Howard Sandler Email & Phone Number

Costa Mesa, Ca

Lead and direct year-round event program in addition to numerous key commercial aspects of the annual Orange County Fair, managing and overseeing event sales and operations as well as food & beverage concessions, retail/merchandise shops and visitor services comprised of guest relations, parking functions and public safety for this $50M+ business consisting of 8 meeting/exhibit buildings, an outdoor amphitheater, action arena, outside festival spaces, agricultural/equestrian centers, campground and restaurants all on 150 acres, and employing up to 3,500+ combined in-house and subcontractor employees. Major focus on financial performance, contract development, bidding and negotiation, revenue building, operational studies, RFPs, staff development, process creation/implementation, commercial property management, venue layout and cultivating relationships with clients/promoters, vendors, concessionaires and government entities.• Led 45% per capita revenue gain yielding a $12M yearly Fair-time concession sales improvement through guest focus, concept development, property utilization and layout planning.• Achieved 100% to date retention of all recurring client/event contracts.• Realized $4.7M annual growth in year-round event revenue through client centric sales and service efforts.• Established comprehensive tracking format to measure/forecast sales activity by event and revenue stream.• Headed development and introduction of proprietary private label bottled water program and sponsorship.• Designed in-house food safety program to enhance team knowledge and minimize risk exposure.

Greater Los Angeles Area; Central Fl

Consulting and volunteer services provided to individuals and organizations. Program offered continuing care and support toward resolution of personal matters as well as turnaround guidance designed to lead businesses to improved customer service, staff development, administration and resulting profitability through identification of change opportunities and introduction of appropriate initiatives. Expertise in areas of needs assessment, goal setting, financial planning/analysis, inventory management, operational audits, job coaching and resume critique.

Mission Viejo, Ca

COO equivalent responsibilities for non profit homeowner association serving 23,700 homes and 80,000+ residents; providing cross functional leadership, while overseeing daily operations and administration for 175 acre lake and recreational property consisting of a marina, boat fleet, fishery, beaches, parks, clubhouse, entertainment venue, merchandise shops and foodservice outlets. Planned and directed wide-ranging activities including concerts, special events, member relations, marketing and construction management.• Drove immediate and sustained financial operating improvement resulting in a $1.4M+ income surplus and reserve funding increase (68% to 94%).• Identified, developed and managed construction and refurbishment projects that transformed a dated and space challenged property into an upgraded and highly functional facility with convenient new features.• Introduced and advanced a comprehensive safety program resulting in a 75% reduction in claims experience.• Revitalized special events lineup and expanded activities to reach a significantly broader demographic market resulting in a fivefold increase in member attendance.

Greater Denver Area

Directed overall financial and administrative activities of this $70M per year contractors supply company comprised of multiple wholesale distribution centers and two large structural steel fabrication facilities. Oversaw functions including accounting, credit, insurance, tax, treasury, IT and human resources....Provided business recovery support, successfully guiding organization back to profitability by way of identifying opportunities, introducing programs, mentoring staff and supervising projects.• Steered $3.1M profit turnaround within two years through designing and charting weekly revenue & expense tracking model, rolling financial projections and business mix/rate & volume analysis.• Improved operating results and cash flow performance through 25% DSO reduction as well as design and utilization of staffing charts, production reports and numerous other cost containment measures/metrics.• Implemented 4-4-5 accounting format leading to timelier, more consistent and cost effective financial reporting and improved inventory/cycle count synchronization as well as staff efficiency gains.• Led development and rollout of upgraded HR systems that provided enhanced guidelines and compliance standards relative to policies, procedures, staff appraisal and wage & benefit administration.• Initiated and headed company’s first ever budgetary process and financial operating plan.• Developed profitability analysis models to measure line of business and job services performance.

Pacific Region

Directed all aspects of financial reporting and operating controls inclusive of budgets, forecasts, accounting functions, month end close, inventory & cash management, audit reviews and business analysis for Pacific Region portfolio of 19 stadium, arena, amphitheater, mall and park locations with combined annual revenues of $145M+ and 4,700+ employees.• Managed all Pacific Region finance related aspects of operating unit integration and expansion from 9 locations to 19 during which time, area business responsibility increased by $60M annually.• Launched labor & productivity planning/tracking model that resulted in $1.1M savings at Dodger Stadium.• Maintained consistently high scores in audit compliance by actively conducting unit operating reviews.

Anaheim, Ca

Overall responsibility for business operation and P&L performance of food and beverage services at Anaheim (Angels) Stadium; with 75+ F&B outlets, 300+ cash points and staff of 600+ employees. Managed operations, client relations, financial performance, human resources, union labor agreement, purchasing, business development, sponsorship programs, contract negotiations and construction projects.• Increased gross operating profits versus Budget by $1.6M at Angels Stadium through sales development, business mix adjustments, cost containment measures and multiple other operational improvements.• Achieved 17% per capita sales gain in 1st year leading to $340K profit improvement.• Oversaw construction and coordinated opening efforts of 28 new food and beverage outlets.

Los Angeles, Ca

Led all operational and P&L aspects of foodservice operation at the Los Angeles Convention Center; employing 850+ staff members and featuring 29 food and beverage profit centers as well as major catering facilities accommodating up to 10,000+ guests.• Increased account profitability by 186% through targeted emphasis on revenue building, cost containment, materials management, people development, quality assurance and client relations.• Initiated Cost of Goods Sold reduction plan and concept changes resulting in 1st year profit gain of $410K.• Reduced inventory level 61% by instituting purchasing guidelines and establishing days-on-hand goals.

Tucson, Arizona; Oklahoma City, Ok

Managed all operational and P&L aspects of up to 15 full service and quick serve (QSR) airport terminal food, beverage and retail merchandise centers of varied concepts with up to 100 employees at Tucson International Airport and Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport.• Increased per capita sales by more than 15% through marketing and service enhancements.• Reduced highest cost of sales ratio in Company to its lowest (12% point reduction).• Presented the Gold Plate Award for Sanitation Excellence by Pima County Health Department.• Recipient of Company’s Retail Operation of the Year Award.

Denver, Co

Directed all financial functions including budgets, inventory & cash management, supervision of accounting, purchasing and human resources staffs, and audit accountability at Stapleton International Airport (Denver), the Company's largest, most complex and then most profitable airport concessions location comprised of 32 profit centers and 400 employees. Managed same responsibilities for airline catering kitchen with 180 employees servicing 5 airlines/95 daily flights.

Corporate Headquarters

Provided financial analysis, bid preparation and contract pricing negotiation in support of the marketing and sales of airline catering services for many of the Company’s 30 flight kitchens and travel industry partners.