Gifford Hwa

• Marketed and managed short-term rentals on Airbnb, overseeing guest communications, booking logistics, and ensuring positive guest experiences.
• Maintained property conditions by performing minor repairs and servicing fixtures and appliances; contracted professional cleaners and handymen as needed for specialized tasks.
• Turned over units efficiently between guests, preparing clean, welcoming spaces with fresh linens and stocked supplies.
• Listed properties on platforms such as Zillow for long-term rentals; screened applicants for credit and background history to ensure qualified tenancy.
• Collected security deposits and monthly rent; enforced lease terms by posting legal notices (e.g., 5-Day Pay or Quit) when necessary.
• Conducted detailed move-in and move-out inspections to document property condition and resolve disputes fairly.
• Coordinated large-scale repairs and capital improvements through a trusted network of real estate attorneys, contractors, and vendors.
• Ensured compliance with local rent stabilization ordinances (RSO), adjusting rents appropriately for new and existing tenants.

• Led over 70 signage projects for American Eagle across multiple locations, consistently achieving an 18% average portfolio margin.
• Managed end-to-end project lifecycles—from planning and procurement to installation and closeout—while adhering to strict deadlines and budget constraints.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with contractors, reducing overall costs and minimizing return visits through quality assurance and proactive communication.
• Collaborated closely with senior leadership and clients to troubleshoot challenges, resolve delays, and deliver on high-priority objectives in fast-paced retail environments.

• Interpreted architectural site plans to qualify commercial kitchen equipment needs, ensuring proper sizing, layout, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Negotiated equipment pricing with vendors using a 50/10/10 model, balancing cost efficiency with product quality for restaurant clients.
• Oversaw the full relocation of New Asia’s office and warehouse from Rosemead to El Monte, managing logistics, space planning, and continuity of operations.
• Designed and executed new branded building signage to enhance visibility and align with business rebranding.
• Scheduled and coordinated vendor service calls for the refurbishment, renovation, and installation of kitchen equipment, preparing the new facility for active sales and operations.
• Attended restaurant trade shows to expand vendor network and stay current with equipment innovations and market trends.
• Cultivated relationships with walk-in customers—often restaurant owners and chefs—providing tailored equipment recommendations and closing sales.

• Conducted jobsite surveys for new restaurant builds and remodels, gathering specifications to support custom equipment proposals and layouts.
• Collaborated with internal team members to assemble orders, maintain inventory accuracy, and meet client deadlines.
• Managed procurement for 100+ restaurant development projects annually, supporting new store openings and remodels across the U.S.
• Purchased over $2.5M in signage and FF&E contracts per year, aligning with project timelines, budgets, and Panda’s brand and operational standards.
• Launched and led Panda’s first digital signage program, executing deployments for both new construction and retrofits across the national footprint.
• Reviewed construction documents, signage drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs); approved fabrication methods and materials for consistency and compliance.
• Coordinated closely with real estate, construction, design, and operations teams to ensure seamless procurement and delivery of fixtures, furnishings, and signage.
• Managed vendor POs, dispatch, and logistics scheduling based on construction timelines, ensuring timely site readiness for openings.
• Developed and strengthened vendor partnerships through annual RFPs, pricing negotiations, NDA execution, and performance evaluations.
• Represented Panda at national industry trade shows to identify emerging trends and new supplier capabilities for signage, drive-thru systems, and FF&E.
• Conducted on-site audits of vendor manufacturing facilities to ensure quality standards and scalability with Panda’s growth trajectory.
• Supported new product rollouts and program improvements across departments, serving as a liaison between design, procurement, and project delivery teams.
• Trained Design Managers, Project Managers, and Directors on signage procurement strategy, processes, and technical standards.
• Led sourcing efforts for domestic and international vendors, issuing bid specs and evaluating vendor capabilities to expand supply chain flexibility.
• Interpreted purchasing procedures and served as subject matter expert for signage and FF&E categories in restaurant development.

Clients: Starbucks, GameStop/EB Games, Casual Male Big & Tall, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Panda Restaurant Group

• Managed signage installation projects for up to 80 retail construction sites per quarter, aligning closely with general contractors and construction schedules to ensure seamless integration.
• Negotiated fabrication, installation, and repair contracts with local vendors, consistently achieving a minimum 40% installation margin while maintaining quality standards.
• Coordinated permitting processes by collaborating with construction managers, development teams, landowners, and municipal planning authorities to secure timely approvals.
• Directed cross-departmental teams—production, graphics, and engineering—to meet key milestones and prevent delays within the critical 28-day pre-opening construction window.
• Developed and maintained comprehensive shipping and logistics plans for multiple shipments to both domestic and international construction sites.
• Maintained constant communication with construction stakeholders through weekly progress reports and conference calls, ensuring alignment and issue resolution.
• Supervised site surveys, permit acquisition, fabrication, installation, and punch list completion through a nationwide network of subcontractors.
• Managed sales order processing, invoicing, and warranty resolutions to support post-construction sign maintenance and client satisfaction.

• Managed domestic and international sales of high-tech semiconductor products, including InP/GaAs wafers, VCSELs, laser diodes, photodiodes, and LEDs, to contract manufacturers in Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, and the UK.
• Provided strategic volume quotations for international and domestic customers, ensuring competitive pricing while protecting company margins.
• Coordinated and verified letters of credit and other financial guarantees prior to international shipments; ensured compliance with U.S. Customs regulations for delicate semiconductor exports.
• Negotiated and processed Return Material Authorizations (RMAs) across multiple fabrication lots and pricing tiers, balancing client service with product traceability.
• Programmed and administered a custom sales management database that interfaced with the production floor to track sales orders, inventory, and fulfillment.
• Qualified leads from international trade shows and provided technical sales support, while safeguarding sensitive IP through strict adherence to NDAs.
• Organized and managed client visits and engineer-to-engineer meetings (on-site and virtual), as well as trade show logistics, including shipping marketing materials and equipment.
• Conducted quality control audits to maintain ISO9001:2000 compliance, supporting internal process improvement and external customer confidence.