Experience

• 

  Godfather's Pizza

  • Spicer, Minnesota, United States

  • Franchise Owner / Operator

    • Mar 2020 - Present
    • Spicer, Minnesota, United States

    Nestled in the heart of Spicer, MN, Godfather's Pizza is family-friendly offering quality Pizza, Cheesesticks, Appetizers, Wings, Desserts, and Giant Cookies all at an affordable price! We are open seasonally with our sister-company Big Kahuna Fun Park from May - September, 7 days a week, 11 am - 9 pm. Dine in, Dine outside, Carry out, or Curbside service! Call: 320-409-1500New outdoor Pavilion for Dining Outside, Events. Parties or just finding some shade between Big Kahuna Mini Golf, Go Karts, or Wet 'n Wild Bumper Boats! Reserve your date for a Party: Birthday, Church, Scouts, Employee Appreciation, Grooms Dinner, Showers, Anniversaries, Reunions, etc! We will help you plan so it's the easiest party you've ever had! Call Michelle for Party Planning: 320-220-3600 for information. We look forward to serving you and our amazing Community!www.spicerfunpark.comLee and Michelle Gauer

• 

  Big Kahuna Fun Park

  • Spicer, MN

  • Owner / Operator / Entrepreneur

    • May 2016 - Present
    • Spicer, MN

    Nestled near Green Lake in the heart of Spicer, Big Kahuna Fun Park offers two Go Kart tracks with Freedom Speedway honoring the Military, Water Wars Bumper Boats, Power Wheels and beautiful 18 Hole Mini Golf Course. There is something for everyone from fun loving preschoolers to those that love the extreme, to the relaxing golf enthusiast. We also book reservations for Work Parties, Youth Groups, Schools, Scouts, Camps, & Daycares. Call Michelle at: 320-220-3600 and we will help plan your party! With Godfather's Pizza now under our roof, we can put on the best Pizza, Picnic 'n Play Party ever! Let us help you have FUN and make some memories! www.spicerfunpark.com190 Progress WaySpicer MN 56288320-796-2445Hours Monday - Sunday 11:00 am to 9:00 pmFull Season from Friday Memorial Weekend - Labor Day. Open before and after these dates call for hours. Come and have Fun with us!!Lee & Michelle Gauer

• 

  west Central Tribune

  • Willmar, MN

  • Contributing Food Journalist

    • Feb 2012 - Present
    • Willmar, MN

    Contributing Food/Culinary Articles for the "Live It!" Magazine published by the West Central Tribune. Distributed to a 5 county area.

• 

  Ridgewater College

  • Willmar and Hutchinson, MN

  • Instructor- Administrative Support Careers

    • Aug 2017 - Aug 2021
    • Willmar and Hutchinson, MN

    www.ridgewater.edu

• 

  Food Services of America

  • Dakota Division, Fargo, ND

  • District Area Sales Rep - West Central MN

    • Apr 2014 - Aug 2017
    • Dakota Division, Fargo, ND

    Managed assigned territory sales and gross profit to plan. Controlled expense and receivables to plan. Developed territory with proven superior sales service through increasing account penetration or existing customers and selling and developing new customers. Introduced new products and value-added services. Represented 80,000 + products. Supported marketing plans and objectives. Created Menu Ideation for Restaurants and Food Service facilities as well as offered Recipe Development and helped owners to increase their profit line while adding value to their customers.

• 

  Jennie-O Turkey Store

  • United States
  • Food Production
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • R & D Corporate Culinary Specialist

    • Apr 2012 - Apr 2014

    Primary responsibilities included: Cooking and Food Presentation for National Accounts, Directors, Corporate Office Events. Recipe Development for Accounts, Menu Ideation. Conducted Validations on Product for accurate Cook Times, Thaw Times, Hold Times, Recipes, Instructions for Food Service Industry and Consumers. Culinary Arts. Speaking engagement to educate on Food Safety, Cooking Techniques, and Culinary Arts.

  • Executive Administrative Assistant

    • Sep 2011 - Apr 2012

    Responsibilities provided key support to the Vice President of Food Service, Food Service Sales Team, Brokers, Hormel Legal and K12 Schools Program. Mulit-tasking of weekly/monthly reporting, service calls, spreadsheets maintenance, broker and national agreements/contracts, scheduling and coordination of meetings and tours, point-of-sale materials inventory and distribution, and Power Point Presentations. Create custom flyers for Managers/Brokers upon request. Required high level of organization and time management skills along with self direction and motivation. Work with Publisher, Word, Lotus Notes, Excel, PowerPoint.

• 

  Taste of Home Magazine

  • Freelance

  • Contributing Food/Recipe Journalist

    • Jan 2013 - Aug 2013
    • Freelance

    Contributing Feature Articles and Food/Culinary/Recipes for the "Taste of Home" magazine. Also published in their cookbooks in prior years. National distribution. Pure enjoyment meets up with my cooking/baking expertise. Article release to for Feature Story to publish in June/July 2014 issue.

• 

  Independence Place Cooperative of Willmar

  • Willmar, MN

  • Housing Manager

    • Feb 2006 - Sep 2011
    • Willmar, MN

    Assumed sole responsibility for all aspects of building operations including: QuickBooks finance/bills/budget, marketing, sales of units, advertising, conducting Board of Director meetings/agendas with prepared financial reports, facilitated five active committees, coordination of building maintenance and repairs, social/activities director, member relations, publishing all building poster and notifications, correspondence, and newsletters. Managed and scheduled all outside contractors, bids, budget, and cleaning staff.

• 

  The Pillsbury Company

  • Spicer, Minnesota

  • Million Dollar Bake-Off Finalist

    • Jun 2009 - Apr 2010
    • Spicer, Minnesota

    Finalist in Recipe Development Contest for Pillsbury. Entered "Double Chocolate-Orange Scones with Orange Maramalade Butter". Represented the company for 10 months conducting demonstrations/interviews on KSAX, Alexandria, PBS - Appleton, KSTP - Minnapolis channels. Spokesperson in Schools, FACS Classes, Girl Scout Groups, Women's Groups. Recipe Link: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/double-chocolate-orange-scones/523977cd-5509-4979-b399-6d9b5cf95bb3#!

• 

  MLG Designs

  • Graphic Design

    • 2000 - 2010

    Freelance, logo design, stationary, professional presentation materials

  • Designer Freelance - Professional Seamstress / Pattern Maker / Tailor

    • 1998 - 2010

    Sewing for Danceline, Show Ski, Bridal/Prom Alterations, Public Alterations.

• 

  Gauer's Sunset Shores Resort

  • Norway Lake, New London, MN

  • Resort Owner/Operator

    • Jan 2000 - Mar 2005
    • Norway Lake, New London, MN

    Owned and Operated successful year around Resort with 9 cabins and 21 RV sites. Responsible for all aspects of operations including: marketing, sales, advertising, web site design and maintenance, full service customer relations for guest reservations, follow-up, record keeping, concierge services in person and via telephone. Conducted and planned full week activities for all ages. Hired and managed cleaning staff. Maintenance of all units and Lodge/Activity Center. Responsible for all aspects of Resort store including: purchasing, inventory, merchandising, and sales.

• 

  The Compass Group

  • New London, Minnesota 56288

  • Communications Director/Office Mananger

    • Nov 1993 - Dec 1999
    • New London, Minnesota 56288

    Responsible for company image profile development and follow through. Developed company exclusive "Entrepreneur's Edge" newsletter, brochures, seminar booklets and special presentation materials. Managed written/verbal customer service communications, correspondence, and scheduling both in person and phone for all phases of business with clients. All office responsibilities were undertaken. Facilitated sign up for the County Offices/Employees for 401k and Flexible Spending Accounts. Licensed in Life/Health Insurance at the time.

• 

  Stearns Manufacturing Company, Inc.

  • Sauk Rapids, MN

  • Product Design Development Engineer

    • May 1986 - Nov 1993
    • Sauk Rapids, MN

    Product Development of Recreational and Industrial Buoyant Boatwear Lines consisting of: General Boating Vest; Children's Vests; Water Ski Vests; Hunting & Fishing Vests; Flotation Jackets; Hybrid Inflatables; Survival Suits; Work Vests; and Rain Wear. Responsible for innovation of new products; research of market trends; value analysis; first patterns; selection of fabrics and components; management of Sewing Technicians; complete illustrated assembly manuals; bill of material and labor cost evaluation; problem solving analysis; design/assembly documentation and change control; project scheduling and planning. Established working knowledge of specifications regarding Underwriters Laboratories Approval Testing and U.S. Coast Guard Recognition of products, fabrics, and components. Developed numerous original fabric prints along with coordinating and designing Snoopy prints with licensed artist. Worked directly with Buyers/Marketing to develop exclusive "private label" products. Required extensive interaction and communication throughout all departments of business operations.

• 

  Munsingwear - Vasserette

  • Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

  • Designer

    • Sep 1984 - May 1986
    • Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

    Responsible to sketch, create, and interpret new designs for women's Daywear, Sleepwear, Loungewear, and Robes. Establish first patterns from draping and flat pattern techniques with instructions for sample sewers. Interact with Director of Design to incorporate appropriate ideas into overall design plan. Follow through with material and labor costing. Perfect fit on live models. Prepare final patterns with complete written instructions and illustrations for plant production. Check over first production garments against specifications and advise plant on appearance and construction to improve end product.