Greater Milwaukee
I am grateful to have worked at some of the most interesting companies and businesses my entire adult life. I managed movie theaters for many years starting out at outdoor theaters. (Yes, that long ago, but boy was that fun) I watched movie theaters grow from single screen neighborhood theaters to multiscreen complexes and managed them all. I opened a Family Entertainment Center in Appleton, WI, complete with Mini golf, Lazer tag, Carrousel, Pizza restaurant, more. (The fun theme continues) I was Director of two IMAX movie theaters which introduced me to a whole new realm of films, customer groups, advertising methods, more. (Also, introduced me to director James Cameron, who made an Imax film and invited exhibitors to LA to see it with him. Yeah, fun) I was Director of the Avalon theater in Bay View, WI, and supervised the reopening of this beautiful and historic theater. Along the way I learned and performed Human Resources functions in the movie theater industry, and for a change of pace, a bakery. I was HR Manager for the iconic and family-owned Grebe's bakery. (Donuts proved fun too) This is to thank all the wonderful supervisors, co-workers and employees at Marcus Theaters, Neighborhood Theater Group and Grebe's Bakery that made my work experience so enjoyable. Currently looking for volunteer opportunities to give back to our wonderful community. (Well, volunteer gigs that are fun too )
"We don't hire people to make donuts, we make donuts to hire people." So glad to be working for this iconic company and family that has been a part of Milwaukee's fabric for over 80 years. Grebe's bakery, the largest in the state, delivers bakery to nearly 200 grocery and convenience stores. You love the donuts, and I love folks making them. We are proud to be locally owned and bringing needed jobs to our community.
Neighborhood Theater Group (NTG): Milwaukee, WI Movie Theater exhibitor operating the Avalon Theater, Times Cinema and Rosebud Cinema. As Director of Operations, had P&L responsibility for theaters as well as all aspects of operations, marketing and human resources. The Rosebud and Times were open and operational when I began with NTG. The Avalon was just beginning the design phase of a complete restoration and reopening. • Contributed to Avalon theater design and restoration plan including the integration of food service and bar operation in movie theater setting. • Recruited, hired and trained over 50 for the Avalon theater opening. In its first year the staff obtained the highest Yelp rating of any theater in Milwaukee and Shepard Express list of Best Theaters in market. • Established relationship and negotiated agreement for 2 theaters participation in the Milwaukee Film Festival.
Provided direction and leadership on all aspects of human resource functions to executives and 56 movie theater locations with 150 salaried exempt and 2,650 hourly employees. Oversaw performance management, legal compliance, employee relations, training, compensation issues, more. PHR certified.
Created business plan, developed and opened Funset Boulevard, a restaurant and family entertainment center operating in synergy with a multiplex movie theatre. Acted as operations director once the center opened. The 40,000+ s.f. center in Appleton, Wisconsin includes a 120-seat pizza restaurant, miniature golf, bumper cars, laser tag, children’s play area, more. (www.funset.com)
Supervised all aspects of operations for seven Milwaukee-area movie theaters. Managed to annual budgets to meet profit and loss expectations. Focus on guest-service satisfaction, profitability and development of personnel. Created goal-orientated operating budgets with Managers and used as benchmark to gauge financial results and manager performance.