- Sharing travel tips, recommendations, and insights with fellow enthusiasts
- Music - drummer for 25 years
- Improv
- Hiking, biking, skiing, camping
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
Steven Plock
Chicago,IL
Summary
Accomplished management professional with 10+ years experience in live entertainment and hospitality. Proven effective leader and skilled in development and oversight of efficient, quality-oriented teams. Adept problem solver, employing creativity and innovation to overcome challenging and complex issues. Highly organized with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
The IO Theater
Chicago, IL
05.2022 - 12.2025
- Used institutional knowledge and experience to rebuild and re-open the theater, training center, corporate training, event sales, and food and beverage operations after a two and a half year closure and subsequent ownership change.
- Developed HR policies, payroll protocols, and all other operational systems from scratch for new ownership.
- Day-to-day financial analysis with a focus on finding opportunities for increased revenue and potential cost savings.
- Responsible for yearly P&L forecasting with month-to-month reviews with accounting and ownership teams
- Achieved profitability across three business units within two years of reopening.
- Managed a staff of 50+ people including a full-time management team, bartenders, servers, hosts, chefs, and box office.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, scheduling, payroll, and contract negotiations.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Developed and maintained positive working relationships with talent, client partners, customers, suppliers, and local officials through executive presence and responsibility.
- Created new programming and business opportunities that generated over $2 million dollars in revenue for the theater.
- Direct oversight of all operational functions within the building.
General Manager
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Jackson, WY
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Managed all aspects of one of the most famous honky tonk music venues in the world.
- Organized budgets, oversaw P&Ls and achieved margin targets consistently to stay on track with growth plans.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures and technology systems.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules and contract negotiations.
- Oversaw the safe and successful nightly operations to achieve the venue's most profitable year to date.
- Addressed customer complaints and feedback with immediate action, turning dissatisfied customers into loyal patrons.
Innkeeper
Bentwood Inn
Jackson, WY
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed daily operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and satisfaction.
- Developed marketing strategies to increase occupancy rates and attract diverse clientele.
- Implemented inventory control systems to optimize resource management and reduce costs.
- Developed strong relationships with local vendors for quality supplies and services at competitive prices.
- Conducted regular property inspections to maintain standards and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Coordinated special events, enhancing guest engagement and promoting community involvement.
Operations Manager
The IO Theater
Chicago, IL
02.2018 - 06.2020
- Processed bi-weekly payrolls for a staff of 200 people in both Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Responsible for daily bookkeeping and accounting related to nightly bar and kitchen sales and purchases.
- Assisted in all hiring and firing of employees ranging from nightly hosts and ushers through upper level management and media development.
- Managed all aspects of venue maintenance including roof repairs, plumbing, refrigeration, lighting and acoustics, landscaping, bar and kitchen maintenance, communications, and security.
- Responsible for billing and payment related to our global corporate clients, including Chase, Google, Facebook, ATKearny.
- Oversaw and worked closely with our creative director and marketing department to maintain a diverse schedule of shows with proficient marketing and media development.
Studio Musician
Pieholden Suite Sounds
Chicago, IL
05.2016 - 06.2020
- Performed drums and percussion on recordings.
- Collaborated efficiently with a varied group of songwriters and musicians to develop satisfactory recordings that met their desires.
- Practiced good time management and stayed conscious of artist expectations in dealing with time and studio limitations.
- Demonstrated a strong ability to adapt to changes and requests on the fly.
- Performed on national and international tours.
Improv Instructor
LEEP Forward
11.2016 - 05.2019
- Created a theatrical improv curriculum designed to help children with developmental differences build confidence and skills in communication, cooperation, creativity, and confidence.
- Led weekly classes of 3-7 children; teaching and illustrating specific acting and improvisation techniques.
- Helped foster a patient, calm, and supportive performance space for kids to feel comfortable being creative and free.
Bar Manager
The IO Theater
Chicago, IL
07.2015 - 02.2018
- Implemented entire bar and restaurant protocols from scratch when the venue moved locations in the summer of 2015 and quadrupled in size.
- Developed a simple yet sophisticated cocktail menu suitable for high speed service for 600 patrons. This led to increases in beverage revenue over our first three years, while maintaining consistent liquor cost.
- Supervised nightly staff of 30+ people including bartenders, servers, and food runners.
- Managed and kept POS system up to date.
- Kept staff trainings consistent and in regulation with laws and requirements including ServSafe and Basset guidelines.
- Handled all weekly product ordering and deliveries. Maintained good working relationships with sales reps from local breweries and distilleries.
House Manager
The IO Theater
01.2011 - 07.2015
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring smooth venue functionality and guest satisfaction.
- Managed staff scheduling, optimizing resource allocation and workflow efficiency.
- Developed training programs for new hires, fostering skill development and team cohesion.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - News Editorial Journalism
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL08-2010
Skills
- Risk analysis and management
- Operations management
- Policies and Procedures Implementation
- Staff management
- Customer relations specialist
- Superb time management skills
- Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Toast, TripleSeat, AudienceView, TicketWeb, Canva, basic HTML, basic video and audio editing
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Team Leadership
- Unsurpassed work ethic
- Basic Spanish
Interests
Timeline
Managing Director
The IO Theater
05.2022 - 12.2025
General Manager
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
01.2021 - 05.2022
Innkeeper
Bentwood Inn
08.2020 - 01.2021
Operations Manager
The IO Theater
02.2018 - 06.2020
Improv Instructor
LEEP Forward
11.2016 - 05.2019
Studio Musician
Pieholden Suite Sounds
05.2016 - 06.2020
Bar Manager
The IO Theater
07.2015 - 02.2018
House Manager
The IO Theater
01.2011 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Arts - News Editorial Journalism
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign