Customer Service Administrative Assistant

JOHN GREGORY MATHENA

**** *.*. ********** **. ? Topeka, Kansas 66606

785-***-**** ? ******@***.***

FUNERAL DIRECTOR / ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Dynamic, qualified and highly ethical Funeral Home Director &

Administrative Assistant with experience in operating a successful funeral

home. Expert in arranging/directing funerals, writing obituaries,

completing necessary documentations and directing general office

operations. Experience includes managing thousands of funerals and several

hundred special events and receptions. Skilled in analyzing data, resolving

problems and providing superb customer service to personnel; adept at

writing comprehensive reports and creating compelling presentations.

Develops process improvements that streamline workflow, coordinates

schedules, maintains the office/appointment calendar, and keeps inventory

records. Able to perform administrative support work including managing

projects, drafting memos, correspondence, sending messages, answering phone

calls and providing additional office support as required. Excellent

leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build

rapport with key stakeholders and succeed in high-pressure, challenging and

deadline-driven environments.

Public Relations ? Expense Control ? Payroll ? Consulting ? Start Ups /

Turnarounds ? AP/AR

Policy Development ? Process Improvement ? Workforce Planning ? Performance

Management

Employee Engagement ? Client Relations ? Presentations ? Event Planning ?

Customer Service

Team Leadership / Motivation? Merchandising ? Inventory Management ?

Scheduling

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Midwest Health DBA Lexington Park Retirement Community, Topeka, Kansas ?

December 2010 - Present

A retirement community with independent living, acute care and long term

care components.

Night Manager

Manage an independent living facility which houses 65 residents.

Hillmer's Luggage (Leather and Gift Store), Topeka, Kansas ? April 2008 -

June 2010

Retail luggage, leather and gift store.

Owner and Manager

Managed the store, hired/managed personnel and handled cash/credit

transactions and daily reconciliations; generated a daily inventory on the

in-house 18K units available for retail sales. Created purchase orders,

ensured adequate inventory availability and developed new marketing schemes

for new merchandise. Received deliveries and oversaw computer entries.

Tracked retail trends and aided customers in finding the merchandise that

met their requirements. Created a daily "sidewalk sale" to drive public

interest and created advertising campaigns. Oversaw the repair of leather

products, completed payroll, handled paperwork and met with stakeholders

including bankers, accountants and legal counsel on a regular basis.

Achievements:

. Active member of a downtown business group promoting "Downtown Topeka"

and conceived the idea to provide a free gift-wrapping service.

. Hosted an "After Hours" reception for 116 downtown merchants; the most

successful event in years amassing local business owners.

. Voted the "Best Leather Coat" store in Topeka in 2008 & 2009.

. Organized and participated in the bi-annual "Downtown Shop Crawl";

customers followed a map and went from store-to-store to receive

special prizes at night.

. Planned an annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, an annual event

called "Hulabaloo" in July and a "Chalk Walk" where customers were

encouraged to visit downtown and create art on the sidewalks.

State Government, Topeka, Kansas ? January 1995 - January 2003

Office of the Kansas Governor.

Deputy Special Assistant

Drafted and edited special multi-page reports and wrote compelling speeches

including legislative messages and the Governor's second inaugural address.

Aided in the development and planning of special events. Liaised with the

Governor on a daily basis and worked closely with him to draft speeches and

modify them to target them to specific audiences and time constraints.

JOHN GREGORY MATHENA

? Page 2 ?

Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, Topeka, Kansas ? December 1980 - June 2007

Full service retail funeral home.

Owner, Manager, Funeral Director

Initially hired to manage the organization. Purchased the funeral home in

1995 and managed a staff of ten. Cultivated new business by visiting local

hospitals and nursing homes and worked closely with family members to

alleviate stress during the bereavement process. Provided livery services,

initiated funeral arrangements, contacted clergy and secured all legal

documents including death certificates, burial transmit permits, and a

coroner's release for cremation when needed. Completed all social security,

veterans' administration and insurance documents, and completed FTC

documents for signature. Handled complex issues including SRS, the Victim's

Compensation Program; worked with foreign consulates to obtain financial

assistance for the transport of remains oversees. Ensured OSHA compliance

and maintained documents for inspectors. Managed inventory, met with

vendors, developed marketing strategies, worked closely with the religious

institutions and with local newspapers and the media on obituaries.

Achievements:

. Cultivated and drove business growth by developing excellent

relationships with leading members and organizations in the community.

. Controlled costs and tracked business growth; purchased new livery

vehicles and made structural changes to the building.

. Marketed the funeral home's pre-arrangement program, redesigned the

showroom floor, provided options covering an array of price points and

gained a reputation for providing exceptional and compassionate

customer service.

EDUCATION, PUBLICATIONS, & PRESENTATIONS

Master of Science, Major in Physical Education

Emphasis: Biomechanical Kinesiology

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 1973 -- 1974

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Physical Education & History

Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, Kansas, 1969 - 1972

Delivered numerous presentations regarding funeral services including the

importance of pre-planning.

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Kansas Licensed Funeral Director ? Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

National Funeral Director Association ? Kansas Funeral Director Association

Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree

State and Local Republican Parties Precinct Committeeman

Deputy, Graves for Kansas Committee

Treasurer, Stovall-Glasscock for Governor Campaign

Alternate Delegate to the 2000 & 2004 National Republican Conventions

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