A Thirty Nine Year Hospitality Leader - Private Clubs, Golf & Resort, Hotels, Food & Beverage, All Amenities, Community Boards, & Business
Destination Geneva National
Experience
FORM Wealth Advisors
Chief Operating Officer December 2019 - September 2021
Hired to be the integrator of the company responsible for firmwide operations, developing core focus, annual and quarterly goals, operating procedures, enhancing efficiency, evaluating acquisitions, and managing firm resources effectively. Responsible for HR functions and managing the performance framework and professional development of staff. The COO works closely with the CEO, COS, and Partners to ensure the branch is pursuing the brand, vision and goals agreed upon. Funds under management exceeding $800,000,000 with three locations under the FORM umbrella.
Key Accomplishments:
Customized a proprietary Life Plan model with the CEO to provide clients with A Better Life.
Introduced and Implemented multiple software systems to Enhance Customer Service, automate Client Cash needs, and improve Communication with TEAMS software.
Continued Providing Education Opportunities to Improve the Skills of our Advisors and Associates Growing Each of Them in Caring for our Clients.
Revised and Updated our 250+ Page Policy and Procedure Manual to better Serve our Clients through consistent Processes.
Developed First Employee Manual to Clearly Define Associate Expectations.
Initiated implementation of the EOS system.
Define CORE Values, Focus, 10 Year Target, Marketing Strategy, 3 Year Picture, 1 Year Plan, Quarterly Goals for Associates.
Increased Ambassador Account Fees by 7.00% resulting in Increased Profitability to the Firm.
Assisted in Growing Net New Assets by $56,000,000 in 2022.
Developed Weekly/Monthly/Annual Cash Flow System to Monitor and ensure adequate Cash Flow Needs.
Built CARE Team for Clients with Net Assets under $250,000 to Ensure Next Generation Loyalty.
Defined and Mapped out Company Processes to be held Accountable to.
Assisted and Served on Children’s World Impact Board of Directors Serving the Under Served.
Lake Lawn Resort
Chief Operating Officer
December 2019 - September 2021
Hired to improve the overall financial outlook of the existing resort and the coordination of the development plans for the unallocated real estate property. The anticipated project build out was estimated at $600 million. One month after my hire date COVID struck. The resort operations consist of 272 condominium rooms, 18 hole championship golf course, water sports complex, marina with 261 slips, SPA, 40,000 sq. ft of banquet and meeting space, 4 restaurants, 3 swimming pools, fitness center, and retail space. Annual sales exceeding 20 million dollars per season in a very compressed season. Provide direction for 250 employees surging to 500+ during the summer season.
Key Accomplishments:
Improved online rating through customer service focus and training.
Improved Marketing initiatives to improve brand awareness and sales.
Hired Sales/Marketing Director to improve group sales performance.
Navigated through COVID and improvement the resort cash flow by 1,500,000.
Completed 4,000,000 of banquet & catering renovations during COVID.
Identified and completed numerous Capital improvements with 3 year ROI.
Designed/completed most visible space in the resort into Wedding room producing over 100 weddings and 3,000,000 in gross revenue.
Negotiated with the City of Delavan & received approval to reduce the TID/TIFF obligation by 3,000,000.
Modified Condominium split change for 4 years +++ to ensure success of the resort through the COVID era.
Worked with developer and City to received amended GDP for property home development consisting of 101 homes located on the water front. Worked with developer to frame community CCR’s to benefit both the homeowners and resort ownership.
Received DNR approval to increase marina pier count by 96.
Assisted in driving the City and Town into an IGA (inter-governmental agreement) regarding sewer rights for Future Years for the existing property and 350 acres of development located across the street.
Paloma Resort Properties
Geneva National Resorts & Hotels, The Inns of Geneva National, The Ridge, & The Cove of Lake Geneva
Chief Operating Officer
February 1988 - December 2019, 31 Years of Service
Responsible for the total operations of one of the mid-wests largest resort/hotel and golf operations producing in excess of $30 million dollars of annual revenue within a compressed seasonal market. The resort operations are home to 54 holes of Legendary Signature golf courses including 36 holes resort and 18 holes of rotating membership golf, 375 hotel rooms 36 Inns rooms, 40,000 square feet of meeting space, 20 food and beverage outlets, swimming pools, and spa. Provide direction to a team of 750 employees at the resort and clubhouse.
Key Accomplishments:
Transition a golf company into a resort hotel and golf company ensuring hybrid success, profitability, and longevity for both entities.
Implemented a guest loyalty feedback program adopted by all Paloma Resort Properties.
Initiated the FORBES Travel Guide service training to deliver thoughtful anticipatory service throughout all properties.
Provided education opportunities to increase employee.
Improved employee satisfaction utilizing the Gallup Employee Engagement Solution.
Implement hotel revenue strategies and delivered to golf properties.
Develop plan, receive approvals, source financing, and was responsible for building and completing 15,000,000 of capital improvements.
Directed and worked closely with the Marketing & Membership Sales manager to sell 200+ golf memberships, develop and sell 150+ sport memberships, and increase social memberships by 100+.
Functioned as manager for the declarancy of banks and community association.
Responsibly to the declarancy of banks to oversee management of the community association. The CA managed sewer, water, streets, and security until the purchase from the developer of the swim and racquet club. Then the swim and racquet club became the responsibility of the the CA.
Responsible to manage the ARC committee to ensure the product being built in the community was built to ARC standards in a depressed market.
Lead a large business restructure creating a senior management team capable of delivering centralized core revenue streams producing substantial flow through.
Centralized sales and marketing for all Paloma Resort Properties.
Negotiated multiple multi-million dollar leases.
Increased RevPar by double digit percentages at all resort properties.
Act as President of the Geneva National Foundation contributing over 3,000,000 in 11 years to those organizations serving clients with special needs.
Paloma Properties Owned, Managed, Developed
Career Employment
Dove Canyon Country Club
Director of Golf, 1988 - 1995, Dove Canyon, California
Hired by the Master Planned Community developer and owner to bring the 900 acre community a world class golf experience which delivered an experience exceeding expectations for it’s members and guests. Orange County’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course boasting a 6,900 par 71 championship golf course featuring a unique Frank Lloyd clubhouse. The golf operation assisted in selling 10,000,000 in membership sales through direct membership sales interaction. Dove Canyon offered unparalleled service. It was a well thought out example of an experience set by the design of community and service culture which has maintained it’s tradition of excellence in a golf community located in Southern California. From being named PGA merchandiser of the year, featured on the cover of design magazine for the most innovative golf shop, to the indoor teaching facility, Dove Canyon remains the community of choice.
Fairbanks Ranch Country Club
Head Golf Professional, 1983 -1988, Rancho Santa Fe, California
Hired by Richard “Tag” Merritt as the Head Professional at this prestigious Private Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Designed by golf course architect Ted Robinson and hosting the 1984 Summer Equestrian Olympics, Fairbanks Ranch was home to the affluent. Building Southern California’s most notable caddie program, being recognized as one of the best teachers in Sourthern California, and having the opportunity to Create the traditions in a new Private Club was the legacy handed off when accepting the position as Director of Golf in the new Master Planned community called Dove Canyon Country Club, located in Dove Canyon, CA.
Assistant Golf Coach San Diego State University, 1983 - 1984
Singing Hills Resort
Assistant Golf Professional, 1981 - 1983, El Cajon, California it.
Responsible for the tournament operations of this 54 hole semi-private country club and resort. Retained all duties of assistant golf professional while responsible for conducting over 400 tournament events, ranging in size from 30 to 144 players. Responsible to Tom Addis III, PGA Past President. Developed a passion for teaching and had the great fortune of meeting and learning from the best teachers in the world as the property hosted national numerous PGA, LPGA, and NGF educational seminars annually.