Representative

Posted on: 2006-11-18

KAREN HUTCHINGS 225 North Owen Drive Madison, WI 53705 email: [email protected] OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR: 3.5/4.0 GPA- Bachelors 3.9/4.0 GPA- Masters 4.0/4.0 GPA- Advanced Graduate Certificate QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS * Possess strong work ethic and time management skills. * Sold group health plans to businesses with 2 to 50 employees. * Goal-oriented, able to work independently, and self-motivated with desire to excel. * Strong communication and interpersonal skills; work well with individuals at all organizational levels and with clients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. * Experienced in training and motivating people. * Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal. * Active listener; adept at assessing client needs and providing client solutions. * Special strengths in problem solving, negotiation, and building long-term business relationships. WORK EXPERIENCE CHOSE TO RELOCATE TO MADISON, WI, 04/2006 to present Renovated home to sale, sold home, and completed relocation to Madison, WI. SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE, 10/2005 – 04/2006 – Completed temporary assignment during hurricane season and was on call for return as needed. U.S. Small Business Administration – Disaster Assistance Office, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155 68-84 hours per week, Supervisor: Missy Mach: 817-868-2300 Ext. 3006 Assisted in the processing of loan applications submitted by victims of natural disasters. * Reviewed home and business request forms for tax transcripts for accuracy and adequacy before their submission to the Internal Revenue Service. * Submitted request forms for tax transcripts and logged the status of these requests into the SBA’s data processing system. * Supported additional loan processing functions as needed. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Devised a system that enabled the daily processing, screening, and faxing of 5,000 applications for tax transcripts to the Internal Revenue Service for processing. * Trained and monitored three people to assist in implementing this system. * Remained flexible and adaptable to meet the constantly changing needs of the SBA. GRADUATE STUDENT/VOLUNTEER/TEACHER/HOMEMAKER, 01/1987 – 09/2005 Coordinated and managed the education and therapy of two children with learning disabilities. Budgeted and managed family finances. Served as a volunteer for school and community groups. ACCOMPLISHMENTS * Attended graduate school at night and completed Master of Liberal Arts Degree, summer 2005 and Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, spring 2003. * Recognized for outstanding volunteer work by public and private schools. * Honed research and mediation skills by advocating for children with teachers and school officials. * Volunteered as a teacher at Treetops International School, teaching “Great Books.” REGISTERED SECURITIES REPRESENTATIVE, August 1985 to August 1986 The Prudential Insurance Company, 125 East John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, TX 75062 50/60 hours per week; Supervisor: 972-580-0633 Marketed insurance and investment products from the northern Texas regional office of one of the largest financial firms in the country. * Sold group health insurance to businesses with 2 to 50 employees. * Sold a variety of mutual funds and variable life insurance products. * Sold auto and homeowners insurance. * Conducted persuasive presentations of products to business owners, their employees, and other individuals. * Coordinated effectively with national headquarters in expediting claims by policyholders. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Certified by the SEC as a registered securities representative, 1985-1986. * Received Life, Homeowners, and Auto Insurance licenses from the State of Texas, 1985-1986. * Created an innovative direct mail approach that the regional office adopted that dramatically increased sales of group health insurance, and received a commendation from management. REAL ESTATE SALES COUNSELOR, 02/1983 - 07/1985 General Homes, 16319 Pradera Dr, Houston, TX 77083 50-60 hours per week; Supervisor: 281-277-0633 Sold and coordinated the closing of single-family home sales from a model home park for a major Texas residential real estate developer. * Used interviewing skills to determine the prospective client’s price range and ability to qualify for a home loan. * Assisted loan processor, loan officer, title company, and others in finalizing transactions. * Collaborated with home construction crews to ensure timely delivery and conformance with changes required by individual buyers. * Managed the home park at night with no supervision. * Simultaneously managed the details of up to 15 home sale transactions. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Developed and implemented methods for writing concise, easily understood instructions to construction crews that conveyed repair needs and changes requested by buyers. These methods adopted by sales counselors throughout the region. * Consistently exceeded sales quota requirements. CO-OWNER/MANAGER, January 1981 to November 1983 Lindsey Chemical Company, West Shady Grove Road, Irving, TX 75038 45-55 hours per week Helped found and manage a successful start-up business marketing cleaning chemicals and maintenance supplies to office buildings, restaurants, and other establishments in the Dallas area. * Hired, trained, and directed the work of ten employees. * Managed the purchasing function and accounts receivable and payable. * Coordinated with an accountant in producing and filing financial statements and tax forms. * Identified and resolved customer service issues. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Created effective business plans for establishing, expanding, and financing the business. * Devised an effective strategy to overcome declining chemical sales by adding a commercial cleaning service. * Designed a successful advertising approach and campaign for expanding the business. REALTOR, 09/1978 - 01/1981 Lou Smith Realtors, 3757 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75234 50-60 hours per week Sold residential real estate for the second largest real estate company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. * Sold homes to clients at various income levels with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. * Developed rapport with clients while learning their housing needs. * Applied strong interviewing skills in determining the client’s price range and ability to qualify for a home loan. * Showed homes in the client’s price range and presented their relative attributes. * Managed the details required to reach each closing successfully, such as the termite and home inspection. * Coordinated with loan officers, title companies, and others to secure home loans. * Negotiated between buyers and sellers to reach agreement on the details involved in the home sale. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Attended real estate school at night and took state test to obtain Real Estate Brokers License. * Named Rookie Salesperson of the year in the first year of employment. SOCIAL WORKER, January 1977 to August 1978 and December 1974 to August 1976 State of Texas, 2020 North Masters Drive, Dallas, TX 75217 40 hours per week, Supervisor - 972-216-0087 Served as a social worker in the Work Incentive, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and Food Stamp programs for the State of Texas. Working independently with minimal supervision, managed more than 80 cases simultaneously, and prioritized responsibilities to respond to changing client needs. * Conducted interviews to gather information to determine client’s eligibility for aid to families with dependent children, and budgeted clients expenses and income to evaluate eligibility for food stamps. * Coordinated efforts to assist recipients of financial aid with coworkers in the Work Incentive Program. * Conducted home visits to verify applicant information, and to observe and record additional information about applicants. * Continuously documented and updated recipients’ program histories, and wrote detailed reports from information gathered in interviews and home visits. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Acquired and applied knowledge of state and federal laws to insure recipients’ eligibility for program benefits. * Enhanced efforts of co-workers to aid clients in obtaining employment by implementing improved procedures for appointment scheduling among various programs that saved time for both applicants and employees. * Created a comprehensive list of other community resources that co- workers adopted to improve the provision of social services to clients. * Developed skill in remaining calm, courteous, and tactful when handling hostile clients. EDUCATION MASTER OF LIBERAL ARTS, August 2005; SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, Dallas, TX 750181 3.9/4.0 GPA - THE CHANCELLOR’S LIST – 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Relevant courses: Literate Mind at Work, Research Methods, Communication and Persuasion, and Articulate Voice ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES CERTIFICATE IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND NEGOTIATION May 2003 - 4.0/4.0 GPA Relevant courses: Introduction to Dispute Resolution, Two Mediation Courses, Negotiation and Communication Skills, Dispute Resolution Systems for the Corporate Sector, and Human Resource Management and Dispute Resolution UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS, Denton, TX 76203 B.A. Degree, August 1974 Major: Psychology Minor: Biology CUM LAUDE Cumulative GPA: 3.5/4.0 Psychology: 3.9/4.0 GPA Psi Chi National Honor Society Relevant courses: Algebra, Statistics, Experimental Methods and Measures, PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS “Dispute Resolution System Design”- Designed dispute resolution system for International Multimedia Services, a small start-up company. System design emphasized linked conflict prevention and resolution steps to deal with the most commonly anticipated disputes. “Reduction in Work Force” – Devised selection process for layoff of 150 employees. Considered factors of age, minority status, performance, critical job skills, and length of service. COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Money, Email, Internet, and various specialized databases for research, data entry, and retrieval. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND AWARDS The Chancellor’s List – 2005-2006 The Chancellor’s List – 2004-2005 Texas Real Estate Brokers License Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution Certificate of Completion-Junior Great Books Leader Training Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Efforts-Faith Christian School Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Voluntary Service-Jack Johnson Elementary School SPECIALIZED TRAINING Continuing Education Courses in Real Estate, 105 hours Great Books Basic Leader Training, 12 hours in Gifted Education Meeting Planning, 25 hours General Homes Sales Training, 80 hours Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. Customer Service Training, 160 hours COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS Starlight Performing Arts Theatre CHADD Volunteer Teacher, Tree Tops International School