Val Graham-Mcelroy Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Provide the highest level of support to the President/CEO and members of the Senior Leadership Team by managing a high volume of emails, extensive calendar management and administrative support in a fast-paced office environment requiring excellent written and verbal communication skills, time management and prioritization skills to effectively concentrate on multiple projects, problems and tasks calmly and efficiently. Additional responsibilities include:• First point of contact and gatekeeper for the President/CEO’s office requiring superior interpersonal skills with clients, board members and various levels of internal and external management. • Provide day-to-day administrative support to the CEO and members of the Executive Leadership Team including correspondence, scheduling appointments and meetings, expense reports, answering and directing phones, special projects as requested.• Arrange travel, accommodations, itineraries, and correspondence related to arrangements as needed.• Plan, organize events such as conferences, board meetings, business luncheons or client dinners.• Supervise the planning for company events and employee team building activities or special projects. • Assist the CEO and COO with preparation of materials, scheduling and communications for Board Meetings, Executive Leadership Team Meetings and All-Staff Meetings. • Point of contact for all office needs including supplies, mail, IT and cellphone requests• Assist with Human Resources (new employee offer letters, onboarding, issuance/tracking of laptops and phones).• Manage all licensing, registration and insurance for company drivers.• Work directly with the COO and Safety Director making sure the appropriate apparel and safety gear are readily available and in compliance.• Responsible for updating/renewing all company contracting licensing and certifications required on a yearly basis.• Train, manage and supervise assistants and clerical staff hired for special projects.

Chicago, Il, Us

Reporting directly to the CEO, liaison to the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team while managing a broad range of executive level administrative and project support including, but not limited to: • Extensive calendar management of complex meetings including Board meetings, reoccurring weekly and monthly internal staff meetings and meetings with business partners.• Answered and screened CEO telephone calls, arranged conference calls, WebEx and Zoom meetings, and greeted scheduled visitors.• Arranged travel for CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board members including flight, car, hotel reservations and the creation/management of travel itineraries. • Managed CEO expenses, reporting and analysis and reviewed operating practices and procedures to determine whether improvements can be made in areas of workflow, reporting procedures and expenditures. • Prepared routine and advanced correspondence, including letters, memos, documents, agendas, presentations, bios and reports.• Managed meeting logistics for onsite or offsite meetings including arranging the meeting room or facility, audio visual, registration and all catering needs.• Primary point of contact/gate keeper for the CEO office, respond to questions and inquiries, review all items requiring the CEO signature.• Arranged all monthly Board meetings, including the collection of all relevant materials for the Board members, setting up conference lines, and taking minutes.• Assists with the creation of administrative procedures and development of communication systems.• Developed and trained staff and Board members on software that created a more effective method of distributing and maintaining the monthly Board reports, minutes, bylaws, etc. • Daily interaction with CEO’s direct reports to provide administrative training, support or guidance as needed.

Executive Assistant to C-Suite and Senior level executives at various companies/institutions throughout the Chicagoland area as noted below. -POTBELLY HEADQUARTERS – President & Chief Executive Officer-HYATT CORPORATION – Vice President of Operations-UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO - CFO of Finance & Administration-INFORMATION RESOURCES INC. – Executive Vice President & General Counsel Responsibilities included:• Worked as a contract/temporary employee assisting C-Suite and Senior level executives at various companies throughout the Chicagoland area requiring the ability to quickly adjust in unfamiliar environments while successfully working in an independent, flexible and efficient manner. Responsibilities included: managing administrative work load and prioritizing task in a fast-paced environment; creating and editing confidential correspondence, agendas and PowerPoint presentations; schedule diverse and complex appointments and meetings using Outlook Calendar Management, interface with Board of Directors; coordinate extensive travel arrangements (domestic and international), processing expense reports (Concur); answer phones and direct calls to proper person; greet clients and visitors; and assisted with event planning.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Performed confidential and diverse administrative duties for the Executive Vice President of Business Operations and the Board of Directors including: • Dictation/Speedwriting, - composed, prepared, proofed and modified minutes, correspondence, reports drafts, memos and emails for internal and outgoing distribution. • Managed complex and frequently changing travel (international & domestic) for Executive Vice President and other Chicago Bulls Marketing Executives.• Scheduled diverse and complex appointments and meetings using Outlook.• Screen Calls and Complaints to determine level of importance and field to appropriate executive or NBA representative.• Create PowerPoint presentations including charts, graphs and critical data.• Board of Directors/Investor Administration - Direct point of contact for Board of Directors/Investors including managing the administrative needs – including hotel and travel arrangements, confirming Board meeting location, revisions and distribution of Board minutes and meeting materials and any additional special request regarding the NBA games and events.• Process Expense Reports reflecting supporting documentation and critical data.• Collaborate with Department Managers at weekly staff meetings and taking minutes to be distributed to front office staff.• NBA Special Projects Coordinator - Coordinated many special projects for the NBA such as the All-Star Games and became the direct point of contact for VIP’s in the city of Chicago interested in purchasing NBA All Star tickets.• Project Management - Coordinated yearly Marketing Plan working with departments and radio stations to show overall departmental goals and accomplishments from year to year.• Manage Pre-Game Dinner Reservations for sponsors and potential clients.• Created a monthly front office newsletter to inform front office staff of current departmental and upcoming NBA events.

Administrative Services Manager (1999—2001)• Managed daily operational and administrative activities of office services staff.• Coordinated all aspects of facilities management: space planning/allocation, build-outs and office relocations. Met with architects and designers to define scope of project and establish timelines.• Coordinate event planning for employee outings, holiday parties and in-house activities.• Negotiated contract with Temporary Agency, which eliminated the fee of converting temporary workers to permanent employees resulting in annual savings of $50K.• Negotiated contracts with vendors to purchase office equipment at reduced costs which increased office services ability to complete fax and copy requests in a more timely and efficient manner.Executive Assistant (1991-1999)Provided administrative support to President/COO/CEO and Senior Vice President of Operations assisting in all areas of office management and human resources including coordination of health benefits, FMLA, 401k and offer letters. Assisted in the initial interview/screening process of new applicants. Established all administrative processes and procedures required for organization as it grew from 30 to 200 employees.