Accomplished event planner with over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at The Country Club of Virginia. Expert in event execution and vendor coordination, known for creative planning and problem-solving. Proven track record in managing high-pressure situations and delivering exceptional guest experiences, utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for seamless project administration.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Event Planner & Designer | Owner, Favours by Design
Self-Employed
Sandston, Virginia
01.1998 - Current
Over 25 years of personal and freelance event planning experience, specializing in weddings, milestone celebrations, and social events.
Led full-cycle event planning, including theme/style selection, vision board creation, timeline development, vendor management, and on-site coordination.
Consulted with clients to develop personalized décor plans including linens, florals, and props; offered access to an exclusive inventory of event décor.
Negotiated and secured contracts with venues, caterers, photographers, DJs/musicians, florists, and other key vendors.
Managed pre-event rehearsals and vendor communications to ensure event day readiness.
Provided full-day-of supervision and coordination services, including setup, guest management, vendor direction, and troubleshooting.
Delivered highly customized event experiences through creative crafting, design expertise, and attentive communication.
Services included detailed timelines, budget planning, guest list oversight, site visits, and full-service execution support.
Known for flawless event execution, adaptability, and a calm, solutions-oriented presence under pressure.
AVP, Mortgage Servicing – Lien Release
Truist Bank
City, State
05.1993 - Current
Lead daily department operations and ensure seamless coordination across multiple teams and vendor partners—skills directly applicable to high-volume events and banquet environments.
Oversee internal and offshore support teams, acting as the central point of contact to ensure service consistency, timely execution, and client satisfaction.
Manage large-scale special projects, process improvements, and system rollouts—demonstrating strength in multitasking, detail management, and cross-team communication.
Train and mentor staff on systems, workflows, and customer service practices, similar to team development and service excellence in hospitality.
Solve complex client-facing challenges with professionalism and poise, ensuring positive outcomes and preserving long-term relationships.
Develop and manage SharePoint sites and databases to streamline team workflows—translatable to managing event checklists, timelines, and internal communication systems.
Utilize Microsoft Office Suite daily to produce schedules, reporting, and project documentation, aligning with administrative and planning functions in event execution.
Certified MERS Officer with a strong record of compliance and accountability—showcasing responsibility, integrity, and accuracy under pressure.
Trusted leaders are known for dependability, flexibility, and operational leadership, bringing the same professionalism and calm problem-solving to every event or guest experience.
Clubhouse Supervisor
The Country Club of Virginia (James River Clubhouse)
Richmond, Virginia
01.2010 - 01.2019
Oversaw front-of-house service staff, ensuring team adherence to high service standards during a la carte dining and private functions.
Coordinated with kitchen, event, and banquet teams to ensure seamless delivery of food, beverage, and service across multiple dining spaces.
Trained and mentored new team members on guest engagement, fine dining etiquette, and service recovery techniques.
Acted as manager on duty during peak service hours and special events, handling guest concerns and ensuring smooth operations.
Supported the planning and execution of high-end member events, strengthening skills in event logistics and hospitality leadership.
Assisted with the planning and execution of over 200 events annually, including weddings, corporate meetings, and VIP receptions.
Manage banquets for events, ensuring service standards, timing, and meeting client expectations.
Supervise team of banquet captains, servers, and support staff; oversee hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
Collaborate closely with culinary, and sales, to align event execution with client vision.
Streamlined event setup process, reducing turnover time between functions
Supervised day-to-day clubhouse dining and event operations at one of the premier private clubs in the region
Hostess / Server
The Country Club of Virginia (James River Clubhouse)
Richmond, Virginia
01.2006 - 01.2010
Provided fine dining service to club members and guests, upholding the club's exceptional hospitality standards.
Greeted guests, managed reservations, and coordinated seating for efficient dining flow.
Supported banquet events and private dining functions by delivering attentive, detail-driven service.
Communicated effectively with culinary and service teams to ensure flawless guest experiences.
Gained foundational knowledge in hospitality operations, event coordination, and outstanding service protocols.
Education
High School Diploma -
Thomas Jefferson
Richmond
06-1983
Skills
Event execution and planning
Banquet service coordination
Timeline management
On-site supervision
Guest experience management
Corporate and social events
Ceremony management
Leadership and operations
Staff training and supervision
Vendor coordination
Cross-functional leadership
Project administration
Offshore team oversight
Workflow management
Performance analysis
Problem solving and communication
Client relationship management
Conflict resolution strategies
High-pressure decision making
Event troubleshooting
Vendor resolution strategies
Technology tools proficiency
Microsoft Office Suite expertise
SharePoint development and management
database maintenance skills
POS systems knowledge (Micros, OpenTable, etc)
MERS certification (mortgage compliance)
Creative planning and design
theme styling and décor
event presentation skills
Floral and linen design expertise
decorative prop creation
Inventory coordination
Timeline
Clubhouse Supervisor
The Country Club of Virginia (James River Clubhouse)
01.2010 - 01.2019
Hostess / Server
The Country Club of Virginia (James River Clubhouse)
01.2006 - 01.2010
Freelance Event Planner & Designer | Owner, Favours by Design