Kay Larson
16658 Fallbrook Court, Farmington,MN
Summary
Dynamic and performance-driven professional with high integrity, strong work ethic and great leadership skills. Meticulous and resourceful with proven success leading teams, controlling budgets, and networking to drive growth initiatives. Thrives on opportunities to make an eternal difference in the community and world.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Church Operations
Berean Baptist Church
Burnsville, MN
08.2016 - 03.2024
- Provided leadership to staff of 74, with 7 direct reports, specifically overseeing the support ministries of the church: Finance and Business Office, IT, Database Management, Communication, Facility and Grounds, Events, and Security.
- Provided staff development, training, and appreciation across all departments.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and developed numerous staff roles at all levels of the organization.
- Managed staff performance through the creation of performance goals and objectives, mentoring, encouragement and support and through addressing poor performance as needed.
- Monitored financial performance of a $7.2 million 501c3 organization. Directed budget activities to fund operations, forecasted projected income and expense, maximized investments, and initiated corrective action as needed.
- Organized several multi-million dollar campaigns to relieve debt and fund building projects. Coordinated 32 special giving initiatives focused on providing aid to those in need.
- Reviewed financial statements and reports. Created Annual Reports focused on 'every number has a name' mentality.
- Developed relationships with 48 local businesses and ministry partners. Involved in the Burnsville and Lakeville Chambers of Commerce.
- Created outreach-focused donor development programs and initiatives. School-A-Palooza served more than 2,800 students by providing everything needed to start school successfully and involves more than 500 volunteers. Thanksgiving Baskets provided 1,500 meals to families in Dakota County.
- Directed strategic planning to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
- Managed COVID Crisis response teams, remote work environment, and return to work and building use strategy.
- Provided consistency and encouragement to staff during a period of significant leadership turnover and change.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations, while coordinating with staff members, and encouraging collaborative work.
- Coordinated with senior leadership teams to develop long-term plans for the organization. Utilized strategic vision to drive mission and goals.
- Used strong issue resolution and utilized verbal and written communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting relationships.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to nonprofit business operations.
- Developed SAFE (Security and Protection) Team and strategies to protect assets and people.
- Negotiated building and design contracts, provided project management for multiple building projects, including a $13,000,000 construction project, and oversight for multi-site church expansion.
- Developed rapport and instilled confidence with the Elder Board and faith community to establish credibility and earn trust.
- Evaluated and negotiated contracts with vendors and service providers to maximize cost savings for the organization.
Events and Facilities Director
Berean Baptist Church
Burnsville, MN
01.2011 - 08.2016
- Managed 132,000 square foot facility, its building functions and assets. This included, but was not limited to, building use, maintenance of entire campus and building, security and budget management.
- Provided direct supervision for Facility Manager, Maintenance Manager, Catering Kitchen Manager and Facilities Lead including hiring, training, mentoring, workflow management and indirect supervision of 11 team members.
- Provided oversight and direction to a variety of volunteer groups for landscaping, facility maintenance and event hosting.
- Coordinated all large-scale events, funerals and outside rentals. Supported ministries with a variety of smaller functions and facilitated collaborative efforts between ministry departments. Organized and managed multiple events simultaneously ensuring that all deadlines were met.
- Created and monitored budget for maintenance, repair, and operations of facility systems and equipment.
- Coordinated with vendors to provide services such as janitorial work, landscaping, security systems monitoring, pest control services.
Worship Ministries Executive Assistant
Berean Baptist Church
Burnsville, MN
01.2008 - 07.2011
- Supported Worship Pastor with all worship functions including scheduling of the Technology and Worship Teams, design of the Sunday worship service, maintenance of files and his personal calendar, and all other duties deemed necessary.
- Partnered with multiple volunteer teams required for services to run smoothly in a 1,700 person church.
- Updated policies and procedures related to services, weddings and funerals.
- Coordinated large events including Thanksgiving Eve, Gospel Music Celebration, Worship Nights and Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.
- Provided additional departmental support during a time of tragedy and loss.
- Created communication materials distributed to the entire congregation.
Owner, Faux Finisher and Designer
Everything Under The Sun
Farmington, MN
06.2001 - 06.2009
- Built business from the ground up. Responsible for building a client base, marketing, and maintaining records for the business as well as keeping up to date on trends and learning new techniques.
- Met with clients to create a design, build sample boards and bid submittal.
- Completed work in a timely manner and within budget.
- Established trust based on proven work.
- Developed repeat business and word of mouth clientele.
District Sales Manager/Training Manager
Bath and Body Works
Bloomington, MN
07.1997 - 06.2001
- Consistently exceeded company goals to plan by 5%. Achieved positive last year growth by 12-26% for 7 consecutive seasons. Average dollar sale increase by 15% year over year. Recognized as top leader in company by attending Presidents Leadership Conference two times.
- Supervised an average of 12 stores (up to a maximum of 22 stores) doing a cumulative volume of $36 million, the 25th largest volume district in the company and largest in Minneapolis market.
- Created and implemented training program (BBWU) utilized company-wide.
- Recruited, trained and developed top talent for entire market. Won two regional awards related to this effort. Recruited eight district managers and mentored eleven district managers for the company.
- Was a designated District Manager Trainer for the Midwest Region.
District Sales Manager/Regional Sales Manager
Strouds - the Linen Experts
Edina, MN
09.1994 - 07.1997
- Opened three new markets (Minneapolis, Chicago, Baltimore) for the company including hiring, training and development of the staff, merchandising and coordination of all store opening efforts and building a client base from the ground up.
- Supervised 12 stores doing a cumulative volume of $60 million.
- Accountable to managing to profit and loss goals and establishing store selling goals and payroll guidelines
- Assisted in the development of new merchandising techniques and product flows for the entire company. Established the first Visual Coordinator position that became a company-utilized concept.
Education
Fashion Merchandising Major/Communications Minor
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK01-1990
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Excellent Written and Verbal Communication
- Change Management
- Relationship Builder
- Strategic Planning and Leadership
- Collaboration and Team Coordination
- Goal Setting and Achievement
- Project Management and Coordination
Community and Global Involvement
- 2017 - Present - Bucks for Backpacks now called School-A-Palooza - Created program to collect supplies for students needing assistance getting ready for school. Program grew from providing 15 backpacks filled with school supplies in year one, to serving more than 1,000 families and 2,800 students with new shoes, backpacks, school supplies, coats, winter boots, gloves and hats, breakfast, groceries, haircuts, and gently used clothing.
- 2017 - Present - Feed My Starving Children SouthMetro MobilePack leadership team member. Collaborate with other churches to coordinate packs of more than 15 million meals.
- 2016 - Present - Thanksgiving Baskets - Planned and execute the collection of resources for baskets to be distributed to the community.
- 2020 - Masks on Mission - Facilitated plan to make and distribute 25,000 masks around the community and through hospitals, nursing homes and care facilities.
- 2020 - Farmers to Families - Coordinated efforts to distribute more than 733,000 pounds of food to the community.
- 2019 - Food in Action Tour through Praying Pelicans with Feed My Starving Children in El Salvador. Visited multiple villages, orphanages, and schools to distribute food and medicine.
- 2013 - Led Mission Trip to Mexico. Provided oversite for 25 youth. Trained team on cultural sensitivity and teamwork. Provided training for women, Vacation Bible School for kids and youth, and did park clean-up.
Personality Profile
- Di - DiSC Assessment
- INTJ - Myers-Briggs Personality Type
- Achiever, Strategic, Arranger, Belief, Responsibility - Strengthfinder CliftonStrengths
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Church Operations
Berean Baptist Church
08.2016 - 03.2024
Events and Facilities Director
Berean Baptist Church
01.2011 - 08.2016
Worship Ministries Executive Assistant
Berean Baptist Church
01.2008 - 07.2011
Owner, Faux Finisher and Designer
Everything Under The Sun
06.2001 - 06.2009
District Sales Manager/Training Manager
Bath and Body Works
07.1997 - 06.2001
District Sales Manager/Regional Sales Manager
Strouds - the Linen Experts
09.1994 - 07.1997
Fashion Merchandising Major/Communications Minor
Oklahoma State University
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