Experience

Franksville Craft Beer Garden (FCBG) / Hop Heads Hospitality & Events

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Owner, President

  • Oct 2017 - Present

  Hop Heads specializes in the creation, management and promotion of events and programs related to the Hospitality and Craft Beer Industry. Hop Heads believes all projects are unique and don’t fit a “one size fits all” approach. Hop Heads uses its industry experience to produce memorable events and create unique customer experiences. Hop Heads events and programs include: FRANKSVILLE CRAFT BEER GARDEN - Founded 2018 – Franksville Memorial Park -Development and operation of Racine County’s first and only permanent beer garden -Average weekly attendance of 2500+ people -Venue Programming including weekly music series, Food Truck Nights, Night Markets and more Awarded Best of Racine County Seven Times in 2022: Best Event (2021 & 2022) Best Family Fun (2021 & 2022) Best Free Entertainment (2021 & 2022) Best Customer Service (2021 & 2022) Best Beer List (2020, 2021 & 2022) Best Happy Hour (2021 & 2022) (Runner-up for Best Place to Work in 2021, Runner-up Best Summer Job in 2022) Finalist for Best of Milwaukee Four Times in 2022: -Best Beer Garden (2021 & 2022) -Best Outdoor Music Series -Best All Ages Music Venue -Best Place to Take a Family FRANKSVILLE FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL - Founded 2018 -Development and operation of annual 2-day community based Food Truck Festival featuring Live Music. -Avg. Attendance of 6000+ OKTOBERFEST OF GREATER RACINE presented by Lakefront Brewery - Founded 2018 -Community Celebration of the classic German Oktoberfest Festival -4 Day Celebration including Live Music, Food, Fun, and Gemütlichkeit TACO FEST OF RACINE - Founded 2020 -Community Celebration of all things Taco -Avg. Attendance of 3500+ UNION GOVE BEER GARDEN (Pop-up) - Founded in 2022 -Village of Union Grove, WI -Best of Racine County - Best of the West Best Entertainment/Live Music BELLE CITY BIERGARTEN – Founded 2019 – City of Racine, WI (Discontinued in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic)



Bay Em Vay Inc. - The Micro - Craft Beer, Benno's Concessions, Wineberry, Leinie Lodge

• Director of Operations and Marketing

  • Jul 2012 - Jul 2017

  Director of Operations and Marketing (2015 - 2017) • Directed the day-to-day operational and marketing procedures in order to meet strategic goals and objectives as one of the largest independent operators/vendors at Wisconsin State Fair Park. • Led an executive team in developing a staff of approximately 150 people dedicated to providing the best customer service and experience. • Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans and initiatives for multiple brands and events. These specifically focused on increasing the customer base and loyalty by improving the customer experience. • Created and launched brand activation events such as Summer Untapped and The Keg Killer Winter Beer Festival in order to grow "The Micro - Craft Beer" brand. • Developed and managed relationships, partnerships, and strategic alliances, while acting as the main point of contact with media contacts, various distributors, vendors, hospitality groups, and 50+ breweries. • Established and managed operational and marketing budgets for the company and its events. • Led the team responsible for brand activation and digital media strategy to create brand advocacy. • Created and implemented new innovative strategies for various Social Media and digital platforms including projects with Facebook Live, Snapchat Stories, Instagram Stories, and CRM Strategy software. Supervisor – Part-Time (2012 - 2015) • Managed concession sales at the Main Stage Concert Venue during the Wisconsin State Fair and worked directly with key stakeholders of the venue. • Trained and supervised staff in following company policies and procedures.



Phantom Fireworks

• United States
• Retail
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Regional Manager of Southeast Wisconsin

  • Nov 2008 - Jul 2015

  • Directed the day-to-day operations and marketing procedures of multiple retail locations. This included developing, training, scheduling, and coordinating a team of 60-75 employees to guarantee all policies and procedures are followed in accordance with company policy. • Managed regional go-to-market and brand activation strategies for existing and new retail locations. • Developed and maintained regional “Competitor’s Analysis” database on pricing, promotion, strategy, etc. • Developed and implemented company-wide marketing strategies and activations utilized at 70+ showrooms, 100+ temporary locations and wholesale chain-store accounts to increase customer loyalty through enhanced customer service and experience. This includes the use of QR codes, tablet displays, counter-top bonus display, "Big Spender" board, improved merchandising techniques based on current consumer behavior trends, and managing basic CRM strategy. • Served as the company's local point of contact for public relations and media opportunities. • Assisted in coordinating both regional and national marketing and advertising plans aimed at increasing brand awareness and sales; including sponsorships, public relations, outdoor media, radio / television, business-to-business communications, community outreach and social media development. • Trained staff on skills such as customer service techniques, customer experience, merchandising, product knowledge, POS operations, safety regulations, customer development, and customer retention. • Developed and organized multiple community outreach projects, including the annual "Community Cookout to Fight Cancer” which raised over $25,000 through sponsorships and attendee donations. • Created and produced a YouTube Web Series titled "#PHANTOMNATION SHOW" with over 100K views. • Assisted in improving company-wide efficiency in areas such as payroll, training, maintenance, marketing, advertising, product ordering, inventory control and more.



Blackjack Fireworks, LLC - Red Rock Trading Co. (Purchased by Phantom in 2008)

• Vice President of Operations & Marketing

  • Jan 2001 - Nov 2008

  • Directed the day-to-day operations and marketing of a national chain of 12 retail stores with combined sales revenue of approx. $12-$15 million annually. • Coordinated marketing and advertising plans with budgets of $250K annually. Plans included customer events, sponsorships, radio / television, internet, print and outdoor media. • Created various customer service projects and initiatives including customer loyalty program, email newsletter, personal shoppers / show-builders, and website development. • Initiated and cultivated relationships with community leaders, suppliers/vendors, partners and employees of all service levels, both internationally and domestically. • Created and launched a private label product line that was sold through multiple channels. • Managed company-wide inventory and product ordering of approx. $3.5 million annually.



Blackjack Fireworks, LLC - Red Rock Trading Co.

• Regional Manager / Marketing Coordinator

  • May 1999 - Jan 2001

  • Managed daily store operations including a staff of 40-50 employees. • Managed marketing and advertising for Midwest locations with a $100K annual budget. • Trained staff in customer service, sales techniques, product knowledge, etc. • Managed daily store operations including a staff of 40-50 employees. • Managed marketing and advertising for Midwest locations with a $100K annual budget. • Trained staff in customer service, sales techniques, product knowledge, etc.



Blackjack Fireworks, LLC

• Warehouse Manager / Marketing Assistant

  • Jan 1996 - May 1999

  • Managed warehouse staff and was responsible for incoming/outgoing shipments. • Assisted with Marketing activities including radio advertising, billboards and mailing list. • Trained customer service techniques and product knowledge. • Managed warehouse staff and was responsible for incoming/outgoing shipments. • Assisted with Marketing activities including radio advertising, billboards and mailing list. • Trained customer service techniques and product knowledge.