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
2022.04 - 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
2018.12 - 2022.03
- 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
2005.06 - 2018.11
- 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
2004.06 - 2005.06
- 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
2003.05 - 2004.06
- 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
2002.01 - 2003.05
- 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
1999.05 - 2002.01
- 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
1997.01 - 1999.05
- 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
2022.04 - Current
General Manager
HEI Hotels & Resorts
2018.12 - 2022.03
General Manager
VF Hotels / PM Hospitality Strategies
2005.06 - 2018.11
General Manager
Amerimar Enterprises
2004.06 - 2005.06
Director of Rooms
Prime Hospitality
2003.05 - 2004.06
Assistant General Manger/Director of Food and Beverage
Hilton Hotels
2002.01 - 2003.05
Director of Catering and Convention Services
Hilton Hotels Corporation
1999.05 - 2002.01
Director of Convention Services
Omni Hotels & Resorts
1997.01 - 1999.05
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
LaSalle University
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