Dr. Tomeka H. Cheatham
Byram,MS
Summary
Accomplished professional with a Doctorate in Business Administration and Human Resources, offering over 32 years of extensive experience in leadership, management, and nonprofit organizations. Proven expertise in dissertation research, driving strategic initiatives, fostering organizational growth, and enhancing operational efficiency. Adept at building high-performing teams, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and leading transformative projects to achieve mission-driven goals. A dynamic leader committed to excellence, innovation, and sustainable success in diverse and challenging environments.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Operations
Mississippi First, Inc.
07.2023 - Current
- Oversaw successful implementation of operational strategies and policies to drive organizational growth and productivity.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to assess team progress, providing constructive feedback and guidance for continuous improvement.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop and execute long-term corporate goals and objectives.
- Defined, implemented, and revised operational policies and guidelines.
- Established strong partnerships with vendors, suppliers, and key stakeholders to improve collaboration and ensure alignment with business requirements.
- Identified opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement, implementing changes that resulted in significant savings.
- Analyzed business operations and implemented strategies to improve operational cohesiveness.
- Delivered exceptional customer experiences by implementing strategies focused on meeting evolving needs and expectations.
- Established and monitored quality assurance standards to achieve operational excellence.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the organization by enforcing compliance with established regulations, policies, procedures, as well as conducting regular auditschecks.
- Managed inventory control systems, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
District Manager
Liberty Tax and Loans
11.2022 - 04.2023
- As the District Manager, I provide support and direction to nine locations of tax, bookkeeping and loan operations
- Monitor metrics, marketing business, budget, scheduling and payroll budget for each office, train, and lead staff in a level of customer service commensurate with company's values and goals
- Recruit staff and maintain current knowledge in loan and tax
- Seasonal
Interim Executive Director
Craftsmen's Guild of MS, Inc.
04.2020 - 09.2022
- As the Interim Executive Director, I manage the22,000 square footage Bill Waller MS Craft Center and the Guild's satellite location inside Visitors Services at the Outlet of MS in Pearl
- Both locations include retail galleries that sell handcrafted work of our prestigious craftsmen and generates over $250,000 in annual sales
- In addition to seeking and writing grants, I oversee budget projections, supervise staff, educational programs, train college interns on leadership roles within a nonprofit, work closely with the board of directors and legislatures for building improvements, administer large scale events, such as the Chimneyville Arts Festival, which brings in over $83,500 annually and attracts tourists from the surrounding states
- The Chimneyville Arts Festival has received the Southeast Tourism Attraction award over the past10 years
- In February2021, I started the first talk show for the Craftsmen's Guild called The Crafty View
- In this series, each week a member of the Craftsmen's Guild shares information about their craft during a live premiere via social media
Chief Financial Officer - Director of Membership
Craftsmen's Guild of MS, Inc.
03.1996 - 09.2022
- As the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Membership, I protect the company's assets with a strategic risk management approach
- For the past 25 years, I have reconciled the checking, savings, and credit card bank statements, prepared financials for the fiscal year-end annual audit reviews and quarterly meetings, and bid annually for insurance, credit card processing fees, reconciled daily gallery deposits for the Waller MS Craft Center and the Outlets of MS satellite locations and other accounts that could see an inflation of fees, prepare payroll and annual1099s for employees
- In addition to recruiting craftsmen for membership, I manage over430 membership accounts, assign/design the booth layouts for participants in the annual Chimneyville Arts Festival, file the necessary show paperwork, hire security, manage admissions and balance over $85,000 in ticket sales for admissions, and responsible for after the festival paperwork and reconciliations
- The Chimneyville Arts Festival is a 3-day annual event for exhibiting members of the Craftsmen's Guild and open to the public to purchase work from craftsmen.
Sales Associate
McRae's
09.1993 - 06.1996
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
3890 and Proof Operator
Trustmark National Bank
03.1995 - 03.1996
- Reduced processing errors by diligently inputting transactions into specialized banking software.
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase productivity and maintain high-quality output.
- Utilized advanced knowledge of banking regulations to ensure compliance with industry standards during the proofing process.
- Contributed to a positive working environment through effective communication and active participation in team meetings.
- Operated proof machine to list, sort and prove credits, debits and deposits.
- Handled large volumes of financial transactions, consistently exceeding performance expectations.
- Enhanced document accuracy by meticulously proofreading and verifying financial data.
- Detected out of balance transactions and followed implemented handling procedures.
Education
Ph.D. - Business Administration And Human Resources
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS12-2024
Master of Science - Business Management
Belhaven University
05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Belhaven University
12.2002
Associate of Science - Pre-Nursing and Business Technology
Hinds Community College
08.1996
Master of Business Administration - MBA Math
Belhaven University
07.2022
Skills
- Dissertation Research
- Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook Word, PowerPoint
- Post-Public Relations/Coordinator
- Account Reconciliation/Payroll
- Management/Team Building and Coaching
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Membership Recruitment
- Event Planning/Grant Writing
- Non-Profit (501c3) Operations
- Customer Service/Sales
- Bookkeeping/QuickBooks
- Leadership Training
Awards
Craftsmen's Guild of MS, Inc., Dedication of 20 Years and Most Outstanding Employee, March 2016.
Certification
International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) Certified Debt Specialist, September 2022
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), October 2023
Historic Achievement
Belhaven University's First Triple-Degree Historic Achievement Recipient, December 2024
Timeline
Director of Operations
Mississippi First, Inc.
07.2023 - Current
District Manager
Liberty Tax and Loans
11.2022 - 04.2023
Interim Executive Director
Craftsmen's Guild of MS, Inc.
04.2020 - 09.2022
Chief Financial Officer - Director of Membership
Craftsmen's Guild of MS, Inc.
03.1996 - 09.2022
3890 and Proof Operator
Trustmark National Bank
03.1995 - 03.1996
Sales Associate
McRae's
09.1993 - 06.1996
Master of Science - Business Management
Belhaven University
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Belhaven University
Associate of Science - Pre-Nursing and Business Technology
Hinds Community College
Master of Business Administration - MBA Math
Belhaven University
Ph.D. - Business Administration And Human Resources
Belhaven University
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