Matt Nicolas

Matt Nicolas has over 20 years of work experience in various HR and compensation roles. Matt started their career at COUNTRY Financial®, where they worked as a Compensation Analyst for four years. During their time there, they assisted in the creation of a market-based pay system and performed annual trending analysis. Matt also completed an HRIS performance pay system for the organization.

After COUNTRY Financial®, Matt joined State Farm Insurance as a Bank Business Analyst. In this role, they forecasted financial trends, generated risk analysis reports, and assisted in financial audits.

Matt then moved on to CTS Corporation, where they worked as a Corporate Compensation Analyst. Matt designed and managed multiple compensation plans across 11 countries, administered executive compensation plans, and facilitated SEC reporting.

Currently, Matt works at GROWMARK, Inc. Matt started as a Compensation Manager, where they administered various incentive plans and provided training to field managers and staff. Matt then moved on to become the Manager of Compensation, HRIS, and Payroll Services, where they provided strategic direction for these areas. Currently, they hold the position of Director, HR Administration and Corporate Services, where they provide strategic direction for HR administration, employee benefit programs, compensation and incentive programs, payroll services, HR information/data systems, and Service Center operations.

Matt Nicolas holds a Masters degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which they completed from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University, where they studied from 1999 to 2003. Before attending higher education, they attended Pana High School, although no specific dates are provided. Matt Nicolas also has additional certifications including the GRP - Global Remuneration Professional, CMS - Compensation Management Specialist, and CCP - Certified Compensation Professional, all of which were obtained in 2012.