will act towards others and, more importantly, how we treat and respect ourselves.
"It's been an empowering lesson, or series of lessons, which has literally opened up the world to me."
THE STATS
-Age: "46
-Neighborhood: "Born and raised in Ludington, Michigan; now lives in Boystown
-0rientation Gay, single
-Favorite pizza toppings: ""No topping with extra sauce and slightly burnt cheese."
-Hobbies: ""I love to stay physically active every way I can. I play sports and workout regularly with a trainer, but mainly I love running outside.
-Preferred drink at a bar: ""My favorite cocktail is from Elixir and is off the menu: tequila gimlet, straight up, extra-shaken.
-Little-known fact: "I have traveled and spent time in 25 countries for work. I have appreciated each trip because I love to travel."
