Kara Shea
New Braunfels,Tx
Summary
Accomplished Director of Operations at Big Chief Vacation Properties, leveraging expertise in customer relationship management and operations oversight to enhance guest satisfaction. Proven track record in setting competitive rates and achieving financial goals. Skilled in persuasive communication and creative problem solving, consistently exceeding expectations and driving business success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
Big Chief Vacation Properties
02.2023 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations of short-term rental property, ensuring efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Promoted property on booking platforms while creating website and managing advertising campaigns.
- Set competitive nightly rates by analyzing market trends and property features.
- Managed reservations, confirmations, check-ins, and guest communications to foster positive experiences.
- Scheduled regular maintenance and cleaning, monitoring inventory levels for necessary supplies.
- Ensured compliance with local regulations, securing permits as required.
- Tracked financial performance by monitoring income, expenses, and processing payments.
- Maintained accurate records of reservations, payments, and guest interactions for reporting purposes.
- Oversaw daily operations of vacation property management and guest services.
- Developed operational strategies to enhance property performance and guest satisfaction.
Vehicle Equity Manager
Volkswagen of Alamo Heights
03.2022 - 02.2023
- As a Vehicle Equity Manager I was responsible for calculating and managing the equity (current market value minus outstanding loan amount) of a customer's vehicle, essentially determining the best time to trade-in or sell a car based on its current equity value, and advising customers on their options for maximizing their financial benefit when purchasing a new vehicle.
- Key responsibilities of a vehicle equity manager might include:
- Vehicle valuation: Accurately assessing the current market value of a customer's vehicle using tools like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.
- Equity calculation: Calculating the customer's vehicle equity by subtracting the outstanding loan balance from the current market value.
- Customer consultation: Advising customers on their current vehicle equity, explaining how it impacts their trade-in value, and discussing potential options for maximizing their equity when buying a new car.
- Identifying potential trade-in opportunities: Identifying customers with high vehicle equity and approaching them to discuss potential trade-in options for a new car.
- Sales support: Collaborating with sales representatives to present vehicle equity information to customers during the sales process.
- Market analysis: Staying updated on current market trends and vehicle values to ensure accurate equity calculations.
- Supervised daily operations and ensured compliance with company standards.
- Implemented customer service protocols to enhance client satisfaction.
- Collaborated with sales teams to address customer inquiries and resolve issues.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
Customer Relations Manager/Aftermarket Sales Manager/Finance and Insurance Assistant to Director
Kahlig Auto Group, North Park Lexus at Dominion
11.2016 - 03.2022
- Maintained high customer retention while monitoring and resolving complaints efficiently.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
- Managed team communications to ensure clear and consistent messaging.
- Educated customers on dealership amenities through engaging store tours.
- Achieved over $20,000 in monthly gross sales for CILAJET and aftermarket products.
- Collaborated with banks to secure timely funding of customer auto loans.
- Tracked contracts in transit, verifying accuracy of titles and lien information.
- Demonstrated company vision by treating customers as valued guests.
- Followed up on dissatisfaction cases to ensure complete resolution with appropriate personnel.
- Coordinated customer feedback sessions to gather insights for improvement.
Automotive Sales and Vehicle Equity Manager
Kahlig Auto Group, Bluebonnet Ford Lincoln Jeep
09.2019 - 03.2022
- Facilitated transfers of inventory from North Park stores to Bluebonnet stores in New Braunfels.
- Assisted guests in purchasing new vehicles to improve overall sales experience.
- Generated leads from service drive to develop new business opportunities for store.
- Oversaw daily operations of dealership to ensure smooth workflow.
- Coordinated training programs for staff to improve service quality.
- Developed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and sales.
- Implemented customer feedback systems for service improvement initiatives.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to develop action plans for improving services offered.
PTA Executive Board Member/Room my mom/Volunteer
Tuscany Heights Elementary School
08.2014 - 01.2017
- Regularly took an active role in coordinating and planning logistics for school sponsored functions for Kinder, 1st & 2nd grade classes including but not limited to school field trips, book fairs, bike rodeo, class parties, teacher appreciation events, luncheons for staff and teachers.
- Regularly participated in fundraising efforts for the PTA.
- In just 2 months improved the PTA enrollment for Tuscany Heights Elementary to over 400 members producing a significant increase in money raised for the school and the PTA initiatives. Tuscany Heights had 365 paying PTA members for the 2015-2016 school year. I produced over 380 paying PTA members during the 2016-2017 meet-the-teacher event exceeding membership and fund-raising in year-over-year results in the first few days in this.
Finance and Insurance Assistant Director
Ancira Chrysler Jeep
02.2007 - 07.2008
- Regularly contracted and closed cash deals and outside finance auto loan.
- Regularly audited & loaded loans to meet bank requirements for approval of an auto loan and funding of a loan.
- Worked with various lender and maintained relationships with SSFCU, SACU, Nuvell, Chase, JP Morgan, Wellsfargo, GMAC, Capital One etc, to meet strict stipulations and guidelines required to approve and fund auto loans.
- Assisted Finance Director in day to day task.
- Responsible for all money received and to be received from our lenders and customers.
- Successfully sold aftermarket products & services to customer in our store.
- Successfully up-sold customers that were not “up-salable”.
- Consistently average $15000 plus in gross aftermarket sales each month.
- Successfully provided quality customer service and relations.
Licensed Loan Officer
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Successfully develop and maintain relationships with key realty firms around the city.
- Completed all of Wells Fargo training programs including Sales Acumen, Sales Essentials, Core Sales Skills, FHA Government Loan training.
- Sell over 100 products and programs to Builders, realtors and customers in the San Antonio, Hill Country & Austin Market.
Texas Licensed Loan Officer and Loan Processor
Aames Home Loans
11.2004 - 01.2006
- Consistently averaged 8 loans per month.
- Directors Club Member for 2005 averaging 5 or more loans per month.
- Awarded a $6,000 bonus in November for averaging five or more loans per month.
- Passed the Texas Loan Officer Exam and received my License.
- Awarded the “Top Sales Producer” for nine consecutive months with the San Antonio Branch.
Finance and Insurance Assistant Director/Business Administrator/Customer Relations Manager
Ancira Chrysler Jeep
02.2004 - 11.2004
- Opened new store location in growing area.
- Regularly serviced cash deals, contracts, titles, purchase orders, warranties, etc.
- Regularly audited & loaded loans to “Bill the Deal”.
- Successfully sold aftermarket products & services to every customer in our store.
- Successfully up-sold customers that were not “up-salable”.
- Consistently raised gross profit goals since store opening.
- Successfully provided quality customer service and relations.
- Regularly assisted sales representatives with closing auto sales.
Customer Relations Manager
BlueBonnet Motors
New Braunfels, Texas
02.2002 - 02.2004
- Exceeded warranty sales goals for 23 consecutive months.
- Regularly averaged $20,000 plus in gross aftermarket sales each month.
- Responsible for quality customer service and customer relations.
- Assisted sales representatives with closing auto sales and selling optional packages.
- Awarded MVP of the year.
Retail Coordinator
The Retreat Day Spa
New Braunfels, Texas
07.2001 - 02.2002
- Assisted the owner with selecting and purchasing at the Dallas Gift Mart & Apparel Mart.
- Responsible for the merchandising storefront and selling high end products such as Trucco, Good Home Co., Yonka and Niven Morgan.
- Responsible for all retail and window displays.
- Coordinated customer appointments and personalized customer service.
Retail Coordinator
William Edge Day Spa
New Braunfels, Texas
07.2000 - 07.2001
- Participated in National Neal Corporation Training Convention in New Orleans (Aveda) for Management Skills, Customer Relations and Internet Marketing.
- Educated discriminating customers on spa products, make-up and jewelry lines, such as Molton Brown, Aveda and Dermalogica.
- Responsible for all window and retail displays.
- Worked harmoniously with a team of colleagues – setting sales goals and maintaining quality assurance.
Dental Assistant
Dr. Donnelly
San Marcos, Texas
07.1999 - 07.2000
- Prepared clients for various surgeries, took x-rays and made molds.
- Assisted the Doctor in all dental procedures.
Education
High School -
New Braunfels High School
New Braunfels, Texas01.1999
Dental Assisting School - Dental Assisting
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas01.1999
Skills
- Customer service expertise
- Property management
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership
- Sales forecasting
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Operations oversight
- Leadership training
- Multitasking capacity
- Decision-making
- Sales coaching
- Customer service management
- Customer relations
- Sales oversight
- Sales management
- Sales and closing skills
- Detail-oriented approach
- Client relations management
- Communication proficiency
- Creative problem solving
- Goal orientation
- Persuasive communication
- Negotiation tactics
- Team collaboration
- Computer literacy
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Operations
Big Chief Vacation Properties
02.2023 - Current
Vehicle Equity Manager
Volkswagen of Alamo Heights
03.2022 - 02.2023
Automotive Sales and Vehicle Equity Manager
Kahlig Auto Group, Bluebonnet Ford Lincoln Jeep
09.2019 - 03.2022
Customer Relations Manager/Aftermarket Sales Manager/Finance and Insurance Assistant to Director
Kahlig Auto Group, North Park Lexus at Dominion
11.2016 - 03.2022
PTA Executive Board Member/Room my mom/Volunteer
Tuscany Heights Elementary School
08.2014 - 01.2017
Finance and Insurance Assistant Director
Ancira Chrysler Jeep
02.2007 - 07.2008
Licensed Loan Officer
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
01.2006 - 12.2006
Texas Licensed Loan Officer and Loan Processor
Aames Home Loans
11.2004 - 01.2006
Finance and Insurance Assistant Director/Business Administrator/Customer Relations Manager
Ancira Chrysler Jeep
02.2004 - 11.2004
Customer Relations Manager
BlueBonnet Motors
02.2002 - 02.2004
Retail Coordinator
The Retreat Day Spa
07.2001 - 02.2002
Retail Coordinator
William Edge Day Spa
07.2000 - 07.2001
Dental Assistant
Dr. Donnelly
07.1999 - 07.2000
High School -
New Braunfels High School
Dental Assisting School - Dental Assisting
Southwest Texas State University
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