Benjamin Absey
Fargo,ND
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Houseman
UHNW Private Family
Santa Barbara, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Oversight of household operations, supporting the estate manager in administrative and service functions
- Team management: coordinated schedules, delegated responsibilities, and maintained team morale and performance
- Directed event preparation and execution, including vendor coordination, guest services, and aftercare
- Developed and maintained detailed household inventory systems to ensure seamless replenishment and efficiency
- Managed daily task execution and implemented systems to streamline household flow
- Ensured property readiness through regular maintenance checks, vendor scheduling, and project oversight
- Provided exceptional service to principals and guests while maintaining discretion and professionalism
Manager, Host, Service, Sales
Blackbird Woodfire
206 Broadway Fargo Nd
03.2014 - Current
- Food and beverage service
- Catering
- Managed daily and weekly prep lists
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Continuously evaluated business operations to effectively align workflows for optimal area coverage and customer satisfaction.
- Created our off sale branding and services, selling and providing ovens for our frozen pizza line in bars restaurants and event centers
Houseman
Woodhaven Management
Fargo, ND
10.2021 - 04.2023
- Party coordination and service
- Guest transport
- Remote Estate management, including project development. Acquiring bids, services and reliable help.
- Property maintenance and repairs, including replacing toilets, shower systems, drywall, siding, crown molding, ect.
- Gathered linen supplies and organized linen closets for prompt room restocking.
- Disposed of trash and recyclables each day to avoid waste buildup.
- Filed maintenance work order forms to notify maintenance of needed repairs.
- Restocked room supplies such as facial tissues for personal touch with every job.
Assistant
Bear Creek Winery
Fargo, ND
03.2019 - 05.2022
- Worked closely with manager to provide effective assistance for all aspects of business operations
- Work vineyard and tasting rooms
- Grape breeding and grafting
- Grape processing, harvesting, stemming, crushing and fermentation
- Cleaning tanks, filtering, racking, blending, ect.
- Note taking and tracking upcoming species and varieties
- Small operation of 3 including me. Enology all day every day
Team Leader
Minnesota Conservation Corps
05.2017 - 12.2018
- Conservation of trails and shoreline
- Natural resource management
- Emergency response work - Strick Team Lead Hurricane Irma Florida
- Certifications in
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Conducted training and mentored team members to promote productivity, accuracy and commitment to friendly service.
- Built strong relationships with customers through positive attitude and attentive response.
- Set up and calibrated machinery to meet specific production requirements and meet desired tolerances.
Operation Manager
The Sanctuary Event Center
Fargo, ND
09.2016 - 09.2018
- Coordinate parties and events for groups
- Set up and tear down banquets
- Manage inventory for the event center
- Work with other team members to ensure event success
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Promoted positive customer experience through day-to-day supervision and management of servers and hosts
- Delegated daily tasks to employees, streamlining daily progress and efficiency.
Grounds Crew Member
Fargo Park District
06.2009 - 08.2013
- Helped run outdoor youth events
- Ran concession stands for outdoor sporting events
- Helped maintain park district grounds
- Escort officials
Education
Sommelier Guild Level 1
Skills
- Customer Needs Assessment
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Retention
- Company Quality Standards
- Building Repairs
- Hospitality Management
Certification
Chain saw operator: Commercially & Private
CPR certified
Wild land Fire Fighting
Timeline
Lead Houseman
UHNW Private Family
01.2023 - Current
Houseman
Woodhaven Management
10.2021 - 04.2023
Assistant
Bear Creek Winery
03.2019 - 05.2022
Team Leader
Minnesota Conservation Corps
05.2017 - 12.2018
Operation Manager
The Sanctuary Event Center
09.2016 - 09.2018
Manager, Host, Service, Sales
Blackbird Woodfire
03.2014 - Current
Grounds Crew Member
Fargo Park District
06.2009 - 08.2013
Sommelier Guild Level 1