Lesah Sesma
Tucson,AZ
Summary
General Manager with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in revenue growth and operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and implement strategic plans that align with organizational objectives. Expertise in budget management and relationship building, driving business success through innovative solutions. Recognized for strong communication and problem-solving skills, fostering collaboration and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Casino Del Sol
Tucson, AZ
08.2023 - Current
- Directed daily operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Increased revenue through strategic planning and process improvements.
- Managed a team of 1600, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Executive Director of Community Relations
Casino Del Sol
Tucson, AZ
01.2018 - 08.2023
- Development of corporate and non-profit relations providing funding streams aimed at developing awareness in the community.
- Accountable for creating budgets and facilitating new business development that result in meeting or exceeding annual strategic goals.
- Responsible for monitoring sponsorships from start to finish including staging and management of sponsorship events.
Event Manager
Casino Del Sol
Tucson, AZ
11.2017 - 01.2018
- Responsible for the coordination and implementation of events at the Conference Center including meeting with specific departments to ensure the event is flawless.
- Work closely with meeting planners with specific requests in order to accommodate their every need while ensuring excellent guest service and quality delivered.
- Preparing BEO’s for group contacts as well as in-house staff.
- Setting, communicating and maintaining timelines and priorities on every event.
- Delivering events on time, within budget, that met and exceeded expectations.
Director of Hotel Operations
Casino Del Sol
Tucson, AZ
12.2012 - 11.2017
- Oversee Operations of Hotel Departments including Housekeeping, Laundry, PBX/Reservations, Spa and Front Office.
- Promote and maintain Forbes guest service standards throughout the hotel.
- Manage the accuracy of hotel budget and monthly P & L.
- Work with collaborative teams to achieve financial objectives by preparing daily, monthly and yearly forecasting as well as supporting yield management decisions.
- Initiate corrective actions and communicate to staff based on departmental goals.
Assistant Front Office Manager
Casino Del Sol
Tucson, AZ
07.2012 - 12.2012
- Supervise the operational activities of the hotel front desk within hotel guidelines to provide the highest standard of courteous service while permitting acceptable profit levels.
- Assign, coordinate, and supervise work activities of Front Desk Agents.
- Ensure daily work is completed to include, shift closings, room deposits and refunds.
- Train and develop Front Desk Agents.
- Perform house counts and review daily arrivals, identify potential problems with rooms’ activity and take appropriate action.
- Perform check-in and out procedures.
- Take personal responsibility for correcting guest service problems.
Sales Coordinator
Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport
Phoenix, AZ
04.2010 - 06.2011
- Assisting the Sales/Catering Team in preparing and sending contracts, proposals, BEO and collateral to clients.
- Receiving inquiries from potential clients, answering multiple phone lines, organizing files and coordinating VIP reservations and amenities.
- Making group room reservations, request checks & purchase order, Passkey account/contact maintenance, social networking, mail meter/pick up/ distribution.
- Weekly Sales/Catering Productivity reports and daily DRMR and SOB reports.
Reservation Sales
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Scottsdale, AZ
08.2007 - 01.2008
- Experienced in selling resort guest rooms, while able to respond to questions about the property and its amenities.
- Provide professional guest service, resolve discrepancies and maintain guest loyalty.
- Assess guest’s specific needs all the while providing 5 Diamond Services, specializing in maintaining relationships with incoming guests as well as large groups, assisting in accurate reservations and destination support.
Spa Supervisor/Treatment Supervisor
Agave Spa
06.2006 - 08.2007
- Supervise staff of 50 team members while overseeing the provision of the day-to-day operations of the spa.
- Ensured that proper 5 Diamond guest service to our guest’s was maintained daily.
- Responsible for the training of new employees.
- Assisting upper management in the future of the spa.
Aji Spa/ Koyote Kids Club Supervisor
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
Chandler, AZ
10.2003 - 06.2006
- Plan and supervised the administration of designated Kids Club and Spa activities.
- Managed and trained team members on the day-to-day operations in accordance with established standards and goals of the property.
- Provide exceptional guest service.
Education
Tribal Casino Operations Management Degree -
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Recreation & Tourism Management
Arizona State University West
Glendale, AZ01.2003
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Budgeting & Financial Oversight
- Leadership & Team Management
- Operations Management
- Guest Relationship Building
- Problem Solving & Initiative
- Communication & Organizational Skills
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Performance Optimization
Professional Development
- Indigenous Leadership Academy, Arizona State University, 2025
- Executive Leadership Program: Strategic Leadership in the Gaming Industry, University of Nevada Reno, Lake Tahoe, CA, 2022
- Lead Tucson, Greater Tucson Leadership, 2013
- City of Coolidge Leadership Academy, Coolidge, AZ, 2014
Timeline
General Manager
Casino Del Sol
08.2023 - Current
Executive Director of Community Relations
Casino Del Sol
01.2018 - 08.2023
Event Manager
Casino Del Sol
11.2017 - 01.2018
Director of Hotel Operations
Casino Del Sol
12.2012 - 11.2017
Assistant Front Office Manager
Casino Del Sol
07.2012 - 12.2012
Sales Coordinator
Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport
04.2010 - 06.2011
Reservation Sales
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
08.2007 - 01.2008
Spa Supervisor/Treatment Supervisor
Agave Spa
06.2006 - 08.2007
Aji Spa/ Koyote Kids Club Supervisor
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
10.2003 - 06.2006
Tribal Casino Operations Management Degree -
University of San Diego
Bachelor of Science - Recreation & Tourism Management
Arizona State University West
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