John Di Meglio
Northvale,NJ
Summary
Vice President of Operations with 20+ years of experience in food and beverage hospitality, sports and entertainment facility management, driving revenue growth and operational excellence. Passionate about developing and executing innovative food and beverage concepts that enhance guest experiences, optimize profitability, and align with brand identity. Proven track record of leading high-performing teams, developing strategic business plans, and fostering client relationships. Skilled in corporate leadership, strategic planning, business modeling, and revenue generation and savings. Adept at curating diverse culinary offerings, beverage menu and wine list development, streamlining operations, and implementing creative F&B strategies to maximize engagement and drive long-term success.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Operations
Kempersports
01.2023 - Current
- Lead the launch and expansion of KemperSports Venues Division, building the operational framework, business strategy, and market positioning from inception.
- Oversee the successful onboarding of 20 properties, managing seamless facility integration, operational execution, and revenue optimization.
- Develop and implement industry-leading hospitality service standards across all venues to enhance guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and brand consistency.
- Create and execute innovative food and beverage concepts that align with venue identity, elevate the guest experience, and drive incremental revenue.
- Curate diverse and trend-forward food and beverage offerings, incorporating local flavors, premium hospitality experiences, and unique service models to youth sports and family entertainment facilities to align with revenue objectives and guest satisfaction.
- Develop and implement operational policies, financial models, and service standards to ensure consistency and excellence across all venues.
- Lead cross-functional teams across all disciplines, fostering collaboration to enhance service delivery, customer experience, and brand reputation. To include sale & marketing, finance and operations.
- Oversee the development and execution of operating budgets, marketing plans, and capital investment strategies to achieve financial objectives and long-term success of the facilities we own, operate or manage.
- Apply industry expertise to continuously refine and elevate the guest experience, positioning KemperSports Venues as a leader in the sports and entertainment industry.
- Directed cross-functional teams to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Implemented performance metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resource optimization.
- Fostered strong vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for improved service terms and cost savings.
- Applied excellent problem-solving, process development, and strategic implementation skills to lead and support all areas of operations.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners for mutually beneficial collaborations.
Regional Operations Executive
Kempersports
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Drove operational excellence, financial performance, and guest satisfaction across 12 diverse properties in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, enhancing overall performance.
- Developed high-performing teams, standardized processes, and fostered client relationships to promote long-term success and growth.
- Managed municipal and private client relationships, maintaining client satisfaction and supporting continued business growth.
- Provided leadership for 2,000+ employees, ensuring consistent operational standards, service excellence, and financial performance.
- Developed and executed tailored strategic business plans for each property, aligning with corporate goals and client expectations, while expanding the Northeast portfolio with 7 new properties.
- Hired, trained and developed general managers across the east coast region.
National Food and Beverage Director
Kempersports
01.2017 - 12.2023
- Provided strategic leadership and best-in-class service for all food and beverage operations across the KemperSports portfolio, ensuring elevated guest experiences and operational excellence.
- Led the transition and eventual ownership of Streamsong resort with 300 rooms and $90 million in total revenue, overseeing all hospitality and F&B operations. Which include 7 restaurant outlets (fine dining Italian, Elevated Steakhouse, Seafood, Florida Fusion and elevated pub dining).
- Developed and executed diverse menu concepts across fine dining, casual dining, and grab-and-go offerings, aligning culinary experiences with venue branding and guest expectations.
- Designed and launched innovative bar programming, including curated wine programs, craft cocktail menus, and locally inspired beer selections to enhance beverage sales and guest engagement.
- Forged strategic partnerships with broadline food distributors, soft drink and pouring rights partners, and equipment vendors to optimize procurement and cost efficiencies.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs and operational standards for hospitality, service excellence, and culinary execution across 150+ facilities nationwide.
- Led restaurant design and concept development, introducing unique dining experiences, expanding catering programs, and establishing key partnerships to elevate service offerings.
- Standardized operational procedures and menu engineering strategies to drive efficiency, consistency, and profitability across diverse hospitality and sports venues.
- Increased food and beverage sales from $100 million to over $500 million through menu innovation, pricing strategies, and operational enhancements.
- Enhanced food and beverage client satisfaction scores by 10%, leveraging guest insights, service training, and quality control initiatives.
General Manager
Kempersports Union County Golf Properties
03.2015 - 12.2020
- Provided strategic leadership and operational oversight for Union County recreational facilities, enhancing food and beverage operations, guest experiences, and overall facility performance.
- Managed concessions and full-service dining at a state-of-the-art sports complex and ice arena, overseeing catering for 300, two à la carte dining facilities, six grab-and-go locations, and two concession stands.
- Developed and executed comprehensive training programs, operational standards, and programming across Union County Golf Properties, including restaurant design and new food and beverage concepts.
- Drove food and beverage revenue growth at Union County Golf Properties from $2.9 million to over $6.5 million, leveraging menu innovation, optimized pricing strategies, and enhanced guest engagement.
- Increased golf rounds by 20% through the implementation of advanced technology platforms.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction and facility reputation, improving Net Promoter Score (NPS) by 12%, achieving an overall NPS of 70%.
Director of Food and Beverage
Highgate Hotels, Renaissance Westchester Hotel
11.2013 - 03.2015
- Developed and launched training programs and strategies for a newly opened restaurant concept.
- Boosted food and beverage sales by 10% through innovative menu design and strategic planning.
- Contributed to the development of the R-Life Live initiative for Renaissance Hotels, named Manager of the Year by Highgate Hotels, and created a property-wide model to ensure brand standards.
- Create expense tracking platforms for all departments to include housekeeping, rooms and F&B.
Food and Beverage / Clubhouse Manager
Rock Spring Club
01.2013 - 11.2013
- Expanded service staff from 3 to 20 team members to meet operational demands.
- Developed training programs and revamped onboarding to foster a dynamic and efficient work environment.
- Reduced beverage inventory by 10%, improving operational cash flow and cost efficiency.
General Manager
D&D Landscaping
01.2011 - 12.2013
- Delivered outstanding service to over 500 commercial and residential clients annually while recruiting, training, and supervising a team of 15.
- Increased sales by 10% by creating lead-generating tools and enhancing sales strategies.
- Reduced annual maintenance costs by $15K by implementing a proactive equipment maintenance program.
- Develop all budgets, financial reporting and business plans.
Director of Food and Beverage
Troon Golf
01.2008 - 04.2011
- Oversaw all food and beverage operations for two à la carte dining locations, over 5,000 square feet of catering space, and on-course F&B services, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Managed a team of 75 staff members, providing leadership in service execution, training, and operational efficiency.
- Led a formal dining renovation project, creating a marketing plan and sales strategy to enhance revenue and customer engagement.
- Executed catering projects and special events, including promotional wine, beer, and spirits tastings for residents, as well as community roundtable discussions for tailored service improvements.
- Increased food and beverage revenue from $900K to over $1.3M in two years through strategic leadership and operational enhancements.
- Expanded catering sales by 15% through the introduction of monthly community dinner parties and event activations.
- Drove à la carte sales growth by $250K through the development of innovative new menus that aligned with guest preferences and seasonal demand.
Education
Finance
Pace University
Pleasantville, NYSkills
- Strategic Planning,
- Cost analysis and savings
- Business development
- Succession planning
- Operations management
- Leadership training
- Strategy development
- Capital project management
- Menu planning and Engineering
- Budget development
- Business development
Certification
- Walt Disney World Sommelier Certification | Court of Master Sommeliers 2005
- Walt Disney World Master Spirits Certification | Court of Master Sommelier 2004
- Disney Culinary Academy | Disney Institute 2002
- ServeSafe Manager Certification, Responsible alcohol training | ServeSafe
Awards
KemperSports Hospitality Professional of the Year | 2017, KemperSports Facility and Venue of the Year | 2023
Additional Experience
- Owner Buoys Waterfront
- Owner of waterfront seafood bar and grill: developed all business plans, created all menu concepts, ensured all staffing models, developed and managed all service and product quality standards
- Walt Disney World | Restaurant Guest Service Manager
- Oversee all aspects of service and operations for multiple food and beverage outlets, dining rooms from 50 to 350 guest count, managed revenues over $20 million per venue and developed all resort beverage programming
Technologies
Microsoft Office, Aloha, Matra, Oscar, Jonas, EZ-Suites, Lightspeed, Bond POS, Great Plains, Canva
Timeline
Vice President of Operations
Kempersports
01.2023 - Current
Regional Operations Executive
Kempersports
01.2021 - 12.2023
National Food and Beverage Director
Kempersports
01.2017 - 12.2023
General Manager
Kempersports Union County Golf Properties
03.2015 - 12.2020
Director of Food and Beverage
Highgate Hotels, Renaissance Westchester Hotel
11.2013 - 03.2015
Food and Beverage / Clubhouse Manager
Rock Spring Club
01.2013 - 11.2013
General Manager
D&D Landscaping
01.2011 - 12.2013
Director of Food and Beverage
Troon Golf
01.2008 - 04.2011
Finance
Pace University