Michael Luyten
Portland
Summary
Results-oriented leader with a strong background in business development and team management. Successfully increased occupancy from 63% to 98%, earning recognition for high performance and fiscal fitness. Expertise in negotiation and marketing strategies, ready to apply skills in data analysis to drive sales growth and operational excellence.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Relations Director
Truewood by Merrill Gardens
Vancouver
11.2021 - 08.2025
- The Community Relations Director has authority to bind the company in matters of resident agreements, is responsible for maintaining a desired census, communicating with family members regarding financial matters, communicating and interacting with the outside community, conducting marketing programs, planning and implementing yearly budgets, creating and planning marketing events, designing and creating marketing brochures, speaking before groups, assisting with family issues and resolutions, working with referral agencies, organizations and institutions, and completing and maintaining admission records.
- Drove occupancy increase from 63% to 98% through strategic marketing and community engagement.
- Instilled a 'one team one dream' vision within the community team bringing all departments together to take our community up to the top 2% in the company in revenue and occupancy.
- Supervised and collaborated with marketing assistants and active living directors to enhance community relations.
- Received high occupancy award in 2024 for outstanding performance among 72 communities nationwide.
- Recognized in 2023 as 'Most Fiscally Fit' community within Merrill Gardens portfolio for exceptional fiscal responsibility.
- Coordinated with maintenance staff to ensure apartment availability and maintain community standards.
- Evaluated potential senior living residents to determine community fit, exercising discretion and judgment.
Director of Chamber Relations & Partnership
Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce
Beaverton
04.2014 - 11.2021
- This key and face-forward position is vital to the success of Chamber.
- Strengthened organizational foundation through active partnership and membership engagement.
- Focused on business and relationship development, achieving partnership and membership goals, and enhancing chamber programming to provide value for partners and members.
- Developed and executed strategies for new partnership and membership sales, emphasizing retention efforts to strengthen organizational growth.
- Obtain corporate and supporting sponsorships for Chamber events/programs/website.
- Designed and implemented new non-dues revenue programs, including annual sponsorship sales for website, luncheons, and after-hours events.
- Works with event contractors on the community expo, golf scramble and business summit – manages sponsorship relations & volunteers.
- Hosts Chamber 101 with the President, the new partner showcase in January/February.
- Maintains Membership sections of beaverton.org.
- Reviewed current programs regularly to enhance partner and member benefits, ensuring ongoing value delivery.
- Suggest and implement strategies to increase active participation in current programs.
- Writing for and participation in the content of the weekly newsletter, Business Beat eNews
- Manage & Supervise Staff Committees: Ambassadors (Team of 25 Ambassadors), Direct Connect (20 Team members)
- The ideal person is a high energy, polished, professional with excellent relationship building and customer service skills.
- This position works directly with the President and other team members to ensure a healthy, active and growing organization.
Outside Sales Manager
Elephants Catering & Events
Portland
- Executed targeted marketing strategies that enhanced sales of products and services to current and prospective clients.
- Establishes and maintains customer relationships and identifying customer needs in order to grow profitable sales and achieve sales goals.
- Focused sales calls and visits on building community partnerships that aligned with company goals and supported charitable organizations.
- Hosted company booths and prospecting new business relationships at various community events in the Portland metro area, including the Portland Rose Festival and Bravo! wedding show.
- Helped grow the catering division of Elephants Catering from 1.2 million per year to just over 10 million per year.
- Assists clients through entire purchasing process including rate comparisons and coordination of event logistics.
- Evaluates and addresses client issues and informs team of specific interventions needed to ensure processes are perfected for future events.
- Calculates budget and financial acumen for venue site and creates data-based marketing strategies.
- Manage a team of 30 plus staff members.
- Collaborated with team to implement improved techniques in logistics, marketing, communication, and problem-solving, enhancing overall client experience.
Event, Venue & Sales Manager
Elephants Catering & Events
Beaverton
- Provided guidance to venue clients to ensure successful event planning.
- Assists clients through entire event planning process including rate comparisons, customer expectations, and coordination of event logistics.
- Evaluates and addresses client issues and informs team of specific instructions needed to ensure processes are perfected for future events.
- Established a reputation for proactively identifying client needs, leading to increased satisfaction.
- Delivered exceptional customer service to enhance client experiences.
- Independently manages all client details with little or no supervision.
- Created and manages protocols and procedures for venue operations.
- Implements processes to ensure adherence with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
- Assessed staff requirements for events to optimize resources and control client costs.
- Ability to react to various situations that may arise to create a flawless presentation during event.
- Actively participates in team dynamics to promote positive representation of company while supporting the mission of the institution.
- Coordinated independent project management to support team unity across remote locations.
- Leveraged deep understanding of company history and service flexibility to assist clients.
- Collaborates with team to consistently apply improved techniques to logistics, marketing, communication, and problem-solving within client experience.
Athletic Program Coordinator
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD)
Beaverton
- Administered and managed athletic programs offered by facility in collaboration with team members, enhancing participant engagement.
- Coordinated recreation/athletic programs, scheduling, and communication in high-volume atmosphere, ensuring smooth operations and participant satisfaction.
- Solely developed tryout processes, organized teams within community, and created practice schedules for 150+ teams.
- Identified educational and social needs of athletic program participants to ensure program effectiveness goals were met.
- Compiled analysis reports, maintained records, and reviewed program expenditures to assess budget impacts.
- Secured donations and sponsorships from community to support special programs and promoted events within THPRD and affiliates, increasing community involvement.
- Conducted research, public relations, and resource development with community and local government organizations.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised 25-30 seasonal, part-time, and volunteer staff to provide exemplary customer service in all patron interactions.
Realtor/New Home Site Sales Manager
Cypress Marketing Group
Beaverton
- Managed new home construction sites, overseeing sales, scheduling, planning, and coordination between builder and home buyer to ensure timely project completion.
- Assisted clients with the home-buying process by serving as a guide through loan and escrow progression to ensure a smooth transition into new home.
- Ensure sales goals were met by negotiating upgrades and new home sales price.
- Marketed new home construction sites to the public as well as home buying agencies.
- Communicated with home-buyers to ensure a realistic and positive outcome with their new home.
- Collaborated with construction contractor and verified home building process was complete within strict timeline.
- Maintained detailed records to include cost-analysis and State of Oregon home buying contracts as well as weekly sales reports to investors.
- Purchased foreclosed homes for investors and directed all aspects of remodel, including building repairs, plumbing, landscaping, and interior renovations to enhance property value.
Senior Account Manager
Swagelok Marketing Group
Portland
- Recruited by Swagelok to manage largest account, Intel Corporation due to extraordinary success in previous account management positions.
- Marketed and sold high-tech components and equipment to Intel Corporation.
- Implemented and exceeded quarterly sales goals while developing innovative promotional strategies to attract new clients.
- Consistently exceeded sales goals by 10-30% by building client relationships and rapport.
- Achieved highest customer satisfaction ratings by fostering strong relationships with clients and personnel.
- Directed 30+ sales accounts while overseeing product distribution, on-site inventories, and working with company owners/engineers on modern product designs.
- Designed and delivered training programs for new clients on the installation and usage of Swagelok devices.
- Built trust with clients through consistent delivery of reliable products and excellent service.
Skills
- Team Management
- Event Coordination
- Negotiation/Persuasion
- Business Relationships
- Conflict Resolution
- Assessing Client Needs
- Customer Service
- Marketing Strategies
- Policy analysis
- Data Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Multiple Project Management
- Organizational skills
- Attention to Detail
- Team Dynamics
- Team building
- Excellent Communication
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Superior Judgment
References
References available upon request
Personal Information
Title: Director of Sales and Marketing
Timeline
Community Relations Director
Truewood by Merrill Gardens
11.2021 - 08.2025
Director of Chamber Relations & Partnership
Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce
04.2014 - 11.2021
Outside Sales Manager
Elephants Catering & Events
Event, Venue & Sales Manager
Elephants Catering & Events
Athletic Program Coordinator
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD)
Realtor/New Home Site Sales Manager
Cypress Marketing Group
Senior Account Manager
Swagelok Marketing Group