Kenneth Calloway VPHR of Century Aluminum talks about creative problem solving at Connexion 2023
About Kenneth Calloway
Kenneth Calloway, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Century Aluminum, discussed his role and the company's HR initiatives in a September 2024 interview at Connexion 2023 in Las Vegas. He described Century Aluminum as a Chicago-based company with smelters in Kentucky, South Carolina, Iceland, and support facilities in the Netherlands and Jamaica, employing approximately 2,200 people. Calloway stated that HR has become "dead center and the most important seat at the table" due to the focus on talent, cultural transformation, and digital change. He noted that the company is implementing a predictive index analysis to identify traits of high-performing employees and assess potential hires, aiming to improve retention in a challenging work environment where temperatures can reach 150 degrees. Calloway said that Connexion has provided him with a community of HR peers, noting that he previously felt isolated in his role. He remarked that the platform helped him realize that "all the problems I have are the same problems others have" and that he has benefited from learning how other companies address retention and employee engagement. He also highlighted the value of Connexion's curated approach to vendor introductions, which he said saves time by identifying relevant solutions. Calloway added that he has involved his team members in Connexion discussions to expose them to external perspectives, as many HR employees have "grown up through the organization" and lack visibility beyond it.