Home > Gazette > April 2007

Human Resources Expert Named Distinguished Business Alum

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business presented its Distinguished Business Alumnus Award to human resources expert Bruce R. Ellig on March 30 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.

Ellig has earned a reputation as a creative innovator in the field of human resources, particularly in executive compensation. A popular speaker, he is widely quoted on human capital matters and interviewed on national radio and television. He is also a prolific writer in the field of human resources.

A native of Manitowoc, Wis., Ellig graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma with a BBA and MBA in Management and Human Resources from the School of Business. He rose through the ranks from personnel assistant at Pfizer Inc in 1960, to become the firm’s corporate vice president in charge of worldwide human resources in 1984, a position he held until his retirement from the firm at the end of 1996.

Ellig is known for leadership in his profession, particularly for his involvement with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), including serving as chair of the national board of directors. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the coveted WorldatWork Keystone Award, SHRM’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the HR Executive of the Year Award from Human Resource Executive Magazine and was one of the first inductees to the National Academy of Human Resources.

In 2004, Ellig established the Bruce R. Ellig Chair in Pay and Organizational Effectiveness at the School of Business and he has been a member of the school’s Dean’s Advisory Board since 2004.