Experience

DeafTax.com

• United States
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO & Founder/ Innovative Strategist

  • Jan 2007 - Present

  Honolulu, HI and Washington D.C. • Established DeafTax.com in 2007 as a social entrepreneurship, private-public partnership (PPP) with the IRS and National Disability Institute introducing videophones as a viable model for the delivery of volunteer tax services through a pilot program serving 900 low-income taxpayers in 28 cities at 19 locations delivered in coordination with dozens of nonprofit organizations, churches, and local government social service agencies • Web 2.0 early adopter with a focus on the customer website… Show more • Established DeafTax.com in 2007 as a social entrepreneurship, private-public partnership (PPP) with the IRS and National Disability Institute introducing videophones as a viable model for the delivery of volunteer tax services through a pilot program serving 900 low-income taxpayers in 28 cities at 19 locations delivered in coordination with dozens of nonprofit organizations, churches, and local government social service agencies • Web 2.0 early adopter with a focus on the customer website experience, posting the first ASL video on YouTube in 2007 and now having 200+ videos on tax-related information in ASL with over a combined 1 million views across multiple social media platforms • Successfully spun off DeafTax LLC S-Corp from Schwarz Financial via CSD SVF venture capital investment in 2018 and is currently valued at 30x the spin off purchase price. • Recruited, trained, and led a team of 15 employees while focusing on the elevation and revenue acceleration of a leading national tax preparation business, consistently gaining traction as the best solution in the U.S. Deaf community for tax preparation • Since 2007, trained interns from Gallaudet University and RIT on tax preparation while also hiring over 50+ seasonal staff in front desk, customer support and client service functions • With venture capital funding, achieved 231% revenue growth and 164% client count increase over a 5-year period Our clients value the convenience and clarity offered through the online delivery of tax preparation services that are based on American Sign Language (ASL) communication through videophone. Show less



DealMTRX

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Director

  • Dec 2022 - Dec 2022

  Greenwich, Connecticut, United States Fintech SaaS start-up focused on providing online, digital workflow solutions for Private Equity firms.



Schwarz Financial Services LLC

• CEO & Investment Advisor

  • Dec 2005 - Dec 2019

  Honolulu, Hawaii, United States • Perfect U4 as dual RIA & RR for 3 different B/Ds, while also accelerating and managing a $15M AUM book of business. • Transformed the organization from an office platform to virtual operations with 100% compliance rate, ensuring customer service excellence and account management strategies were in place for a seamless transition • Provided business consultations and qualitative reports for FCC-mandated video relay services (VRS) businesses including Viable Communications, SnapVRS and… Show more • Perfect U4 as dual RIA & RR for 3 different B/Ds, while also accelerating and managing a $15M AUM book of business. • Transformed the organization from an office platform to virtual operations with 100% compliance rate, ensuring customer service excellence and account management strategies were in place for a seamless transition • Provided business consultations and qualitative reports for FCC-mandated video relay services (VRS) businesses including Viable Communications, SnapVRS and GoAmerica/Purple Communications Show less



Uber

• United States
• Internet Marketplace Platforms
• 700 & Above Employee

• Brand Ambassador

  • Jun 2015 - Sep 2015

  Honolulu, HI Connecting Hawaii and the Deaf community with the Uber platform



Gate Gourmet

• Switzerland
• Airlines and Aviation
• 700 & Above Employee

• Operations Supervisor

  • Sep 2013 - Jun 2014

  Honolulu, HI As an Operations Supervisor for the Cold Foods Department, I achieved the following: •Supervised the daily production of 7000+ meals serving multiple airlines •Monitored productivity and performance of 30-40 union production workers per shift •Adherence to and the of reporting of activities that met HAACP and CCP production standards •Implemented e-pad system, on production floor, resulting in 30% reduction in menu deviations •Conducted productivity improvements and training… Show more As an Operations Supervisor for the Cold Foods Department, I achieved the following: •Supervised the daily production of 7000+ meals serving multiple airlines •Monitored productivity and performance of 30-40 union production workers per shift •Adherence to and the of reporting of activities that met HAACP and CCP production standards •Implemented e-pad system, on production floor, resulting in 30% reduction in menu deviations •Conducted productivity improvements and training resulting in estimated $175k annual labor savings I utilized Lean and Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing processes to maximize worker productivity and reduce food waste. One successful project that I implemented was an e-pad system that provided the production staff with food menu specifications while on the manufacturing floor and enabled a reduction of food waste and resulted in increased labor productivity. Show less



Accessurf Hawaii

• Coordinator, Day At The Beach

  • Nov 2011 - Jun 2012

  Honolulu, HI Responsible for coordinating AccesSurf's "Day At The Beach" (DATB) bi-monthly events, which provide therapeutic-based, ocean access services to disabled children, adults and their families along with Wounded Warrior veterans. - Oversaw set-up, breakdown of beach site during day of event - Directed 90+ volunteers in 5 different areas - Ensured safety of 100+ participants



The World Bank

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Feb 2004 - Jun 2005

  • Performed as a Disability Research Assistant to conduct research to develop an advanced methodology to evaluate Europe and Central Asia (ECA) regional projects totaling $2.2B concerning disability program components • Well-traveled professional with missions in Ukraine and Romania to support $150M+ World Bank/Government projects, including Reforms for Inclusion of Disabled & Elderly (RIDE) project • Utilized expertise in research, professional development, and awareness to ensure… Show more • Performed as a Disability Research Assistant to conduct research to develop an advanced methodology to evaluate Europe and Central Asia (ECA) regional projects totaling $2.2B concerning disability program components • Well-traveled professional with missions in Ukraine and Romania to support $150M+ World Bank/Government projects, including Reforms for Inclusion of Disabled & Elderly (RIDE) project • Utilized expertise in research, professional development, and awareness to ensure operational success as well as optimal policy results from a global standpoint • Effectively researched and created reports concerning cost-benefit analysis and financial outcomes for the disabled through public policy affecting legislation, communications, employment, education, health, and social protection issues, focusing heavily on data-backed research and analysis • Successfully coordinated ECA region activities at World Bank Disability & Development Conference in 2004, including all media production and marketing, as well as creating video content to drive global attendee awareness Show less



Hawaii State Legislature

• Legislative Analyst, Interim Chief of Staff

  • Jan 2003 - Jun 2003

  • Recruited to communicate legislative priorities on behalf of the Representative with State Legislators, as well as communicate across multiple layers of Federal, State, City, and County agencies, effectively guiding and delegating initiatives to district constituents • Utilized expertise in business administration and economics to closely monitor committee sessions, focusing heavily on examining and reporting on State agency/departmental proposals submitted to Human Services, Housing, and… Show more • Recruited to communicate legislative priorities on behalf of the Representative with State Legislators, as well as communicate across multiple layers of Federal, State, City, and County agencies, effectively guiding and delegating initiatives to district constituents • Utilized expertise in business administration and economics to closely monitor committee sessions, focusing heavily on examining and reporting on State agency/departmental proposals submitted to Human Services, Housing, and Health Committees • Testified in support of and lobbied legislators to pass SB 1306, a bill relating to Telecommunications Relay Services Show less



House Minority Research Office

• Budget Analyst - Intern

  • May 2002 - Aug 2002

  • Served as a Budget Analyst for the House Minority Research Office by analyzing budget documents and funding requests submitted by State departments, agencies, and legislative committees



Gallaudet University Regional Center - Hawaii

• Special Projects Coordinator

  • Sep 1998 - Sep 2001

  Student assistant with a wide range of responsibilities relating from clerical office work, organizing events and workshops, tutoring deaf students and participating in community outreach.



Baywatch-Hawaii

• Production Assistant

  • May 1999 - Dec 1999

  Production Assistant (PA) to Wardrobe Designer and Costumer