DAWN LAZO
Fairview,TN.
Summary
Versatile business leader bringing 25+ years of hospitality experience as accomplished Vice President and Director of Food and Beverage. Strategic problem-solver, change manager and visionary executive with success implementing plans to meet current and future needs. Key expertise in Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Casinos.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Dawn Lazo Hospitality Consulting
03.2020 - Current
- Providing support and guidance to the Food & Beverage department for the award-winning Hotel Drover in the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth Texas for over 3 years
- Delivered operational excellence by optimizing resources, processes, and overall cost structure.
- Developed Food and Beverage of service standards, training materials, management recruitment and selection process, steps of service, development of creative programming, organizational chart, opening OSE order, uniform program.
Vice President Food & Beverage
Seminole Hard Rock Casino
08.2017 - 03.2020
- Orchestrated and delivered high quality service in a $98M food and beverage operation within a AAA 4 Diamond property.
- Recruited, trained, and mentored work group of over 1,600 through multiple openings and remodel projects
- Achieved significant cost savings through supply chain optimization
- Transformed customer experience by designing and executing comprehensive service improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing satisfaction levels.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success
- Created a leadership onboarding and training program adopted company wide
Vice President Food & Beverage
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
10.2013 - 08.2017
- Led 12 departments within the F&B Division of a luxury casino in South Florida with 73 managers and over 700 team members
- Strategically developed a business plan and established upgraded operating standards for all outlets
- Remodeled and reprogrammed the Fresh Harvest Buffet, remodeled, and relaunched VIP Bar, opened Non Smoking Casino
- Revised and upgraded all banquet menus, buffet lines and presentations
- Championed talent development programs, promoting employee engagement and retention while enhancing overall workforce capabilities.
- Lowered food cost of sales by 5% and increased revenue by 10% every year
- Established an award -winning wine program- partnered with Virginia Phillips
- Opened a charcuterie aging room and launched program through 5 outlets
- Created formal Cross Training program to further develop management team
- Founding member of the “Women of Seminole Gaming” organization with focus on mentoring, networking, informing, and educating women in our organization.
Director of Hotel Operations
Silverton Lodge & Casino
10.2012 - 10.2013
- Led 10 departments within the Hotel Division of a Lodge inspired, 300 room hotel in Southwest area of Las Vegas
- Developed and implemented behavior based standardized interview questions for all job classifications in Hotel Division, which supported the decrease in turnover by over 40%
- Successfully led front office team through conversion of Property Management system from HIS to LMS
- Improved Freeman scores 10% within the first six months.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, regularly reviewing processes and procedures for potential enhancements or efficiencies.
- Optimized revenue management strategies to capitalize on market trends and maximize room rate yield.
Director of Food & Beverage
Seminole Hard Rock
01.2010 - 09.2012
- Recruited, trained, and mentored work group of over 900 professionals through two expansion projects that included opening the Hard Rock Cafe, Rise Kitchen and Bakery, remodeled Pool operation and multiple Bars
- Successfully managed over $65 M in revenue,resulting in profit that exceeded budget
- Created a positive, results oriented, high functioning and team spirited work environment
- Created "YOU ROCK" Recognition program that increased positive guest response by 200%
- Improved guest service and established outlet operating standards
- Developed service training "camp" for all FOH positions
- Led the " Responsible Alcohol Service" movement for the property
- Implemented sustainable practices
- Managed budgets effectively, tracking expenses closely and adjusting allocations as needed throughout the fiscal year.
Vice President of Food & Beverage
Silverton Lodge And Casino
02.2006 - 12.2009
- Strategically developed operating plan and recruited talent to improve the overall department
- Revised menus, wine lists, uniforms, developed elevated service standards, established standard operating procedures, and dramatically improved the reputation of the Silverton Food and Beverage program while increasing revenue and profitability
- Opened Award winning prime steak house "Twin Creeks" and recruited former French Laundry and Guy Savoy culinary talent to develop menu and oversee kitchen operation
- Established multiple, all-inclusive specialty buffet programs, which increased both revenue and profitability by 25%
- Improved team morale and guest satisfaction almost 100% within less than three years
Director of Food & Beverage and Tenant Relations
Station Casinos
06.1996 - 07.2005
- Hired as Restaurant GM at Texas Station in 1996, promoted to Assistant Director 6 months later to open Sunset Station and then promoted Director of Food and Beverage at Sunset Station 1998
- Created the vision and fully executed opening plan for Stations Casinos first ever AAA 4 Diamond Resort operation, Green Valley Ranch in 2001 as Director of Food and Beverage and Tenant Relations.
- Award winning Food and Beverage operations
- Designed award winning property uniform program as well as other Image related projects throughout entire property
- Led in planning and executing community Culinary Events such as "Epicurean Affair" for 8 years for all Station Casinos
- Operated over 50,000 sq of premium banquet space at 35% profit
- Strategically developed outlet conversion plans for multiple outlets to include the creation of award-winning prime steakhouse, Hanks, Sushi + Sake and China Spice
- Successfully implemented the first butler service program in a Las Vegas local casino
- Led team through two property expansions to include 300 additional hotel rooms, 24-hour Cafe operation, private pool lounge and a showroom, while maintaining the highest standards of existing operations
Education
High School Diploma -
Kamiakin High School
Kennewick, United StatesSkills
- Profitability Optimization
- Process Improvement
- Media Relations
- Revenue Growth
- Project Management
- Talent Recruitment
- Revenue Generation
- Team Development
Timeline
President
Dawn Lazo Hospitality Consulting
03.2020 - Current
Vice President Food & Beverage
Seminole Hard Rock Casino
08.2017 - 03.2020
Vice President Food & Beverage
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
10.2013 - 08.2017
Director of Hotel Operations
Silverton Lodge & Casino
10.2012 - 10.2013
Director of Food & Beverage
Seminole Hard Rock
01.2010 - 09.2012
Vice President of Food & Beverage
Silverton Lodge And Casino
02.2006 - 12.2009
Director of Food & Beverage and Tenant Relations
Station Casinos
06.1996 - 07.2005
High School Diploma -
Kamiakin High School
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