Shelly Sickbert is an operations professional with over 30 years of experience delivering operational efficiencies and multi-million dollar savings. She currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer for The Word Forge, where she has streamlined processes such as accounting, sales, and author promotions. Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, where she improved efficiency through initiatives like consolidating resources and digital upgrades. Sickbert also has experience directing retail operations and logistics.

1. SHELLY D. SICKBERT
 9143 Easton Road, Ferndale, Pennsylvania 18921  610.360.2663  shellysickbert@gmail.com
OPERATIONS PROFESSIONAL
Operational Leadership, Support Business Development, Growth and Innovation
Astute, motivated and results-driven senior executive, powered by 30 years of success in delivering multi-million-
dollar savings and operational efficiency improvements. Innate ability to recognize process issues, revitalize
operations and reinvigorate underperforming, cross-functional teams and divisions to drive strong, sustainable
productivity gains toward fulfillment of corporate goals. Excel at developing and implementing innovative
solutions to complex and challenging problems with a hands-on, lead-by-example style that fosters a culture of
teamwork, shared mission and dedication to operational excellence. Highly capable of multitasking in a globally
competitive, team-oriented, and fast-paced environment while juggling multiple priorities.
CORE COMPETENCIES
 Business Management and Operations  Continuous Process and Performance Improvement
 Employee Engagement and Talent Management  Strategic and Tactical Planning
 Leadership, Training and Team Building  Time Management and Prioritization
 Problem Resolution and Decision Making  Budget Implementation and Financial Reporting
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
 THE WORD FORGE/WORD FORGE BOOKS • RIEGELSVILLE, PA
2013-PRESENT
Direct, coordinate and implement day-to-day administrative and operational aspects of a small boutique marketing
and public relations firm with a significant book and new media publishing division. In addition to daily
administrative liaison with marketing clients, also worked with editorial publishing staff to plan and monitor each
season’s new title production schedules and coordinate with printing, pre-press and distribution vendors.
Notable Accomplishments:
 Streamlined paper-based accounting – Successfully transitioned to digital Quickbooks system, allowing more
efficient monthly record keeping, archive/retrieval and direct interface with TurboTax for online tax filings.
 Transitioned field sales to digital processing – Helped implement use of Square mobile payment processing
technology to save significant monthly merchant account service fees. Currently moving entire POS system to
Square with purchase of Square Register for iPad, also accomplishing incremental savings in processing fees.
 Worked with publicity department to systematize and coordinate: planning, execution and monitoring of
author tours and promotional events, using free or low-cost online apps such as Google calendar/docs/drive
(scheduling), Evernote (communication) and Wunderlist (to-do management).
 Overall digitization – Worked with executive team to streamline new authors entering our “stable” by re-
vamping Author Questionnaire to include information on their comfort and skill level with smartphones and
tablets, to assist publicity handlers in bringing them up to speed with how we manage promotional events.
This also greatly enhanced authors’ ability to implement desired participation in social media for marketing
campaigns, a real “must” for today’s publishing marketplace.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
 GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA • MIQUON/VALLEY FORGE/LEHIGH, PA
2009–2013
Direct and coordinate day-to-day operational aspects of 13 properties, mainly office campuses and indoor/outdoor
camps. Initiate the development and implementation of comprehensive plans and strategies for council
infrastructure and systems. Serve as an integral contributor in building inter-departmental relationships. Facilitate
training for human resources and finance personnel to develop their competencies and achieve their maximum
level of potential.

2. SHELLY D. SICKBERT PAGE TWO
Notable Accomplishments:
 Cost savings – Successfully negotiated fees for rental vans, eliminating unused units and unnecessary costs
 Significantly improved retail Trading Post performance – through closer analysis and monitoring
 Improved skills utilization – Re-aligned staff to match GSEP mission
 Improved security and efficiency – Instituted locked servers at all locations, consolidated Resource Center
 Digital upgrades – Oversaw bill consolidations, voice and data improvements, workstation/mobile phone
upgrades, and volunteer management system implementation
 Fulfilled the role of department lead for program during reorganization transition
 Supervised daily activities of the Strategic Learning Team “Our Own Realities”
 Streamlined the purchasing procedures and eliminating service/product redundancies and excessive
uncontrolled late charges
 Served as the property committee staff liaison and key player in development and implementation of Outdoor
Program Vision
 Managed the relocation of Berks Service Center and Delco Service Center
 Optimized operational efficiency by automating the registration and financial aid processes
 Championed in the implementing the Personify and eBiz (registration system)
 Slashed obsolete inventory while simultaneously improving order frequency, inventory turns, and
merchandising
 Exemplified keen expertise in opening the new retail store in Berks County
 Recognized for implementing the NetSuite, an online store and OpSuite, a retail management system
 Generated more than $1M in retail sales and in excess of $15M in product program revenue by displaying high
degree of personal commitment and dedication
 Pioneered the innovation of various safe practices in using vehicles, pool, equipment, and others
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATIONS/DISTRICT MANAGER
 CHUCK LATHAM ASSOCIATES • PARKER, CO
2002–2008
Spearheaded/mentored national team of district managers in merchandising, marketing and related services at
major store chains for 50 pet supply industry manufacturers. Guaranteed strict compliance with standards in
recruitment, interviewing, and training. Assisted direct reports in conflict resolution, counseling, and redirection.
Notable Accomplishments:
 Played a vital role in ensuring timely implementation of and follow-up to company programs, projects,
policies, reporting and procedures
 Drove efforts to maximize profitability through effective communication, maintenance of 7-figure budget
guidelines and expense control measures
 Led various initiatives in team development, new software implementation, reorganization, demo program
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
 OWNER/OPERATOR - RUNABOUTS, DOYLESTOWN, PA 1997–2002
 LOGISTICS MANAGER - LEESON ELECTRIC CORP., GRAFTON, WI 1994–1997
 PRODUCT MANAGER/PRODUCTION CONTROL MANAGER - XYMOX TECHNOLOGIES INC., MILWAUKEE, WI 1984–1994
EDUCATION
 GRADUATE CREDITS, MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, GPA: 3.5 - Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI
 BACHELOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, GPA: 3.0 - Lakeland College, Milwaukee, WI
 ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN ACCOUNTING - Stratton College, Milwaukee, WI
PROFESSIONALAFFILIATIONS
 Auditor, Nockamixon Township
 Member, Association of Girl Scouts Executives (AGES)
 Member, American Camp Association (ACA)