Don McClaugherty
Galveston,TX
Summary
Restaurant owner with more than 12 years of experience at Riondo's Ristorante. Brings a hands-on approach to hospitality, restaurant operations, guest relations, and team leadership. BUT IS EXCITED TO LEARN & GROW WITH A TEAM OF "MENTORS"....Seeking a service or management role focused on attentive guest care, teamwork, and a well run dining experience with the intention to grow the Galveston local dining culture at the Hotel Galvez.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
Riondo's Ristorante
Galveston, Texas
07.2014 - 08.2026
- Directed daily restaurant operations for family-owned Italian dining room and kitchen service.
- Developed strategic plans to improve profitability and efficiency.
- Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities.
- Handled food purchasing and inventory control, maintaining quality and freshness of ingredients through effective vendor ordering.
- Managed staff schedules and training, ensuring optimal shift coverage for restaurant team.
- Coordinated menu planning and specials, ensuring recipe consistency and alignment with kitchen staff.
- Monitored cleanliness, safety, and compliance throughout restaurant and prep areas.
- Supported guests with attentive care, creating welcoming visit experiences.
- Provided quality customer service, helping guests feel valued throughout visit.
- Hosted special events to raise brand awareness and community engagement.
Productions/Operations Assistant
Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP)
Marina del Rey, California
1995 - 2000
- Coordinated AVP tournament logistics with vendors, venues, and event staff
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed during day-to-day operations.
- Coordinated transportation logistics for all Beach Volleyball events, ensuring timely setup and execution
- Recruited and scheduled local staff for 23 events over 27 weeks across beaches in the United States, enhancing operational efficiency
- Processed payroll for local staff, ensuring timely payments. for the local help
- Organized lunches, sunblock, hydration for all volunteers
- Oversaw setup and maintenance of sponsor tents, banners, and inflatables, ensuring brand visibility and event engagement
- Interacted with all Professional athletes to make sure their tournament needs were met
- Maintained the Dually and 43ft trailer, ensuring cleanliness, applying armor all, waxing, performing tune-ups, and greasing wheel bearings.
Manager on Duty
Willie G's
Galveston, Texas
2012 - 2013
- Oversaw dining room operations for Willie G's upscale seafood service
- Coordinated opening and closing procedures across front and back of house
- Monitored guest flow, reservations, and table assignments during service
- Addressed guest concerns and resolved service issues with restaurant staff
- Supervised servers, hosts, and support staff during daily shifts
- Inspected cleanliness, safety, and readiness throughout guest areas
- Communicated with kitchen leadership on ticket timing and dining needs
- Enforced restaurant policies and service standards across all shifts
- Interacted with customers regularly to ensure their needs were met.
Server/Bartender
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
Houston, Texas
2010 - 2011
- Delivered fine-dining service for Eddie V's Prime Seafood guests
- Presented seafood and steak menus with menu knowledge
- Greeted guests with friendliness and professionalism.
Event Operations/ Sponsor Services
US Ski & Snowboard Association
Park City, Utah
2001 - 2010
- Attended 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
- Organized Trustees to 11 different Olympic venues
- Entertained Trustees to elaborate dinners in Deer Valley and enjoyed wines such as "Screaming Eagle"
- Managed sponsor services across all winter events to ensure smooth operations.
- Managed and fulfilled all sponsor contracts at all disciplines: Downhill, Snowboarding, Freestyle & Nordic
- Executed daily tasks with a focus on accuracy and efficiency in operations.
- Set up Sponsor Village & organized product promotion from 4am - 6pm daily despite weather conditions
- Escorted Professional athletes to sponsor dinners & promotions
Education
High School Diploma -
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Burke, VA01-1986
Political Science
Radford University
Radford, VASkills
- Restaurant operations
- Extreme awareness of guests needs & moods
- Team building & Positivity
- Food & Wine Knowledge
- Staff scheduling
- Customer service
- Service quality assurance
- Crisis management
- Food & Wine knowledge
- Private events & Wine dinners & Pairings
- Promoting Wine Locker Program
- Dining room coordination
- Maintaining staff professionalism & appearance
- Expressing the importance of Consistency
- MOST IMPORTANT IS IMPLEMENTING HONESTY & TEAMWORK & GUEST FIRST ENVIORMENT
Certification
- Level 1 Sommelier Certification
Affiliations
- Dad, Pro Beach Volleyball, Snow Skiing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Soccer, Reggae
Timeline
Owner
Riondo's Ristorante
07.2014 - 08.2026
Productions/Operations Assistant
Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP)
1995 - 2000
Manager on Duty
Willie G's
2012 - 2013
Server/Bartender
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2010 - 2011
Event Operations/ Sponsor Services
US Ski & Snowboard Association
2001 - 2010
High School Diploma -
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Political Science
Radford University