Deborah M Hardin

Freelance special events, interior design and volunteer work. Traveled extensively and lived between Houston, TX, Seattle, WA, London, UK and Oslo, Norway.

• Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
• Selected and ordered décor and event materials.
• Coordinated florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, officiants and ceremony participants during rehearsals and pre-ceremony, ceremony and reception events.
• Developed space planning concepts, color palette selections and textile presentations.
• Participated in furniture selection and documentation of specifications.
• Consulted with clients to determine architectural preference to meet overall design goals.
• Transformed uninspiring areas into warm and inviting living spaces using various lighting fixtures, materials and products.
• Interfaced effectively with contractors and vendors to resolve issues and discuss ideas.

• Responsible for overall management of Catering Department.
• Oversight of marketing, sales, strategic planning and operational functions associated with member and member-sponsored events.
• Supervision of 150 year-round catering staff and additional 75 seasonal employees. Duties included hiring, training, supervising, scheduling and performance reviews.
• Maintained management presence at member committee meetings and events.
• Participation in management and governance of Inglewood Golf Club.
• Responded to initial inquiries, coordinating facility tours and food sampling.

DNV is an international company with 300 offices in 100 different countries.

• Demonstrated experience in organizational communication, technical writing, international project management, web design/development, and corporate marketing.
• Served on Corporate Graphic Profiling Committee.
• Conducted IT tool training courses to DNV staff throughout Europe.
• Led project teams through design, construction and launch process.

• Copy Editor for marketing material; print and electronic.
• Performed content management for internal and external websites.
• Established dedicated group of web administrators and IT freelancers, Managed this team year-round, including scheduling, project supervision, employee development and work reviews.
• Managed over 20 calls per day, from field consultants throughout Europe.
• Collaborated with network executives to define and propel organization's mission and vision.

• Responsible for day-to-day operations of Administration Department.
• Provided daily direction and supervision of administrative staff.
• Conducted interviews, onboard training and performance reviews.
• Prepared annual budget and business plan for membership department and monitored throughout year.
• Developed and implemented standard operating procedures for the Membership Office. Increased sales by 10% per quarter, establishing a waiting list.
• Responsible for highest quality of customer service to SYC membership.

Inflight Administration . Flight Attendant Alternate

• Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and vendors.
• Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management.
• Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for staff teams.
• Sorted and distributed office mail and recorded incoming shipments for corporate records.
• Generated reports and typed letters in Word and prepared PowerPoint presentations.
• Coached new employees on administrative procedures, company policies and performance standards.

• Communicated with customers to review catering goals and budget, deliver quotes and proposals, schedule event and carry out catering needs as contracted.
• Analyzed catering orders and liaised with staff to set up equipment, supplies and menus to meet client expectations.
• Maintained extensive calendar of events and attended necessary event meetings and conference calls.
• Established food tasting events which increased sales by 15% first year. Planned, scheduled and oversaw tastings allowing potential clients to sample popular menu items prior to booking events.
• Organized monthly membership wine tastings. Increased wine sales monthly by 10%.
• Maintained extensive calendar of events and attended all event meetings and conference calls.