Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Personal Information
Certification
Accomplishments
Work Availability
Affiliations
Work Preference
Software
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Linda "Lin" Blake

Gilbert,AZ
Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
Linda "Lin" Blake

Summary

Professional Manager and event planner with over 30 years of experience in hospitality and educational administration. Specializes in event planning, venue management, and sales strategies. Demonstrated success in delivering high-quality services and fostering effective communication within teams. Focused on enhancing student success through innovative organizational strategies.

Overview

32
years of professional experience

Work History

Skyline Mechanical Inc.

Office Manager- Accounts Payable
07.2024 - Current

Job overview

Coordinated office operations to maintain efficient workflow at Skyline Mechanical Inc.

  • Organized company events, including holiday parties and team-building activities.
  • Oversaw inventory control by tracking supplies and ordering materials as needed.
  • Monitored accounts receivable and payable for accuracy of invoices and payments.
  • Contacted clients promptly regarding overdue payments to facilitate collections.
  • Coded and entered daily invoices using in-house accounting software.

American Leadership Academy Gilbert South

Registrar/Office Manager
05.2023 - 06.2024

Job overview

  • Streamlined enrollment processes for over 700 full-time students while maintaining accurate records.
  • Coordinated communication among parents, students, and school administration to promote engagement.
  • Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations regarding student data management.
  • Assisted in planning and executing school events for student registration and orientation.
  • Facilitated effective communication channels between faculty, advisors, deans, administrators, and students.
  • Tracked expenses and managed supplies to support budgeting processes efficiently.
  • Developed office procedures to consistently enhance operational efficiency.

Arizona State University: Cultural Affairs
Tempe, AZ

Events and Operations Manager
03.2020 - 05.2023

Job overview

  • Negotiated rental contracts and executed over 200 events annually.
  • Led event processes, overseeing client and venue management with a staff of 15.
  • Managed 200 vendor services, including equipment rentals and catering.
  • Evaluated staffing needs, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training new personnel.
  • Created event expense estimates and issued contracts for $25 million in annual revenue.
  • Collaborated with department managers and external vendors to ensure seamless operations.
  • Maintained donor relations as primary contact for all donor events on and offsite.
  • Oversaw all aspects of planning and executing donor events effectively.

KCA Meeting Planners
Chandler, AZ

Meeting Planner
10.2018 - 03.2020

Job overview

  • Served as primary contact for Space X, Iridium, National Association of Sports Medicine, 2018 Venture Capital Summit, and Arizona State Contracts under Governor Doug Ducey.
  • Coordinated logistics for multiple corporate events and meetings to ensure seamless execution.
  • Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts, optimizing service delivery.
  • Developed comprehensive event timelines, ensuring adherence to crucial deadlines.
  • Facilitated effective communication between clients and event staff throughout planning phases.
  • Organized attendee registration processes and maintained accurate databases.
  • Created detailed agendas to guide meeting flow and engagement activities.
  • Supervised on-site staff, guaranteeing smooth operations during events.

Sun Valley Community Church
Gilbert, AZ

Director of Groups
12.2016 - 04.2018

Job overview

  • Re-launched small group ministry for multi-site church, driving membership growth.
  • Collaborated with Pastoral Staff to align weekly sermons with small group discussions.
  • Managed database for all group memberships, ensuring accurate records.

The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Director of Private Events
09.1999 - 12.2016

Job overview

Museums and Libraries of JHU and Peabody Institute

  • Established and launched multi-venue private events program from inception.
  • Managed donor relations, overseeing endowment management and liaison with foundations and trustees.
  • Coordinated donor events, capital investment projects, and special donor collection displays.
  • Collaborated with curators, directors, and preservation staff to enforce space rules and protect collections.
  • Increased annual revenues through seasonal pricing strategies and commissionable catering contracts.
  • Developed strong partnerships with museum and library personnel at JHU and The Peabody Institute.

Marriott Area Sales Office
Baltimore, MD

Senior Sales and Event Manager
07.1993 - 12.1999

Job overview

  • Coordinated large-scale events for diverse clients at Marriott Area Sales Office.
  • Reserved space, equipment, and personnel to facilitate successful events.
  • Conducted site inspections and provided tours of facilities to potential clients.
  • Developed event timelines to ensure smooth execution and high client satisfaction.
  • Led pre-event meetings to align team roles and responsibilities for optimal performance.
  • Facilitated post-event evaluations to gather feedback and enhance future planning.
  • Participated in industry events to network and gain insights.

Education

University of Missouri

Bachelor of Science from Hospitality and Tourism Management
01.1993

Maastricht Hotel School

Intermediate Certificate from Culinary Arts
06-1993

Johns Hopkins University

Master of Arts from Museum Studies

Skills

  • Office management
  • Customer service
  • Account management
  • Financial management
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Records management
  • Change management
  • Recruitment and staffing
  • Policy compliance
  • Staff leadership
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Problem solving
  • Event planning and coordination
  • Vendor negotiation and management
  • Customer relationship management
  • Team leadership
  • Operational efficiency
  • Project management
  • Facility management
  • Meeting planning and facilitation
  • Marketing strategies and promotions
  • Contract negotiation
  • Client management
  • Sales strategy development
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management skills
  • Networking abilities
  • Communication skills
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Catering coordination and logistics planning
  • Travel arrangements and logistics coordination

Personal Information

Certification

  • CMP - Certified Meeting Planner

Accomplishments

  • Supervised team of 50 staff members.
Availability
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sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations

  • National Association of Catering Executives

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

RemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Work-life balanceFlexible work hoursWork from home option4-day work week

Software

Google

MS Office

Timeline

Office Manager- Accounts Payable

Skyline Mechanical Inc.
07.2024 - Current

Registrar/Office Manager

American Leadership Academy Gilbert South
05.2023 - 06.2024

Events and Operations Manager

Arizona State University: Cultural Affairs
03.2020 - 05.2023

Meeting Planner

KCA Meeting Planners
10.2018 - 03.2020

Director of Groups

Sun Valley Community Church
12.2016 - 04.2018

Director of Private Events

The Johns Hopkins University
09.1999 - 12.2016

Senior Sales and Event Manager

Marriott Area Sales Office
07.1993 - 12.1999

University of Missouri

Bachelor of Science from Hospitality and Tourism Management

Maastricht Hotel School

Intermediate Certificate from Culinary Arts

Johns Hopkins University

Master of Arts from Museum Studies