3. July 23, 2014
Gateway Presbyterian Church
The Dalles, OR. 97058
Dear Hiring Manager,
I learned about the Treasurer/Administrator position through the newspaper. I believe I am amply qualified
for this position and would be an asset to the church. I am currently working under Mary Martin in Student
Services at Columbia Gorge Community College for the summer session for one of my class requirements.
As a business owner and manager for 12 years, honesty, integrity and respect for my customers was my
commitment. I understand what makes an effective employee. Not only did I have employees, but I had to be
my own best employee. If I didn’t know how to do something, I had to learn it myself. Owning a business
requires being able to multitask and solve problems. I was the bookkeeper, administrative assistant,
marketing and advertising manager as well as helping promote the other business in the community. I taught
myself to use Microsoft Word, Publisher and Excel and returned to college to further my knowledge. I have
excelled in my classes through proactive learning and self-discipline. My classes included all aspects of basic
accounting including payroll. The administrative assistant classes included Access and advanced classes in
Microsoft Word and Excel. I will finish my degree requirements with online classes in Human Resource
management and Dreamweaver classes in September.
Reliability, adaptability and creative thinking are mandatory requirements for any business owner or
effective employee I excel in jobs that keep me busy and engaged. I have appeared on camera for an online
quilt show, project managed building my own log home and up until the last two years, owned and operated
a successful main street business in a small tourist town. All requiring the ability to think for myself learn
quickly and take chances when necessary. Providing customer service beyond expectations is a pleasure for
me. I have left my comfort zone more times than I can count and I have learned to be flexible to get things
done.
This position is a chance to use all my skills efficiently, while continuously seeking professional
improvement. As a travel professional for 9 years, administrative assistant duties were part of the required
skills to effectively do my job. I worked for both private and corporate travel departments serving as the
travel department manager of my last position at FMC Corp in Santa Clara, California.
I look forward to meeting you. I’m excited at the prospect of working for Gateway Presbyterian Church. I
value what the church does and look forward to being a part of a wonderful community resource. I hope to
hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Bernice (Bunny) Henningsen
5. Bernice Henningsen
1318 Lewis St., The Dalles, OR 97058
Home: 541-296-5987 Cell: 209-352-1236
bearclover@gmail.com
Summary
A committed and motivated administrative assistant with exceptional
customer service, strong computer and problem solving skills. A strong
work ethic, strong organization skills, professional demeanor and great
initiative are a requirement for any business owner. My twelve years’
experience as business owner and nine years as a corporate travel
consultant have provided me with the tools needed to excel in this
position. As a business owner it is necessary to have the ability to manage
multiple tasks and handle any situation. My work experience and current
college education make me the perfect candidate for this position.
Education
Columbia Gorge Community College
The Dalles, OR, USA2013
Study emphasis: Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Portland Community College 2013- Current
Portland, OR, USA
Currently taking classes for completion of an AAS Administrative Assistant
Professional which will be concluded September 2014. Classes include
Dreamweaver and Human Resources Management.
Degrees earned: Associates Degree in Accounting
Highlights
Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Publisher,
Access and PowerPoint (with advanced
classes in Excel, Word)
QuickBooks
Website Management
Creative problem solving
Database Management
Customer Service
Employee training and development
Organizational skills
Travel planning and administration
Type 60+ WPM
6. Career Portfolio for Bernice Henningsen Page 6
Accomplishments
Coordinated and implemented a yearly sales event with ten other quilt shops in
California, serving as treasurer and advertising coordinator for five years.
Owned and operated a gift and fabric store in a tourist town for twelve years. Initiated
the first quilting guild, designed a shopping and informational website for my store,
wrote directions for quilt and sewing patterns and posted sewing tutorials on store
website. Taught sewing and quilting classes to all ages and designed a summer
sewing program for local children on vacation in the area.
Implemented a reorganization of the reference section at the local college library to
make textbooks more accessible to students.
Organized a give-a-way shelf at the college library for withdrawn library books
instead of recycling or destroying them.
As a travel consultant was proficient in three airline reservation systems and served as
an airline computer trainer for a temporary staffing agency servicing the travel industry.
Currently own and operate a web based fashion design business repurposing thrift store
clothing into new garments. I am constantly updating my knowledge of web design,
Search Engine Optimization, and social media. My designs have been featured twice in
a national Magazine.
Experience
Columbia Gorge Community College June 2014- current
Office Assistant to Student Services
The Dalles, Or
Duties include:
1. Updating student records in Access, Excel and college database software
2. Prepare mailings
3. File Documents
4. Make and answer phone calls
5. Greet the public
6. Provide general information and any other office tasks as needed
Columbia Gorge Community College September 2012 to June 2013
Library Student Assistant
The Dalles, OR
Duties included:
1. Processing and organizing new book purchases.
2. Assisting students with computer problem solving, research, and general library needs.
3. Checking library books in and out.
4. Shelving returned books.
7. Career Portfolio for Bernice Henningsen Page 7
5. Creating signs using Microsoft Publisher and Word as needed by the head librarian.
6. Inventory and searching for lost or missing books.
7. Assisting in reorganizing displays as needed.
Rowe and Deming March 2013 to April 2013
Accounting Intern
The Dalles, OR
Duties included:
1. Assisted the administrative assistant logging clients into the firms scheduling software.
2. Organizing and scanning client documents into virtual file cabinet software.
3. Processed bills at completion of tax preparation.
4. Check book and credit card reconciliations for bookkeeping client.
5. Created depreciation tables for client.
6. Used Excel to organize client's monthly expenses for firm.
Bunny Rose & Co April 1998 to October 2010
Owner/Manager
Groveland, CA
Owned and operated a gift and quilting fabric store.
Experience included all areas of store management including:
1. Assisted customers with purchase requirements.
2. Inventory ordering and management.
3. Creating store displays.
4. Hiring and training new staff.
5. Teaching local quilt and sewing classes.
6. Managed store books with QuickBooks.
7. Maintained and supported local business owners, serving as a chamber of commerce
director.
8. Designed and maintained a shop ecommerce site and blog.
9. Designed and wrote pattern directions for various sewing projects.
10.Organized and coordinated statewide sales events with other store owners.
11.Created and managed store promotions and advertising.
12.Liaison to event graphic designer and printer for all outreach advertising.
13.Responding to customer and vendor phone calls and emails.
ARJJ INC. March 2008 to August 2009
New Products Hostess
Livermore, CA
"Treasure Chest Hostess" on the online show "The Quilt Show".
Duties included:
1. Contacted companies within the quilting and sewing industry for new items to display
on the show.
2. Attained items from those companies as giveaways to the studio audience.
3. Displayed and demonstrated the products on camera with the main hosts.
8. Career Portfolio for Bernice Henningsen Page 8
Various companies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, CA April
1979 to June 1988
Travel Professional
Travel professional serving private and corporate travel departments. Also
worked for a travel agency staffing company assisting numerous corporate
and private travel departments,
Companies I provided temporary services include:
Bank of America
Wells Fargo
American Express Travel
Gallo Wines
CSAA (California State Automobile Association )
FMC Corporation
Served as a new hire trainer for three different airline reservations
systems and relief office manager for various travel agencies.
Duties included:
1. Coordinating international and domestic business and vacation travel arrangements for
customers and corporate employees.
2. Negotiating business travel rates at hotels and car rental companies.
3. Responsible for monitoring the corporate travel expense charge card purchases for all
company employees staff.
10. Career Portfolio for Bernice Henningsen Page 10
2/19/2012
To Whom it May Concern,
RE: Bunny Henningsen
Please allow me a few minutes to tell you about a woman I met over 8 years ago,
Bunny Henningsen. When we arrived in Groveland, Bunny was one of first of our
small local businesses that reached out to us and introduced us around Groveland,
helping us get our feet wet in town and instrumental in introducing us to those people
who would eventually become our restaurant customers. Bunny's endorsements not
only taught us what a big heart Groveland has, but brought Bunny and her little
business all of our referrals. This shows that Bunny is certainly a wise woman when it
comes to building and growing a business. She also has great people skills.
In all the years we worked across the street from each other Bunny remained true to
her customers and neighbors, staying open late, opening early for those special
requests and opening extra days when it benefitted the whole town. We wish Bunny
and her fabric shop were still here for us. I have always enjoyed sharing a cup of
coffee in the wee morning hours with Bunny and miss those days.
It is unfortunate that Groveland did not grow economically or in population, as Bunny
would still be here had the our financial world not taken the turns it has. We wish
Bunny the best in whatever endeavors she takes on and know that her dedication to
success will put her right at the top of her class. Please give your strongest
consideration to Ms. Henningsen's application, not only do we feel she deserves it,
but she will make you very proud of your endorsement of her!
Lynn Upthagrove,
Owner,
Hotel Charlotte
18736 Main Street, PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321
Phone (209) 962-6455
Website www.hotelcharlotte.com
Follow us on Facebook! www.Facebook.com/HotelCharlotte
