Laura Lasseter
Event Specialist
Summary
A community driven, results oriented individual with over 30 years of a combination of corporate, non profit and private business owner work experiences relating to overall economic success.
Able to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously and consistently to meet established objectives while maintaining positive effective working partnerships.
Knowledgeable of local, county and state regulations relating to economic development and local industries.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the proven ability to plan, develop and synchronize the essential details of multiple events, projects, reports and communications in an efficient and resourceful manner.
Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning for community economic stability and sustainability.
Creator of numerous events and meetings involving, county, state and community members spearheaded to support economic development projects and programs.
A wealth of knowledge and skills from years of retail and hospitality management.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Business Owner/Operator Manager
Cafe Feast
01.2021 - Current
- Obtaining and maintaining appropriate county and state licenses
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Applied customer feedback to develop process improvements and support long-term business needs.
- Conducted monthly inventories of raw materials and components on work floor.
- Controlled costs and optimized spending via restructuring of budgets for labor, capital assets, inventory purchasing and technology upgrades.
- Assessed supplier quality to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational performance.
- Social media marketing
- Budgets
- Menu Development
- Community engagement
- Day to day FOH and BOH operations
- Catering,event development and management
- ServSafe Managers certification
Director of Operations and Founding Board Member
Southern Humboldt Business And Visitors Bureau
08.2017 - Current
- Serve as a tourism authority as a liaison between county, state and community interests in and out of county.
- Aligned organizational objectives with non profit mission, through successful application and facilitation of public and private grants.
- Developed innovative marketing strategies to facilitate county brand awareness.
- Developed strategic alliances and leadership to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities within the community of Southern Humboldt, Humboldt county and state of California.
- Served as a tourism authority focused on economic development serving as a liaison between county, state and community interests in and out of county.
- Aligned organizational objectives with non profit mission, through successful application and facilitation of public and private funding.
- Procured and refined strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities within the community of Southern Humboldt, Humboldt county and state of California.
- Spearheaded change through economic principles and practices of focus to business retention, expansion and sustainability.
- Attracted major out of county partnerships generating earned media for the county of Humboldt.
- Represented Humboldt county at out of county and state events and economic meetings.
- Manages multiple responsibilities simultaneously and consistently to meet established objectives while maintaining positive effective working partnerships.
- Knowledgeable of local, county and state regulations relating to economic development and local industries.
- A heightened awareness of current economic industry trends within the county of Humboldt and state of California.
- Ability to of collecting, interpreting data needed to evaluate subject matter.
- Provides business and community leadership and effective coordination currently through tourism marketing and destination development for Southern Humboldt, Humboldt county.
- Proven ability to identify, collect data, target and achieve funding opportunities both public and private.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the proven ability to plan, develop and synchronize the essential details of multiple events, projects, reports and communications in an efficient and resourceful manner.
- Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning for community economic stability and sustainability.
- Creator of numerous events and meetings involving, county, state and community members spearheaded to support economic development projects and programs.
- Many years representing the county of Humboldt in meetings with other county, state agencies, community groups, public and media outlets.
- Spearheaded change of focus to business retention, expansion and sustainability.
- Attracted major out of county partnerships generating earned media for the county of Humboldt.
- Represented Humboldt county at out of county and state tradeshows, events and economic meetings.
Executive Director
Southern Humboldt Chamber Of Commerce
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to strategically affect operational direction.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Created promotional materials and provided insightful information to social media, websites and print media to educate public on Southern Humboldt tourism assets.
- Spearheaded successful business development initiatives aligned with Chamber's strategy and core competencies.
- Recruited new members and new industries by networking at community events and distributing promotional materials to business owners throughout Humboldt county.
- Devised new promotional approaches to boost member numbers and market penetration while enhancing engagement and driving growth.
- Oversaw community-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Spearheaded change and community self awareness.
Office Manager/Area Catering and Events Manager
P.F. Chang's Bistro
01.2003 - 01.2016
- Budget analysis, development and management.
- Coordinated prepared and executed special projects and events with high profile clients.
- Arranged corporate and office conferences for company employees and guests.
- Initiated timely project management within budget constraints for multi-faceted projects concerning multiple clients.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
- Managed office operations while scheduling appointments for department managers.
- Coached new hires on company processes while managing employees to achieve maximum production.
Retail Sales Specialist
Neiman Marcus
01.2002 - 02.2003
- Sales specialist
Buyer/Manager/Sales
Nordstrom
02.1992 - 01.2002
- Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
- Reviewed proposals, qualified vendors and recommended optimal suppliers.
- Analyzed inventory usage and assessed trends to provide maximum coverage for each time period.
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
- Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
- Worked with vendors to obtain product or service information.
- Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets.
- Liaised with sales, marketing and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Reviewed bid proposals, negotiating contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Radio And Television Broadcasting
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA06.1992
Skills
- Strategic planning, analysis and leadership
- Event planning, coordination and execution
- Partnership development and retention
- Proven ability to source, train and maintain a successful sales team
- Ability to delegate, communicate and problem solve
- Staff management
Affiliations
*Rotary International Club of Garberville, Board Member/Past President
*Humboldt County CERT Team
*Humboldt County COAD Board Member
*References and letters of recommendation available upon request.
Timeline
Private Business Owner/Operator Manager
Cafe Feast
01.2021 - Current
Director of Operations and Founding Board Member
Southern Humboldt Business And Visitors Bureau
08.2017 - Current
Executive Director
Southern Humboldt Chamber Of Commerce
08.2015 - 06.2017
Office Manager/Area Catering and Events Manager
P.F. Chang's Bistro
01.2003 - 01.2016
Retail Sales Specialist
Neiman Marcus
01.2002 - 02.2003
Buyer/Manager/Sales
Nordstrom
02.1992 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Radio And Television Broadcasting
San Francisco State University