Rita Larue Email & Phone Number

Greater Philadelphia Area

I became president of LARGO to enhance the company’s commitment to keeping overhead low and customizing services to meet our client’s budget and desired outcomes. My experience leading complex service portfolios gives me a keen understanding of the relationships between operations, customer relations, and marketing that is key to success. LARGO Consulting Services, LLC is committed to clients getting their desired results wherever people live, learn, work, shop, and play. It’s our way of making the world a better place.

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States

United States

Through The Saxbys E.L.P.℠, young people are proving that they have what it takes to mold the business movement of the future.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

During my 23-year career at Drexel University, I consistently outperformed expectations, leading to multiple promotions and a vertical growth pattern, which culminated in my appointment as Vice President. In this role I served on the President’s Cabinet and the University’s Executive Council and provided hands-on leadership for University Housing, Campus Dining, Retail Management, University Bookstores, DragonCard Services, Dragon Dollars, Event & Conference Services, Parking Services, Printing & Mailing Services, Vending, the Student Centers and Procurement Services. Responsibilities included oversight of facilities comprising 2.5M square feet across Drexel’s three Philadelphia campuses, an annual budget exceeding $100M, logistics related to major campus and cultural events, and leading a diverse and multigenerational team. My experience in developing revenue streams, achieving operational effectiveness, transforming the customer experience and implementing change management strategies in support of the university’s mission and goals is highlighted below:• Lead a market-competitive and student-centric housing occupancy management strategy designed to offer students a mix of housing at the campus core; reimagined the development and use of residence halls; built strong partnerships with third-party developers that financed new construction.• Created capacity to house a freshman class that increased by 23% from original projections in less than 6 months. Supplied 575 student beds beyond typical capacity via triples, lounges and master leases. Additional overall revenue to the university was $5.675M.• Founding member and then led Drexel Green, a university-wide sustainability program.• Business liaison for Project SEARCH, a program offering students on the autism spectrum the opportunity to participate in internships to gain employment skills. Inaugurated the program by establishing eight positions and doubled that number in year two.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In this role, I was responsible for the vision and management of the campus marketplace, including housing, dining and retail. Utilizing strong internal and external partnerships and building a strong team, I created and implemented services that were customer responsive and result in increased profitability. Revenue increased 40% from $50.7M to $71.2M in five years, dining sales increased 56%, housing revenue 32%, daily parking sales 139%, and conference revenue by 30%. Highlights include:• Developed and implemented the Campus Dining Master Plan to redefine dining with an emphasis on contemporary dining options, new and renovated dining locations, sustainability initiatives, organizational stability, and profitability. • Developed and implemented the Drexel Retail Master Plan, which envisioned a greater student and community experience through new and renovated locations that focused on place-making and promoted a seamless integration between the campus and the community.• Team leader for the design and development of the Urban Eatery, a $9.3M, 20,000 square foot, 400-seat dining location featuring six individual platforms and a lounge equipped for media events, presentations, and group study. Secured nearly 100% of funding needed from third-party partnerships.• Conceived and opened the Northside Dining Terrace in alignment with customer preferences and potential for high return on investment, and identified the site, which took advantage of existing infrastructure and decreased building costs. In its first year, sales were over $5.2M and customer satisfaction with campus dining increased by 5%.• Created and implemented the 2-Year Residency Program to meet a growing demand for housing accommodations that best complement a student’s academic experience. Established criteria and created a portfolio of housing options that provided a wide range of lifestyle and economic options. In full implementation, compliance was 85% in year one and 99% by year three.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My responsibilities in this role included chief of staff duties for the Division of Student Life and Administrative Services, as well as responsibility for fiscal stewardship and strategic planning, operational oversight, human resource information systems, contract negotiation with labor unions, and capital planning. Highlights include:• Led contract negotiations with the Teamsters 115 Maintenance and Custodial units and Stationary Engineers 835. Each contract was successfully concluded on time and on budget and met desired outcomes.• Developed and opened Drexel’s first Starbucks (year one sales $850k) identified by the Starbucks Coffee Company as a premier example of success of the brand on a college campus. • Negotiated two consecutive partnership agreements with Coca-Cola worth over $5M. Created Commissions for Activities and Programs, utilizing vending profits to fund selected student, faculty, and professional staff endeavors.• Negotiated two consecutive ten-year contracts with Barnes & Noble College Stores worth over $20M.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Assistant Vice President, Student Life and Administrative ServicesDirector, Administrative ServicesAssistant Director, Student Life

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Activities and Societies: President, Graduate Student Association

Certificate, Arts Administration

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