General Manager

Posted on: 2007-09-17

Sharon Banker 13800 Calle Elegante, Bakersfield, CA 93314 (661) 589-8665 [email protected] VP / Director – Marketing Advertising / Customer Relations / MarCom / Contract Negotiations / Turnarounds / Marketing Collateral Key Accounts / Operations / Startups / Budgets / Construction / Business Development / Media Relations Talent to combine marketing and operations expertise to improve sales, revenues, and profits. Adept at designing effective marketing programs, increasing public awareness and client base in a cost effective manner. Proven track record of success in real estate, development, construction, and hospitality. History of increasing customer satisfaction and profitability. Unique ability to evaluate and resolve problem operations to turn around profitability. • Created in-house advertising and PR program, saving $1.5M for Presley of Southern California • Redeveloped home model site and sales office for Signature Homes, saving $50K and improved sales • Revitalized marketing for Hoffmann Hospice growing clientele 55% • Revamped marketing strategy for Hodel’s Country Dining, increasing customers and revenues 20% Key Skills: Analyzing complex business challenges and developing solutions. Structuring innovative business deals. Evaluating market trends and establishing strategic direction. Aligning marketing and operations initiatives to drive profits. Building strategic partnerships. Ability to persuade, influence, negotiate, and close. Selected Accomplishments Created in-house advertising and PR program, saving $1.5M for Presley of Southern California. Tasked by CEO to bring advertising and PR function in-house. Created, led, and recruited for new department. Within first year, saved $1.5M+ in advertising and collateral expenses while simultaneously increasing market share 20%. Redeveloped sales site for Signature Homes, saving $50K while improving sales traffic. The company wanted its model home site and sales office in an area with access problems. Analyzed situation and re-sited office, improving access and cutting building costs. Saved $50K+ on construction and bettered traffic and customer flow. Revitalized marketing for Hoffmann Hospice, growing clientele 55%. Non-profit hospice was third of three in number of clients served. Worked with major local newspapers and secured free distribution of information to increase public awareness. Created collateral and secured free printing. Within one year grew number of patients served 55%+. Revamped marketing strategy for Hodel’s Country Dining, increasing customers and revenues 20%. Challenged to increase customer visits and revenues. Switched from ineffective highway billboard advertising to television. Wrote the copy, managed production, and worked with station to create commercial at no additional cost. Grew customer traffic 20% and revenues $52K per month. Career History General Manager, Hodel's Country Dining, 2001 - 2005. Aggressively recruited to turn around operations in preparation of restructuring and new management. Successfully reorganized company and increased revenues 20%. Developed two new profit centers and revamped existing businesses. Managed budgets of $3M and staff of 200. Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Hoffmann Hospice, 1999 - 2001. Worked with CEO to successfully turn around organization. Directed public relations, advertising, and marketing. Developed logo and all advertising collateral. Responsible for writing and managing the grant process. General Manager, Best Rents, 1996 - 1999. Recruited to turn around company, permitting profitable sale. Directed construction of 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse for company’s equipment. Managed shopping center increasing revenues 40%. Successfully positioned company for profitable sale. Managed $1M budget and staff of 35. Vice President of Operations, Burlington Homes, 1993 - 1996. Started $15M Arizona branch operations for California company. Responsible for land procurement, product development, and all operations. Directed advertising, sales, marketing, and contracting with construction sub-contractors. Managed staff of 15 and budget of $20M. Director of Sales & Marketing, Oakridge American Company, 1991 - 1993`. Key team member responsible for developing land plan for 13,000 acre mixed–use project in Tehachapi Mountains. Developed and implemented marketing plans and budgets. Contracted and directed advertising and PR. Responsible for $3M budget. Earlier: Director of Marketing and Advertising, Presley of Southern California. Director of Sales & Marketing, Signature Homes.