Renee Hughes
Macomb,IL
Summary
Assistant Director with expertise in operational efficiency and team productivity enhancement. Proven ability to mentor staff, fostering leadership and maximizing performance. Strong background in operations planning, customer retention, and financial management, effectively collaborating with executives to drive results.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director of Residential Facilities
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois
05.2015 - Current
- Facilitated operations for student residences, serving as liaison between students and trades.
- Developed strategic plans to align with department goals and objectives.
- Established standards for customer service excellence across organization.
- Supervised recruitment processes, including candidate interviews and onboarding procedures.
- Created training programs for new hires to ensure effective integration.
- Formulated protocols for managing confidential information securely.
- Guided departmental staff in addressing customer complaints efficiently.
- Monitored staff performance, providing feedback and conducting annual evaluations.
Administrative Assistance - Legal Correspondence
Professional Swine Management
Carthage, USA
07.2010 - 05.2015
- Drafted legal contracts to ensure compliance and protect organizational interests.
- Managed databases to maintain accurate and accessible records.
- Developed presentations, reports, and documents to communicate key information effectively.
- Executed board meetings to facilitate strategic discussions and decision-making.
- Coordinated setup of webinars and teleconferences for stakeholder engagement.
- Created detailed reports to summarize project outcomes and recommendations.
- Prepared presentations to support board meeting agendas and objectives.
- Streamlined database management processes to enhance data retrieval efficiency.
Executive Assistant to the President/COO
Allied Blending and Ingredients
Keokuk, USA
12.2007 - 04.2008
- Conducted research and prepared statistical reports to support executive decision-making.
- Performed clerical functions, including preparation of correspondence and meeting agendas.
- Arranged logistics for meetings, conferences, and tradeshows, ensuring smooth operations.
- Coordinated travel and hotel accommodations for executives to facilitate business engagements.
Program & Event Coordinator II - Pfizer Account
Cardinal Health/Advogent
Piscataway, USA
05.2005 - 10.2007
- Planned venue details, audiovisual needs, and invitations for Pfizer events in Midwest Cardiovascular Territories.
- Coordinated logistics for speakers’ programs, including travel arrangements and hotel contracts.
- Ensured compliance with Pfizer Business Rules and all Service Level Agreements.
- Led team during management absence, training and mentoring new hires.
- Maintained adherence to all FDA Compliance regulations.
- Assisted with management projects, focusing on implementing new business practices.
Sales and Catering Manager
Aspen Meadows Resort a Dolce Property
Aspen, USA
05.2001 - 09.2003
- Implemented guidelines for creating and distributing Banquet Event Orders and Resumes.
- Organized weekly meetings to discuss Banquet Event Orders and Resumes.
- Collaborated on rewriting and selecting food items for redesigned Banquet/Catering Menu.
- Developed comprehensive Policy and Procedure Section for Banquet/Catering Menu.
- Created marketing packets for weddings and special events.
- Coordinated with photographers and graphic designers on catering marketing materials.
- Established community relationships to enhance customer database and target new markets.
- Managed logistics for Aspen Institute's Summer Lecture Series and Movie Nights.
Senior Conference, Special Events & Rodeo Manager
Silvertree Hotel and Conference Center LLC
Snowmass, USA
04.1999 - 05.2001
- Awarded Outstanding Sales/Conference Services/Reservation Representative at Silvertree Hotel for winter 1999-2000.
- Managed four largest accounts and all accounts of Director of Sales.
- Coordinated events, food and beverage, A/V, and room design to surpass client expectations.
- Established requirements for clients and VIPs while delegating tasks among departments.
- Designed off-property events, transportation logistics, ski ticket orders, and seasonal activities.
- Redesigned Banquet Menu format to improve presentation and clarity.
- Developed job descriptions and procedures for Conference Services Department to enhance efficiency.
- Managed ticket office operations, overseeing sales and distribution for all events.
Education
Masters of Science - Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL08.2010
Bachelors of Science - Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Managements
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg, PA05.1998
Skills
- Time management and organization
- Communication effectiveness
- Prioritization and Delegation of tasks
- Problem-solving skills
- Work ethic strength
- Excellence in customer service
- Management of relationships
- Detail-oriented approach
- Strategic planning capabilities
- Confidentiality management
- Training and staff development
- Evaluation of performance
- Drafting for legal compliance
- Coordination of programs
Certification
- Customer: Conflict and Confrontation
- Time Management: Setting Goals and Prioritizing Your Use of Time
- Making the Change
- Cardinal Health Gold Level
- Pfizer FDA Compliance
- Illinois Safety and Sanitations Certified
- Fred Pryor Seminars: Excel 2007 Beyond the Basics
Volunteer Experience
- PSM Employee Steering Committee Chair
- Volunteer NRPA Annual Congress 2009 - Volunteer
- Girl Scouts - Central Illinois
- Midsummer Art Faire, Quincy, IL
- Memorial Hospital – Moon Barn Dance
- Bob Califf Charity Fun Run
- Quincy Soup Kitchen
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl-A-Thone - Macomb
- Living Lands and Waters
- The Great Mississippi River Cleanup
- Nauvoo/Keokuk Site Coordinator
Qualification Profile
Professional, creative, results-proven event/program management professional offering over 7 years of experience in public relations, communications, customer service, and a comprehensive range of management in conference services, sales, marketing, and advertising., Decisive team player with outstanding communication skills, time management, prioritizing tasks, problem solving and uncompromising work ethic. Successful in streamlining processes to increase efficiency and improve service., Served as point of contact/liaison for diverse clients, vendors, speakers, and senior executives. Ample understanding of customer service and customer relationship building., Adept with Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio), Publisher, Smartdraw, and Adobe. Capable of managing complex telephone systems VPN, Cisco, and Avaya. Proficient in WebEx and Net Meeting., Excels at developing strong relationships with a diverse populace. Takes on multiple projects with attention to detail, highly organized, results-driven with a track record for meeting/exceeding expectations and adapts quickly to new/evolving environments. Provides leadership and guidance to team.
Affiliations
- Macomb Business Academy 2024
- Adult Mental Health First Aid Certified
- Title IX Certified
- Security Awareness Training
Timeline
Assistant Director of Residential Facilities
Western Illinois University
05.2015 - Current
Administrative Assistance - Legal Correspondence
Professional Swine Management
07.2010 - 05.2015
Executive Assistant to the President/COO
Allied Blending and Ingredients
12.2007 - 04.2008
Program & Event Coordinator II - Pfizer Account
Cardinal Health/Advogent
05.2005 - 10.2007
Sales and Catering Manager
Aspen Meadows Resort a Dolce Property
05.2001 - 09.2003
Senior Conference, Special Events & Rodeo Manager
Silvertree Hotel and Conference Center LLC
04.1999 - 05.2001
Masters of Science - Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration
Western Illinois University
Bachelors of Science - Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Managements
East Stroudsburg University
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