Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

Awards

MILITARY SERVICE

Certification

Languages

Quote

Websites

Software

Portfolio

Timeline

JUAN SARO

Decatur,GA

Summary

Strategic operations leader with 15+ years of experience spanning account management, supplier support, client onboarding, and cross-functional project execution. Proven track record managing key business relationships, resolving supplier challenges, and implementing procurement strategies that drive cost savings, program compliance, and operational efficiency. Nationally recognized for extraordinary leadership and operational innovation, including achieving over $7 million in organizational cost savings through strategic restructuring initiatives. Published author and respected voice in education and systems leadership, known for translating complex challenges into streamlined, scalable solutions. Adept at enhancing customer satisfaction through structured service models, data-driven decision-making, and continuous process improvement. Trusted to lead initiatives with a commitment to excellence, stakeholder engagement, and transformational impact across hospitality, education, and government sectors.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

Mathematics Educator and Curriculum Leader

J.E. Richards Middle School

08.2016 - 05.2022

Taught both standard and accelerated sixth-grade mathematics, developing and implementing engaging lesson plans to meet diverse student needs and fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts
Served as Sixth Grade Mathematics Curriculum Chairperson, leading the development and revision of the math curriculum and supporting fellow teachers through mentorship and collaboration
Facilitated professional learning workshops focused on differentiation strategies, equipping educators with tools to address varied student learning needs and enhance instructional effectiveness
Directed the Saturday Math Academy (Title 1 Intervention), designing targeted interventions for struggling students and achieving significant improvements in math proficiency
Developed engaging lesson plans that enhanced student understanding of complex mathematical concepts.
Implemented innovative teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
Assessed student performance through varied evaluation methods to ensure academic growth and development.
Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects that integrated mathematics with real-world applications.
Mentored new educators in classroom management techniques and curriculum delivery best practices.
Led professional development workshops focusing on effective instructional methodologies and technology integration in math education.
Analyzed student data to identify trends, informing instructional adjustments for improved learning outcomes.
Coordinated extracurricular activities, including math clubs and competitions, promoting student engagement in mathematics beyond the classroom.
Improved student performance by providing individualized attention and feedback through regular progress monitoring.
Evaluated curriculum materials to ensure alignment with state standards, updating lesson plans as needed for maximum effectiveness.
Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, effectively communicating student progress and addressing concerns promptly.
Promoted critical thinking skills through problem-solving activities and open-ended questions during class discussions.
Increased overall classroom engagement with interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and peer reviews.
Prepared students for standardized tests by incorporating test-taking strategies into daily instruction and reviewing essential content areas leading up to exams.
Established clear expectations for student behavior, fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom environment where all students felt comfortable participating.
Contributed to a positive school culture by participating in extracurricular activities, serving on committees, and attending professional development opportunities.
Supported diverse learners by modifying instruction to accommodate various learning styles and needs.
Streamlined the grading process by implementing efficient assessment strategies, enabling timely feedback for students.
Expanded opportunities for enrichment by creating after-school tutoring programs or math clubs tailored to various skill levels among students in need of additional support or challenge in mathematics education.
Mentored new teachers to help them succeed in their first year of teaching, sharing best practices for classroom management and lesson planning.
Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving to help students develop mathematical reasoning.
Mentored students on individual basis to help develop math skills.T

Math Specialist, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Gwinnett County Public Schools

08.2018 - 05.2020

Collaborated on the Math Assessments Review and Writing Team, developing and refining assessment materials to align with district standards and ensure accurate measurement of student learning
Spearheaded Math Institute sessions, leading professional development workshops focused on best practices in math instruction and fostering a collaborative learning environment for educators
Served as Site Coordinator for the Math Institute, organizing logistics, coordinating resources, and ensuring the successful execution of training programs for teachers
Provided expertise in curriculum design and instructional strategies, contributing to the enhancement of math education across the district

Founder and CEO

Appear ME, INC

01.2013 - 01.2016

Crafted and executed business strategies that led to significant company growth and market influence
Formed strategic partnerships and acquired funding to support business expansion and operational needs
Guided product development and directed a team to innovate and launch new market solutions
Led marketing and branding efforts, enhancing company visibility and broadening the customer base
Developed strategic business plans to drive growth and market penetration.
Built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration.
Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.
Oversaw financial management, ensuring budget adherence and resource allocation efficiency.
Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.

Director of Finance and Human Resources

Saint Anne's Terrace, Inc

01.2012 - 01.2014

Executed financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure organizational stability
Oversaw HR functions such as recruitment, benefits administration, and employee relations
Implemented initiatives to enhance efficiency, resulting in cost reductions and improved financial outcomes
Coordinated with executive leadership to align financial strategies with broader organizational goals
Directed financial planning and analysis to optimize operational efficiency and resource allocation.
Led budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
Implemented financial reporting systems to enhance transparency and decision-making accuracy.
Oversaw cash flow management, maintaining liquidity while supporting growth initiatives.
Mentored finance team, fostering professional development and enhancing departmental capabilities.
Developed financial policies that strengthened compliance and risk management frameworks.

Senior Director of Finance

Chicago Cares, Inc

03.2009 - 11.2010

Directed comprehensive financial activities, including budgeting, analysis, and reporting, to support strategic decision-making
Developed and enforced financial policies and procedures to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance
Collaborated with executive leadership to formulate long-term financial strategies that aligned with organizational objectives
Guided the finance team in process improvements, achieving increased efficiency and cost reductions
Developed partnerships with local organizations to expand program outreach and impact
Led strategic initiatives enhancing community engagement and volunteer participation

Education

Cybersecurity

Advanced Cybersecurity Analyst

Indianapolis, IN

10-2025

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts

University of Illinois

05.2012

Skills

Client Relationship Management
Customer Onboarding & Support
Account Strategy Execution
Operational Efficiency Improvement
Program Compliance Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Process Optimization & Workflow Design
Supplier/Vendor Relationship Management

Procurement Strategy & Implementation
Contract & Budget Oversight
Strategic Planning & Execution
Change Management & Team Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Performance Metrics & Reporting
Root Cause Analysis & Decision-Making
CRM & Supply Chain Platforms (eg, SharePoint, GPO Systems)

Accomplishments

Presidential Humanitarian Service Medal - Operation Unified Assistance after 2004 Indonesian Tsunami.
Corporate Exe of of the Year - Hispanic Business and Achievement Award
Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medal -
Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medal -
Presidential Purple Heart - Injuries sustained while in active duty and deployed in support of missions.
Distinguished Teacher Award - Recognized as the highest performing middle school teacher in Gwinnett County for 2 years by the Teacher Evaluation Management System (TEMS)
Milken Educator Award - recognized for excellence in the classroom and commitment to students with the publishing of my book titled "raising the bar: overcoming low expectations in Title I schools"

Awards

National Corporate Executive of the Year Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards, 2013, Recognized for leadership and significant contributions to business operations and corporate strategy., Increased the organization's net worth by $10 million within one year through major restructuring initiatives, Initiated a multi-million-dollar municipal bond call and issuance, resulting in $6.7 million in debt savings, Led the successful integration of a large custom collaborative software platform: Microsoft SharePoint., Presidential Humanitarian Service Medal U.S. Navy, 2004, Honored for diplomatic efforts and humanitarian service during the Indonesian Tsunami relief efforts, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal U.S NAVY, Awarded for exceptional performance as a key member of mission-critical training teams and for coordinating Command's Physical Fitness and Testing Readiness, Force Protection Training Team, Command Climate, and Moral Advisory Committee

MILITARY SERVICE

Personnel Specialist Second Class/U.S. Navy (Seattle, WA) December 2002 – April 2011
Conducted financial record-keeping and budgeting tasks, ensuring accuracy and adherence to Navy regulations
Handled personnel management duties, including recruitment, training, and career development
Supported specialized operations and missions, demonstrating advanced skills in tactical planning

Certification

Certified Middle Grades Mathematics Teacher - Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Gifted In-Field Endorsement - Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Certified Bookkeeper - Inuit Quickbooks Academy
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Specialist

Languages

Spanish

Professional Working

English

Native or Bilingual

Quote

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

Voltaire

Websites

www.juanvsaro.com

Software

Salesforce

SAP Ariba

Oracle PeopleSoft Coupa (Spend Management)

Oracle NetSuite

Microsoft SharePoint

Workday

Coupa (Spend Management)

ADP Workforce Now

Slack

QuickBooks

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power BI

Tableau

Microsoft Excel (Advanced)

Smartsheet

BambooHR

Asana

Zendesk

HubSpot

Google Workspace

Microsoft Teams

Mondaycom

Notion

Jira

DocuSign

Concur (Expense Management)

Kronos (UKG)

IBM Cognos

Freshdesk

Portfolio

2019 Summative Professional Obervation

2020 Teaching Summative Evaluations

Final Student Data

Philosophy of Teaching

Timeline

Math Specialist, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Gwinnett County Public Schools

08.2018 - 05.2020