Benjamin Gress Email & Phone Number

Chicago, IL, US

Newton, Massachusetts, US

• Oversee Housekeeping Department operation of daily work assignments, overall cleaning, purchasing, expense reporting, hotel compliance with local and corporate regulation for a 261 guestroom hotel.
• Oversee the processing of bi-weekly payroll, daily time and attendance reporting for 40+ exempt and non-exempt employees, including audit of PTO, Union Dues, Workman’s Comp, and other payroll related tasks as needed in.
• Understanding and execution of Local1 Union Contract as it applies to employees for workload, compensation/ benefits, in conjunction with local state and federal laws as they apply.
• Communicate between departments to coordinate and initiate work on projects and daily work assignments, amongst Housekeeping, Engineering, and Front Office departments.
• Daily/ Weekly Reporting of labor by reviewing reporting from ADP, resolving any issues, and looking into any inquiries that management or employees may have.
• Manage self-initiated projects on seasonal cleaning cycles for 17 story hotel, and take the lead on projects assigned by upper management or corporate office as they pertain to housekeeping.

Seattle, WA, US

• Provided legendary, customer focused service
• Teach and train partners on current and future company objectives
• Provided direction and support to all partners to ensure that weekly/ monthly goals are achieved
• Implements action plans and company programs to meet operational objectives
• Provided coaching and direction to store team, and take action to problem solve in the moment
• Planed, identified, communicated, and delegated responsibilities and practices to ensure smooth flow of operation

• Managed Front Office, and Housekeeping departments through changeover of hotel from Kimpton-Hotel Palomar, to Royal Sonesta Chicago River North (new ownership/ branding of property as of December 2020)
• Implement Sonesta’s “Stay Safe With Sonesta” program to ensure employee/ guest safety
• Coach and council staff members to achieve weekly and monthly departmental goals
• Maintain, grow, and develop current and new vendor relationships
• Used hotel’s POS, and other software to complete, and create daily, weekly, and monthly reports
• Audit department performance by analyzing guest surveys to determine areas of opportunity to meet or exceed guest expectations

San Francisco, CA, US

• Responsible for maintaining excellent guest relationships when interacting with new or return guests of the hotel
• Managed the cleaning and inspection of 261 guest room carpets, upholstery, drapes as needed, along with other special cleaning projects throughout all common areas of the hotel
• Executed preparation of show rooms for weekly client, and ownership site tours
• Ensured all public areas of the hotel are inspected, well maintained, and visually appealing
• Ensured all hotel policies, and safety procedures are adhered to
• Evaluated all housekeeping employees, and Assistant Director

• Responsible for maintaining excellent guest relationships when interacting with new or return guests of the hotel
• Managed the cleaning and inspection of 261 guest room carpets, upholstery, drapes as needed, along with other special cleaning projects throughout all common areas of the hotel
• Executed preparation of show rooms for weekly client, and ownership site tours
• Ensured all public areas of the hotel are inspected, well maintained, and visually appealing
• Ensured all hotel policies, and safety procedures are adhered to
• Evaluated all housekeeping employees, and Assistant Director

San Francisco, CA, US

• Maintaining good rapport between new, current, and return guests of the hotel
• Implement department/ hotel policy among Front Office team, and hotel guests
• Responsible for ensuring the collection of payments, and deposits for hotel reservations both current and future
• Communicate from Front Office department to other departments within the hotel/ company to ensure that guest issues are taken care of
• Responsible for interviewing/ hiring employees for Front Office, Bell/ Door, Supervisor positions
• Responsible for Front Office/ Bell department payroll, for team of 20 people

San Francisco, CA, US

• Audited daily revenue and Front Office paperwork through the Night Audit process
• Responsible for keeping track, weekly, of Front Office incentive and In-Room Dining gratuity for payroll
• Responsible for maintaining lobby beverage inventory including monthly coffee, and wine orders
• Maintained hotel room inventory to maximize revenue
• Oversaw overnight team, ensuring all duties are complete and positions are covered

San Francisco, CA, US

• Collaborated with corporate stylist on the 2015 photo shoot of hotel’s public/ event space and guest rooms
• Assisted Sales Managers with generating contracts for clients
• Assisted Director of Sales and Marketing with projects as needed
• Responsible for sales lead distribution

San Francisco, CA, US

• Audited daily revenue, and Front Office paperwork through the Night Audit process
• Responsible for Manager on Duty shifts
• Worked in a team oriented environment while being responsible for individual job duties outlined by Front Office Management
• Maintained high level of guest satisfaction while providing service with an approachable and relaxed, yet professional attitude

Dallas, TX, US

• Built strong hotel/ client relationships to maintain high level of performance for end of month
• Maintained hotel’s credit policy for group and transient guests while providing high level of customer service
• Maintained cash control and witness of daily cash drop
• Obtained proper method of payment for group and transient guests prior to and during stay
• Ensured the accuracy of billing by attending pre-convention meetings, as well as understand breakdown of banquet functions being held per function event order
• Mastered hotel operating system (Epitome) for A/R and Account Management, proficient in Microsoft systems, familiar with Delphi

Chicago, Illinois, US

- Obtained management/supervisory experience by working as the manager on duty over night- Oversaw overnight Valet, Housekeeping, and Housemen positions as manager on duty- Responsible for capture of daily revenue and reporting to accounting

Windsor, Berkshire, GB

- Learned and mastered both Encore and Opera hotel management systems- Handled billing and payments between hotel, restaurant and conference center

Carlisle, PA, US

- Recognized three times for delighting customers with the Friends Hosting Friends pin- Assisted in hotel budget and accounting related to major hotel supplies

Big Rapids, MI, US

- Received and transferred phone calls between dormitory rooms and campus departments - Maintained office organization including filing systems and mail

Bachelor'S Degree, Hospitality Administration/Management

Bachelor Of Science, Business Administration; Resort Management