Laurie Valdez
Grand Junction,CO
Summary
To seek and maintain a full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Passionate about promoting lasting customer satisfaction by delivering quality service and unparalleled support.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Culinary Manager II
Nutritional Services D51 Schools
Grand Junction, Colorado
09.2022 - 01.2024
- Ensured proper food safety and sanitation standards were met throughout the kitchen.
- Managed a team of chefs, cooks and other kitchen staff; monitored performance and provided feedback for improvement.
- Ordered supplies such as ingredients, kitchen equipment and cleaning materials.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss changes in policies or procedures in the kitchen.
- Trained new employees on safety protocols, knife skills, recipe preparation techniques and plating design.
- Maintained records of all food production activities including sales figures, purchase orders and stock levels.
- Provided guidance on portion sizes, plate presentation and garnishing techniques.
- Evaluated existing recipes for nutritional content accuracy and made necessary adjustments.
- Maintained an organized work environment by delegating tasks among staff members.
- Displayed strong leadership skills by motivating employees during busy periods of service.
- Monitored kitchen staff to ensure compliance with company expectations of taste, speed and presentation.
Chef/Owner
Self Employed
Grand Junction, CO
03.2018 - 12.2020
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
- Improved records management systems for leases and contracts to boost renewals timeliness.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Reconciled daily sales, returns and financial reports in QuickBooks.
- Won Blue Ribbon Peach Fest
- 1 and 2nd place Salsa winner
Medical Receptionist
Western Valley Family Practice
Fruita , CO
09.2013 - 03.2014
- Safeguarded medical records and patient data in accordance with HIPAA protocols.
- Coordinated patient scheduling, check-in, check-out and payments for billing.
- Managed master calendar and scheduled appointments for providers based on optimal patient loads and clinician availability.
- Checked patient insurance, demographic and health history to keep information current.
- Helped patients complete necessary medical forms and documentation.
- Received over 60 calls per day
Office Manager
Titan Communications
Show Low, AZ
02.2007 - 04.2008
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping.
- Evaluated employee records and productivity to complete employee evaluations.
- Coached new hires on company processes while managing employees to achieve maximum production.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
- Managed office operations
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Managed office operations while scheduling appointments for department managers.
- Payroll
- Submit as-built billing to corporate office in Albuquerque.
- Assisted Project Manager oversee, managed 15 man crew.
Market Director
American Diabetes Association
Albuquerque, NM
07.2001 - 01.2007
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
- Maximized advertising efforts by developing content for media relations, corporate communications and social media posts.
- Adapted marketing plans to specific audiences based on special events and programs.
- Coordinated with social media, public relations and other teams to execute product introductions.
- Directed and coordinated America's Walk for Diabetes, Celebrity Art Auction.
- Recruited and managed 100 plus volunteers for various events and programs.
- Complied financials and other new business to the board of directors
- Served as a liaison between the board and executive management team.
- Attended board meetings, participated in discussions, and voted on important matters.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Developed and implemented fundraising strategies to meet organizational goals.
- Organized fundraising events such as galas, auctions, and walks and runs.
- Researched potential sponsors, donors, and grant opportunities.
- Formulated compelling proposals to secure funding from corporations and foundations.
- Maintained relationships with existing donors by providing updates on progress of projects funded by them.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create promotional materials for donations campaigns.
- Cultivated relationships with new prospects through networking events, cold-calling, and emails.
- Processed donor contributions including tracking funds received and issuing receipts or thank you notes.
- Analyzed data related to past fundraising activities in order to improve future efforts.
- Assisted in the development of budgets for individual projects or overall organization operations.
- Coordinated logistics for special events related to fundraising initiatives such as venue selection, catering arrangements, and program agendas.
Special Events Director
Greater Pueblo Chamber Of Commerce
Pueblo, CO
04.1997 - 06.2001
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation and proposal development for various events.
- Generated client retention by accurately organizing and executing Business to Business EXPO trade shows and events.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Actively listened to customers' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Monitored company inventory to keep stock levels and databases updated.
- Directed 4 major city events to bring in lodging revenue thru 1/2 cents tax. Two of events attracted 100K in attendance.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service
- Created product displays, brochures, flyers and other promotional materials for the trade show booth.
- Conducted market research to identify potential customers at the trade show.
- Greeted visitors to the trade show booth and provided information about products and services.
- Generated leads through conversations with attendees at the trade show.
- Assisted in setting up and breaking down of the trade show booth before and after each event.
- Provided in-depth product demonstrations to potential customers at the trade show booth.
- Followed up with prospects after the trade show via telephone or email communications.
- Collaborated with vendors to ensure delivery of quality services within budget constraints.
- Organized logistics including venue selection, catering, transportation, and accommodations.
- Oversaw the entire event from conception to completion by providing direction and guidance.
- Monitored progress of events to ensure timely execution of all activities in accordance with plans.
- Designed detailed event plans that included timelines, budgets, staffing requirements, and objectives.
- Coordinated staff assignments to guarantee efficient operations during events.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers as well as managed vendor relationships throughout the process.
- Created promotional materials such as brochures, flyers, and banners to advertise events.
- Reviewed client feedback following each event to identify areas of improvement for future projects.
- Ensured compliance with local health and safety regulations at all times during events.
- Provided technical support during events including troubleshooting any potential issues.
- Maintained accurate records of expenses incurred while managing an event budget.
- Assisted in setting up equipment and ensuring that it is functioning properly prior to each event.
- Planned post-event wrap-up activities such as surveys or evaluations for attendees.
- Developed and implemented strategies for increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction.
- Managed relationships with external partners and vendors to ensure a high-quality product offering.
Debt Collection Specialist
Check Rite
Pueblo, CO
11.1996 - 03.1997
- Monitored accounts for compliance with established payment plans and flagged non-compliances.
- Achieved performance goals on consistent basis.
- Trained new team members on scripts, company services and collection strategies.
- Delivered exceptional customer service on collection calls and maintained calm and professional demeanor.
- Used skip tracing and other techniques to locate debtors.
- Advised customers of alternative actions and strategies for debt repayment and attempted to avoid adversarial communications.
- Worked with customer to create debt repayment plan based on current financial condition.
- Processed debtor payments and updated accounts to reflect new balance.
- Located customers with overdue accounts and solicited payment in compliance with fair debt collection practices.
- Able to collect old accounts. Able to skip trace and collect
- Listened to customers and negotiated solutions that met creditor and debtor needs.
Research Clerk
Pueblo Bank & Trust
Pueblo CO
10.1992 - 11.1994
- Conducted research on various topics and compiled findings into comprehensive reports.
- Researched, evaluated and interpreted data to produce accurate results.
- Reviewed documents for accuracy and completeness before submission.
- Analyzed statistical information to identify trends and patterns.
- Prepared presentations to summarize research findings.
- Maintained databases by entering new or updated information.
- Organized, sorted and indexed files according to established procedures.
- Performed quality assurance checks on all research materials prior to finalization.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure successful completion of projects on time.
- Provided technical support for software applications related to research activities.
- Compiled, reviewed, analyzed and presented complex data sets using appropriate software packages.
- Participated in interdisciplinary meetings as a representative of the Research Department.
- Generated reports based on collected data for review by senior management.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas of improvement in products and services.
- Resolved customer inquiries, complaints, and disputes in a timely manner.
- Attended trade shows and conferences as company representative when needed.
- Resolved customer service issues in an efficient and courteous manner.
- Maintained accurate records of customer interactions via computerized tracking system.
- Followed up with customers to ensure their satisfaction with product or services received.
- Identified potential problems and escalated them as needed to appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Educated customers on features and benefits of various products offered by the company.
- Cross-sold additional products or services when appropriate.
- Explained billing procedures and payment options to customers.
Education
High School Diploma -
Centennial High School
Pueblo CO06.1985
Skills
- Department Oversight
- Financial Statement Review
- Administrative Management
- Focus and Follow-Through
- Customer Service Management
- Team Leadership
- Goal Setting
- Sanitation expertise
- Sanitation Standards
- Kitchen Operations
- Recipe creation
- Food presentation
- Menu development
- Foodservice Management Professional
Timeline
Culinary Manager II
Nutritional Services D51 Schools
09.2022 - 01.2024
Chef/Owner
Self Employed
03.2018 - 12.2020
Medical Receptionist
Western Valley Family Practice
09.2013 - 03.2014
Office Manager
Titan Communications
02.2007 - 04.2008
Market Director
American Diabetes Association
07.2001 - 01.2007
Special Events Director
Greater Pueblo Chamber Of Commerce
04.1997 - 06.2001
Debt Collection Specialist
Check Rite
11.1996 - 03.1997
Research Clerk
Pueblo Bank & Trust
10.1992 - 11.1994
High School Diploma -
Centennial High School