Back to All Episodes
Chad Hartzell on on Building AI Competency While Scaling a Culture-First Business
About this episode
Transcript
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Jim Kanichirayil sits down with Chad Hartzell, VP of HR at Barletta Boats, to talk about what happens when an organization sees AI potential before it has a formal AI role, job description, or project plan.
Chad shares how Barletta, part of the Winnebago Industries brand portfolio, approached an opportunistic AI hire by starting with values alignment, letting the candidate help shape the interview, and mapping the role to the areas where it could create the most immediate business impact.
The conversation moves beyond AI as an HR-only story. Chad explains why Barletta first placed AI talent near customer experience and sales, how dealer feedback shaped the decision, and why improving service delivery can become part of a broader revenue and retention strategy.
Chad also talks about building AI as an organizational competency. From ChatGPT and Copilot to data integration, predictive analytics, and workflow automation, he makes the case that HR can help people understand where AI fits, how to apply it responsibly, and how to create real bandwidth for higher-value work.
Topics Discussed:
Why Barletta hired AI talent before it had a formal AI job description
How values alignment shaped the interview process for a nontraditional role
Why the candidate led parts of the interview with Barletta's executive team
How to co-create a role when the organization does not have a playbook yet
Why customer experience became the first focus area for Barletta's AI work
How AI can help connect warranty, service, technical, sales, and customer data
Why AI strategy needs to tie back to people, innovation, differentiation, and scaling
How HR can build AI competency across back-office teams like marketing, finance, HR, and IT
Why repetitive tactical workflows are good starting points for automation
What HR leaders can learn from early AI use cases in recruiting and operations
If you are an HR leader trying to move AI from a loose idea into practical organizational capability, this episode offers a grounded look at how to evaluate talent, build trust, and connect AI work to the business problems that matter most.
Additional Resources:
Subscribe for the latest updates and insights on future-proofing HR.
About the guest
Chad Hartzell
Chad Hartzell is the VP of HR at Barletta Boats, part of the Winnebago Industries brand portfolio. He supports a fast-growing manufacturing organization focused on employee experience, leadership development, recruiting, organizational development, and strategy execution.
Before joining Barletta, Chad held senior leadership roles across healthcare, manufacturing, and supply chain environments, including experience with companies such as Whirlpool and Target. He is also a certified innovation mentor and brings a practical perspective on how HR can support scaling businesses while staying grounded in culture, values, and employee experience.
Chad Hartzell is the VP of HR at Barletta Boats, part of the Winnebago Industries brand portfolio. He supports a fast-growing manufacturing organization focused on employee experience, leadership development, recruiting, organizational development, and strategy execution.
Before joining Barletta, Chad held senior leadership roles across healthcare, manufacturing, and supply chain environments, including experience with companies such as Whirlpool and Target. He is also a certified innovation mentor and brings a practical perspective on how HR can support scaling businesses while staying grounded in culture, values, and employee experience.
Future Proof HR Podcast
Jason Carson on How AI Is Changing HR in Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
Melissa Ganchev on Scaling Smarter With AI and People Investment
Listen to the Episode
Robert St-Jacques on How HR Can Scale AI Without Losing Control
Listen to the Episode
Brita Ohlin on Turning AI Stress Into Practical HR Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Emily Frieze-Kemeny on AI, Change, and the Leadership Shift Teams Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Monte Erritt on Building AI Momentum in a Frontline-Heavy Business
Listen to the Episode
How HR Turns Growing Pains Into People Infrastructure
Listen to the Episode
AI, Growth, and Operations Without Losing the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode
How HR Can Lead AI Adoption Through Change Management
Listen to the Episode
Human Judgment at Scale: How HR Leads Through AI, Growth and Change
Listen to the Episode
One Company, One Mission: Consolidation, Culture, and AI Adoption at Scale
Listen to the Episode
AI at Work: How Leaders Build Trust, Adoption, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Deep End: Leading Through Uncertainty and Building Trust
Listen to the Episode
The Business of People: How HR Builds Capability for an AI-Driven Future
Listen to the Episode
AI as the New HR Thought Partner - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
How AI Is Freeing HR to Be More Strategic - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
HR at the Center of AI Transformation - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
AI Governance, Guardrails, and Risk - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
Making Work Easier with AI - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
From Fear to Curiosity: Leading a People-First AI Transformation
Listen to the Episode
Built to Adapt: HR Across Generations, Geographies, and the AI Era
Listen to the Episode
Small Team, Big Impact: How to Build and Scale HR from the Ground Up
Listen to the Episode
Scaling with Intention: People, Process, and Tech for Growth
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode
The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode
The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode
Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode
AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode
Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode
Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode
The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode
Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode
People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode
Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode
Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode
Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode
From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode
People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode
Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode
The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode
Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode
AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode
Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode
Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode
Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode
Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode
HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode
Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode
More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode
How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode
Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode
Future Proof HR Podcast
Jason Carson on How AI Is Changing HR in Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
Melissa Ganchev on Scaling Smarter With AI and People Investment
Listen to the Episode
Robert St-Jacques on How HR Can Scale AI Without Losing Control
Listen to the Episode
Brita Ohlin on Turning AI Stress Into Practical HR Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Emily Frieze-Kemeny on AI, Change, and the Leadership Shift Teams Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Monte Erritt on Building AI Momentum in a Frontline-Heavy Business
Listen to the Episode
How HR Turns Growing Pains Into People Infrastructure
Listen to the Episode
AI, Growth, and Operations Without Losing the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode
How HR Can Lead AI Adoption Through Change Management
Listen to the Episode
Human Judgment at Scale: How HR Leads Through AI, Growth and Change
Listen to the Episode
One Company, One Mission: Consolidation, Culture, and AI Adoption at Scale
Listen to the Episode
AI at Work: How Leaders Build Trust, Adoption, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Deep End: Leading Through Uncertainty and Building Trust
Listen to the Episode
The Business of People: How HR Builds Capability for an AI-Driven Future
Listen to the Episode
AI as the New HR Thought Partner - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
How AI Is Freeing HR to Be More Strategic - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
HR at the Center of AI Transformation - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
AI Governance, Guardrails, and Risk - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
Making Work Easier with AI - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
From Fear to Curiosity: Leading a People-First AI Transformation
Listen to the Episode
Built to Adapt: HR Across Generations, Geographies, and the AI Era
Listen to the Episode
Small Team, Big Impact: How to Build and Scale HR from the Ground Up
Listen to the Episode
Scaling with Intention: People, Process, and Tech for Growth
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode
The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode
The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode
Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode
AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode
Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode
Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode
The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode
Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode
People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode
Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode
Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode
Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode
From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode
People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode
Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode
The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode
Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode
AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode
Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode
Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode
Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode
Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode
HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode
Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode
More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode
How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode
Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode
Future Proof HR Podcast
Jason Carson on How AI Is Changing HR in Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
Melissa Ganchev on Scaling Smarter With AI and People Investment
Listen to the Episode
Robert St-Jacques on How HR Can Scale AI Without Losing Control
Listen to the Episode
Brita Ohlin on Turning AI Stress Into Practical HR Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Emily Frieze-Kemeny on AI, Change, and the Leadership Shift Teams Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Monte Erritt on Building AI Momentum in a Frontline-Heavy Business
Listen to the Episode
How HR Turns Growing Pains Into People Infrastructure
Listen to the Episode
AI, Growth, and Operations Without Losing the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode
How HR Can Lead AI Adoption Through Change Management
Listen to the Episode
Human Judgment at Scale: How HR Leads Through AI, Growth and Change
Listen to the Episode
One Company, One Mission: Consolidation, Culture, and AI Adoption at Scale
Listen to the Episode
AI at Work: How Leaders Build Trust, Adoption, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Deep End: Leading Through Uncertainty and Building Trust
Listen to the Episode
The Business of People: How HR Builds Capability for an AI-Driven Future
Listen to the Episode
AI as the New HR Thought Partner - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
How AI Is Freeing HR to Be More Strategic - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
HR at the Center of AI Transformation - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
AI Governance, Guardrails, and Risk - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
Making Work Easier with AI - Live at Transform 2026
Listen to the Episode
From Fear to Curiosity: Leading a People-First AI Transformation
Listen to the Episode
Built to Adapt: HR Across Generations, Geographies, and the AI Era
Listen to the Episode
Small Team, Big Impact: How to Build and Scale HR from the Ground Up
Listen to the Episode
Scaling with Intention: People, Process, and Tech for Growth
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode
The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode
The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode
Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode
HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode
AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode
The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode
Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode
Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode
The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode
Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode
People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode
Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode
Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode
Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode
From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode
Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode
People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode
Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode
The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode
Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode
AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode
Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode
Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode
Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode
Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode
Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode
HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode
Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode
More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode
How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode
Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode
The leading podcast for the future of HR
The leading podcast for the future of HR
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.