Virginia Johnson
Houston,TX
Summary
Knowledgeable Catering Director with robust background in managing high-volume events and ensuring client satisfaction. Proven track record of overseeing seamless operations, from initial planning to final execution, resulting in successful and memorable events. Demonstrated expertise in team leadership and vendor coordination, consistently delivering high-quality catering services.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Catering & Tournaments
Northgate Country Club & Walden Golf Club on Lake Conroe
03.2020 - 08.2025
- Hands-on approach to all aspects of the Events Department including selling, planning, organizing and managing all events.
- Follow up with clients and members focusing on revenue generation.
- Actively handled the Food & Beverage Director position to train up a Manager for promotion to the position
- Direct relationship with booking clients to plan event and coordinate
- Booked and executed Weddings on an annual basis of 25 – 32 weddings per annum
- Increased Catering sales revenue between 25% and 30% annually during tenure
- Curated Catering menus with Executive Chef input to ensure COGS at a maximum of 21%
- Built out Bar Packages and pricing to ensure COGS at a maximum of 9%
- Developed and maintained relationships with members to cultivate Member sponsored events and referrals
- Responsible for developing relationships with outside businesses to grow Private Event business
- Worked closely with Marketing Department to create strategies and targeted campaigns ensuring increase in revenue and sales
- Annual review of competitor offerings maintaining an edge in the industry
- Responsible for creating and maintaining annual budget plus bi-weekly forecasting to ensure profitability in the Food & Beverage Department.
- Responsible for all Member Event Planning and budgeting
- Active N.A.C.E. membership and Chamber memberships for networking.
- Supervised Event staff and FOH Food & Beverage staff
- Concert Golf Partners
- Trained and mentored catering staff, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability within the team.
- Led strategic planning for catering operations, enhancing service delivery and client satisfaction.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement and teamwork in delivering exceptional service to clients.
- Conducted post-event evaluations with clients to gather feedback on services provided, identifying areas for improvement or potential upselling opportunities.
Director of Catering & Events
Raveneaux Country Club
11.2017 - 02.2020
- Acting Food & Beverage Director
- Hands-on approach to all aspects of the Events Department.
- Direct relationship with booking clients to plan event and coordinate
- Booked and executed Weddings on an annual basis of 25 – 32 weddings at an average cost of 21% aiding in the profitability of the Food & Beverage department
- Developed and maintained relationships with repeat business booking monthly sales meetings for several clients in the area
- Redesigned and created all menus and pricing structure used in Events Department increasing the profit margin from 50% to 80% on Outside Events
- Responsible for Profit/Loss statements on all Events including Member Events
- Responsible for tracking and forecasting sales numbers for the General Manager’s budgetary use
- Responsible for Managing and creating annual budgets
- Directly planned and executed all Member Events at the Club
- Developed and maintained relationships with Membership to ensure Member Retention
- Created new Member Events for monthly the Club engaging Members to participate in more Club Events doubling Food & Beverage revenue within the Membership category
- Developed and maintained relationships with vendors cutting costs to enhance profitability
- Directed a staff of 3 within the Events Department and all Food & Beverage Staff
- Developed and maintained relationships with co-workers at the Club ensuring seamless execution of all events.
Private Events Manager & Coordinator
Peli Peli Restaurant Group
04.2012 - 06.2017
- Solely responsible for Booking and Execution of all on-premise Private and Semi-Private Events at all four locations, with inquiries into two upcoming locations.
- Respond to all information requests within a two-hour time frame.
- Direct contact with guest to determine exact wants and needs.
- Customize menus and Beverage lists for events. Ordering appropriate liquor and wine for events keeping on-hand inventory extremely low, controlling costs.
- Creation and execution of Banquet Event Orders and Contracts.
- Correspondence with Kitchen Manager regarding weekly events and menus.
- Weekly Floor Manager Meeting to review staffing needs for booked events.
- Present on-site for all major events to oversee proper execution of events including Bar management, food expediting and touching base with host throughout event.
- Preparation and supervision of final bill for host.
- Tracking of Overall sales, as well as sales by location.
- Accurate Calendar of Upcoming Events and Inquiries reducing double-bookings.
- Doubled Monthly Event Sales from predecessor.
- Customized Private Super Bowl weekend events at Galleria Location including Media Coverage.
- Launched Happy Hour Events at Peli Peli location in the Esperson Building Downtown Houston.
- Revamped Happy Hour Program for all full-sized Peli Peli locations.
- Revamped Private Events Program company-wide stream-lining costs and increasing profit-margin on overhauled menu options.
- Assisted Outside Catering Department in the complete creation of the Division from Menus to working events.
- Designed and sourced Custom logo-etched Crystal Champagne and Wine Glass sets to serve as Thank You gifts eliminating $100 Gift Cards left open damaging P/L statement.
Co-founder and General Manager
In Company, LLC
12.1998 - 03.2009
- Created 52-SKU Product line from Product Formulation to Packaging and Design.
- Includes eight Facial Care products, five Baby Care products, 25 Skin Care products, and five Home Fragrance products.
- Recruitment and supervision of employees, performance reviews and compensation packages.
- Created and monitored operating budget and constraints for a five-year plan projecting growth of over 150% per year.
- Created and maintained database for tracking profit margins, sales and sales projections.
- Developed procedures for production control, inventory control and shipping.
- Developed manufacturing procedures for two in-house production lines of soap and candles. Established manufacturing relationship with filling contractors for bulk production of bottled product.
- Hands-on participation in Gift Industry Trade Shows. Designed and worked booths personally while cultivating relationships with Sales Rep Groups nationally.
- Developed and maintained business relationships with Key Customer Accounts including Nordstroms. Personally trained each stores’ sales associates.
- Designed website, brochure and mailers including photography.
- Maintenance of Accounting Program, including inventory control, journal entries, month-end and year-end closings, bank reconciliations, financial statements, and tax and payroll filings.
- Established strong banking relationships for financing purposes. Actively and successfully recruited investors.
- Bath, Body and Personal Care Manufacturer
Director of Operations
Richard S. Smith, Inc/Department 56
07.1993 - 12.1998
- Maintained all accounting functions, including A/P, AIR, journal entries, month-end journal entries, and year-end entries and closings.
- Responsible for profits of Los Angeles and San Francisco Showroom Operations. Achieved profitability in excess of $100,000 in first year.
- Responsible for financial and tax reporting, cash management, accounting, financial relations, and payroll filings.
- Developed and implemented a Departmental Budgeting system. Achieved reduction of operational expenses of over 15% in first year.
- Developed and implemented cash management systems and purchasing controls.
- Created monthly detailed sales and financial reports specifically for the President, effectively decreasing length of progress meetings.
- Designed monthly sales progress reports and commission statements for outside sales reps, managing data for up to twenty product lines including Department 56, Inc. The basis of our year-end goal-oriented bonus structure depended on these reports and statements.
- Responsible for all Human Resources functions, including payroll, benefits, grievances, handbooks, safety regulations and continuing education.
- Payroll Administration using ADP E-Pay, part of a national test group readying for At>P Internet Payroll Project, using multiple job categories and departmental categories. Project led the into the current online Payroll standard.
- Responsible for all Company computer equipment, maintenance of hardware and software including Department 56 mandated AS400 system.
- Established electronic data-link with Department 56, successfully reducing labor costs in excess of $40,000 annually.
- Developed and maintained database system to monitor orders, invoicing and commission payments from manufacturers and to sales reps.
- Manufacturer’s Rep Group
Education
Biology & Chemistry
The George Washington University
Washington, DCMarketing and Accounting
University of California
Los Angeles, CASkills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Jonas Club Software
- Clubessential Software
- Northstar Club Management
- Cvent Software
- Food safety compliance
- Menu development
- Event planning proficiency
- Food safety
- Staff leadership
Timeline
Director of Catering & Tournaments
Northgate Country Club & Walden Golf Club on Lake Conroe
03.2020 - 08.2025
Director of Catering & Events
Raveneaux Country Club
11.2017 - 02.2020
Private Events Manager & Coordinator
Peli Peli Restaurant Group
04.2012 - 06.2017
Co-founder and General Manager
In Company, LLC
12.1998 - 03.2009
Director of Operations
Richard S. Smith, Inc/Department 56
07.1993 - 12.1998
Marketing and Accounting
University of California
Biology & Chemistry
The George Washington University