Rick Gardner
Director Of Operations
Atlanta
Summary
Seasoned Operations Manager and talented leader with 25 years of experience applying exceptional planning and problem-solving abilities toward enhancing business plans and day-to-day activities. Results-driven and resilient in developing teams while improving processes and increasing productivity. Bringing solid understanding of industry trends, excellent communication skills, talent for spotting areas in need of improvement and implementing changes with strategic approach.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
LAZ Parking
06.2023 - Current
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Increased profit by streamlining operations.
Director of Operations- Parking/Patient Transport/ Guest Services
Advanced Pro Services, Emory University Hospital
1 2008 - 05.2023
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives
- Managed scheduling and payroll for over 150 employees
- Define, implement and revise operational policies and guidelines
- Modernize and improve operational procedures to increase productivity and profitability while tightly controlling costs
- Monitor and coordinate workflows to optimize resources
- Doubled size of business from 2010-2020
- Increased annual sales by $1.6 million by establishing goals, overseeing performance and mentoring staff
- Support top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel issues
- Managed daily operations of parking and patient transport organization, orchestrating forward thinking strategies to accomplish profit and expansion goals
- Handle problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service
- Implement innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
District Manager
Health Care Parking Systems
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives
- Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and guidelines
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources
- Modernized and improved operational procedures to increase productivity and profitability while reducing insurance claims by approximately $10,000 per month.
District Manager
AmeriPark
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Evaluated costs against expected market price points and set structures to achieve profit targets
- Revitalized operations and realigned plans to better capture new opportunities and take advantage of changes in customer habits
- Modeled best practices for sales and customer service
- Generated financial and operational reports to assist management with business strategy
- Located, developed and promoted talented employees to cultivate collaborative and hardworking leadership team
- Supervised 12 locations to enforce high-quality standards of operation
- Increased annual sales by 100% in three years by establishing goals, overseeing performance and mentoring staff.
General Manager
AirValet
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Performed statistical analyses to gather data for operational and forecast customer needs
- Revised market strategy to attract more customers
- Changed branding to become more inviting to public
- Turned nearly bankrupt business into a successful piece of the Birmingham Airport
- Managed day-to-day business operations
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems to reduce turnaround time
- Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends
- Quadrupled business in 4 years.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Biology
Creighton University
Omaha, NESkills
Process improvements
Strategic planning and execution
Turnaround specialist
Maximize profits and eliminate weaknesses within company
Additional Information
Manager of University Cafeteria, 01/01/91, 01/01/93
Timeline
Operations Manager
LAZ Parking
06.2023 - Current
District Manager
Health Care Parking Systems
01.2003 - 01.2008
District Manager
AmeriPark
01.2001 - 01.2003
General Manager
AirValet
01.1998 - 01.2001
Director of Operations- Parking/Patient Transport/ Guest Services
Advanced Pro Services, Emory University Hospital
1 2008 - 05.2023
Some College (No Degree) - Biology
Creighton University
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