Melissa Chiella
Truckee,CA
Summary
Seasoned professional knowledgeable about operations, field work guiding, destination knowledge - offering efficient management, team leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Enate ability in maximizing resources to meet challenging demands. Forward thinking empathetic leader with excellent multitasking abilities.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Operations
Bindlestiff Tours
Las Vegas, Nevada
12.2021 - Current
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing new tours and North America based destinations.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific regions.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Implemented strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company destinations and brands.
- Promoted products, increasing new brands, and market share.
- Successfully improved employment turnover through creating incentive and training programs.
- Communicated clear and consistent messages regarding departmental goals to produce desired results.
- Negotiated quotes with suppliers and brands ensuring best value pricing options were secured.
Wilderness Field Guide
Alaska Alpine Adventures
Anchorage, Alaska
05.2017 - 09.2021
- Researched site history and environmental conditions to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction and commentary.
- Displayed strong public speaking skills and communication abilities to facilitate highest quality tour for guests.
- Worked swiftly to handle and resolve emergency situations to create safe environment for guests and team members.
- Recognized hazardous situations and took appropriate action to ensure participant safety.
- Organized and led wilderness excursions for up to 10 people.
- Instructed participants in basic outdoor skills such as camp setup, navigation, and Leave No Trace principles.
- Provided educational instruction on native flora, fauna, and ecology.
General Manager
Evergreen Escapes
San Francisco, CA
10.2015 - 04.2017
- Coordinated training activities for employees to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures - DOT standards.
- Developed marketing strategies designed to increase brand awareness within target markets for a new location start up.
- Established relationships with hospitality to obtain new clients.
- Conducted regular meetings with senior management team to review progress against established objectives.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery, as well as maintained all online reviews.
- Oversaw product development initiatives from concept through completion stages.
- Conducted market research to identify trends, opportunities, and threats in the industry.
Tour Guide
Intrepid Travel, Peak Adv Travel / Trek America
San Francisco, CA
04.2010 - 10.2015
- Maintained a positive attitude and enthusiasm when interacting with guests.
- Assisted in the preparation of tour materials including informational handouts, maps, brochures and other documents.
- Followed safety protocols at all times while guiding guests through the tour areas.
- Inspected vehicles before each trip departure in order to ensure they were safe for use during the tour. DOT requirements.
- Organized and conducted daily tours for groups of up to 13 people.
- Developed guest relationships to achieve high level of satisfaction.
- I described tour points of interest (National Parks, monuments, and cities across the USA) to group members, responding to questions and inquiries.
- Guided tour from 3 days up to 28 days - driving and maintaining vehicle safety, camping equipment and organization of the tour.
Education
LLM - Master of Law - Law
Baruch College
New York, NY12-2009
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies & Business
Dowling College
Bohemia, NY12-2003
Skills
- Business management
- Operations oversight
- Strategic planning and execution
- Brand development and management
- Staff scheduling and management
- Problem-solving abilities
- Recruitment, hiring & leadership training
- Risk management
- Product development
- Problem-solving
- Empathy & Awareness
- Cross-functional team management
- Experienced Backpack Guide / Multi Day Guide in the Wilderness
- Destination Knowledge throughout the USA, Canada including AK
- Guided tours in 26 US National Parks
Certification
- Leave No Trace
- Avalanche AIARE II
- Wilderness First Responder - CPR & First Aid
- Commercial Driver - CA Class B
- CA, NY and AK Food Handlers - front & backcountry
- California Certified Naturalist
Affiliations
- Well traveled, visiting 69 countries
- Abroad programs doing home stays, and teaching English in Nepal
- Cooking, Bikram Yoga and Outdoor Sports - skiing, mountain biking & backpacking
Timeline
Director of Operations
Bindlestiff Tours
12.2021 - Current
Wilderness Field Guide
Alaska Alpine Adventures
05.2017 - 09.2021
General Manager
Evergreen Escapes
10.2015 - 04.2017
Tour Guide
Intrepid Travel, Peak Adv Travel / Trek America
04.2010 - 10.2015
LLM - Master of Law - Law
Baruch College
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies & Business
Dowling College
Similar Profiles
Abigail GibsonAbigail Gibson
Finance and Human Resources Specialist at Landmark Educational Tours, GoBlueTours, Juniper ToursFinance and Human Resources Specialist at Landmark Educational Tours, GoBlueTours, Juniper Tours
Priyanka DasPriyanka Das
Guia Turistica at Buggy Tours, La Palma Free tours, Hello La PalmaGuia Turistica at Buggy Tours, La Palma Free tours, Hello La Palma
BASID HAMDULEBASID HAMDULE
Head of Operations at NABA TOURS LLC / NABA TOURS HOLIDAYS LLPHead of Operations at NABA TOURS LLC / NABA TOURS HOLIDAYS LLP
Sonja ShumakeSonja Shumake
Bartender, Shift Lead at TremigoBartender, Shift Lead at Tremigo
Violet MckenzieViolet Mckenzie
Game Master at Elevation Escape TahoeGame Master at Elevation Escape Tahoe