Tammy Kohl Gallaher
Winter Garden,FL
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented professional with over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing as a General Manager for renowned brands including Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, and Hyatt Place. Possesses a robust work ethic complemented by strong analytical and critical thinking skills, fostering integrity and dependability in all endeavors. Exceptional communication abilities and proven leadership qualities drive successful guest relations, strategic initiatives, and effective employee mentoring. Committed to delivering outstanding results while cultivating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Hyatt Place Orlando Lake Buena Vista
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Manage daily overall hotel operations. Reviews, training, and schedules.
- Implement operational strategies and effectively build customer and employee loyalty.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
General Manager
Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando IDr/Convention Ctr
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Assist with budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules and contract negotiations.
- Develop and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures and technology systems.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Reduced costs, managed delivery schedules and performed risk analysis to improve overall profitability.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and costs.
Opening General Manager
Courtyard Orlando South Concord Hospitality
10.2014 - 09.2021
- Courtyard by Marriott Orlando South- Orlando, FL. Proud to have been selected as pre-opening General Manager for Concord Hospitality's first hotel in Orlando FL.
- Successfully hired and maintained charter team members.
- Many associates including supervisors & managers promoted within Concord.
- Mentor for both new and transitioning General Managers including Assistant General Managers.
- Received both Gold and Silver awards with Marriott International.
- Received Concord awards for opening hotel of the Year 2015, hotel of the year 2016, Food and Beverage excellence 2017.
- Provided staff members with support and training to achieve top guest satisfaction.
- Review business strategies and develop procedures to improve quality and efficiency of operations. while controlling expenses.
- Manage, train, motivate back and front-of-house employees to always be improving knowledge and abilities within hotel departments.
- Ensure that each guest's experience is positive, memorable and consistent.
- Work directly with departments managers and supervisors to achieve positive P&L flow.
- Work hand in hand with revenue manager to achieve optimum OCC, ADR, and RevPAR. Sales expertise to include one yield vs. two with aggressive revenue goals.
- Involved with day to day revenue and sales strategy with top clients including our largest partner Darden restaurant group.
General Manager
Courtyard By Marriott UCF Orlando East
01.2000 - 09.2014
- Foster strong working relationships with all hotel departments.
- Direct daily activities of 35+ staff members.
- Constantly looking to improve customer service ratings through setting department goals, one on one meetings with staff and attention to detail.
- Assist in development of yearly operating budget year over year.
- Maintain accounts payable/receivable records and balances including direct bill accounts.
- Uphold and manage Marriott brand standards in conjunction with management and ownership expectations.
- Direct and coordinate all renovation procedures for two major renovations including the transition into Courtyard refreshing business concept and full room renovations.
- Continually establish many long lasting relationships with guests and vendors.
Operations Manager
Courtyard By Marriott UCF Orlando East
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Monitor schedules for all departments 40+ staff members.
- Recruit, hire and train new employees for all positions.
- Empower all associates to maximize guest satisfaction.
- Implement marketing and sales effort with Sales coordinator.
- Work closely with food department in effort to continuously reduce food costs.
- Support General Manager with cost control to maintain house profit margins.
- Identify inefficiencies and make recommendations for process improvements.
Skills
- Accounts payable, accounts receivable, attention to detail, budget, cost control, inventory control, customer service
- Micros, Microsoft Office, POS, Webvue, Kronos, Targetvue, Ultipro, M3, ProfitSword, Hotel Effectiveness and ServSafe certified
- Problem solving, procedure development, troubleshooting, organized, staff training and development
Accomplishments
- Garnered 9.0 stars out of 10 in customer satisfaction scores on Booking.com. 9.4 out of 10 in customer satisfaction on Hotels.com.
- Diamond nominated General manager with Marriott two years in a row. Ranked 55 out of 351 hotels on Tripadvisor.com Maintain positive guest satisfaction scores within Marriott's GSS rating system. Rated within the Top 10-15% of GSS for Courtyard brand for three years.
- Hire and promote several employees who went on to be further successful within the Company.
- Maintain high profile accounts both public and private. Proud to have accommodated politicians, athletes, recording artists and actors.
- Task force team member for several Courtyards in the Midwest including the Chicago downtown location and Chicago O'Hare. 1989-1996.
Career Pause
CAREER PAUSE
Personal Health Sabbatical
August, 2024 – August 2025
Took time to focus on recovery and personal development. During this period, I maintained professional engagement through online hospitality news, updates and with my colleagues throughout. I am now fully prepared to return to the workforce.
Timeline
General Manager
Hyatt Place Orlando Lake Buena Vista
01.2023 - 07.2024
General Manager
Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando IDr/Convention Ctr
01.2022 - 01.2023
Opening General Manager
Courtyard Orlando South Concord Hospitality
10.2014 - 09.2021
General Manager
Courtyard By Marriott UCF Orlando East
01.2000 - 09.2014
Operations Manager
Courtyard By Marriott UCF Orlando East
01.1997 - 01.2000
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