Benjamin F. Carter, Jr.
Sebring,FL
Summary
Results-driven Operations and Administrative Management professional with extensive experience in program management that enhances student services and engagement. Skilled in coordinating community partnerships and compliance initiatives to drive student success and improve educational access. Proven ability to lead projects from development to delivery while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Overview
53
53
years of professional experience
Work History
Coordinator, Student Services
South Florida State College
Avon Park, Florida
09.2021 - Current
- Supervised Take Stock in Children scholarship program, recruiting and onboarding new students, facilitating workshops, collaborating with community partners for mentor recruitment, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Led the College Readiness Coaches to meet assigned performance goals for Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto County Take Stock in Children scholars.
- Coordinated events and workshops to enhance student engagement and promote community outreach.
- Organized schedules and resources for academic advising sessions and student services.
- Managed inter-departmental communication to foster seamless operations and collaboration.
Director, Outreach and Academic Support
South Florida State College
Avon Park, Florida
06.2015 - 02.2018
- Fostered community partnerships to increase access to educational opportunities and outreach programs.
- Advocated for student services to strengthen campus experience and support systems for diverse students.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to equip staff with effective practices in education administration.
Coordinator, Adult Education Special Projects
South Florida State College
Avon Park, Florida
01.2007 - 06.2015
- Supervised operations of Tutoring and Learning Center, including Math Lab, Writing Lab, and Open Lab; addressed Learning Resource Center maintenance issues; tracked and analyzed student lab usage; coordinated Adult Education remediation and Career Pathways program activities to support student success.
- Coordinated student enrollment processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance of records.
- Managed scheduling for academic events and workshops across campus to optimize participation and resource allocation.
- Assisted faculty with curriculum development and course materials preparation.
Employer Services Manager-One Stop Center Manager-Community Outreach Coordinator
Heartland Workforce, Inc.
Sebring, Florida
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Supervised One Stop Center operations in Highlands County, coordinating marketing, maintenance, and development of employer services to strengthen regional workforce support.
Asst. Coordinator-Special Projects; Asst. Coordinator-Client Services; JTPA Project Specialist; Adjunct Faculty Member-Marketing
South Florida Community College
Avon Park, Florida
01.1996 - 01.2003
- Managed case management and placement of JTPA customers while supervising Avon Park/SFCC location and ensuring quality control of customer and employee relations.
Employment Counselor/Customer Service Specialist, Project independence
State of Florida Department of Labor
Sebring, Florida
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Managed caseload of over 200 participants in Project Independence Program, facilitating case management and implementing service delivery improvements for Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
- Guided job seekers in identifying career goals and securing suitable employment opportunities.
- Counseled clients one-on-one to develop tailored job search strategies.
- Conducted workshops on resume writing and interview preparation for clients.
Service Manager
Wedgewood Acura, Inc.
Lakeland, Florida
01.1992 - 11.1992
- Managed service department operations, enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining processes.
- Oversaw scheduling and workflow for service appointments and technician assignments, optimizing service delivery and reducing wait times.
- Trained and mentored service staff on best practices, improving customer service quality and team cohesion.
- Oversaw fixed operations of luxury import automotive dealership franchise, handling quality control, warranty administration, service scheduling, work order distribution, training, and customer service.
Sales Consultant
Robert G. Waters, Inc.
Lakeland, Florida
01.1991 - 01.1992
- Executed luxury automobile sales for Mercedes Benz, Volvo, and Volkswagen, resulting in increased customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Cultivated client relationships to identify needs and preferences, leading to personalized service.
- Provided tailored product recommendations based on customer requirements.
- Conducted product demonstrations that effectively highlighted features and benefits, aiding customer decision-making.
Service and Parts District Manager
Sterling Motor Cars
Miami, Florida
01.1988 - 01.1990
- Represented luxury import automobile manufacturer/distributor in overseeing service and parts operations across Florida.
- Directed daily operations for multiple automotive dealerships, ensuring seamless service and parts delivery.
- Oversaw inventory management and vehicle procurement, streamlining processes for improved operational efficiency.
- Administered warranty program with annual budget over $1 million, trained staff, managed inventory control and distribution, enhancing customer service excellence.
- Implemented training programs for sales and service staff.
Dealer Development Program, Manager/Placement Candidate
Chrysler Corporation
Detroit, Michigan
01.1986 - 01.1987
- Completed interim assignments for the Minority Dealer Development Program Manager in Spartanburg, Columbia, Charlotte, Memphis, New Orleans, and Green Bay.
- Managed vehicle inventory to ensure optimal product display and availability.
- Assisted customers with product selection, delivering tailored information to enhance their purchasing experience.
- Processed sales transactions using point-of-sale systems, contributing to a streamlined checkout process.
Vice President and General Manager
Winter Haven Chrysler
Winter Haven, Florida
01.1984 - 01.1986
- Managed dealership operations with profit and loss responsibilities, supervising 32 employees and eight department managers to drive operational success.
- Led strategic planning for dealership operations and growth initiatives.
- Oversaw daily management of sales and service departments, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Developed training programs to improve staff skills and performance, contributing to enhanced service quality.
Service Manager/Used Car Manager/Dealer-Partner
Precision Oldsmobile, Inc.
Lakeland, Florida
01.1982 - 01.1984
- Promoted to Used Vehicle Sales Manager after one year as Service Operations Manager, holding a 10% ownership interest in the franchise.
- Managed daily service operations, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Trained and supervised service staff in automotive repair procedures and effective customer interactions to improve service quality.
- Coordinated scheduling of service appointments to optimize workflow and resource allocation.
District Manager-Service and Parts/Sales
Chrysler Corporation
Orlando, Florida
01.1978 - 01.1982
- Managed service and parts operations across Florida, leading business analysis, marketing initiatives, dealer development, training programs, and customer service efforts after promotion to Sales District Manager in 1981.
- Implemented sales strategies, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction across the district.
- Oversaw daily operations of multiple dealerships, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
- Trained and developed management teams, fostering leadership skills and improving team effectiveness.
Service Advisor/Dispatcher/Warranty Administrator/Service Manager
Trail Dodge, Inc.
Miami, Florida
01.1973 - 01.1978
- Coordinated dealership service operations, including repair order distribution, processing, quality control, warranty administration, and customer service.
Education
Ed.D. - Transformational Leadership
Concordia University
Portland, OR12-2019
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
Concordia University
Portland, OR12-2014
Florida Workforce Professional-Tier 1 Certification -
Dynamic Works Institute
01-2003
Automotive Marketing Courses -
Chrysler Marketing Institute
Detroit01-1987
Automotive Marketing Courses - University of Delaware/University of Missouri
General Motors College of Automotive Marketing
01-1986
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Fort Lauderdale College
Miami01-1979
Skills
- Student recruitment
- Student support services
- Student engagement
- Program management
- Program evaluation
- Performance evaluation
- Data analysis
- Policy development
- Operational efficiency
- Workflow management
- Team collaboration
- Communication skills
- Relationship building
Volunteer Experience
- 01/01/85, 12/31/86, Alumnus, Leadership Winter Haven
- 01/01/85, 12/31/86, Board Member, Greater Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce
- 01/01/98, 12/31/01, Member/Chairman, Highlands County Housing Authority
- 01/01/03, 06/30/07, Member, Highlands County Economic Development Commission-Enterprise Zones
- 01/01/80, Present, Pastor, Bethel Pentecostal Holiness Church of Avon Park, Inc.
Military Service
- 01/01/71, 12/31/73, U. S. Army, Active Duty, Medical Specialist, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
- 01/01/73, 12/31/80, U.S. Army Reserve, Inactive/Active Reserve Duty, Medical Specialist, 11th Special Forces Group, Coral Gables, Florida
Timeline
Coordinator, Student Services
South Florida State College
09.2021 - Current
Director, Outreach and Academic Support
South Florida State College
06.2015 - 02.2018
Coordinator, Adult Education Special Projects
South Florida State College
01.2007 - 06.2015
Employer Services Manager-One Stop Center Manager-Community Outreach Coordinator
Heartland Workforce, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2007
Asst. Coordinator-Special Projects; Asst. Coordinator-Client Services; JTPA Project Specialist; Adjunct Faculty Member-Marketing
South Florida Community College
01.1996 - 01.2003
Employment Counselor/Customer Service Specialist, Project independence
State of Florida Department of Labor
01.1994 - 01.1996
Service Manager
Wedgewood Acura, Inc.
01.1992 - 11.1992
Sales Consultant
Robert G. Waters, Inc.
01.1991 - 01.1992
Service and Parts District Manager
Sterling Motor Cars
01.1988 - 01.1990
Dealer Development Program, Manager/Placement Candidate
Chrysler Corporation
01.1986 - 01.1987
Vice President and General Manager
Winter Haven Chrysler
01.1984 - 01.1986
Service Manager/Used Car Manager/Dealer-Partner
Precision Oldsmobile, Inc.
01.1982 - 01.1984
District Manager-Service and Parts/Sales
Chrysler Corporation
01.1978 - 01.1982
Service Advisor/Dispatcher/Warranty Administrator/Service Manager
Trail Dodge, Inc.
01.1973 - 01.1978
Ed.D. - Transformational Leadership
Concordia University
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
Concordia University
Florida Workforce Professional-Tier 1 Certification -
Dynamic Works Institute
Automotive Marketing Courses -
Chrysler Marketing Institute
Automotive Marketing Courses - University of Delaware/University of Missouri
General Motors College of Automotive Marketing
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Fort Lauderdale College