James Benway
Temecula,CA
Summary
Quick to learn problem solver with the ability to make decisions on the fly. Guest Services professional with demonstrated success in optimizing policies, coordinating events and managing guest services operations. Well-versed in handling VIP guests and groups. Knowledgeable about customer preferences, industry standards and successful strategies for maintaining guest loyalty and building long-lasting relationships.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
GUEST SERVICES SUPERVISOR/VIP SPECIALIST
PECHANGA RESORT AND CASINO
01.2022 - Current
- Supervise Front Desk Staff and act as Hotel manager during certain shifts
- Oversee operations of the 1100 room hotel and assist with any issues that arise with any hotel guest
- Provide Four Diamond, AAA standard service to guests for positive and memorable hotel stays
- Assist guests with reservations, current and future as well assist with issues that guests may have encountered
- Forecast occupancy and high level guests arriving to facilitate a smooth arrival and check-in process
- Process charges during guests stays and identify guest play and complimentary rewards.
SERVICE/COLLISION CONSULTANT
TEMECULA HARLEY DAVIDSON
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Schedule and coordinate repairs and general maintenance for customers' motorcycles
- Provide customers with high level of customer service to get their maintenance and repairs done to their motorcycles
- Work with customers and insurance companies on repairs for motorcycles that are involved in collisions
- Repairs could range between $100 oil change to $20,000 to rebuild from collisions.
LEAD SALES
ALECO MACHINERY
01.2008 - 01.2018
- Bought and resold metal fabricating machines all over the US, Canada and Mexico
- Annual sales over $1 million
- Mostly dealt in sheet metal machines, but occasionally worked with CNC turning machines
- Some machines were purchased were not operating properly and troubleshooting was required to repair them to be able to be sold
- Included in that would be deciphering electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, comprehension of CNC controls and other miscellaneous jobs to reproduce proper functionality of the machine.
GENERAL MANAGER
HOLIDAY HOUSE
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Started restaurant from the ground up
- Recognized as one of Milwaukee's top new restaurants within two months of opening
- One of Milwaukee's top 30 restaurants by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2006 and 2007
- Fostered great employee retention
- Controlled all restaurant operations. Ordered and oversaw ordering of all restaurant supplies. Did all bookkeeping including all reporting: daily, weekly and monthly. Processed payroll and hired personnel. Dealt with all customer compliments and complaints. Lead marketing decisions and budget. Made major decisions about vendors and products.
ASSISTANT MANAGER
CHANCERY PUB AND GRILL
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Started bartending, promoted quickly to bar manager, then promoted to assistant manager
- Involved in corporate sponsored meetings with staff from other stores to try to implement changes that would work in all stores
- Effectively maintained staff with most staff working 3+ years
- Directly supervised entire staff of 50+ employees
- Responsibilities also include generating budgets, inventory of both food and beverage, generating reports showing cost of goods, and profit and loss statements.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Kinesiology
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee, WISkills
- Great Customer Service Skills
- General Computer Skills including troubleshooting
- Over 15 years of managing experience
- Great organization and ability to multitask
- Patience, hardworking, and devoted
- Customer service standards
- Greeting customers
- Conflict Management
References
- Tawny Spratling, Guest Services Manager, Pechanga Resort, (951) 595-3077
- Mark Sand, Service Manager, Temecula Harley, (951) 506-6903
- Alexander Hawley, President, Aleco Machinery, (414) 264-5848
Timeline
GUEST SERVICES SUPERVISOR/VIP SPECIALIST
PECHANGA RESORT AND CASINO
01.2022 - Current
SERVICE/COLLISION CONSULTANT
TEMECULA HARLEY DAVIDSON
01.2018 - 01.2022
LEAD SALES
ALECO MACHINERY
01.2008 - 01.2018
GENERAL MANAGER
HOLIDAY HOUSE
01.2005 - 01.2008
ASSISTANT MANAGER
CHANCERY PUB AND GRILL
01.1998 - 01.2005
Some College (No Degree) - Kinesiology
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: MILWAUKEE
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