Curtis J. McCreary
Bonita Springs,FL
Summary
Seasoned hospitality leader with nearly two decades of experience at The Turtle Club and oversight of multiple renowned restaurants like The Claw and The Syren. Dedicated to enhancing guest experiences, leading teams, and driving operational excellence across various venues.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
General Manager and Multi-Unit Leader
The Turtle Club Restaurant
03.2006 - Current
- Spearheaded operations for almost 20 years, growing from on-the-ground roles to full general management.
- Oversaw not only The Turtle Club but also helped manage and staff sister restaurants like The Syren and The Claw Bar.
- Led hurricane recovery and rebuild efforts, including after Hurricane Ian.
- Drove innovative menu development and revenue strategies.
- Actively involved in hiring, training, and mentoring staff.
Server
Watermark Grille
09.2004 - 03.2006
- Delivered exceptional guest service in a high-volume restaurant environment.
- Assisted in developing training materials for onboarding new team members.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to accurately communicate orders and dietary restrictions.
- Delivered exceptional customer service, ensuring guest satisfaction and repeat business.
Bartender
Tarpon Cove & Racquet Club
10.2005 - 01.2006
- Provided bar service and maintained customer engagement in an upscale setting.
- Crafted and served a diverse range of cocktails, ensuring consistency and quality in every drink.
- Managed inventory levels, minimizing waste through effective stock rotation and ordering processes.
- Trained and mentored junior bartenders on techniques, customer service standards, and operational procedures.
Head Server / Bartender / Server / Broiler Cook
Buca di Beppo
03.1998 - 03.2005
- Managed large sections and coordinated team service during peak hours.
- Handled food preparation and broiler operations in the back-of-house.
- Supervised front-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and service excellence.
- Trained and mentored new servers, fostering a collaborative team environment focused on efficiency.
- Coordinated large party reservations, optimizing seating arrangements for maximum capacity and service flow.
- Monitored dining room activities, proactively addressing guest concerns to maintain high service standards.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with regular customers, enhancing loyalty and repeat business.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and welcoming environment through regular monitoring of dining areas and server stations.
- Monitored staff performance regularly, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement in their roles as servers.
- Trained staff members on use of POS system.
Education
High School Diploma -
Carmel High School
Carmel, IN06-1999
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem resolution
- Operations management
- Team player
- Effective leader
- Training and coaching
- Team leadership
- Staff management
- Staff training
- Inventory control
- Employee scheduling
- Administrative skills
- P&L management
- Labor cost controls
- Project management
- Staffing
- Purchasing
- Purchasing and planning
- Operations oversight
- Sales expertise
- Sound judgment
- Proficient in [software]
Accomplishments
- During The Turtle Club’s post-hurricane closure, led the full rebuild and recovery of the property — overseeing cleanup, construction coordination, and operational planning to ensure a successful reopening.
- Assisted in launching sister restaurant, The Syren, contributing to concept development, staffing, and training during The Turtle Club’s downtime.
- Managed operations at The Claw Bar, maintaining standards of excellence and team performance — all while The Turtle Club remained under reconstruction.
Certification
Certificate IDCurriculum 10552074ServSafe: Food Protection Manager Certification
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
General Manager and Multi-Unit Leader
The Turtle Club Restaurant
03.2006 - Current
Bartender
Tarpon Cove & Racquet Club
10.2005 - 01.2006
Server
Watermark Grille
09.2004 - 03.2006
Head Server / Bartender / Server / Broiler Cook
Buca di Beppo
03.1998 - 03.2005
High School Diploma -
Carmel High School