Forrest James Email & Phone Number

Denver, Colorado, United States

•Primary responsibility is managing the finances, processes, and internal controls in support of The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. The Leadership Foundation is a non-profit organization within the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce that provides ten various leadership programs.•Boost the Leadership Foundation’s financial performance through the analysis of financial results, forecasts, variances, and trends. Design and develop financial models to support planning and provide recommendations for improvement.•Implement technical tools like Excel and Salesforce reports to provide data that assists in decision-making for the programs housed under the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. •Assist in strengthening internal controls and developing consistent financial policies and procedures to mitigate risk. •Partner in audit preparation and year-round communication with the audit team.•Support the Small Business Development Center with grant reporting, as well as contributing analyses, recordkeeping, and data management for all funds.•Coordinate the development of the annual plan of work with fellow managers, identifying goals and objectives related to annual budgets.

Greater Denver Area

•Responsible for current year budget forecasting and future year budget development for The Office of Student Engagement, New Student and Family Programs, Greek Life, Undergraduate Student Government and The Community Commons.•Managed the process for creating job descriptions, recruiting, running search committees, negotiating salary, and onboarding new hires.•Responsible for processing and reporting on the division’s financial transactions; developing and implementing new accounting and financial processes and procedures to improve efficiency and quality of the division.•Managed all phases of the financial, payroll, and human resource management process for assigned areas in the division.•Provided oversight and support of direct pays, journal entries, contracts, purchase orders, invoices, requisitions, and any other transactional needs.•Applied and enforced complex policies and laws to ensure compliance from all members of SAIE across various areas including human resources, accounting, legal, financial aid and recruiting.•Developed new policies and procedures within SAIE to promote an efficient and productive work environment.

Greater Denver Area

•Acted as the administrative resource to department staff as it relates to the business operations of the department and the University.•Responsible for maintaining contracts and statements of work for approval.•Organized, monitored, and reconciled departmental purchasing and office expenditures. •Served as a liaison for Human Resources/Shared Services hiring and on-boarding employee processes.•Maintained and completed all transactions related to employment action requests including posting of positions, scheduling timeline workflow of selection process and coordination of search activities as needed.•Coordinated all Marketing & Communications employee on-boarding to ensure that space, technology, and other needs are met in advance of the start date.•Provided introductions and training/orientation, and otherwise acted as a resource to ensure successfully start for new employees.•Managed equipment inventory which included re-purposing, refreshing, and procurement of new technologies while adhering to University guidelines/workflows.

Greater Atlanta Area

•Responsible for funding resources and preparation of annual budget for Student Financial Management Services.•Assisted with interviewing, selecting, offer preparation, hiring, onboarding, and terminations of administrative and managerial staff.•Oversaw requests for facilities, property control, and telecommunications within and outside the university.•Managed the financial affairs for seven different locations within the university’s campuses.•Monitored and approved departmental expenditures and reimbursements.•Collaborated with all levels of management across various areas to accomplish departmental and university goals. •Served as liaison to other administrative units.•Maintained departmental records including staff and faculty personnel records.•Supervised the office clerical and support staff.•Served as a grievance panelist for employees who file grievances per university policy.•Communicated financial information by performing analysis and creating financial reports and dashboards for various levels of management.•Provided a full range of administrative support across multiple departments.

Greater Atlanta Area

•Developed and maintained an electronic process to elicit and review student clinical document requirements for 10+ clinical sites.•Provided support to Assistant Dean for BSN Education to maintain special plans of study for students.•Assisted admissions with online prerequisites program including but not limited to: (i) maintenance of online prerequisite website; (ii) reviewing and routing of student applications; and (iii) acting as the point of contact for all inquiries concerning online prerequisites.•Assisted in developing and coordinating program-related conferences, conventions and meetings.•Identified funding resources and developed fund-raising strategies and initiatives.•Conducted training and represented the program at meetings and conferences while networking with affiliated groups.•Coordinated, monitored and supervised work study student for our tutoring program.•Developed promotional materials which include content for reports, briefings, newsletters, grants and other written information related to the program.•Developed work plans to accomplish program goals and objectives, and monitor progress toward their achievement.•Monitored program expenses to ensure that budget allocations are being adhered to.

Greater Atlanta Area

• Organized and facilitated various information through reports, charts and other documents to internal faculty and external clients.• Responsible for archiving and organizing highly confidential financial and patient information. • Managed and tracked schedules, appointments and daily activities for more than 15 faculty members. • Assisted with grant program management including but not limited to: (i) updating bio sketches; (ii) curriculum vitae; and (iii) coordinating interdepartmental activities.• Handled all travel arrangements including air, hotel and car reservations, itineraries, expense reports and other documents as required for staff to travel to various locations. • Served as main point of contact for vendors and contractors, addressing specific needs and offering targeted solutions.

Greater Atlanta Area

• Managed activities of an entire branch to ensure the most efficient and reliable day-to-day operations.• Performed in-depth inspection of signatures, vault counts, account setup and approve all transactions in amounts of $1 million and higher. • Effectively oversaw a team of 10 professionals and conducted all recruiting, training, hiring, termination and performance evaluations. • Actively coached and developed team members in areas including sales, customer service, operational integrity and leadership. • Generated branch performance reports to benchmark against district and corporate levels. • Collaborated with various branch managers to plan, develop, and execute various strategies to evaluate and revise operational processes, improve efficiency, maximize sales and increase customer satisfaction. • Proactively ensured all processes complied with federal regulatory policies and regulations. • Grew business by successfully maintaining partner relationships including, but not limited to private bankers, payroll services, merchant services, insurance, retirement, mortgage and investment consultants.

Greater Atlanta Area

• Maintained top sales in district on both teller and platform side. • Reviewed customer needs and developed necessary strategies to help clients achieve their goals by recommending different financial products. • Efficiently and accurately processed day-to-day transaction while building and retaining strong relationships with customers. • Worked proactively to ensure compliance with internal and external federal regulatory policies resulting in successful yearly audits. • Mentored tellers on how to develop effective customer experience and communication skills to help them achieve their goals and professional growth. • Contributed to reaching 80% on the 11 Ways to Wow Gallop survey. • Helped verify the vault balance that carries approximately $500,000.• Performed various daily tasks including, but not limited to ATM maintenance and random cash counts to verify teller's balances.

Master Of Science - Ms, Organizational Leadership

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, International Relations And Affairs

Activities and Societies: Orientation Leader, Seminole Ambassador, Genesis, Phi Eta Sigma, Seminole Leadership Experience