Michael Truesdell
Kalama,WA
Summary
High-performing Manager/leader with many years of experience delivering successful improvements for business operations, profitability and team development. Resourceful project manager and compliance specialist to thrive in fast-paced and changing environments. Dedicated to sustaining operational accuracy and delivering results for optimal profitability and team success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager
University Place Hotel - Portland State University
Portland
05.2022 - Current
- Managing daily operations of a 234-room hotel featuring 10 conference and event spaces, a full-service restaurant and bar (Viking House Bar & Grill), and in-house catering services
- University Place Hotel is part of the Portland State University Auxiliary Services, providing event services, food services, and overnight accommodations to guests, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and the community at large
- Directly supervising the departmental leadership teams of: maintenance, housekeeping, front desk, banquets, marketing, janitorial and the restaurant/Bar
- Manage union classified, unclassified employees along with student team members
- Focusing on projects to improve the guest experience by: revitalizing a 50+ year old property within PSU capital plans, financial and labor budgets, and seasonal service constraints, increasing cleanliness, developing customer service protocols, and improving amenities such as the complimentary breakfast, fitness center, and seasonal pool
- Additionally, tapping my extensive network to recruit management team members to advance the restaurant, which transitioned from outsourced operations (from 2004-2021) to being directly operated by PSU, shortly before my tenure began
- This management team has solidified the mission, vision, brand, and value proposition of the restaurant operation; instituting cohesive food and beverage menus, policies and procedures, hiring, onboarding, and training and development of team members including classified cooking and bartending staff, and local and international student employees
- Expanding operations to 7 days per week, including weekend brunches, and seasonal poolside patio service; instituting marketing campaigns to the local area and Portland State University
- Revamping our catering menu and services to better meet the needs of our various stakeholders.
Managing Partner
Multiple Locations
Longview, WA
08.2019 - 04.2022
- Part Owner of Multiple Locations included: The Office 842-Martini Bar, The Triangle Tavern, and The Silver Star-Sports Bar and Grill
- Concurrent management of all locations, focused on profit and loss reporting, profitability, staffing, marketing, and food quality
- My highest priorities were: safety, communication, and culture
- Spearheaded the expansion into catering services at The Silver Star location
- Managed 300+ employees and had much success in increasing sales and profitability.
General Manager/Training General Manager
Red Robin
Vancouver, WA
07.2014 - 08.2019
- Managed operation of a $5.1m location
- Responsible for all key performance indicators including: cost of goods, labor, employee turnover, cash flow, revenue, sales, and marketing
- Supervised a local team of 5 managers, 2 shift supervisors and 110 employees, while training over 40 managers for locations throughout the company.
General Manager/Training Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
Multiple OR/WA locations
06.2011 - 07.2014
- Managed the local franchise’s flagship Downtown Portland location where I developed loyalty programs
- Worked on the marketing and planning of 25 company restaurants, cooperating with local businesses to co-market for expansion areas
- Trained 30+ mangers for the company
- Increased sales 5% and profits 12%
Operations Director
Burgerville
Vancouver, WA
07.2008 - 06.2011
- Responsible for all company operations and development of multiple restaurants, including profitability, training, and systems and product development
- Notably brought the Salmon Creek location out of the red and $110k over prior year bottom line in an 8-month period; bringing beer and wine into that location and instituting all necessary systems for this product expansion while conforming to government and company policies and training of employees.
General Manager
Applebee's
Longview, WA
08.1998 - 06.2008
- Responsible for all functions of a $3.6m restaurant
- Supervised and oversaw 4 managers, 2 key-hourly managers, and 77 crew members
- Responsible for guest relations, quality control, management development, supervision of all team members and staffing levels, ordering and fulfillment of food, beverage, and supply needs.
Education
B.S.- Business Administration/Psychology -
Portland State University
A.S.- General Studies -
Lower Columbia College
Skills
- Development and analysis of KPI, P&L and Budget Controls
- Union Relations
- Supervise staff at multiple locations
- Vendor Relations and contacts
- Ensures monitoring and reporting processes document continuous compliance to standard work
- Fosters a culture of continuous process improvement
- Developing, assessing, revising the departmental strategic plan annually
- Fosters a culture of continuous process improvement
- Manages recruitment and hiring processes to ensure optimum fit between employee and employee’s job
- Developing a comprehensive employee training program that increases capabilities, quality, service, and productivity
Professional Highlights
- Cowlitz Couty Sheriff’s Reserves Deputy for 3 years
- Managed staff ranging from 25 to 320 employees including training and development programs focused on customer service, sales, and labor cost controls.
- As a Training General Manager – Lead and developed training stores in onboarding, advancement, and ongoing evolution of the company. Oriented new management team members into the culture, while training company processes, systems, and leadership skills to fill management positions across multiple locations.
- Worked with vendors from small, locally-owned companies, to broadline national distributors for maintenance and supply chain management, including negotiation of contracts and supervision of expected deliverables.
- Challenged various restaurants’ growth potential resulting in peak revenues ranging from $1.6 to $7.2 million.
- Highest Customer Service Award Red Robin
- General Manager of the Year Award, Applebee’s.
- Member of President’s Council at Applebee’s. meeting directly with other top performing General Managers and executive management, to discuss and implement plans for company’s future.
Accomplishments
- General Manger of the year
- New Store Openings
Timeline
Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager
University Place Hotel - Portland State University
05.2022 - Current
Managing Partner
Multiple Locations
08.2019 - 04.2022
General Manager/Training General Manager
Red Robin
07.2014 - 08.2019
General Manager/Training Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
06.2011 - 07.2014
Operations Director
Burgerville
07.2008 - 06.2011
General Manager
Applebee's
08.1998 - 06.2008
B.S.- Business Administration/Psychology -
Portland State University
A.S.- General Studies -
Lower Columbia College
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