A.J. Williams III
Newtown
Summary
Proven leader in hospitality management, excelling in operations and relationship building, with a track record of driving growth and operational excellence at HEI Hotels & Resorts. Spearheaded a hotel rebranding that catapulted service rankings into the top 10%, demonstrating adeptness in P&L management and customer retention.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Synergy Hospitality/Colmar Hotels
04.2022 - Current
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Oversaw rebranding and reposition of hotel restaurant to upscale Steak House concept.
- Instituted strong service oriented culture that moved hotel from ranking of 233 ( of 266) to top ten percent for the brand.
General Manager
HEI Hotels & Resorts
12.2018 - 03.2022
- Managed day to day operations in 288 Embassy Suites Hotel and the 223 full service Cambria Hotel.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Personally contracted 1.5 million dollars in guest room revenue through established relationships in the city.
General Manager
VF Hotels / PM Hospitality Strategies
06.2005 - 11.2018
- Successfully managed day tot day operations during 20 million dollar rebranding from Omni Hotel at Independence Park to the Renaissance Hotel Philadelphia.
- Provide overall leadership in developing and defining the service culture that earned the AAA Four Diamond award for both the hotel and the restaurant in all 10 years of employment.
- Lead, direct and manage all hotel operation including but not limited to hotel budgeting, development and oversight of 5 year capital plan.
- Received distinction of "Best Places to Work in Philadelphia" for six of the ten years of employment.
- Voted best business hotel in Philadelphia and top 100 hotels by Conde Nast.
General Manager
Amerimar Enterprises
06.2004 - 06.2005
- Created all new meeting and banquet SOPS as well as introduced new banquet and catering menus.
- Re-positioned event space to increase penetration in the social markets.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Graduated #1 in class for IHG General Manager Certification
Director of Rooms
Prime Hospitality
05.2003 - 06.2004
- Oversaw hotel administrative processes, training staff and monitoring budgets for proper planning, compliance and organization within the rooms discipline.
- Increased purchasing controls and policies to maximize fiduciary oversight.
- Created new dynamic service culture that resulted in an increase of over 10 points in Medallia for YOY basis.
- Worked closely and mentored the the meetings/banquets team due to my extensive convention service and catering background.
Assistant General Manger/Director of Food and Beverage
Hilton Hotels
01.2002 - 05.2003
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Planned operations to effectively cover needs while controlling costs and maximizing service.
- Worked with qualified chef to diversify menu with new offerings.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
Director of Catering and Convention Services
Hilton Hotels Corporation
05.1999 - 01.2002
- In pre-opening capacity was personally responsible for creation of all SOPS for banquets, catering and convention services.
- Oversaw the creation and implementation of Delphi system for the property.
- Responsible for pre-opening sales efforts throughout the university and created networking events to familiarize the community with the asset.
- Transitioned audio visual services from a contracted service to an internal operating department resulting in an additional quarter million dollars in profit in year one.
Director of Convention Services
Omni Hotels & Resorts
01.1997 - 05.1999
- Responsible for the daily operation of 100,000 square feet of meeting space in 834 room hotel.
- Oversaw convention management staff of 7 and banquet set up staff of 50.
- Personally responsible for managing the top ten revenue producing conventions.
- Served as operational liaison for all visits by heads of state including multiple visits by the President of the United States.
- Worked weekly in coordination with the Project Manager and Chief Engineer to manage and manipulate meeting schedules while hotel executed an $80 million dollar renovation.
- Received the Omni Shoreham Award for Excellence 1998.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
LaSalle University
Philadelphia, PA05.1991
Skills
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Operations
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer Retention
- P&L Management
- Relationship Building
Timeline
General Manager
Synergy Hospitality/Colmar Hotels
04.2022 - Current
General Manager
HEI Hotels & Resorts
12.2018 - 03.2022
General Manager
VF Hotels / PM Hospitality Strategies
06.2005 - 11.2018
General Manager
Amerimar Enterprises
06.2004 - 06.2005
Director of Rooms
Prime Hospitality
05.2003 - 06.2004
Assistant General Manger/Director of Food and Beverage
Hilton Hotels
01.2002 - 05.2003
Director of Catering and Convention Services
Hilton Hotels Corporation
05.1999 - 01.2002
Director of Convention Services
Omni Hotels & Resorts
01.1997 - 05.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
LaSalle University
Similar Profiles
Shashank MarasiniShashank Marasini
Cook Shift Leader at Resturants, Hotels, and many hospitality establishmentsCook Shift Leader at Resturants, Hotels, and many hospitality establishments
Stephen ChapinStephen Chapin
Area Chief Maintenance Engineer at Hyatt/Aimbridge Hospitality/Champion HotelsArea Chief Maintenance Engineer at Hyatt/Aimbridge Hospitality/Champion Hotels
Vikram SinghVikram Singh
Business Development Manager at RBA Hospitality and Hotels Pvt. LtdBusiness Development Manager at RBA Hospitality and Hotels Pvt. Ltd