Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Gary Havens

Las Vegas,NV

Summary

From Hospitality industry's least & most demanding positions, I have experienced & succeeded & excelled.

Dynamic range of business ownership/ management/leadership/membership/etc. with a proven track record in operations management, hospitality/service, in Las Vegas. Expert in relationship building and client service, successfully enhancing customer satisfaction through optimized processes. Skilled in negotiation and team leadership, driving significant repeat business and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Most recent years I have been assisting my Father with Step-Mother's severe mental health ranging from Multiple personalities; Schizophrenia, a deteriorating mind & body that doctors & medical professionals have no answers for. Happy to say that just like everything/everyone else & life itself, first and foremost, listening & treatment of each other with respect, dignity & overall, cultivating our humanity, Communication truly results in miracles. Her indescribable violence & irrational behaviors have now become so infrequent, I can comfortably & confidently "resume" my life (so to speak)

Overview

2019
2019
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner

Las Vegas Elderberry Source
  • Oversaw daily operations within family-owned business.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
  • Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
  • Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
  • Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
  • Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
  • Negotiated contracts with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall costs for the business.

Server

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill

Field Manager

American Senior Benefits
01.2013 - 04.2018
  • Streamlined field operations for increased efficiency through regular process evaluations and adjustments.
  • Performed quality control on phases of field operations
  • Established strong relationships with clients through guidance perspective approach.
  • Facilitated field operations through supervision and direction of field agents.
  • Coordinated and scheduled field agents to cover operations throughout assigned regional area.
  • Collaborated with multiple departments to meet & ensure optimal application approval conversion.
  • Proactively identified areas for improvement within the field management realm, resulting in continuous growth and adaptability to evolving retirement planning demands.
  • Improved client satisfaction by effectively addressing concerns and providing prompt resolutions. Knowing my business & representing my claims with professional authority & authenticity.
  • Predicted and resolved operational bottlenecks by utilizing my "student-first" foremost & always life perspective.
  • Consistently exceeded performance objectives by leveraging extensive industry experience (industry "elders") and effective leadership skills in managing teams.
  • Enhanced overall company reputation through exceptional client communication during all stages—promoting transparency in processes—and ensuring expectations were met or surpassed consistently.
  • Maintained excellent knowledge of industry trends and advancements to inform strategic decisions in the field management role.
  • Optimized team performance through ongoing coaching, training, and development initiatives, communication & most of all, listening to what agents (clients) need, rather than "telling" them. Cultivating relationships opposed to the traditional hierarchical approach.
  • Developed detailed reports on project status updates while also conducting regular meetings; these efforts kept both internal teams informed of progress and external clients aware of how their premiums & investments were faring, on annual basis to ensure maximum value to clients.
  • Tracked key performance indicators and enforced quality control measures.
  • Maintained technical knowledge of regulations, industry trends and applicable laws regarding adherence for operation.
  • Monitored personnel performance to identify opportunities for improvement and develop solutions to productivity issues.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to optimize collaboration on complex projects and achieve desired outcomes.
  • Established clear performance metrics for field operations, enabling better tracking of progress and areas for improvement.
  • Facilitated training sessions for new hires, significantly improving their field performance and integration into team.
  • Cultivated positive work environment.
  • Increased repeat business by establishing strong relationships with clients through exceptional service and consistent follow-ups.
  • Implemented digital reporting system for field operations that improved reporting accuracy and project tracking.

Operations Manager

Millennium Consulting Group
01.2008 - 01.2013
  • Managed all client operations, team members and kept compliant with company policies and procedures, Mortgage Lending Divisions constant restructuring of requirements regarding Mortgage negotiations of Short Sales & Loan Modifications.
  • Empowered our team to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews with CEO, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them, together with our team. In an environment of epic proportions that had no sustainable "play book" so we essentially, wrote it.
  • Managed 120 files from intake to closing personally prior to the dividing our processing into "intake" "negotiation" & "Closing" & hiring of 17 team members. We only allowed each Negotiator a max of 20 files to manage.
  • Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements. As I also Closed every transaction due to the sensitive nature & number of variables, including buyers/sellers/agents/bank Negotiators/investors/ title_escrow/etc. all time sensitive. Closing roughly 70-90 transactions/mo in 2011-2012.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.

Bartender

Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club
08.2006 - 01.2008
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
  • Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
  • Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
  • Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
  • Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
  • Enhanced overall guest experience by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues professionally.
  • Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
  • Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
  • Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
  • Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.

Bartender

Jaguars/Scores Gentlemen's Club
03.2003 - 03.2006
  • When Scores took over; I was the only staff member the new owner kept for knowledge of club, industry, speed/efficiency, & only one able to handle the VIP bars extensive expectations & owners requirements until my resignation. At the time, about a 6 month transition; from Jaguars to Scores, owner experimented with all bartenders in VIP for one Friday night. Each lasted roughly one hour or two. Saturday I was back in VIP bar for good.
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
  • Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
  • Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
  • Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
  • Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
  • Enhanced overall guest experience by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues professionally.
  • Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
  • Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
  • Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
  • Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.

Server

Rainforest Cafe
12.2002 - 10.2003
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
  • Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
  • Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
  • Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.

Bartender/Server

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill
10.2000 - 09.2002
  • First Bartender job after Serving here.
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
  • Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.

Barista

Starbucks, Barista
09.1999 - 08.2000
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace for optimal productivity and safety.
  • Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting customers with a friendly demeanor and promptly addressing their needs.
  • Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
  • Contributed to a positive team environment through effective communication and collaboration with colleagues.

Education

NA -

Glendale Community College
Glendale, CA

NA - Associates

College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

NA -

Treasure Valley Community College
Ontario, OR

Skills

  • Customer relations
  • Small business operations
  • Relationship building
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Business management
  • Operations management
  • Client service
  • Staff management
  • Team oversight
  • Staff hiring
  • Project management
  • Marketing
  • Business administration
  • Business development
  • Negotiation
  • Consulting
  • Sales leadership
  • Employee development
  • Administrative oversight
  • Talent development

Timeline

Field Manager

American Senior Benefits
01.2013 - 04.2018

Operations Manager

Millennium Consulting Group
01.2008 - 01.2013

Bartender

Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club
08.2006 - 01.2008

Bartender

Jaguars/Scores Gentlemen's Club
03.2003 - 03.2006

Server

Rainforest Cafe
12.2002 - 10.2003

Bartender/Server

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill
10.2000 - 09.2002

Barista

Starbucks, Barista
09.1999 - 08.2000

Owner

Las Vegas Elderberry Source

Server

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill

NA -

Glendale Community College

NA - Associates

College of Southern Nevada

NA -

Treasure Valley Community College
Gary Havens