April Kinnett
Dayton,OH
Summary
Highly motivated professional with 35 years of entrepreneurial and management experience. Skillfully creates and maintains professional and loyal relationships with co-workers, staff and clients while managing administrative and employees. Comfortable working independently as manager and leader and as collaborative team member. Applies business acumen and experience and exercises decisive judgment to meet and exceed organizational goals.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Owner
Self-employeed
Dayt, OH
05.2006 - Current
- Assisted clients in selecting furniture, lighting fixtures, wall coverings, window treatments, and accessories.
- Researched current trends in interior design to advise customers on appropriate selections.
- Developed innovative designs to meet customer needs while adhering to budget requirements.
- Collaborated with contractors and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods at competitive rates.
- Visited homes or businesses to assess space availability and recommend suitable solutions.
- Conducted consultations with clients regarding their specific style preferences and needs.
- Presented proposed designs to customers for review and approval prior to implementation.
- Negotiated terms of contracts with vendors for items such as furniture or artwork purchases.
- Maintained accurate records of client communications throughout the design process.
- Attended trade shows and industry events to stay up-to-date on new products and services.
- Coordinated installation activities between vendors and contractors and clients as required.
- Inspected job sites regularly to monitor progress and identify potential issues before they arise.
- Provided ongoing support for existing clients by offering advice on maintenance and upkeep of their spaces.
- Assisted clients successfully by choosing furnishings consistent with preferences and budget.
- Advised client on space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment.
- Coordinated with contractors, architects and engineers to drive job success.
- Expertly sourced fabrics and carpets to meet customers' expectations and budgets.
Customer Service Manager
Dunnington Custom Homes
Centerville, OH
02.1994 - 03.2006
- Reviewed building codes and regulations to ensure compliance in all projects.
- Coordinated with subcontractors, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters to complete construction projects.
- Managed the budget for each project to stay within allocated funds.
- Ensured that all materials used met quality standards.
- Inspected completed work for any defects or discrepancies before handing over the property to clients.
- Provided technical guidance and advice regarding home design modifications and improvements.
- Conducted site visits regularly to monitor the progress of ongoing projects.
- Supervised workers at job sites while ensuring safety protocols were followed.
- Maintained records of progress reports, invoices, delivery receipts and other documents related to home building projects.
- Resolved conflicts between contractors when necessary.
- Assessed existing structures prior to renovations or repairs.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors providing supplies needed for construction projects.
- Adhered to local zoning laws while designing new homes.
- Performed demanding physical work over extended periods and modeled positive attitude.
- Understood how to operate and maintain job site equipment safely and for maximum productivity.
- Loaded materials and tools into vehicles and unloaded upon arrival at jobsites.
- Displayed high standards for quality workmanship and routinely double-checked work.
- Cleaned or prepared construction sites to eliminate hazards.
- Gained independent working skills and guided and mentored less experienced team members.
- Read plans, instructions or specifications to determine work activities.
- Operated equipment with strong focus on safety and ground communication.
- Loaded or unloaded building materials to distribute machinery or tools.
- Demonstrated best safety practices working at heights and lifting various objects.
- Learned and mastered skilled trade specialties under guidance of expert mentors.
- Assisted with diverse construction challenges to help team and customer.
- Coordinated phases of construction projects from inception to completion.
- Dug ditches or trenches, backfilled excavations or compacted and leveled earth to grade specifications.
- Lubricated, cleaned or repaired machinery or equipment.
- Signaled equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement or adjustment of machinery.
- Tended pumps, compressors or generators to provide power or heat or move materials.
- Managed service staff to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with company policies.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers, vendors, and suppliers.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Conducted regular team meetings to discuss customer feedback, process improvements, and operational objectives.
- Created detailed reports on service activities for senior management review.
- Identified opportunities to increase efficiency through automation or process re-engineering.
- Implemented quality assurance protocols to ensure timely completion of projects according to customer specifications.
- Maintained accurate records of all service requests, including resolution times and costs incurred.
- Coordinated with other departments within the organization to ensure seamless delivery of services.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to services provided.
- Developed strategies for improving customer experience through enhanced product features or improved processes.
- Created standard operating procedures for all service functions.
- Performed root cause analysis on recurring problems encountered by customers.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by listening to complaints and finding appropriate solutions to problems.
- Collaborated with customers to offer solutions to service needs.
- Adhered to customer service standards to foster satisfaction and retention.
- Reviewed inventory levels and ordered supplies to keep products in stock.
- Prioritized and delegated daily work tasks to meet anticipated project goals.
- Pitched in to complete various duties during peak periods or employee absences.
- Motivated and supported employees to maintain low turnover.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality and conformance.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
Landscape Maintenance Supervisor
AS&K Landscaping
Centerville, Ohio
03.1990 - 03.1994
- Provided leadership and supervision to a team of 8-10 landscape maintenance personnel.
- Developed and implemented safety protocols for the landscape maintenance crew.
- Ensured proper maintenance of landscapes, including mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, watering, planting and mulching.
- Conducted regular inspections of job sites to ensure quality assurance standards were met.
- Supervised staff in the use of all necessary equipment such as mowers and trimmers.
- Created work schedules for the landscape maintenance crew based on weather conditions and customer needs.
- Trained new employees on safe operation of tools and equipment used in landscaping projects.
- Resolved customer complaints or issues related to their landscaping service experience.
- Collaborated with irrigation specialists to develop water management plans specific to each property's needs.
- Recommended changes or improvements that could increase efficiency or reduce costs.
- Conducted performance evaluations for members of the landscape maintenance crew.
- Implemented strategies to improve overall customer satisfaction ratings from clients.
- Communicated regularly with upper management about progress made on various projects throughout the season.
- Cut and trimmed lawns using power mowers and edgers.
- Operated landscaping equipment to maintain grounds and remove trees.
- Maintained garden areas and landscaping greenery to enhance property appearance and plant health.
- Cleared pathways of overgrowth, debris and snow to reduce hazards.
- Performed preventative maintenance to keep equipment in excellent working condition.
- Pruned trees and bushes to improve visibility and shape.
- Followed planned landscaping designs to lay sod, seed grass or plant flowers and foliage.
- Pruned and trimmed trees and shrubs with shears and pruning saws.
- Trimmed shrubbery and trees to help plants produce more flowers and fruit to benefit wildlife.
- Troubleshot mechanical issues and completed basic repairs to keep equipment working at peak levels.
- Utilized automatic sprayers to mix and spray fertilizers and herbicides onto grass and trees.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Established and enforced procedures and work standards, promoting team performance and safety.
- Monitored project progress to enforce adherence to deadlines and quality standards.
- Delegated daily landscaping tasks for installations, repairs and regular maintenance.
- Supervised day laborers in completing large landscaping projects.
- Coached staff on strategies to enhance performance and improve customer relations.
- Recruited and hired workers, in addition to supervising and monitoring daily performance.
- Delegated and assisted with tasks related to landscaping, lawn cultivation and tree pruning.
Education
Construction Management Classes
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH01-2000
Building Codes
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH01-1996
General Studies
Miami Jacobs
10-1993
Pond Building Course
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH02-1993
Skills
- Talent Allocation
- Employee Training
- Financial Management
- Staff Management
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Business Owner
Self-employeed
05.2006 - Current
Customer Service Manager
Dunnington Custom Homes
02.1994 - 03.2006
Landscape Maintenance Supervisor
AS&K Landscaping
03.1990 - 03.1994
Construction Management Classes
Sinclair Community College
Building Codes
Sinclair Community College
General Studies
Miami Jacobs
Pond Building Course
Sinclair Community College