Lesley Aldana
Silver Spring,MD
Summary
Highly motivated Director of Catering with 20 years of experience in client services and related positions. Offering exceptional communication and coordination skills. Proven proficiency in event planning, budget preparation and staff development. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills. Ready to help team achieve company goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Catering & Events
The Lore Group | Riggs Hotel & Lyle Hotel
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Between both properties 350 guestrooms and 10,000 square footage of flexible meeting spaces.
- Aligned company goals with customer outcomes and increased satisfaction by automating contact management systems.
- Enhanced profitability by developing pipelines utilizing marketing and sales strategies.
- Directed sales support staff in administrative tasks to help sales reps close deals.
- Participated in planning meetings, site visits and vendor evaluations to enhance quality of client services.
- Organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions to satisfy client requirements and increase facility revenues.
- Performed service and menu upgrades and upselling activities to meet predetermined revenue objectives.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
Director of Catering
Crestline Hotel & Resorts | Phoenix Park Hotel DC
03.2019 - 10.2022
- Property with 149 guest rooms and 6,000 square footage of flexible meeting spaces
- Conduct bi-annual Competitive Analysis Report to stay competitive with local DC Market.
- Forecast food, beverage, meeting room rental and audio visual.
- Proactive with needs months by creating promotions.
- Responded to initial inquiries, coordinating facility tours and Wedding Tastings.
- Discussed client's event needs to develop recommendations for room options and possible menus.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Utilize Social Tables to create diagrams for every event to ensure proper room setups.
Director of Catering
Kimpton Mason & Rook Hotel (Now Viceroy Hotel)
03.2018 - 05.2019
- Property with 178 guest rooms and 9,000 square footage of flexible meeting spaces to include Full buyout of Radiator Restaurant, and Full buyout of Rooftop.
- Utilize Knowland Group to prospect new accounts
- Create contracts, detail local Catering Events, and upsell.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Forecast food, beverage, meeting room rental and audio visual.
Director of Catering
Highgate | Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel
10.2016 - 11.2017
- Property with 338 guest rooms and 15,000 square footage of flexible meeting spaces and private Chef Table for Pinzimini Restaurant and Patio.
- Responded to initial inquiries, coordinating facility tours and food sampling.
- Discussed client's event needs to develop recommendations for room options and possible menus.
- Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers and overall catering needs.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Worked with chefs to plan menus according to client needs and budgets.
- Secured new clients and accounts by analyzing and catering products to specific needs.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
Director of Catering
Davidson Hotel & Resorts | Doubletree | Darcy
04.2008 - 10.2016
- Property with 220 guest rooms and 9,000 square footage of flexible meeting spaces.
- Exceeded annual booking goals for 2008 thru 2016.
- Responded to initial inquiries, and coordinating facility tours.
- Discussed client's event needs to develop recommendations for room options and possible menus.
- Secured new clients and accounts by analyzing and catering products to specific needs.
- Designed catering packages to increase sales and customer experience.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
Education
High School Diploma -
Cardozo High School
Washington, DC05.2000
Skills
- Contract Negotiation
- Sales Initiatives & Strategies
- Site Visits
- Competitor Analysis
- Profitability Assessments
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Catering & Events
The Lore Group | Riggs Hotel & Lyle Hotel
11.2022 - 06.2023
Director of Catering
Crestline Hotel & Resorts | Phoenix Park Hotel DC
03.2019 - 10.2022
Director of Catering
Kimpton Mason & Rook Hotel (Now Viceroy Hotel)
03.2018 - 05.2019
Director of Catering
Highgate | Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel
10.2016 - 11.2017
Director of Catering
Davidson Hotel & Resorts | Doubletree | Darcy
04.2008 - 10.2016
High School Diploma -
Cardozo High School
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