Barney Villalona
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Decorated military professional successfully transitioned from the US ARMY to a returning career in Food and Beverage properties management with a natural sense of hospitality coupled with high-end client coordination experience. Highly motivated to leverage many years of achievements and field training experience as a leader in high risk environments to provide dedicated service as a proactive team leading Director. Currently executing the day to day functions as a General Manger of Operations for both properties and revenue centers in Brooklyn. Sea Wolf locations at 19 Wyckoff Avenue and Waterfront Sea Wolf, 420 Kent Ave.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager of Operations
Sea Wolf & Cayuga Capital Management
04.2021 - Current
- Trained, coached and staffed to support smooth adoption of new outreach programs.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning for 420 Kent & 19 Wyckoff.
- Conducted weekly meetings with ownership via Zoom / Conference to identify opportunities for improvement, establish milestones and tailor products to individual markets and delivery platforms to both venues.
- Provided direction to both properties for lean and reduced cost controls throughout 2 years.
- During more challenging forecasts, executed a close margin for 29% Food Cost and 31% Labor Cost while maintaining 33 Weekly Meal Periods.
- Oversaw the day to day operations of cost control for both venues while increasing from Net revenue from 4.5M - 6M YTD across both properties.
- Reported directly to Jacob Sacks & James Wiseman with a nightly breakdown report delivered daily at 7AM.
- Hired and trained Chefs to exemplify the menu offering.
- Coordinated with local artists on the new designs for the building facade and The Bushwick Collective.
- Created and designed merchandise for the brand as an added sales category.
- Sourced International talent for Concierge-like services at the welcome desk for both venues to help foreign travelers feel welcome.
- Attended all Townhall Meetings to help the local community foster a more approachable rapport with partners and owners.
- Incentivized Food Handler's Certification for staff.
General Manager of Operations
Hotel Chantelle
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Operated all aspects of this Rooftop property with exponential growth during 2020 pandemic.
- Achieved substantial growth by using market expertise and business knowledge to make proactive decisions while being on company brand.
- During COVID-19 reopened roof while staying compliant with all laws and government mandates.
- Superimposed strict new guidelines throughout steps of service to create sanitary environment that all guests were able to experience.
- From reopen in June 26th, 2020 increased YTD net sales with fewer seating allowances revealing new growth opportunities.
- From reopen net sales increase: 416% in 13 Weeks or 52 business days.
- Worked in very close proximity to ownership while achieving all KPIs.
- Redesigned visual pivots and front facing approaches to maximize all visual quadrants to promote sales.
- Added new revenue center on curbside to take advantage of outdoor seating.
- Created pacing plan that supported over 1100 covers weekly
- On boarded and reconfigured Toast POS and RESY for efficiency
Operations Management
The Lotos Club
08.2018 - 02.2020
- Maintained and operated 150 year centennial Vanderbilt Property
- Executed numerous Club dining events for members.
- Liaised with White House Secret Service for Vice President's dinner
- Daily room inspections on all floors and event spaces.
- Upper Managerial role in executing consecutive successful large-scale events for elites of New York City
- Completed numerous Club Book events for members
- Worked with Union employees to accomplish daily tasks
- Ensured all property standards were maintained in guest rooms
- Supervised all aspects for Club on daily basis
- Managed all 14 Vanderbilt Suites
- Maintained financial reports for venue
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Personally proposed and constructed the Lotos Club's first wireless/mobile broadcasting system using fraction of original contracted outsourced budget
- Trained oncoming Managers to offset the seasonal workload.
- Redesigned the official Lotus Club dessert for the US Tennis Association with Chef Raymond Hollanda.
- Rebuilt the inventory sheets for all Historical Logbooks to catalog the books by the year dating back to 1870 with bicentennial team of 2020.
Multi-Unit General Manager
Great Performances/ Brooklyn Museum
07.2016 - 08.2017
- Directly participated in curating food and beverage programs and events to build sales and rapport in the art community with the Brooklyn Museum.
- Organized special events in the venue, including receptions, promotions and corporate luncheons.
- Prepared for and executed new menu implementations with Brooklyn's first Michelin Star Chef, Saul Bolton.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised the management team.
- Created working drawings to convey redesign, concept, and service configurations with Museum Directors.
- Aggressively lowered waste by 12.5% (2017)
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, including completion of the proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Reduced labor costs by 14%
- Redesigned venue entrance and graphics
General Manager Palm Bar and Grille
SSP America JFK international Terminal 4
03.2016 - 06.2016
- Identified and investigated variances to financial plans and forecasts by interpreting financial results.
- Assumed ownership of accounting, forecasting and strategic supply planning.
- Trained Managers on Union based venue operations.
- Administered Tasks in accordance with Union CBA standards
- Reduced average contract expenses by 26% through aggressive negotiations with vendors.
- Increased the venue Health Grade from C to A
Multi- Property General Manager
Gerber Group
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Successfully managed a union property as per company standards.
- Maintained operational tempo set forth by the General Manager.
- Booked events for the venue and completed all related event sales.
- Supported a growth in sales by 40% in first month.
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems to reduce turnaround time
- Maintained full knowledge of beverage lists and promotions.
- Managed bar revenues, ensuring that all patrons were satisfied.
- Worked with and reported to managing partners on daily digital logs to track all operations to include HR and Union.
- Established and updated Union work schedules to account for changing staff levels and workloads.
Infantry Squad Leader
US ARMY Special Operations Command
01.2003 - 01.2011
- Trained, with a well decorated track record in; the use of demolition, multi weapon marksmanship, hand to hand combative techniques with a long standing record of training and liaising with foreign nationals
- Managed $6.5 million dollars in materials and supplies for combat operations combined with an additional approximation of $46.5 million dollars in weapons/vehicles and supporting tech.
- Managed a team of highly skilled Paratroopers in 467 combat missions in the span of 8 years.
Education
Noncommissioned Officer’s Infantry Course - Platoon Leader Development
Warrior Leader Course
Fort Bragg, NC2008
Bachelor of Science - Tourism and Hospitality
Colegio Universitario Del Este
Carolina, PR05.2003
Skills
- DOH compliance
- Future POS, Micros, Avero, Xtra Chef
- Military Standard work ethic
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Fluent in Spanish
- American Sign language
- Union experienced
- Wine and liquor knowledge
Accomplishments
- Hosted/coordinated the 2014 James Beard Award after party at the Viceroy.
- Personally coordinated Josh Gorban's Private Pandora Concert at Stone Rose with managing partner Noah Weinstein.
- Maintained operational liquor cost below 18% versus YTD P&L
- Trained new staff and created faster service models during training.
- Consistently earned a 10% performance based bonus.
- Multi-venue Manager with demonstrated track record of success in revenue improvement and cost control.
- Banquet management background. Extensive experience catering parties that served more than 250 guests. Customer relations, floor planning and menu development expertise.
- Developed consistent multiple working relationships with administrative and high-value beverage vendors throughout New York City while maximizing discount ratios for Gerber Group's highest grossing locations.
- Designed approved models using Procreate to adjust the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturday Program to higher venue capacity by 215%
- Coordinated with Executive Chefs Tim Sullivan and Saul Bolton of Great Perfomances to Feature the "Bollywood Burger" during the Burger Bash 2016 with Rachel Ray.
- Created the first "rate of attendance" formula that mathematically expressed and predicted the budget to an accuracy deviation of less than 5% producing the most accurate forecast to date for 2017 with formulas written for 2018.
salary requirements
- Based on needs of business and scope of work.
- Bonus Program
- 401 (k)
- Medical and Dental Coverage
Timeline
General Manager of Operations
Sea Wolf & Cayuga Capital Management
04.2021 - Current
General Manager of Operations
Hotel Chantelle
02.2020 - 03.2021
Operations Management
The Lotos Club
08.2018 - 02.2020
Multi-Unit General Manager
Great Performances/ Brooklyn Museum
07.2016 - 08.2017
General Manager Palm Bar and Grille
SSP America JFK international Terminal 4
03.2016 - 06.2016
Multi- Property General Manager
Gerber Group
08.2014 - 03.2016
Infantry Squad Leader
US ARMY Special Operations Command
01.2003 - 01.2011
Noncommissioned Officer’s Infantry Course - Platoon Leader Development
Warrior Leader Course
Bachelor of Science - Tourism and Hospitality
Colegio Universitario Del Este
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