BENNY LARA
Anaheim,CA
Summary
Customer-oriented General Manager with 20 years of Hospitality experience focused on increasing revenues and expanding margin. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executes and completes multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering vision and motivational acumen.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Anaheim Residence Inn By Marriott
08.2023 - Current
- Optimized hotel inventory through dynamic pricing strategies based on market analysis, increasing Year-over-year revenue by 8%. While having a running RevPar index of 156 YTD
- Increased hotel occupancy rates by 18% through aggressive marketing strategies and revamping Hotel packages to enhance repeat business.
- Negotiated key vendor contracts cutting operational expenses by 12%, improving the hotel's profitability despite fluctuating economic conditions. I have been able to exceed GOP budget for 2024 by $190K.
- Worked along side our marketing Team to enhanced our online presence through a website redesign and targeted digital marketing, leading to a 30% growth in 3rd party bookings.
- Implemented staff wellness and professional development programs which improved team morale and resulted in a 95% staff retention rate across two years.
General Manager
Mountain View Residence Inn by Marriott
07.2021 - 07.2023
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
Assistant General Manager
AC Pleasanton by Marriott
03.2022 - 07.2022
- Currently managing 170+ room hotel, 60+ associates, 5 managers and 3 Supervisors
- Develop, recommend, implement and manage the department's budget; continually analyze, forecast, monitor and control the labor and food costs through various methods to meet/exceed management/budget objectives
- Develop and implement menus and back-up (use records, production lists, pars, training, etc.) within corporate guidelines to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality; including quarterly/seasonal menu changes focused on menu engineering for food/labor cost
- Forecast daily room demand based on segments and set strategies to optimize hotel REVPAR
- Accomplishing financial objectives in budgeting analyzing, preparing, and maintaining proper serving protocols and procedures of staff members
- Plan and manage the procurement, production, preparation and presentation of all food in a safe, sanitary, cost effective manner; leveraging and leading Vendor relationship
- Assumed the responsibilities of the General Manager in his absence.
Dual Assistant General Manager / Interim Dual General Manager
Towneplace Suites LAX- Springhill Suites LAX by Marriott
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed 350+ rooms between 2 hotels, 80+ associates and 5 managers
- Ensured appropriate and effective focus on business objectives on a day-to-day basis, while contributing to the strategic development and leadership of the hotel aligned with the General Manger's vision and company goals
- Implemented and manages hotel's daily quality process including: goal communication, staff member empowerment, compliance to Product and Performance, service recovery and problem prevention
- Disseminates feedback from comment cards, guest satisfaction and service failure measurements and coaches accordingly
- Visually observe staff performance and conduct various evaluations such as room inspections, coordinate action plans in areas found deficient
- Track progress follow-up to ensure all areas meet or exceed established standards
- Analyzed monthly Profit & Loss statements and prepare written comments regarding the monthly statement of operations for the General Manager's review
- Coordinated major capital projects involving various departments and provide guidance until project completion
- Analyzed and approve or reject forecasts and budgets (monthly, annual or five year) based on criteria from the corporation, General Manager, and/or current projects
- Review and approve allowances, paid outs, petty cash and employee entertainment checks
- Assumed the responsibilities of the General Manager in her absence.
Assistant General Manager
Reno Residence Inn by Marriott
07.2018 - 02.2021
- Managed all construction activities following project approvals and coordinated work with Property Management to include phasing, staging and site logistics
- Evaluated and re-negotiated all vendor services contracts, resulting in a 20% annual savings while maintaining quality
- Directed and managed property operations to assure optimum performance and continual improvement in the five key result areas (guest service, employees, sales/marketing, property appearance, and profit/financial control)
- Increased Brand Standards audit results by 7% by working with departments for ordering, maintaining items and service procedures
- Provided a safe working environment in compliance with OSHA/SDS while promoting both Guarantee of Fair Treatment, and Open Door policy
- Developed innovative means for capturing new streams of revenue throughout the property
- Created a New Pet Cleaning policy that increase revenue by 75K within the first year
- Developed and saw hotel-wide renovation project through to completion while staying within budget and time-frame
Operations Manager
Pleasant Hill Residence Inn by Marriott
06.2016 - 07.2018
- Analyzing monthly guest comments to take appropriate actions needed to improve property overall scores; Intent to Recommend Property scores increased from 57.1% July 2016 to 69.7% August 2018 YTD
- Created and implemented a departmentalized incentive programs that awards associates on a weekly and monthly basis; Staff Service scores increased from 65.4% July 2016 to 80.8% August 2018 YTD
- Created and implemented a Pre Arrival email process that provided guests with information about the hotel and local area; Check-In Experience scores increased from; 57.1% July 2016 to 85.2% August 2018 YTD
- Implemented a Housekeeper of The Month award that was given to the housekeeper with the highest room cleanliness scores; Room Cleanliness scores increased from 65.4% July 2016 to 79.5% August 2018 YTD
- Implemented a Bonvoy Elite Member incentive program that awarded elite members with additional bonus points while staying at our property; Elite Loyalty Member Appreciation score increased from 46.2% July 2016 to 80.8% August 2018 YTD
Front Office Supervisor/Front Office Trainer/Rooms Controller
San Ramon Marriott
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Supervised the reservation function to maximize highest room occupancy and average daily rate through knowledge of market demand and selling strategy in a 362 room hotel
- Assisted in implementing a rate verification program, which increased front desk knowledge of suites & room types
- Rate verification program increased average daily rate and also property upgrades
- Redeveloping/mentoring associates; implementing new policies, procedures, SOPs, daily tasks and goals
- Promptly and appropriately responded to guest inquiries to exceed guest expectation, while protecting hotel assets and revenue - developed a standard compensation chart for Guest Service Recovery which increased Guest Service scores from 70.1% January 2016 to 78.2% June 2016
Overnight Front Office Manager
Polo Towers Las Vegas
02.2011 - 07.2013
- Managed a Front Office Department in a 860 room timeshare hotel
- Serve as member of Executive Committee/Management Team, Manager on Duty and work with other management personnel in establishing and implementing hotel service standards to achieve maximum profitability and efficiency
- Responsible for development of the department's annual budget; monitor and report variances against plan; keep track of labor costs and related expenses
- Respond to all overnight guests' requests, problems, complaints and/or accidents presented at the Front Desk or through reservations, comment cards, letters and/or phone calls, in an attentive, courteous and efficient manner.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI02-2014
Skills
- Proficient in Spanish
- Forecasting
- Food Safety Certification
- Hotel Yearly Budget
- Inventory Management
- Marketing, and Advertising
- Hotel Renovation Management
- Revenue Management
- Cost Accounting
- Human Resources Management
- Sales Generator
- Conflict Resolution
- New Business Development
- Guest Satisfaction Driver
- RBS Certification
- Financial Auditing Training
- Profit & Loss Statement Review
- Leadership Development
- Fosse/ Marsha /PMS
- Hotel Operations Management
- TIPS Certified
- Micros (POS)
- Contract Negotiations
- Staff Motivation
- Staff-Retention Programs
Timeline
General Manager
Anaheim Residence Inn By Marriott
08.2023 - Current
Assistant General Manager
AC Pleasanton by Marriott
03.2022 - 07.2022
General Manager
Mountain View Residence Inn by Marriott
07.2021 - 07.2023
Dual Assistant General Manager / Interim Dual General Manager
Towneplace Suites LAX- Springhill Suites LAX by Marriott
03.2021 - 04.2022
Assistant General Manager
Reno Residence Inn by Marriott
07.2018 - 02.2021
Operations Manager
Pleasant Hill Residence Inn by Marriott
06.2016 - 07.2018
Front Office Supervisor/Front Office Trainer/Rooms Controller
San Ramon Marriott
07.2013 - 06.2016
Overnight Front Office Manager
Polo Towers Las Vegas
02.2011 - 07.2013
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Michigan State University
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