Gardening
Jody Deems (she/her/hers)
Administrative Assistant
Middleville,MI
Summary
With over 20 years of experience in an office environment, I offer demonstrated success tackling any size administrative or executive assistant task while delivering caring and efficient customer service to clients at the same time. Always striving to provide proactive support to colleagues and bosses, I utilize key administrative matters to promote productivity across departments. Hardworking, reliable & consistently detail-oriented, I have developed the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy, using advanced organizational skills to support colleagues and clients.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
INSTRUCTOR & EVENT PLANNER
PIANO COTTAGE STUDIOS (www.thepianocottage.com)
Grand Rapids , Michigan
01.2008 - Current
- After selling the company to one of my teachers, I was asked to stay on as a consultant. I continued teaching 25 students with whom I had a multi-year relationship with and also helped brainstorm, plan and execute multiple all-school events for the student body and the public.
- As an instructor: interviewed students, provided weekly private classical music instruction, created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs. Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics. Applied various teaching aids to minimize learning gaps and instruct and motivate students. Observed and adopted new techniques from skilled instructors and lecturers. Communicated student progress to parents and guardians for collaborative approach to educational goals, providing feedback and discussing instructional strategies.
- As an event planner: brainstormed, developed, organized, marketed and executed full school private events from small recitals of 200 people to large outdoor public amphitheater performance event with audiences of 4,000 guests. Oversaw event registration process by collecting and tracking attendee information. Performed event coordination for annual holiday parties and gatherings throughout the year; supervising a staff of 6. Spoke at events - welcoming the audience and inviting them to "Like" "Follow" on social media etc.
- Designed artwork to publicize events (with graphic design software such as Picmonkey and Canva) and implemented efforts to publicize events and promote sponsorships.
- Coordinated venue details and logistics, testing sound, arranging backdrops, props, powerpoints, florists, photographers, press releases and media passes and musicians for events.
- Normally would supervised 2-3 volunteer helpers and 2 staff/co-workers for events.
- Developed post-event reports to determine effectiveness of each event.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
TWUHEY MAGGINI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW
01.2007 - 07.2009
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
- Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for litigation teams.
- Developed and updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance and sales data.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Completed forms, reports, logs and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
ADMINISTRATOR & DIRECTOR
THE PIANO COTTAGE STUDIOS (thepianocottage.com)
Grand Rapids, MI
07.1999 - 12.2008
- Founded by Jody Deems-McCargar and her husband; The Piano Cottage Studios are West Michigan's largest private music school. The school started with 1 piano teacher and has grown to offers instruction in over 17 instruments under Jody's management. As Owner, Jody oversaw all operations and the growth of the company which today serves over 350 young musicians ages 4-94. Jody sold the company to find a greater life-work balance while raising small children, but gained the following skills in the process:
- Works effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrates respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Is passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Greeting guests at front desk with professionalism; engaging in pleasant conversations while managing an efficient check-in process.
- Efficiently handles office tasks such as incoming and outgoing mail, email, phone calls while also developing successful relationships with vendors, suppliers and contractors as well.
- Prepared weekly employee work schedules to meet operational needs.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Coordinated special projects and planning large and small events from holiday parties to live concerts of 5000 audience members.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSING OFFICER
THE TITLE OFFICE PLC, GRAND RAPIDS
08.1994 - 01.1997
- Scheduled closing appointments for seller and buyer or arranged for delivery of documents for out of area closings.
- Prepared documents for closing and handled complete disbursement and follow up of escrow transactions.
- Communicated requirements and title exception information to clients.
- Followed-up on status of releases, policies, and return of recorded documents.
- Greeted walk-in customers & assisted them with completion of paperwork.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Pre-Law
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 08.1986 - 06.1990
High School Diploma -
Mt. Pleasant Senior High School
Mount Pleasant, MI06.1986
Skills
- Advanced MS Office Suite Knowledge
- Excel Spreadsheets
- Customer Service and Assistance
- Customer Accounts Management
- Hospitality Service
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Social Perceptiveness
- Guest Registration
- Front Desk Operations
- Telephone Etiquette
- Diverse Client Populations
- Consistency in attendance and professionalism
- Cultural Sensitivity
Accomplishments
Nominated by colleagues and local radio station WCSG 91.3 and received the 2014 Hometown Hero Award for Grand Rapids.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Interests
Music Therapy
National Parks - Camping and Traveling with Pets
Newfoundland dogs
Mental Health: Reducing Depression amongst Youth & Famlies
Quote
"Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead and the unborn could do it no better. Always bring as much value as you can to your work and take great joy in it. "
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Interests
Gardening
Nature hikes
Building things with my hand
Timeline
INSTRUCTOR & EVENT PLANNER
PIANO COTTAGE STUDIOS (www.thepianocottage.com)
01.2008 - Current
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
TWUHEY MAGGINI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW
01.2007 - 07.2009
ADMINISTRATOR & DIRECTOR
THE PIANO COTTAGE STUDIOS (thepianocottage.com)
07.1999 - 12.2008
ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSING OFFICER
THE TITLE OFFICE PLC, GRAND RAPIDS
08.1994 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Pre-Law
Michigan State University
08.1986 - 06.1990
High School Diploma -
Mt. Pleasant Senior High School
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