1. James Sullivan
3404 Liberty Rd. S. Apt 3 Salem, OR
Jsullivan525@gmail.com Cell: 760-792-7224
General Manager
Summary of Qualifications
• Fifteen years of management and operation level experience combined with eight years of project
management experience.
• Experienced problem solver and team builder. Bringing innovation, experience, and wisdom to
bear on the most difficult and challenging problems. Problem-solving often requires a diverse
team to ensure that all aspects of the problem are evaluated and the best solution brought to bear.
My unique ability to build and bond teams through this process is well documented.
Core Competencies
▪ Project Management
▪ Team Building
▪ Microsoft PM
▪ Procurement
▪ Microsoft Suite
▪ Negotiation
▪ Vendor Evaluation
▪ Cost Reduction
▪ Innovation
▪ Plan Evaluation
▪ Financial Acumen
▪ Regulation Compliance
▪ Process Improvement
▪ Operations Management
▪ Research
Professional Experience
Director of Sales, Havasu Landing Resort, Havasu Lake, CA 03/2008 to 03/2015
Overview: This position was multifaceted requiring operations, project, and change management. The
duties focused accountability for budget expectations, contract negotiations, capital projects, team
building, and general leadership responsibilities including managing a staff of more than 50.
▪ Negotiation: Successfully negotiated and administered contracts for employment, construction work, projects,
and vendors. For example, I negotiated contracts with general contractors and sub-contractors for capital
projects, Republican Services for waste disposal services, and Associated Grocers and other vendors for retail
operations.
▪ Problem Solving: Identified problems and potential problems for all facets of operations. For example, due to
the remote location of the Resort power outages were an issue not only for Resort business but for the
community as a whole. I lead a team that created and implemented long-term power outage strategies to protect
the Resorts assets and inventory along with a community plan to protect the elderly and children from life-
threatening circumstances created by long term power outages during the 120-degree heat.
▪ Change Management: Created a culture that focused on building core competencies of the entire team. I was
able to accomplish this through goal setting, education, and celebration of accomplishment. Specifically, I set
team and individual goals, provided the tools to achieve the goals and rewarded team member’s that achieved
the goals either through public recognition, team parties or monetary reward. In short, I made change
something the team not only accepted but desired.
▪ Talent Acquisition: Transitioned from a skill-based hiring practice to a behavioral based best practice. I
helped move the Resort to identify the right type of candidate and be able to better evaluate if that candidate
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2. was also a cultural fit for the organization. I personally hired, coached and trained several line level employees
that transitioned into management during my tenure as well as executive level talent.
▪ Research: Researched complex issues to ensure that the solutions not only mitigated the risk but where
applicable could be turned into assets. For example, the Tribe was contractually obligated to pay certain taxes
to the State of California (this is not normal for most Native American Tribes in CA). After extensive research,
I was able to work around this obligation and transition the taxes paid to CA to taxes for the Tribe to improve
their infrastructure.
▪ Motivation: Implemented coaching, and leadership strategies that improved the overall organizational and
employee morale and motivation to constantly improve. I worked to create a culture that rewarded
accomplishment and coached missteps. Specifically, I created a culture that empowered team member’s to take
appropriate actions and even if the results were not as expected, we analyzed why and worked to create a better
solution. I made sure that unless necessary, because of the nature of the action, mistakes were not punished but
rather used as coaching opportunities.
▪ Technology Improvement: Upgraded the network infrastructure throughout the Resort to improve inter-
department communications and to take advantage of new technologies to improve operational efficiency.
Specifically, I selected all new technology upgrades for the Resort such as new POS software for retail
operations, new maintenance and asset tracking software, and new hardware upgrades such as a new server and
workstations.
▪ Written Communication: Wrote the scope of work and bid process for capital projects, safety improvements
policy, and wrote an employee training manual for line level positions. In addition, I wrote the initial draft of
contracts for long-term marina slip leases.
Commissioner, City of Needles, Needles, CA 12/2013 to 05/2015
Overview: This is a position appointed by City Council to oversee the operations, rates and capital projects of the
water, wastewater and electric utilities for the City of Needles, CA. The position required knowledge of state
regulations, bond holder’s contractual obligations and other contractual obligations. Additionally, I was
appointed to all sub-committees including rate study committee and capital improvement planning committee.
.
▪ Regulation Compliance: Researched complex regulatory laws and contractual obligations: As a Utility
owned by the citizens of the town we were highly regulated by California law and compliance was a
critical area in need of improvement. Suggested and led a subcommittee that included key political
figures to do a complete rate study report.
▪ Technology Improvement: Worked with staff to identify where antiquated technology created inefficacies.
The major initiative was a city-wide technology upgrade that improved customer billing, financial statements,
work order management, asset tracking, inventory management, and allowed other city departments to move a
to a technology driven environment.
▪ Contract Evaluation: Evaluated critical contracts and made recommendation to ensure the Utilities operated
within their contractual obligations. For example, The city and Utility company had a detailed and complex
purchase contract and management contract and the Utilities had contractual obligations to bond holders. I
worked with the city manager and staff to ensure that process were in place to ensure compliance.
▪ Consensus Building: Developed relationships with key players to tackle difficult topics. The Utilities were not
fully compliant with contractual or state regulations regarding its rates. I built a team consisting of City Council
member’s, City staff, community leaders and fellow commissioners to develop a strategy to implement the
changes needed while not focusing on who to blame for the issue.
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3. Operations Manager, DECO Foodservice, Needles, CA 04/2004 to 10/2006
Overview: Managed the day to day operations, negotiated purchases with vendors including, cost,
payment terms, and delivery obligations and identified key areas to improve operation efficiency and
accuracy in all process of ordering through delivery.
▪ Leadership: Describe a task the candidate performed that illustrated a knowledge or skill that is needed for the
target job. When possible, include an achievement, contribution, problem solved, etc. Quantify when possible.
▪ Innovation: Created new programs that directly impacted brand loyalty. For example, I created and executed a
food buying show for our customers that concluded a golf tournament sponsored by vendors. This allowed
direct communication between manufacturers and end users of products, opening a channel of communication
not previously available.
▪ Technology Improvement: Utilized industry resources to improve technology and created new training
programs to implement the new technology. For example, I implemented an inventory and order accuracy
tracking system that allowed employees to measure their performance on a daily basis. Upgraded software to
improve order times and customer order tracking to ensure customer peace of mind and reduce other expenses.
▪ Operation Management: Initiated operational improvements to not only meet or exceed industry standards
but also improve profitability and customer loyalty. I improved customer loyalty by increasing order accuracy
to conform to industry standards. Additionally, I initiated new driver training programs to improve driver
quality and customer service.
Education
B.S., Business Administration
DeVry University, Chicago, IL
▪ Dean’s List
Juris Doctorate Expected 2018
Willamette University College of Law 2015-2016
▪ Moot Court Board
Affiliations or Other Relevant Experience
Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity, Salem, OR
Other work Experience:
Electrician, Robinson Electric 2006 to 2008
Owner, The Finish Factory 2000 to 2004
General Manager, Chaska Mill Tavern 1999 to 2002
General Manager, Dairy Queen 1997 to 1999
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