Benjamin R. Garris
Vienna
Summary
Hospitality professional with extensive customer service and event support experience. Proven ability to organize and execute special events, manage guest relations, and contribute to team success in fast-paced environments. Recognized for adaptability, strong communication, and effective problem-solving skills.
- Event Coordination: Assisted in planning, setting up, and serving at special events; flexible in performing any task needed to ensure successful execution.
- Program Organization: Experience developing and maintaining a mentoring program that fostered engagement and personal growth.
- Team Collaboration: Skilled at working effectively with diverse groups of people to achieve shared goals.
- Agricultural Operations: Supported day-to-day operations of a cut flower farm, including planting, harvesting, and maintaining quality standards.
- Certifications: CPR, First Aid, AED, and Lifeguard certified.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Spa Specialist
The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company
06.2024 - Current
- Quickly learned and became proficient in Book4Time, the spa’s booking and management system.
- Gained in-depth knowledge of all spa treatments, including their components and client benefits.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive Spa Checklist to enhance organization, efficiency, and team accountability.
- Created and assembled a detailed Spa Training Binder outlining BSA standards and procedures to support staff onboarding and consistency.
Front Desk Agent
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
10.2023 - Current
- Delivered exceptional guest service in alignment with Forbes and BSA standards, ensuring a seamless and memorable check-in and check-out experience.
- Proficiently operated OPERA, the hotel’s property management system, to manage reservations, billing, and guest profiles.
- Resolved guest inquiries and concerns with professionalism and efficiency, contributing to enhanced guest satisfaction and loyalty.
- Actively worked to enliven the guest experience, embodying The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards of service excellence.
Flower Farm Assistant
Three Joi Flowers
06.2019 - Current
- Assist in all aspects of flower production for my family’s flower farm business including bed preparation, planting, weeding, irrigating, washing equipment and materials, cleaning workspaces, harvesting, packing, and processing, assisting with floral design and conditioning flowers.
Swim Team Manager
NCAA Division II Swim Team
08.2019 - 05.2023
- Managed Division II swim team (both men’s and women’s); duties included preparing pool and equipment for practices; overseeing the practice schedule; planning for team travel including meal planning and making the itinerary; preparing and overseeing Covid protocols; ran practices on an as-needed basis.
Swim Coach
Rays Swim Team
03.2021 - 03.2023
- Coached a community swim team for kids; including coaching and teaching children the four major swim strokes; freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly; tracked progress of each swimmer; prepared and executed individualized practice plans for each swimmer.
Restaurant Server Assistant
The Inn at Little Washington
05.2022 - 07.2022
- Worked full-time hours in the three MICHLIN star restaurant (also the recipient of the green Michelin star). Polished glassware and silverware; in charge of breading tables and running the bread station; trained new staff members in these tasks; helped co-workers clear tables and set tables.
Caterer
Davis & Elkins College Catering Services
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Helped cater large events at Davis & Elkins College; duties included set up, tear down, serving tables, plating food, and assisted on any other necessary tasks.
Event Planning Intern
The Webster Group
10.2017 - 05.2018
- Internship during high school; basic office tasks including filings, copying, word processing and answering incoming calls from clients.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality & Tourism Management
Davis & Elkins College
Elkins, West Virginia05.2023
Skills
- Customer service
- Guest services
- Problem-solving skills
- Cash handling
Timeline
Spa Specialist
The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company
06.2024 - Current
Front Desk Agent
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
10.2023 - Current
Restaurant Server Assistant
The Inn at Little Washington
05.2022 - 07.2022
Swim Coach
Rays Swim Team
03.2021 - 03.2023
Swim Team Manager
NCAA Division II Swim Team
08.2019 - 05.2023
Caterer
Davis & Elkins College Catering Services
08.2019 - 12.2019
Flower Farm Assistant
Three Joi Flowers
06.2019 - Current
Event Planning Intern
The Webster Group
10.2017 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality & Tourism Management
Davis & Elkins College
HONORS
Athletic Scholarship: Davis & Elkins College Swim Team – 2019-2023, Merit Scholarship: Davis & Elkins College – 2019-2023, Commissioner’s Honor Roll: Spring 2020 (Swimming), Five Star Employee of the 3rd Quarter Nominee: November 2024