Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

KARA LUNDGREN

Fort Lauderdale,FL

Summary

Highly motivated and driven General Manager successful at implementing strategic approaches to drive profitability and sales. Recognized for performance excellence in all areas of room and food and beverage operations, customer care, branding, strategy, innovation and team development. Strong ability to drive profits, control costs and achieve continuous process improvement. Successful at motivating, training and developing team members to drive profitability in highly competitive environment.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager-Task Force

HEI Hotels
10.2023 - Current
  • Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
  • Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
  • Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
  • Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
  • Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
  • Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.

Founder

KDL Hospitality-Consulting
09.2023 - Current
  • Evaluated diverse organizational systems to identify workflow, communication, and resource utilization issues.
  • Directed onsite training for business users to maximize productivity.
  • Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
  • Leveraged on-site observation and personal interviews to identify team and individual strengths.
  • Provided detailed advice to customers regarding restaurant operations.
  • Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
  • Implemented practices and procedures to reduce expenditures and increase savings.

General Manager

Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, FL
09.2020 - 09.2023
  • Launched 97 room boutique hotel with two food and beverage outlets on Fort Lauderdale Beach in January 2021
  • Responsible for all critical path milestones to include pre opening positioning, brand positioning, recruiting and on-boarding of opening staff in all departments
  • Oversight of all operational departments to include menu development and concepting outlets, sales and marketing, and public relations of Cambria Fort Lauderdale Beach
  • Create brand awareness and positioning for property in both revenue management and public relations outreach with monthly activations of catering, private dining and restaurants
  • Achieve market share penetration within 90 days of opening and maintained food cost of 32% and beverage cost of 21% thru world wide chain supply disruption
  • Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules and contract negotiations.
  • Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning
  • Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty
  • Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth
  • Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets
  • Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization

General Manager

Circ Hotel-Trust Hospitality
Hollywood, FL
07.2017 - 03.2020
  • Launched 111 room boutique hotel in downtown Hollywood, Florida opened in May 2018
  • Responsible for all critical path milestones to include concept development, brand positioning, recruiting and on-boarding of opening staff in all departments
  • Full profit and loss responsibility for revenues exceeding $10 million
  • Oversight of all operational departments, sales and marketing, and public relations of CIRC Hotel, Olivia Restaurant, and MUSE Rooftop Bar to include 125 associates
  • Create brand awareness and positioning for property in both revenue management and public relations outreach
  • Successfully led key projects which resulted in CIRC achieving marketshare within one year
  • Planned and executed curated art gallery showcasing art from South Florida artists in hotel public space
  • Boosted customer base, acquiring new customers and identifying needs to deliver relevant products
  • Tracked weekly sales to develop senior leadership reports for business development planning
  • Streamlined operational efficiencies by coordinating staff development and succession planning
  • Facilitated business initiative rollout, marketing strategy development and procurement of goods from vendors
  • Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty
  • Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures
  • Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems

Operations Executive

Task Force-Trust Hospitality
Bryan, Texas
04.2017 - 07.2017
  • Stella Hotel
  • Task force in Director of Rooms position which was 176 room hotel that opened in April 2017
  • Oversee daily operations for Housekeeping, Laundry, and Front Office
  • Implement Trust Hospitality Standard Operating Procedures, Chemical Training, Laundry Efficiencies, Guest Service and Valet training programs
  • Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations
  • Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow

Operations Executive

Task Force-Trust Hospitality
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
03.2017 - 04.2017
  • Zemi Beach Resort
  • Task force in Hotel Manager position for luxury 64 room boutique resort
  • Implementing and upgrading Housekeeping, Laundry, and Guest Service systems and departments

General Manager

Amara Cay Resort-Trust Hospitality
Islamorada, FL
02.2014 - 03.2017
  • Full profit and loss responsibility for upscale boutique resort generating more than $10 million in annual revenue
  • Presided over $20 million dollar renovation of all guest rooms, food and beverage outlets, public spaces, and exterior site
  • Responsible for all critical path milestones to relaunch including concept development, brand position, recruiting and on-boarding of opening staff in all departments
  • Designed all resort collateral, wrote and implement all service standards and operating standards
  • Maintained positive gross operating profit through renovation and relaunch
  • Key on site project manager during renovation, liaison between ownership, vendors, contractors, and management company
  • On boarded, trained, and developed an executive committee consisting of 6 members and 75 associates Launched Oltremare Ristorante, coastal Italian concept restaurant and lobby bar maintaining food cost at 32% and beverage cost of 22%
  • First restaurant in the Florida Keys to be recognized from the Florida Department of Agriculture as a "Fresh from Florida restaurant"
  • Wine Spectator Award recipient for 2016 as a new launch restaurant
  • Served as brand ambassador for Amara Cay Resort in target market, industry and mainstream media, and special events
  • Property profiled in major publications to include Travel Leisure, Conde Nast, Miami Herald, The Telegraph UK, The Sun UK, Montreal Gazette, Urban Daddy, Haute Living, Deco Drive, CNN Latin America, Telemundo
  • Maintain strong guest loyalty ranking in Top 5 of Islamorada Resorts February 2016:
  • Assumed responsibility for La Siesta Resort, a newly renovated 53 room property

Adjunct Professor

Florida Keys Community College
Islamorada, FL
08.2013 - 05.2014
  • Developed and taught class curriculum for Introduction to Hospitality 101 Developed and taught class curriculum for Hospitality Sales and Marketing 102 Offered continuing education courses to local professionals Member of Curriculum Advisory Committee.

General Manager

Hampton Inn and Suites/Outback Steakhouse-Economos Properties
Islamorada, FL
12.2008 - 02.2014
  • 79 room oceanfront hotel; 200 seat restaurant
  • Budget, Forecast, and Yield hotel to achieve both top dollar revenues and bottom line profit achieving GOP of 40%
  • Maintained top ranking with Smith Travel Research weekly and monthly while continuing to grow RevPar year over year
  • Directly solicited all sales and marketing leads
  • Handled all hiring, training, and retention of associates
  • Franchise representative for ownership and Outback Steakhouse at all meetings and conferences
  • Oversaw partnership with Outback Steakhouse in brand standards and menu roll outs on a six week rolling average
  • Ensured all brand standards and initiatives of Hilton Hotels were followed
  • On site liaison for the multi million dollar sale of the property in 2014 from private ownership to a public REIT
  • Designed sales and service strategies to improve revenue and retention

Education

Masters of Business Administration - Corporate Masters of Business

Florida International University
Miami, FL
2018

Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Administration

Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX
2000

Skills

  • Project management
  • Customer-oriented
  • Leadership/communication skills
  • Business Development
  • Staff Management
  • Leadership training
  • Profitability and revenue generation
  • Budgeting expertise
  • Product development/Branding Business operations organization
  • Employee relations
  • Organizational Restructure and Change
  • Financial controls implementation
  • Cost analysis and savings
  • Performance improvement
  • Relationship building
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication

Affiliations

  • Visit Florida Board of Directors Appointment Term Serving 2022-2026
  • Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Broward County Past President-Current
  • Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Broward County President-2019-2020
  • 2019 Business Woman of the Year, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
  • 2019 Best of Hollywood-Best Hotel, CIRC Hotel
  • Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Board of Trustee-Current
  • Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board Member
  • Marketing Committee of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau-Current
  • The Charity Guild of Fort Lauderdale-Current
  • Leadership Hollywood Class of 42 Graduate
  • Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Monroe County Vice Chair of Upper Keys-2012-2017
  • Past President, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2014
  • Monroe County Tourism Development Council, District IV Advisory Council 2012-2017
  • Leadership Monroe County Class of XXI Graduate 2013

Timeline

General Manager-Task Force

HEI Hotels
10.2023 - Current

Founder

KDL Hospitality-Consulting
09.2023 - Current

General Manager

Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach
09.2020 - 09.2023

General Manager

Circ Hotel-Trust Hospitality
07.2017 - 03.2020

Operations Executive

Task Force-Trust Hospitality
04.2017 - 07.2017

Operations Executive

Task Force-Trust Hospitality
03.2017 - 04.2017

General Manager

Amara Cay Resort-Trust Hospitality
02.2014 - 03.2017

Adjunct Professor

Florida Keys Community College
08.2013 - 05.2014

General Manager

Hampton Inn and Suites/Outback Steakhouse-Economos Properties
12.2008 - 02.2014

Masters of Business Administration - Corporate Masters of Business

Florida International University

Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Administration

Stephen F. Austin State University

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