Director of Membership and State Advocacy

• Jan 2023 - Present

Membership and Advocacy Officer

• Aug 2018 - Jan 2023

Executive Director

• May 2018 - Present

Sodas Consulting provides guidance and expertise on creating and implementing marketing strategies, event planning, training on providing excellent customer service. With over 15 years of experience, advanced communication and presentation skills, Sodas Consulting can help elevate your team to the next level. Sodas Consulting provides guidance and expertise on creating and implementing marketing strategies, event planning, training on providing excellent customer service. With over 15 years of experience, advanced communication and presentation skills, Sodas Consulting can help elevate your team to the next level.

Director of Marketing & Alumni Relations

• Jan 2017 - May 2018

Voyage Recovery Center provides developmentally sound treatment for young adult men and their families. Created by clinicians, the Voyage program helps young men reconnect and find their purpose and passion in recovery Voyage Recovery Center provides developmentally sound treatment for young adult men and their families. Created by clinicians, the Voyage program helps young men reconnect and find their purpose and passion in recovery

Director of Business Development and Alumni Relations

• Oct 2015 - Jan 2017

www.jaywalkerlodge.com www.jaywalkerlodge.com

Community Outreach & Alumni Relations

• Jun 2014 - Oct 2015

♦ Initiate, coordinate and strengthen community and professional relationships throughout the state and region, through meetings and tours of Harmony Foundation. ♦ Organize and execute fund raising events such as golf tournaments, alumni reunion weekend and National Skiathon Event. ♦ Develop relationships with key professionals and other community members who can assist individuals in accessing the services of Harmony Foundation. ♦ Implement, and maintain a comprehensive marketing and education program geared to the specific needs of Harmony, Harmony’s alumni and the community. ♦ Attend groups, meetings and conferences in the addiction field that will be beneficial to Harmony Foundation’s marketing and networking efforts.

President/Owner

• Sep 2011 - Aug 2014

♦ Manage and execute upscale events from 20-200 guests. ♦ Successfully oversee the selection, coordination, and negotiations with suppliers and vendor services, while staying within budgetary constraints and maintaining high expectations. ♦ Design creative décor and theming concepts for cliental. ♦ Manage and accept accountability of budgets for weddings and special events. ♦ Create master itinerary’s for vendors, bridal parties and clients. ♦ Manage and execute upscale events from 20-200 guests. ♦ Successfully oversee the selection, coordination, and negotiations with suppliers and vendor services, while staying within budgetary constraints and maintaining high expectations. ♦ Design creative décor and theming concepts for cliental. ♦ Manage and accept accountability of budgets for weddings and special events. ♦ Create master itinerary’s for vendors, bridal parties and clients.

Director of Catering and Events

• Jan 2013 - Jun 2014

♦ Generated over $850,000.00 in catering and golf revenue for the club in 2013. ♦ Managed & develop relationships with both potential clients & current members for events. ♦ Worked closely with Marketing to create offers and appropriate materials to target prospective clients. ♦ Direct customer services via site visits, menu tasting, and planning meetings for definite and potential groups ♦ Create and execute all contracts, cost estimates, invoices and follow up correspondence. ♦ Attend trade shows, chamber meetings, NACE and other community networking events to stay on top of trends and be involved in the industry. ♦ Organize, plan and execute all member events throughout the year.

Special Event Manager

• Sep 2010 - Jul 2012

♦ Plan, implement, and managed all special events, fundraisers, and private rentals for the zoo ♦ Responsible for information flow and department coordination in execution of assigned events ♦ Managed internal and external event planning and volunteer committees. ♦ In cooperation with the Corporate Relations Manager, engaged in vendor, donor, and corporate relations as related to assigned events. ♦ Oversee the Zoo’s volunteer and intern program (over 500 volunteers). ♦ Responsible for hiring, training, safety, evaluation, motivation, development, performance, discipline, termination, and addressing general human resource needs of subordinates. ♦ Responsible for mentoring, training, and overseeing Events Department interns and volunteers. ♦ Develops event budgets and is responsible for meeting and exceeding financial targets as assigned by Executive VP/COO.

Catering Sales Manager

• Mar 2008 - Sep 2010

♦ Sell, plan, coordinate and detail, upscale weddings from 20-375 guests. ♦ Generated over $935,000.00 of revenue for the resort in 2009 ♦ Collaborate with sales team on FAM trips, trade shows, sales calls & entertaining prospective clients. ♦ Responsible for successful execution of events, work with hotel staff and customers to ensure a productive function and/or work to solve operational challenges and suggest alternative solutions. ♦ Ensure that quality service and food are delivered with every function to exceed client’s needs. ♦ Create contracts, prepare all the appropriate paperwork for social functions including room reservations, banquet event orders, audio visual billing and diagrams for the meeting space. ♦ Network and work closely with vendors to keep up with current trends and have active role in the wedding planning community.

Corporate Meeting Planner

• Nov 2006 - Mar 2008

♦ Coordinate and implement travel incentive programs and conferences for our Executives, Directors and Sales Force to include: program agenda, budgeting, printed material, trip logistics and on site management. ♦ Managed our annual Jubilee event with 2,675 attendees. Handled all of the hotel logistics, BEO’s, rooming lists, budgeting, decor and reconciled all final invoices. ♦ Research locations and destinations for future events, conduct site inspections and negotiate contracts as required for meetings, conferences, incentive trips and special events. ♦ Partner with finance and forecasting to develop, manage and accept accountability of budgets for meetings, conferences, and special events. Maintain financial records, review and audit invoices and master accounts.

Sales Representative

• Sep 2004 - May 2006

♦ Generated leads, bookings, pro-active sales and all related communications for Florida and Small Meetings National Sales Managers, including all follow up with member hotels, attractions, venues and clients. ♦ Responsible for assisting clients with placement of small groups (24 peak rooms or less per night) nationally. ♦ Assisted with the planning of several events (tradeshows, presentations, ect.) the Bureau sponsors such as; The Planning Connection Expo and the Tallahassee Society of Associate Executives. ♦ Participated in the development of strategies and action plans for the small meeting market. ♦ Represented the company at national trade shows and professional organization meetings, planned sales trips for sales missions in assigned markets. ♦ Assisted the Vice President of Sales and the National Managers with scheduling appointments, meetings, correspondence, maintenance of files and updating all reference materials. ♦ Provided Tampa Bay CVB members with the necessary information on all group leads to enable them to properly evaluate and correctly bid for conventions, meetings or trade show business. ♦ Collected and inputted all sections of client bid books, for events such as Super Bowl XLIII, including gathering, coordinating meetings and contacting all area hotels for agreements and anti-gouging agreements.