Klarissa Karas
Long Beach,CA
Summary
Highly energetic, dynamic, and collaborative leader with extensive knowledge in the sports and entertainment industry including in managing events, chaos, clients, venues, and people. Professional leader with comprehensive experience in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Proven track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving impactful results in dynamic environments. Skilled in navigating complex challenges, optimizing processes, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Known for adaptability, effective communication, and strong decision-making abilities.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Legends Hospitality
06.2021 - Current
- Responsible for leading the food, beverage, and merchandise operation at Angel Stadium with revenues exceeding $75 million annually
- Operational leadership includes oversight of Concessions, Premium Clubs, Suites, Catering Services and Merchandise for Angels Baseball and creating innovative fan experiences
- Managed full P&L with successful improvement to EBITDA by 2% of total sales through the tracking and reduction of middle of the P&L expenses with a focus on labor
- Improved per-caps and total fan spending year over year by working strategically with Angels Baseball on pricing initiatives and venue strategies
- Dynamic experience in working with senior staff members and cross functionally reporting to Angels Baseball President in addition to Legends team
- Cultivated a diverse leadership team onsite and lead approx
- 2000 hourly union associates by establishing vibrant relationships
- Oversight to Tempe Diablo Stadium with operational and partnership guidance for Spring Training Baseball Site for ABLP
- During tenure with the Legends support roles have include opening of Real Madrid Stadium, SoFi Stadium to fans(post-pandemic), leading Super Bowl efforts, and the opening of the Los Angeles Hospitality Education Center with three licensed certified trades of education inside SoFi Stadium
General Manager
ARAMARK
01.2011 - 06.2021
- Company Overview: Sports and Entertainment
- Responsible for leading the Food and Beverage Operations at the Anaheim Convention Center with revenues of more than $30 million annually and served as client liaison to Deputy Director of the City of Anaheim for more than 7 years
- Assisted with contract renewal and extension agreements during pandemic
- Managed total scope of 2 million square feet onsite and food and beverage space including hospitality sales and marketing efforts for onsite events
- Fiscal responsibilities include a full operating statement to both client and Aramark with objectives of driving positive financial results through effective management controls
- Served as a leadership role guiding the construction efforts of a new building on the Anaheim campus including a new full-service kitchen and 200,000 square feet of booking space on property
- Comprised a culture of emotional intelligence within unit executive leadership team through the creation of joint labor culture with union associates and Unite Here
- Managed and empowered all departments and staff including 45 salaried managers, supervisory staff, administrative roles and inspiring 650+ hourly associates
- Various roles held during tenure with the Aramark organization within venues to include Los Angeles CC, Honda Center, Las Vegas CC, Las Vegas 51s baseball stadium serving in a myriad of leadership roles
- Sports and Entertainment
General Manager, Guest Services
National Gallery of Art
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for management of daily Restaurant and Special Event Operations for Jazz in the Garden, onsite revenue for venue was an estimated $4 million per year
- Developed food and beverage marketing strategies between the Washington DC community and National Gallery of Art for Special Event success
- Served as the Client Liaison to the Museum as the key Venue for National Mall and Nat’l Gallery of Art
- Managed the daily operation for site and key stakeholder for company and museum
General Manager of Concessions
Levy Restaurants
06.2008 - 10.2009
- Managed multi-unit full-service food & beverage outlets for the National Ballpark and Verizon Center
- Managed in total $26 million in yearly revenue for National League events at the Nationals Ballpark and a yearly revenue stream of $4 million for Verizon Center in full service premium concessions and catering sales
- Establish quality and performance standards and hold staff accountable to standards, including maintaining service techniques and food quality, profit and loss controls, inventory levels, and labor cost monitoring
- Financial responsibilities included managing profit and loss statement including actual sales versus projected sales, managing all labor expenses, purchasing and month end reporting
- Responsible for coordinating loss prevention, risk management and human resources policies for staff
Director of Catering
Americrown
12.2003 - 05.2008
- Company Overview: a division of International Speedway Corporation
- Managed Special Events Catering and Hospitality programs for ISC properties venues; 20+ NASCAR and IRL events annually and traveling approximately 40% of the year
- Managed an estimated $18 million in yearly onsite and event revenue and provided executive vision for implementing cost control measures for labor and general business expenses
- Full P&L responsibility for 8 ISC properties in scope across the United States
- Supported innovative across multiple venues at ISC to include rollout of Premium and VIP services in all venues
- A division of International Speedway Corporation
Education
Executive Leadership Institute - WISE
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
11.2022
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Spanish, Economics, Sociology, Business Management
St. Lawrence University
05.2003
Skills
- Event Planning
- Volunteer Management
- Leadership
- Communication
- Multi-tasking
- Human Resources
- Negotiation
- Mentoring
- Succession Planning
- Detail-oriented
- Computer Skills
- Windows
- Apple
- Adobe
- InDesign
- Microsoft Office
- Team Player
- Operations Management
- Problem Resolution
- Leadership and team building
- Team Leadership
- Staff Management
- Relationship Building
- Verbal and written communication
- Administrative Skills
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Client Relations
Accomplishments
- Supervision - Supervised sales team to monitor sales activity and goal achievement.
- Business Development: - Spearheaded acquisition of two competitor companies.Established and managed partner relationships on a daily basis. Developed new marketing strategy which increased customer base by 23%.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
General Manager
Legends Hospitality
06.2021 - Current
General Manager
ARAMARK
01.2011 - 06.2021
General Manager, Guest Services
National Gallery of Art
01.2010 - 01.2011
General Manager of Concessions
Levy Restaurants
06.2008 - 10.2009
Director of Catering
Americrown
12.2003 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Spanish, Economics, Sociology, Business Management
St. Lawrence University
Executive Leadership Institute - WISE
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
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