Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Karla Connelly

Chesterfield,VA

Summary

Highly skilled in high traffic office environments that require a strong background in secretarial, financial, and legal skills, overseeing operations to ensure adherence to established standards, policies and procedures while providing quality and efficient customer service and supervisory skills. Excellent time-management and organizational skills provide ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously while successfully meeting schedules and deadlines. Outstanding public and employee relations, leading to superior customer service relations while maintaining a personable attitude. Three-time recipient of University of Richmond Facilities department Best of the Best award, and two time recipient of the PRIDE award. Requirements for the award: Has gone over and above their normal job duties. Gets along well with co-workers and customers. Performs high quality and thorough work. Possesses a positive attitude.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Procurement Specialist

University of Richmond
2022 - Current
  • Tracked purchase orders and followed up with vendors and carriers to support timely deliveries.
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of goods and services at competitive prices.
  • Developed and maintained detailed records of all procurement activities for accurate tracking and reporting purposes.
  • Maintained ongoing communication with suppliers to promote workflow and respond to inquiries.
  • Improved supplier relationships through regular communication and collaboration, enhancing overall service quality.
  • Maintained an up-to-date database of suppliers, vendors, and contracts to support accurate recordkeeping.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop project-specific procurement plans, aligning strategies with overall business objectives.
  • Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to streamline procurement operations.
  • Collaborated with the financial team to implement Workday.
  • Updated and maintained the Financial Division web pages.

Administrative Assistant to Associate Vice President for Facilities

University of Richmond-Facilities
08.2002 - 08.2022
  • Provide administrative support to the Associate Vice President for Facilities, Director of Design and Construction and all Department Heads. Responsible for maintaining calendars, arranging meetings and travel arrangements, facilitating, and coordinating department events, initiating and maintaining all Box Files for the department and Leadership Team to include the Associate Vice President.
  • Attend department meetings and the documentation of the meeting minutes.
  • Assist in the Capital Project budget process and the submitting of CPA’s to the Business and Finance office for approval. Maintain Capital Project list with updates and new CPA’s throughout the year.
  • Write and process project contracts from initiating the contract to completion and final payment using the ESM software. Submit Purchase Order requests to submit to the Procurement office for final issue.
  • Maintain all Certificate of Liability Insurance Certificates.
  • Chair of the CHEERS Committee and serve on the Plant Information Team (PIT).
  • Responsible to perform Accounts Payable duties and perform budget inquires on Banner and Chrome River.
  • Updating and maintaining the Facilities web site using the Cascade program.
  • Maintain employee files and assist in setting up new employees’ workspaces. Welcome new employees to the department; distribute information regarding Facilities while answering any questions the new employee may have with their position.
  • Provide back-up receptionist duties when needed. Screen calls, answer/follow up on calls and/or route to the proper person.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.
  • Delivered excellent customer service through prompt responses to client inquiries, addressing concerns effectively, and building strong relationships.
  • Ensured accurate record-keeping with diligent data entry and database management for vital company information.
  • Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication skills and fostering professional relationships among colleagues.
  • Improved document organization with thorough file maintenance, archiving outdated records as necessary for efficient retrieval when needed.
  • Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
  • Helped onboard new employees, prepared training materials, and coordinated orientation schedules to ensure a smooth team integration. Assisted with human resources tasks such as updating employee files or submitting time-off requests per company policy guidelines.
  • Assisted in onboarding new employees, providing training materials, and coordinating orientation schedules to ensure a smooth integration into the team.
  • Optimized calendar management for executives by scheduling appointments strategically while considering priorities and minimizing conflicts.
  • Organized office events such as holiday parties or team-building activities, promoting a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
  • Collaborated on special projects as assigned by leadership, contributing research findings or coordinating event logistics as needed for success.
  • Streamlined invoice processing procedures to ensure timely payment of vendors while minimizing errors in financial records.
  • Facilitated collaboration within team by organizing regular meetings and tracking project progress.
  • Boosted team productivity by managing communication channels and ensuring timely responses to inquiries.
  • Maintained inventory of office supplies and placed orders.
  • Organized company events to enhance team cohesion, coordinating logistics and catering for over 50 participants.
  • Facilitated cross-departmental communication, organizing meetings to discuss project progress and align objectives.
  • Contributed to policy updates, researching regulations to ensure company compliance.
  • Addressed IT issues by coordinating with tech support, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.
  • Enhanced communication within office, establishing weekly newsletter summarizing key updates and achievements.
  • Supported recruitment processes, scheduling interviews and communicating with applicants to improve hiring timelines.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information, adhering strictly to data protection regulations.
  • Coordinated travel arrangements for staff, ensuring cost-effective and timely accommodations and transportation.
  • Conducted research for project proposals, compiling information that supported winning bids.
  • Managed scheduling for executive team, balancing complex calendars to ensure optimal use of time.
  • Improved staff morale by organizing recognition programs, acknowledging outstanding contributions and fostering positive work culture.
  • Improved document processing speed by introducing automated templates for routine correspondence.
  • Developed filing system for historical documents, preserving important company records and improving access to information.
  • Enhanced office environment, organizing spaces for better workflow and employee comfort.
  • Monitored office supplies inventory, ensuring availability of essential items without overstocking.
  • Streamlined office operations, implementing digital file management systems to reduce paper use and increase efficiency.
  • Facilitated training sessions for new software tools, increasing team productivity and reducing learning curves.
  • Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
  • Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
  • Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
  • Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
  • Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
  • Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
  • Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
  • Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency.
  • Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
  • Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
  • Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
  • Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and quality service.
  • Facilitated timely delivery of special projects to meet organizational and departmental objectives.
  • Increased office participation in special events by creating newsletter with detailed calendars and other office updates.
  • Organized logistics and materials for each meeting and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
  • Transcribed and organized information to assist in preparing speeches and presentations.
  • Surpassed team goals by partnering with colleagues to implement best practices and protocols.

Accounts Payable Clerk

University of Richmond-Accounts Payable
06.2000 - 08.2002
  • Input of invoices into the Banner Finance system on a daily basis. Run and distribute Accounts Payable and Student Refund checks twice a week. Sort, review and match backups for checks twice a week. Scan and electronically file invoices in to the Nolij Web program. Research and problem solve with vendors, faculty, staff and students as needed. Process mail and maintain credit letters and Purchase Order records. Assist with 1099 file maintenance and processing. Reconcile vendor statements.

Customer Service Representative

SLM Financial Corporation
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • Processing loan applications and compiling information for credit worthiness. Assist customers with questions and problems with their account. Inputting loan information into computer and organizing all loan documentation for loan closings. Ensuring that all legal documents have been released recorded, and documented properly. Assist with loan closings and decisions and all insurance documentation. Assist in the collection process and calling of delinquent accounts. Responsible for cash drawer, incoming payments, life and disability documents, and bills associated with the branch. Responsible for all written communications with customers and any follow up items or requests. Answer and screen all telephone calls while routing the calls to the proper person.

Customer Service Representative/Loan Processor

Equity One Consumer Loan Inc.
01.1998 - 01.1999
  • Assist customers with their accounts and questions. Input loan information into computer and organize and review all loan documents. Make decisions as to credit worthiness from information given on application and credit bureau reporting. Compiling loan documents and closing of the loan with customers. Follow up for required insurance and missing documentation. Releasing titles and liens for paid out loans. Responsible for cash drawer, incoming payments, life and disability documents, and bills associated with the branch. Answer and screen all telephone calls.

Office Manager

Advanced Discount Plumbing and Heating
01.1996 - 01.1998
  • Was responsible for all accounts receivable and payable, and collective actions. Manage all aspects of the company, (Three checking and all supplier accounts). Perform payroll duties to include monthly Federal 941 deposits and all quarterly reports. Prepare all correspondence, and customer follow ups. Receive service calls, dispatch and control workflow. Complete control of financing program, implementing ad campaigns and new services.

Head Teller/CSA/Secretary

Benchmark Community Bank
01.1995 - 01.1996
  • Overseeing all operations of the teller line to include cash flow, training of new tellers, implementing new policies and procedures, ensure that all policies are adhered to, and annual review of all tellers. Booking all loans to include mortgages, accrual and installment loans. Filing of all notes and maintains said files. Wrote and implemented a teller training manual and training program. Responsible for opening new account and all customer service duties. Input loan information into computer and organize and review all loan documents. Make decisions as to credit worthiness from information given on application and credit bureau reporting. Compiling loan documents and closing of the loan with customers. Follow up for required insurance and missing documentation. Releasing titles and liens for paid out loans. Responsible for cash drawer, incoming payments, life and disability documents, and bills associated with the branch. Answer and screen all telephone calls.

Real Estate Assistant/Secretary

Warren Tomlin, Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
01.1993 - 01.1994
  • Compiled and ordered all information necessary for mortgage loan packages, to include surveys, title work, termite inspections and insurance. Typed and prepared all documents necessary for closing, including HUD, Deed and Deed of Trust. Sent all documents for recording, and prepared final package for the mortgage company. Controlled final disbursement of escrow and record keeping of escrow account, answered telephones, prepared correspondence and assisted in preparing legal files.

Teller Supervisor-Acting Assistant Manager

Amphibious Base-Naval Base Norfolk FCU
01.1992 - 01.1993
  • Direct and train four on-line tellers, ensuring efficient cash flow for main office. Managed satellite location without supervision, provide product information and services to members, presenting and processing Certificate of Deposits, mortgages, etc. while supervising and balancing teller activity.

Education

GED - secretarial career

Arvada West High School
Arvada, Coloradp

Financial studies

Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Customer Service and Microsoft office classes

University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia

Some College (No Degree) - Home Staging Certificate

University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia

Skills

  • Microsoft Office programs to include Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
  • Cascade/Hermes web program
  • Banner for Finance
  • Chrome River
  • Workday-Procurement
  • Writing and verbal communication
  • Process improvements
  • Purchase order creation
  • Telephone and email etiquette
  • Supplier relationships
  • Project management
  • Document preparation
  • Procurement planning
  • Contract monitoring using ESM softwae
  • Team building
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Multitasking Skills
  • Reliability
  • Excellent communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Organizational skills
  • Team collaboration
  • Documentation skills
  • Task prioritization
  • Self-motivation
  • Product knowledge
  • Professionalism
  • Written communication
  • Documentation requirements
  • Professional demeanor
  • Problem-solving aptitude
  • Process improvement
  • Cross-functional teamwork

Accomplishments

  • Achieved "go live" with Workday through effectively helping with testing and implementation.
  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets for fleet management.
  • Achieved positive feedback by completing updating and maintaining the Controller web pages with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Collaborated with team of 25 in the development of Workday.
  • Collaborated with Procurement office in the implementation of ESM contract tracking program.

Timeline

Administrative Assistant to Associate Vice President for Facilities

University of Richmond-Facilities
08.2002 - 08.2022

Accounts Payable Clerk

University of Richmond-Accounts Payable
06.2000 - 08.2002

Customer Service Representative

SLM Financial Corporation
01.1999 - 01.2000

Customer Service Representative/Loan Processor

Equity One Consumer Loan Inc.
01.1998 - 01.1999

Office Manager

Advanced Discount Plumbing and Heating
01.1996 - 01.1998

Head Teller/CSA/Secretary

Benchmark Community Bank
01.1995 - 01.1996

Real Estate Assistant/Secretary

Warren Tomlin, Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
01.1993 - 01.1994

Teller Supervisor-Acting Assistant Manager

Amphibious Base-Naval Base Norfolk FCU
01.1992 - 01.1993

Some College (No Degree) - Home Staging Certificate

University of Richmond

GED - secretarial career

Arvada West High School

Financial studies

Tidewater Community College

Customer Service and Microsoft office classes

University of Richmond

Procurement Specialist

University of Richmond
2022 - Current

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Karla Connelly