Ismael Delgado
North Charleston,SC
Summary
With a strong foundation in leadership developed through years of military service and advanced security training, I bring a disciplined, proactive, and team-focused approach to hospitality management. My ability to lead under pressure, train and mentor diverse teams, and implement structured protocols ensures operational excellence and a safe, welcoming environment for both guests and staff. Combining my background in high-stakes security operations with hands-on experience managing upscale venues, I am uniquely equipped to drive performance, elevate customer experiences, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in fast-paced hospitality environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Republic Garden & Lounge
02.2025 - 10.2025
- Was accountable for venue financials, venue profitability, hitting or exceeding venue goals, as well as motivating, coaching, and leading their team.
- Ensured the venue is running effectively and meeting all Company standards to include; execution of service, guest interaction, atmosphere, music & entertainment, and cleanliness.
- Passionate about offering surpassed hospitality to guests and upholding highest standards at the venue.
- Accommodate and anticipated guests needs.
- Developed and implemented operating standards, policies, and procedures to be followed by the management team.
- Maintained highest standards of food and beverage quality, guest service, cost control, and consistency in accordance with company's expectations.
- Responsible for to hiring, training, management, coaching, counselling, and evaluation of all members of the team.
- Developed skills of the team in accordance with the succession planning goals set by the company.
- Evaluated all relationships with outside partners, contractors, and vendors on a frequent basis.
- Consistently monitored sales and expenses, approving all purchase orders before they are executed.
- Worked closely in the development of the budget; managed ‘Profit & Loss’ reports and ensured managers’ reported all variances on a timely basis (minimally, once a month).
- Scheduled and controlled budgets for security, music/entertainment (based on seasonality).
- Ensured timely and accurate completion of all periodend financial statements and reports and provided controls to ensure proper handling and accounting for all restaurant receipts.
- Managed weekly forecasting of cost expenditures and staffing vs. sales.
- Maintained frequent communication with the Executive Team and ensured they were aware of all major occurrences at the establishment.
- Operated with an open-door policy, listened to and understood requests of the team, and responded with appropriate actions, and provide accurate information.
- Interacted with all department personnel and staff as needed.
- Ensured inventory levels were maintained for facilitating proper restaurant operations, enforced strict inventory controls, and participated in monthly inventory reconciliations in conjunction with purchasing and finance teams.
- Ensured that no members of staff were permitted to work if they were not suitably dressed or groomed.
- Monitored guest satisfaction on all levels, including social media platforms.
- Ensured health, safety, and sanitation requirements follow the Department of Health, OSHA, and any city or state agencies rules and laws such as the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department, and to ensure all managers are kept abreast of any changes in the law.
- Participated in community events.
- Hiring and Terminating Staff as Needed.
- Placing Orders – Alcohol, Plasticware, Sparklers, New POS pieces, etc.
- Work closely with the sales team on a marketing plan that results in optimum recognition and maximum number of covers for the nightclub.
- Monitor market trends, research consumer markets and competitor’s activities to identify opportunities and key issues.
- Tracked and monitored VIP Tables sold, booked, in negotiations, and promoters to see who is selling and booking.
- Ensured team is upselling on the floor as far as VIP Tables.
- VIP Team to be present on the floor at all hours during operations.
- Oversaw marketing and advertising activities to ensure consistency with product line strategy.
- Took lead in creating sales goals.
- Accurately forecast staffing needs to ensure optimum customer service during peak seasons and slower seasons.
- Ensured that private events, catering, and banquets are successfully executed.
- Controlled cash and other receipts by adhering to cash handling procedures nightly.
- Prepared all required paperwork, including forms, reports and schedules.
- Ensured that all equipment is kept clean and in excellent working condition through personal inspection and by following the venues preventative maintenance programs.
- Ensured that all products are received in accordance with the venues receiving policies and procedures.
- Assists and conducts conflict resolution, corrective actions and coaching.
- Oversee and ensure that employee performance appraisals are completed in a timely manner.
- Ensure that talent/DJs and technical production are working smoothly at the venues; create special mood for the guests.
- Assists and/ or completes additional tasks as assigned.
Operations Manager
Meridian Security Group
04.2022 - 02.2025
- Certifications & Leadership: Certified SLED Armed and Unarmed Security Officer.
- Certified SLED Instructor for both Armed and Unarmed courses.
- Former Account Lead for Uptown Social, overseeing staff training and account coordination.
- Served as one of two designated training officers for all Armed personnel.
- Security Training & Operations: Trained personnel on: Identification of state and federal documents, Verbal de-escalation tactics, Scenario-based training for verbal de-escalation, Passive and active resister escort procedures, Ground defense tactics, Weapons retention techniques.
- Coordinated and conducted interviews and orientations for incoming contractors.
- Organized regular training events for security officer certification and continued education.
- Administrative Responsibilities: Developed and implemented: Incident and statement report forms, Contractor evaluation systems, Payroll advancement memos.
- Addressed client concerns regarding security staff performance.
- Managed payroll and issued paychecks to employees.
- High-Level Security Details: Worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service during two presidential campaigns.
- Coordinated and led security teams for presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Venue-Specific Security Leadership: Led the security team at Republic Garden & Lounge over a 14-month period.
- Strengthened hospitality experience through: Client and patron interaction, Coordination of executive protection details for VIP patrons, Medical assistance for patrons and clients, Promotion of VIP services and packages.
- Medical & Emergency Preparedness: Acted as a medical liaison for events based on mass casualty response experience.
- Formerly certified First Aid/CPR Instructor.
Gunners Mate (GM) First Class – Boarding Officer, Instructor (Various Certifications), Health Promotion Coordinator
US Coast Guard (Various Units)
05.2005 - 05.2022
- Instructed U.S. Coast Guard Officers, Enlisted personnel, and International Students in critical Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) topics, including: Maritime boarding procedures and enforcement protocols, Constitutional and International Law, such as Right of Visit, Right of Approach, and Hot Pursuit, Defensive tactics and graduated Use of Force policies, Vessel boarding, search, and seizure techniques for recreational, commercial, and fishing vessels.
- Designed and facilitated dynamic physical techniques training, reinforcing defensive tactics and situational response.
- Assessed student performance through written evaluations, practical exercises, and scenario-based assessments to ensure operational readiness.
- Certified in specialized instructor roles, including: Master Training Specialist (MTS): Mentored and evaluated instructor candidates in both classroom and mat-based environments.
- NLTA Instructor: Delivered Tactical Professional (TACPRO) courses emphasizing non-lethal training applications.
- NHTSA Instructor: Led instruction on Boating Under the Influence (BUI) enforcement under national safety standards.
- Conducted thorough research and implemented timely updates to course curricula, ensuring alignment with evolving laws and industry best practices.
- Developed and integrated realistic, scenario-based training exercises to effectively simulate real-world maritime boarding operations and decision-making.
- Served as Lead Petty Officer for the Armory and Law Enforcement Division, overseeing weapon system readiness and team coordination.
- Acted as Primary Firearms Instructor, conducting comprehensive live-fire exercises and advanced weapons training for shipboard personnel.
- Maintained strict accountability and conducted routine inspections of all weapons systems, small arms, ammunition, and pyrotechnics onboard.
- Planned, coordinated, and led physical training (PT) sessions; fulfilled responsibilities as Health Promotion Coordinator and Physical Fitness Test (PFT) evaluator.
- Developed and led a Boarding Team Member (BTM) college, certifying over three dozen personnel for Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) and Detainee Watch Bills.
- Aided in providing water-side security for candidate Donald J. Trump, including security zone setup, checkpoints, and watchtower operations.
- Participated in counter-narcotic and migrant interdiction missions; coordinated with federal agencies (HSI, DEA, FBI) and international partners.
- Recertified as Boarding Team Member and Non-Compliant Vessel Pursuit Gunner.
- Served as Lead Landing Safety Officer (LSO) and NVG Safety Officer (NSO) during HELO operations.
- Volunteered for and completed First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor training; certified 10+ crew members during deployment.
Team Member and Heavy Weapons Gunner
37th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne)
12.2001 - 10.2004
- Served as Team Member and Heavy Weapons Gunner during initial year of service, including training and mentoring new personnel to successfully assume gunner responsibilities.
- Assumed primary roles involving the emplacement and establishment of minefields, execution of close quarters combat tactics, and duties as a command driver.
- Participated in over a dozen airborne training operations and served as rigging crew for multiple training missions, ensuring safety and operational readiness.
- Deployed to Northern Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 03/2003 – 02/2004), actively supporting joint interagency missions and collaborating with local forces during the liberation of Mosul.
- Assisted in leading teams responsible for structural clearing operations in urban combat environments alongside allied forces.
- Coordinated with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) detachments to safely demolish and destroy enemy weapons caches and equipment.
Education
Unarmed & Armed Security Instructor
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC02.2023
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Charleston, SCundefined
Mount Pleasant Police Dept
MT. Pleasant, SCundefined
D7 Training Team
Fort Lauderdale, FLundefined
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Charleston, SCundefined
D7 Training Team
Miami, FLundefined
Gunners Mate A-School
Yorktown, VA10.2009
High School Diploma -
Hightower High School
Missouri City, TX06-2001
No Degree - Intelligence Studies
American Public University
Charles Town, WVSkills
- Advertising and marketing
- Sales
- Branding
- Cost analysis and savings
- Product development
- Financial document control
- Cost reductions
- Budget forecasts
- Budget development
- Staff supervision
- Economic analysis
- Training and coaching
- Training and development
- Multimillion-dollar P&L management
- Staff development
- Staff management
- Financial administration
- PC competent
- Leadership
- Succession planning
- Risk management
- Trend analysis
- Schedule management
- Public relations
- Recruitment
- Cross-functional team management
- Motivation
- Problem resolution
- Workflow planning
- Safety protocol
- Inventory control
- Verbal and written communication
- Deadline oriented
- Networking
- Analytical skills
- Change implementation
- Customer experiences
- Performance evaluations
- Administrative skills
- Process improvements
- Profit and loss accountability
- Interpersonal skills
- Performance improvement
- Consistently meet goals
- Team leadership
- Quality management
- Leadership and team building
- Departmental operations management
- Employee scheduling
- Staffing
- Total quality management
- Customer relationship management
- Performance improvements
- Communication skills
- Labor cost controls
- Performance analysis
- Vendor sourcing
- Budget coordination
- Client account management
- Budgeting and cost control
- Service quality improvement
- Operations management
- Policy/program development
- Vendor relationships
- Loss prevention
Certification
- SLED Safeguard SC Armed Instructor Certification, Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC, 2023-02-01
- SLED Safeguard SC Classroom Instructor Certification, Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC, 2023-01-01
- Maritime Counter Trafficking Course (MCTC), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Charleston, SC, 2020-03-01
- Boarding Officer Certified Ashore Course (BOCA), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Charleston, SC, 2019-05-01
- NHTSA Instructor Course, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Charleston, SC, 2019-11-01
- Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Mount Pleasant Police Dept, Mount Pleasant, SC, 2019-10-01
- Non-Compliant Vessel Pursuit C School, D7 Training Team, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2008-06-01
- Boarding Officer C School, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Charleston, SC, 2017-11-01
- Tactical Boat Operation- Crewman course, D7 Training Team, Miami, FL, 2008-06-01
- Gunners Mate A-School, Yorktown, VA, 2009-07-01
Timeline
General Manager
Republic Garden & Lounge
02.2025 - 10.2025
Operations Manager
Meridian Security Group
04.2022 - 02.2025
Gunners Mate (GM) First Class – Boarding Officer, Instructor (Various Certifications), Health Promotion Coordinator
US Coast Guard (Various Units)
05.2005 - 05.2022
Team Member and Heavy Weapons Gunner
37th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne)
12.2001 - 10.2004
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Mount Pleasant Police Dept
undefined
D7 Training Team
undefined
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
undefined
D7 Training Team
undefined
Gunners Mate A-School
Unarmed & Armed Security Instructor
Trident Technical College
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
High School Diploma -
Hightower High School
No Degree - Intelligence Studies
American Public University