Christopher (Chris) Dove
Brand Ambassador & Hospitality/Property Executive
Harrisburg,PA
Summary
Dynamic Hospitality Executive and Brand Strategist with over 20 years of experience in driving operational excellence, enhancing guest engagement, building brand loyalty and maximizing revenue. Proven track record in high-volume hotel management, daily operations, event logistics, and brand activation. All of which demonstrates the ability to engineer turnarounds for underperforming properties while reducing labor costs by up to 20% and elevating service standards to significantly boost customer satisfaction ratings. This agile professional combines senior-level strategic insight with hands-on operational reliability, ensuring a comprehensive winning approach. Total schedule flexibility supports the commitment to effectively meet critical business needs for success.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Brand Ambassador, Product Specialist, Demonstrator
Marketing Agencies / Various
03.2021 - Current
- Execute high-impact brand activation campaigns for diverse clients, engaging directly with target demographics to drive product awareness and consumer loyalty.
- Educated consumers about product benefits, leading to increased interest and sales conversions.
- Increased positive word-of-mouth referrals through genuine, personalized customer interactions and excellent product knowledge.
- Leverage advanced interpersonal skills to cultivate winning client relationships and represent brand values with integrity and energy.
Event Operations Server Professional
Peachtree Catering & Events / Choice Staffing of Pennsylvania
04.2025 - Current
- Partner with event management teams to execute flawless dining experiences for high-volume events, serving as large as 1,800 guests and adapting quickly to dynamic logistics.
- Deliver white-glove table service in high-pressure environments, prioritizing guest comfort and anticipating needs to ensure superior event success.
- Provide critical staffing flexibility, filling differential scheduling gaps to maintain operational continuity during peak seasons.
Property Manager
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort
02.2023 - 02.2024
- Engineered a strategic service turnaround by recruiting, hiring, and training a team of 16, boosting guest survey results by 50% year-over-year and elevating the property from last to 4th place within the competitive set.
- Slashed payroll costs by 20% through rigorous performance appraisals, efficient scheduling, and optimized resource allocation.
- Streamlined service delivery protocols to enhance staff accountability and operational efficiency.
Rooms Division Manager
The Gettysburg Hotel
10.2021 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded a comprehensive SOP overhaul that yielded a 5-position increase in TripAdvisor rankings and reduced post-departure compensation costs.
- Eradicated daily technical processing errors in finance reports (reducing to
Pre-Opening Hotel Project Manager (Contractor)
Self-Employed
05.2020 - 10.2021
- Directed critical path pre-opening activities for The Cloudveil, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, including luxury guestroom setup and post-construction deficiency management, achieving readiness within two months.
- Refined operating procedures within the housekeeping department, resulting in an immediate 10% increase in departmental productivity.
Assistant General Manager
Washington Plaza Hotel
09.2017 - 03.2020
- Commanded all front-of-house operations including front office and high-volume F&B outlets for a 343-room full service-independent hotel, leading a team of 95 staff and maximizing revenue from large convention business and summer transient leisure guests.
- Served as Interim General Manager at an additional RB Properties location, The Henley Park Hotel, launching a robust guest recognition program that significantly improved retention and survey scores.
Assistant General Manager
Dunton Destinations
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Oversaw daily operations for three distinct luxury properties including renowned Dunton Hot Springs; established inventory controls for the newly opened Dunton Townhouse Telluride to minimize shrinkage.
- Revamped the guest services department, reducing activity booking errors by 15% within 90 days through improved communication workflows.
- Enhanced communication among team members through regular meetings, promoting an open dialogue about challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Rooms Division Management
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
12.1997 - 07.2007
- Progressed through key leadership roles across five global locations, including critical pre-opening teams in Scottsdale and Hong Kong.
- Optimized arrival processes at FS Chicago, significantly reducing guest wait times and discount allowances during high-occupancy periods.
- Streamlined internal processes to improve efficiency, resulting in higher productivity and better time management.
- Developed and executed comprehensive SOP and management plans for successful company-wide initiatives related to long stay residence guests.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Indiana, PASkills
Management: Strategic Planning, P&L Management, Staff Development, Turnaround Strategy, Budgeting
Operations: SOP Development, Inventory Control, Vendor Relations, Pre-Opening Logistics, Quality Assurance
Guest engagement
Safe food handling
Strong work ethic
Hospitality service expertise
Team collaboration
Exceptional customer service
Certification
11/2025–11/2028: Food Handler Essentials Course, StateFoodSafety. Certificate Verification: 2394kb-kbd2e83
Timeline
Event Operations Server Professional
Peachtree Catering & Events / Choice Staffing of Pennsylvania
04.2025 - Current
Property Manager
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort
02.2023 - 02.2024
Rooms Division Manager
The Gettysburg Hotel
10.2021 - 01.2023
Brand Ambassador, Product Specialist, Demonstrator
Marketing Agencies / Various
03.2021 - Current
Pre-Opening Hotel Project Manager (Contractor)
Self-Employed
05.2020 - 10.2021
Assistant General Manager
Washington Plaza Hotel
09.2017 - 03.2020
Assistant General Manager
Dunton Destinations
06.2016 - 07.2017
Rooms Division Management
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
12.1997 - 07.2007
Bachelor of Science - Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)