Diane Sames
Gainesville,FL
Summary
Experienced with guest relations, ensuring exceptional customer experiences. Utilizes strong communication and problem-solving skills to address guest needs effectively. Track record of fostering positive guest interactions and maintaining high satisfaction levels.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Events and Guest Relations Coordinator - Administrative Specialist II
McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida
06.2024 - 08.2025
- Event coordination of annual monthly and one off events. Event attendees were as few as 10 and up to 300.
- Planning and developing engagement activities for constituents of the MBI.
- Budget administration for events and activities.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Supported constituents by coordinating meeting rooms and catering services ensuring smooth operation of their events.
- Scheduled meetings booked meeting rooms and prepared meeting agendas.
- Supported departmental goals by collaborating with colleagues on cross-functional projects.
Data Entry Specialist
Windsor Group LLC
12.2023 - 06.2024
- - Worked many different areas to include intake, application processing, reviews, preparing and sending out letters, backlogs, appstream, printing, copying, sorting, etc.
- - Helped to process over 10,000 applications for farmers and landowners.
- - Trained others on different processes and helped to lead processing of incoming applications and logging.
- - Used impeccable attention to detail in order to ensure completeness of applications.
- - Performed quality assurance on thousands of applications.
Office Manager, Program Assistant I, Administrative Assistant III, Administrative Assistant II
Colorado State University
08.2006 - 09.2023
- Office manager of Chemistry Department main office and 5 professional staff members.
- Build meaningful relationships with those I supervise along with department staff, faculty, and students.
- Ran the recruitment process, conducting interviews and on-boarding new employees to promote a seamless integration into the team dynamic. Continually evaluate and give feedback of 5 professional staff and 1 student worker.
- Assistant building proctor for 3 buildings.
- Strengthen, repair and build beneficial relationships with those outside of the department including custodial staff, facilities staff, remodel and construction crews, and Environmental Health & Safety.
- Event planner and organizer.
- Plan, coordinate, and follow-up assessment to increase revenue and customer satisfaction of two large all campus events a year with over 1,800 students and 250 employers per event, receiving high satisfaction ratings.
- Organize and implement the Teacher Job Fair for several years with very positive feedback from all parties attending, earning a net profit every year despite budgetary cutbacks within the school districts.
- On-line job posting system coordination.
- Oversee postings of career and internship opportunities for students and alumni, averaging 900 per month, ensuring they are categorized correctly and appropriate for our students.
- Part of implementation team for new job posting and event management system, becoming an expert in the system and training other staff on it. I am the go-to person for anyone having questions or problems.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
Medical Records Secretary
RVNA Home Care
09.2002 - 07.2006
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives within the department by participating in quality assurance activities related to medical records management for over 200 client records.
- Handled high volumes of paperwork efficiently, ensuring that all medical records were properly filed and accessible when needed.
Independent Consultant
PartyLite Candles Inc.
09.1998 - 12.2005
- Provided excellent customer service as demonstrated in presenting products in private homes, taking orders, and facilitating product delivery. I also tracked A/R and A/P, and business bookkeeping for tax purposes.
Sales Associate
Wal-Mart Inc.
04.2005 - 09.2005
- Provided excellent customer service in the Garden Department (answering questions, referring to co-workers for answers when necessary, and explaining products to customers) as well as set up visually appealing displays.
Education
BS - Psychology, concentration on I/O Psychology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO12.2014
AA - Business
Northeastern Junior College
Sterling, CO05.1986
Skills
- Fostering collaborative professional relationships
- Effective communication with diverse groups
- Effective time management and organization
- Calendar management
- Microsoft office expertise, plus specialized tools for each position including Canva and UFGO
- Strong customer service and problem-solving
Affiliations
- Classified Personnel Council, Colorado State University 2014
- Representation for State Classified employees at Colorado State University in addition to being a member of the Employee Recognition Committee, Work Life Committee, and CSU Employee Appreciation Board.
- Collegiate Career Services Association of Colorado and Wyoming 2011
- Professional association composed of career development professionals employed at four- and two-year colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming.
Timeline
Events and Guest Relations Coordinator - Administrative Specialist II
McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida
06.2024 - 08.2025
Data Entry Specialist
Windsor Group LLC
12.2023 - 06.2024
Office Manager, Program Assistant I, Administrative Assistant III, Administrative Assistant II
Colorado State University
08.2006 - 09.2023
Sales Associate
Wal-Mart Inc.
04.2005 - 09.2005
Medical Records Secretary
RVNA Home Care
09.2002 - 07.2006
Independent Consultant
PartyLite Candles Inc.
09.1998 - 12.2005
AA - Business
Northeastern Junior College
BS - Psychology, concentration on I/O Psychology
Colorado State University
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