Christopher Bearkland
Clearwater,FL
Summary
I bring nearly 30 years of experience in leadership roles, during which I've managed all aspects of business operations either directly or through my team. With strong written and verbal communication skills, I excel at fostering relationships both within organizations and with external partners. I hold formal education in leadership and am always open to growth opportunities. I am adept at managing KPIs, budgets, and performance through effective communication, training, and coaching. While I am skilled at managing my time and schedule, I understand that flexibility is often key to overcoming challenges. I am seeking a dynamic role that offers both growth opportunities and the chance to contribute meaningfully to a successful organization.
Experienced with multi-site management, team leadership, and operational optimization. Utilizes strategic planning to drive efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving business goals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
Extra Space Self Storage • Life Storage
03.2013 - 11.2025
- Company Overview: Life Storage merged with Extra Space Storage in the largest merger in the Storage Industry and the largest merger in Utah history
- Accepted an entry level position in 2013 as an assistant manager, within months I was promoted to store manager and by 2018 I was managing up to 4 units remotely as well as operating the sites
- By 2021 I was promoted to Area Manager with Life Storage and managed between 16 - 20 sites and covering up to 42 sites for some periods
- I primarily managed Orlando, but also managed Coco Beach, Palm Bay, Pinellas County, and Pasco County markets at various times
- I managed three brands simultaneously, Life Storage Storage, Extra Space Storage, and Storage Express in the Tampa market
- My role was to take the lead on managing all aspects of this business, while effectively utilizing support positions to maximize profits and limit liabilities
- Some of these duties included but are not limited to: all aspects of hiring and recruiting to include hosting hiring events, ongoing training and coaching both in person and through my training staff, scheduling, creating and managing a bi weekly auction schedule for all of my sites, ensuring auction accuracy and overriding pulled units when appropriate, managing KPI performance (Key Performance Indicators), managing budgets, identifying business trends and managing appropriately, managing employee performance and behaviors, managing R&M (Repair and Maintenance), vetting and certifying vendors to include creating contracts, identifying and organizing property renovations, onboarding new purchases, opening new builds, taking part in the purchasing and selling processes, creating and holding biweekly and quarterly meetings with my employees to reinforce focus topics, promote best practices, and roll out new company initiatives
- In my time I have had positive NOI growth, every year over year
- Most recently, I operated Tampa, one of the most robust and active markets in the industry
- Post merger, I was recognized for the 3rd largest AR, (Accounts Receivable), reduction in the company of Extra Space
- My employee satisfaction scores were among the top tier in the company and garnered positive growth as time went on, occupancy average since merger for my market, increased by more than 12%, I rehabbed 12 neglected sites bringing them up to company and legal compliance
- My sites averaged 10+ online reviews each per month
- Life Storage merged with Extra Space Storage in the largest merger in the Storage Industry and the largest merger in Utah history
Supervisor
McDonald's
01.2007 - 02.2013
- As a supervisor for McDonald's, I grew to manage 3 stores, each store with upwards of 70 employees
- I developed and tracked budgets, either managed personally or through my employees, all aspects of this business, to include overseeing renovations, and onboarding new stores
Senior Team Leader
Target
04.2001 - 01.2007
- As a Senior Team Leader for Target, I oversaw the in-store Starbucks Coffee, Pizza Hut, Food Avenue, Deli, Bakery, Produce, Refrigerated and Frozen foods, and Grocery
- I also occasionally acted as LOD, (Leader on Duty), filling the role of store manager in their absence
- I was charged with meeting budgetary and customer service expectations
- I was involved in onboarding new stores, hiring, training, and managing employee performance and behaviors
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Public Policy and Administration
St. Petersburg College
12.2021
Associates Degree - General Studies
St. Petersburg College
07.2019
Business Administration Certificate -
Hamburger University
07.2008
Associates Degree - Commercial Art
Tampa Technical Institute
05.1998
Skills
- Multi-Unit Leader
- Effective Communicator
- Analytical
- Foster Employee Satisfaction
- Customer Service
- Flexible
- Leadership skills
- Recruiting and hiring
- Strategic planning
- Training and coaching
- Goal setting and performance metrics
- Operations management
- Team development
- Interpersonal communication
- Conflict management
- Budget management
- Business planning
- Staff recruiting
- Staff supervision
- Project planning
- Project management
- Time management
- Inventory management
- Profitability assessments
Timeline
District Manager
Extra Space Self Storage • Life Storage
03.2013 - 11.2025
Supervisor
McDonald's
01.2007 - 02.2013
Senior Team Leader
Target
04.2001 - 01.2007
Associates Degree - General Studies
St. Petersburg College
Business Administration Certificate -
Hamburger University
Associates Degree - Commercial Art
Tampa Technical Institute
Bachelor's Degree - Public Policy and Administration
St. Petersburg College
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