Craig Gess Email & Phone Number

Peoria, Arizona

Strategic advisor to leadership and manager of all HR functions to support the fast-paced, entrepreneurial organization that continually ranks as one of the top real estate teams nationally. Direct benefits administration, payroll, wellness and employee engagement events and activities Partner with business leadership to attract, recruit, develop and retain quality talent Coach and counsel managers on maintaining positive employee relations

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Led in the creation and implementation of policies and procedures with all functioning operations; including the development of accounting systems, methodologies, and implementation of necessary controls.  Design and implement business strategic plans, procedures and resource allocation  Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth  Oversee human resources and full employment cycle management Manage daily financial operations within QuickBooks Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of all monthly financial information, including profit & loss, A/P & A/R, and accumulative general ledger for all business entities Supports budget and forecasting activities, including preparation of annual operating budgets

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Responsible for all overhead functions and continued effort to fulfill Vertech’s vision to be recognized as a world class provider of industrial automation services and to be the employer of choice for the best and brightest talent. Oversee administrative operations of accounting, human resources, facilities, and fleet management Manage benefits administration, wellness and employee engagement events and activities Direct recruiting and on-boarding activities for Arizona and California office locations Supervise accounting A/P and A/R operations, budgetary controls, and inventory purchasing

Charged with full P&L and strategic planning responsibility for 2 business units supporting 13,000+ students. Implemented department's vision and action plans to meet and/or surpass organizational strategic initiatives. Presented operating plans and outcomes to regional senior management team. Tracked performance and service levels of all operations ensuring customer satisfaction scores and plan objectives were achieved.• Met or surpassed operational forecasts four consecutive quarters• Increased enrollment productivity levels 25% between 2011 and 2012• Led transition to centralization of operations and service to corporate education partners and tuition benefit participants• Implemented innovative regional and campus programs to increase employee engagement and leadership development• Planned, developed, and implemented strategies that continuously improved campus performance and lowered employee attrition• Directed rollout of campus continuous process improvement program managed and driven by staff

Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making - Undergraduate Business

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Integrated management of operations for multi-departmental division, including: Employee Education Services, Direct Bill/Corporate Partnerships, Campus Shared & Transfer Operations Team, High School Initiatives, and Non-Degree & Non-Credit Operations, Scholarships.• Collaborated with Division of Continuing Education on creation, development, and implementation of non-credit/professional development courses and service operations.• Developed new team structures with associated job descriptions/roles and responsibilities for financial and student service dual-roles.• Established operations and service team to support Scholarship students attending both ground and online modalities.

Phoenix, Arizona Area

• Managed the Non-Degree division counseling staff to ensure all departmental processes and activities comply with established corporate academic and financial policies and procedures. Full responsibility for hiring, promotions, transfers and disciplinary actions.• Promoted to new management position with sole responsibility for building Non-Degree staff; doubled staff from 4 to 9 in six months.• Successfully developed, implemented, and communicated new policies, processes and procedures to maximize department workflow efficiency and effectiveness. • Served as a liaison between campus and corporate personnel to ensure academic compliance of existing policies, as well as provide campus review and recommendations for proposed policies• Maintained positive relationships with students by ensuring customer satisfaction with problem resolution

Phoenix, Arizona Area

• Rose quickly to the top in a fast-paced, growth environment, establishing myself as leader.• Played a key role in resolving student complaints to ensure resolution toward corrective action. Addressed student grievances and appeals to bring resolution to issues.• Provided forecasting information toward the preparation of the schools calendar of courses to ensure the campuses were offering appropriate courses and students were being correctly placed. Monitored group size to ensure operational effectiveness and academic honesty.• Counseled students on financial options. Advised students on impact of enrollment status in regards to financial options and obligations and developed remediation plans where appropriate. Performed research and response to inquiries and concerns regarding financial matters.• Mentored new enrollment staff to assist in their orientation of the position and support them in their professional development and attainment of related goals and objectives as team lead.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Managed accounts, coordinated, and produced 100+ events annually including: Corporate Olympics/Team Competitions and Sports Tournaments, Game Shows, Facilitated Workshops, Ropes Course, Scavenger Hunts/Amazing Race, and Outdoor Adventures.• Responsible for directing, coordinating and managing customer accounts for special events and team building company.• Maintained operating accounts for Corporate, TeamPlay Arizona, TeamPlay California and TeamPlay Nevada including using QuickBooks for managing A/R and A/P, generating financial and event profitability reports, payroll, recruiting contract labor, production, travel, and vendor relationships.• Oversaw and reviewed all partnerships agreements and contracts with TeamPlay USA and corporate clients and outside parties/vendors.

Amelia Island, Florida

Directed social activities for adults, teens, children and family participants within a 1300-acre resort by programming, supervising, promoting and evaluating recreational programs. • Led operations for award-winning children's camp program and teen activities.• Created recreation activities and calendar of events for resort guests and community residents.• Provided direction, leadership, coaching, training and career development for assistant managers, supervisors and 40 interns and seasonal staff.