Alex Deans Email & Phone Number

Oakland

As Operations Manager, I led the operations functions and played a crucial role in improving the internal processes and infrastructure. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, I was charged with both high-level operational planning and day-to-day management of administrative functions and facilities. My role was to ensure the smooth running of the organization. I worked with our Network Administrator to make sure our IT functioned properly and with HR to support policies and practices that cultivated a positive workplace.- Led operational process improvement and documentation by: developing and maintaining operational guidelines and procedures; writing one new Standard Operating Policy and updating more than 10 other SOPs, including an 85pg. webinar guide for internal use; reducing inefficiencies and re-invention while not adding unnecessary bureaucracy.- Managed contracts, including: commercial insurance renewals; compliance with contracts, and policies; supporting cost-efficient execution of other external contracts.- Initiated and directed facilities care, including: responsibility for appearance, functionality, and safety of our office; ensuring safety and meeting the workspace needs of staff; serving as liaison to building management; leading logistics and planning for an office improvement project; partnering with the Network Administrator to facilitate day-to-day IT management and operations (local and virtual), including user support and systems to manage documents and information.- Partnered with HR to: develop operations-related policies; support the positive employee experience of all staff; ensure that ChangeLab Solutions remains engaging, collaborative, and inclusive.- Managed an administrative team of 4 staff members by: hiring, training, developing and retaining admin team members; coordinating and delegating admin team support for staff in all departments, including webinar support; ensuring a high level of customer service across the organization.

San Francisco Bay Area

Reporting to the General Manager, I was responsible for the oversight and performance of all Front of House staff. I managed the hiring, on boarding, training, and motivation of all team members, providing leadership, direction and face-to-face counsel to my 13-strong team. I oversaw staff scheduling, verified hours worked, conducted performance reviews, completed disciplinary write ups, and processed payroll reports. I acted as the liaison between Front of House and residents, communicating and coordinating between all departments at the property, to ensure the highest levels of service. I handled any issues arising in the day-to-day operations of the Harrison, reviewing incident reports and following up as necessary. I ensured that vendors and contractors were managed according to the rules and regulations of the building, and managed the end-to-end process from initiating quotes through to the installation of operational improvements and building upgrades. I monitored and analyzed the effectiveness of operations, reporting on areas of concern regarding service, cleanliness, and overall maintenance of the building and grounds. As the Harrison is a new building, I took the lead in creating management policies and processes for the smooth running of the property and proactively recommended and implemented solutions to issues as they came up.

Berkeley, California

As Assistant Front Office Manager, I was often the Manager On Duty with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the entire hotel. Troubleshooting guest issues that were escalated for special attention by my colleagues in the Front Office, I handled problems calmly and courteously. I worked hard to resolve issues rapidly, while focusing on positive outcomes for both the guests and the hotel. I prepared financial and statistical reports on hotel revenue and guest stays, and adopted new systems and processes quickly. When on duty, I had responsibility for the safety and security for all hotel guests and colleagues. I was part of the Emergency Response Team and was expected to deal with anything from medical emergencies to critical property maintenance issues to criminal activities. I recruited, trained, and mentored Front Office staff. I also reviewed and submitted time cards in ADP and delivered performance reviews for my team. I promoted a positive and collaborative team environment in my interactions with all hotel colleagues, often becoming the “go to guy” for other staff when they need help or support. I joined the Claremont as a Front Desk Agent in 2013. In three years, I completed ~200 hours of Fairmont leadership and management training, and achieved promotion twice.Additional Achievements: 2015 Star of the Year; Star of the Month (June 2015); 1 year as Co-Chair of the Claremont Hotel Sustainability Committee, during which time we secured two (2) grants totaling just over $10,000 for conservation activities in Garber Park, our nearest community park.

California, Hawaii, South Carolina

As a Trip Leader for Backroads, an international active travel company, I led weeklong bike trips throughout the United States for groups of up to 26 discerning clientele who expected the highest level of quality and service. This position required superb people skills and the ability to converse comfortably with individuals from all walks of life. Confident and caring, I connected with each and every guest patiently and thoughtfully, while maintaining a sense of humor and friendly demeanor. Resourceful and capable, I used practical skills as a bike mechanic on the road by day and, in the evening, discussed fine dining and wine with our guests at five-star hotels and restaurants. I am skilled at anticipating and troubleshooting problems as they arise, thinking on my feet and focusing on details, while never losing sight of the big picture.

San Francisco Bay Area

** There was a break in my employment here from 2011 to 2012 when I was working for the California Conservation Corps (CCC) on a 9-month contract **I drove and guided bus tour groups of up to 48 tourists around the Bay Area, using my local knowledge to educate and entertain the clients about the areas we visited and quickly absorbing new information about the tours to share with them. As a driver-guide, I was responsible for my passengers’ health and safety, as well as ensuring that their essential needs were met by providing top-notch customer service – such as knowing where the facilities and amenities are on each route – alongside delivering an interesting and enjoyable tour.

San Jose, Ca

I led crews of up to 17 corps members, aged 18-25 in conducting energy audits and conservation activities. For 6 months I was responsible for leading a crew of 10 performing energy audits and offering businesses energy-saving devices, as part of a program of energy upgrades in California businesses. For 3 months I supervised a crew performing natural resources conservation throughout the southern Bay Area. My responsibilities included (but were not limited to): supervising health and safety for corps members; evaluating the scope of work for my crew and determining appropriate work methods/techniques; teaching corps members project skills and life skills; documenting the status of projects; preparing written reports; and mentoring corps members in the protection and conservation of natural resources. This was a 9-month contract position.

After completing Peace Corps, I traveled from South Africa to Kenya overland over a period of 6 months. After returning to the Bay Area I accepted a 3-month contract with WiserEarth as the Grantwriter/Development Officer.

Worked with the Department of Water and Forests of Marrakech and succeeded in: constructing a 82.5m² reservoir to increase irrigation to the fields; instructing more than 150hrs of English and Spanish in 8 communities covering such topics as biology, botany, and geology; highlighting the negative aspects of trash proliferation to the local community through endless discussions; and implementing a digital botanical inventory of more than 200 species in Jbel Toubkal National Park. During my time in Morocco I overcame many barriers including language, work ethic, culture, and religion.

Coordinated nearly 40,000 hours of mostly environmental volunteer projects for the community and the at-risk youth in YCC. Developed innumerable community partnerships and raised awareness of issues at the forefront for those in poverty. Educated the community and community partners about natural resources management and how at-risk youth can help. Developed a fee-for-service partnership with the U.S. Forest Service in training 8 participants to become Wild-land Fire Fighters. I coordinated their Midwest Wilderness Burn Certification and USFS S-130 and S-190 (Basics) in Wild-land Firefighting Training as well as 3 months of environmental education, and coordinated all environmental service projects for 7 subsequent months.

• Wrote over 300 grant proposals, raising in excess of $2.2 million.• Served as technology officer, auto mechanic, and community liaison where I spoke to environmental and community groups of up to 300 people at a single time.• Managed 1 position, the AmeriCorps*VISTA Fund Developer for 2 years, 2006-2008. • Carried out these financial development roles alongside the roles of Project Manager and Environmental Educator/Youth Developer. Also, served as Interim Program Manager for 3 months in the fall of 2007, managing 2 positions.

Trained 12 at-risk disadvantaged youth in environmental conservation practices as well as instructing 31 youth in GED, life skills, job skills, and leadership skills.Led environmental conservation activities including: removal of invasive species; 2,500ft streambank restoration project; native plant installation projects with private and public entities; as well as various projects with Lake County Forest Preserves and Waukegan Park District.

Wrote over 50 grant proposals, raising in excess of $600,000.Served as technology officer, auto mechanic, and community liaison where I spoke to environmental and community groups of up to 300 people at a single time.

Assisted people with research and in locating resources they needed electronically and in print.

Wrote and translated press releases under the leadership of the spokesman for the Consulate.Initiated and independently researched statistics on the Mexican population in the 9 states the consulate covered.Organized, attended meetings for the consulate, and interacted with foreign dignitaries.