Greg Rakestraw
Columbia,MO
Summary
As a General Manager, I've successfully implemented strategic approaches to drive profitability and sales. I've been recognized for performance excellence in operations and customer care. Successful at motivating, training, and developing team members to drive profitability in a highly competitive environment. Throughout my years working in hotels, I've also gained experience in front office management, sales, and project management. I am reliable, driven, highly motivated, and always looking for a new challenge.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Holiday Inn Express Kingdom City
2021.01 - Current
- Successfully decreased turnover from 250% down to 70% within my first year.
- Increased room revenue from $2.6 million to $3.4 million.
- Increased cashflow by 80 percent year over year.
- Increased our Heartbeat Medallia (review) scores to elite levels, and have successfully maintained that status throughout my time here.
- Winner of the True Hospitality award for back to back years.
- Implemented a creative management style to maintain a low turnover rate while increasing revenues and quality.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
General Manager
Best Western Plus
2018.06 - 2020.12
- Oversaw the final months of a multi-million-dollar renovation
- Created, implemented, and managed all pre-sale campaigns
- Developed employee handbook, detailed job descriptions and workflow plans to formalize operational systems and procedures
- Hired, trained, and scheduled a staff of 20+ people
- Formulated a system of best practices for housekeeping, maintenance, sales, and front desk staff
- Built and maintained loyal, long-term guest relations through effective account management and customer service
- Building up the business from scratch
- Came in under budget for two years straight
- All while maintaining guest satisfaction scores in the 90th percentile, being in the top 10% of all Best Western Hotels in our district, and receiving the Trip Advisor Travelers Choice award in 2020
- Personally managed all accounting, human resources, and sales.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Baymont by Wyndham Peoria
2014.04 - 2018.06
- Responsible for all inside and outside sales, while also managing and staffing the front desk
- Pursued and generated revenue through outside sales and marketing efforts by relentlessly identifying, developing and targeting new accounts
- Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans, sales plans and forecasts to achieve sales objectives
- Established sales goals and strategies that contributed to increased growth in sales and profitability
- Increased repeat customer base by maintaining relationships with guests and effectively managing guest complaints
- Hired, trained, scheduled, and managed a front desk staff of 10+ employees
- Responsible for all human resources
- Motivated and mentored employees to increase knowledge, skills, and creating a sales culture.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MOSkills
- Data review
- Project management
- Client relations
- Communication skills
- Team training and development
- Sound judgment
- Supervision and training
- Recruiting and hiring
- Staff development
- Customer experiences
- Staff training and development
Timeline
General Manager
Holiday Inn Express Kingdom City
2021.01 - Current
General Manager
Best Western Plus
2018.06 - 2020.12
Director of Sales and Marketing
Baymont by Wyndham Peoria
2014.04 - 2018.06
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Missouri - Columbia
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