Chris Garber
Cathedral City,CA
Summary
Dynamic Area General Manager with a proven track record at Common Threads Hospitality Group, excelling in revenue management and team leadership. Achieved Michelin recognition for luxury properties while reducing food costs and enhancing guest satisfaction through exceptional service. Adept at inventory control and fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Area General Manager
Common Threads Hospitality Group
Palm Springs, CA
10.2021 - Current
- Simultaneously direct operations for Holiday House & Sparrows Lodge (Jan
- 2024), Both properties are luxury 21+ boutique hotels each with a full-service restaurant
- Holiday House awarded Michelin Key in 2024 and 2025
- Sparrows Lodge awarded Michelin Key in 2022 and 2023
- Restaurant (The Barn) received a Michelin Nod in 2023
- Manage a team of fifty employees, including 2 AGM’s, 1 Executive Chef, 2 Housekeeping leads and 2 engineers, across both properties
- Ensure that staff members receive professional training and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to maintain the standards of Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Service
- Consistently achieve excellent reviews to maintain top ratings within the hotel group; personally respond to reviews and adjust operations as needed
- Manage all sales inquiries and group events including preparing quotes, reviewing contracts, and overseeing execution of private events
- Work closely with Department Heads on inventory to keep within budgeted COGs to reduce waste and ensure purchases are within line
- Partnered with Executive Chef on seasonal menu offerings, menu designs, and productivity
- Reduced BOH food costs from 33% to 28%
- Inspect rooms regularly with housekeeping and engineering
- Regularly review P&Ls with ownership and managing partners to adjust budget and operations, as necessary
- Oversee accounting procedures such as gathering, coding, and payment of invoices for all departments
- Adjust room rates on a weekly/daily basis to maximize hotel occupancy
Assistant General Manager
L’Horizon Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, CA
02.2020 - 10.2021
- Supported the General Manager in all aspects of hotel operations in a luxury boutique hotel setting with custom-designed bungalows, a full-service restaurant, pool bar and luxury spa
- Consistently achieved elevated service standards to gain recognition from: Conde Nast as #1 in the US and #3 in the world (2 years in a row), Conde Nast Gold List and Hot List 2021, Reader’s Choice Awards for best hotels
- Ensured proper staff training and adherence of SOPs to ensure Forbes Five Star Service
- Regularly partnered with Revenue Management to adjust room rates to maximize profits and hotel occupancy within ADR budget goals
- Reviewed P&L regularly to meet or exceed financial goals
- Partnered with the Executive Chef to reduce food costs from 28% to 25%
- Collaborated with the Director of Sales on group events including preparing quotes, reviewing contracts, and overseeing execution of private events
- Supported ownership in overseeing the construction and remodel project of adding twenty-four new suites in 2021
Guest Services Manager
Sycuan Casino & Resort
San Diego, CA
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Responsible for Front Office Operations, Reservations, Call Center, and Guest Services for a newly opened 302 room luxury resort featuring a resort-style pool and swim up bar; full-service spa; over ten dining options and one of San Diego’s oldest and largest gaming floors
- Assisted in revenue management of the hotel including daily room rates and group sales
- Created and managed a complex budget for the entire department to meet financial goals and maximize profitability
- Lead member of the pre-opening team through a $260M expansion: worked directly with the construction team on the project; Assisted in selecting all operational items including guest room amenities, uniforms, and hotel collateral
- Selected and worked closely to develop all operation systems including website design, booking engine, property management system, payroll system, and telecommunications system
- Hired and trained staff of 30+ including 2 Assistant Reservations Managers while promoting growth and boosting morale resulting in continued loyalty
- Ensured brand standards, guest service standards, policies, and procedures
- Resort was awarded the AAA Diamond award withing the first year of opening
- Mentored Assistant Reservations Manager to eventually take over my role upon leaving
- (Reason for leaving: Moved to Palm Springs)
Assistant Retail Manager
05.2015 - 05.2018
- Hired, managed, and trained a team of forty staff members including 4 Managers and 2 Supervisors
- Led team through strategic change in management to achieve significant growth in the business
- Top 5 performing stores in Conversion growth in 2016
- Worked with the merchandising team to develop new systems for New Collection rollouts
- Maintained a strong focus on operations and implementing new systems, cut 2017 shrinkage by 50%
- Led business planning, developed market strategy, and established direct procurement of products from fashion vendors
- Managed customer inquiries and complaints while providing excellent customer service, promoting membership loyalty, and increasing customer satisfaction rates
- Held daily staff meetings to review goals and foster communication
- Reviewed daily financial reports and sent emails to ownership to increase productivity
- (Reason for leaving: Store location closed, and I really wanted to return to Hospitality sector)
Front Office Manager
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Chicago, IL
07.2012 - 02.2015
Front Office Supervisor
Joie de Vivre Hotels/Two Roads Hospitality
San Francisco, CA
05.2011 - 05.2012
Guest Services Lead
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Indianapolis, IN
11.2009 - 05.2011
Education
A.A. - Business Management
Indiana University
Indianapolis, INSkills
- Inventory control
- Food cost management
- Budget management
- Revenue management
- Event planning
- Customer service
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Performance evaluation
- SOP adherence
- Succession planning
- Team collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Profit and loss accountability
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Adaptability and flexibility
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Area General Manager
Common Threads Hospitality Group
10.2021 - Current
Assistant General Manager
L’Horizon Resort & Spa
02.2020 - 10.2021
Guest Services Manager
Sycuan Casino & Resort
08.2018 - 12.2019
Assistant Retail Manager
05.2015 - 05.2018
Front Office Manager
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
07.2012 - 02.2015
Front Office Supervisor
Joie de Vivre Hotels/Two Roads Hospitality
05.2011 - 05.2012
Guest Services Lead
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
11.2009 - 05.2011
A.A. - Business Management
Indiana University
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