Management Manager

JAMES E. CORNETT III

717-***-**** ********@*****.***

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT - BUSINESS OPERATIONS

PROFILE

Senior leadership experience in food service operations, multi-chain

management, regional territory development, hospitality branding and cost

accounting in consumer-facing, high-profile business settings. Profit

building expertise as a top Business Leader, Event Manager, Team Mentor,

Operational Manager, Financial Analyst, and Entrepreneur in all aspects of

cost controls, optimal customer satisfaction, comprehensive market

analysis, process improvements, full P&L accountability and operational

streamlining.

> Successful career background in opening up and managing multiple

restaurants for such leading franchisors as Kentucky Fried Chicken,

Hooter's, Max n' Erma's and Topeka's Steakhouse n' Saloon.

> Profitable implementation of efficient business operations, strategic

plans and high-impact marketing initiatives with a confident and

visionary approach; rapid delivery of high-growth revenue results.

> Solid expertise in negotiating and executing complex contracts,

agreements and logistical strategies with top management, major vendors

and key decision-makers.

> Self-motivated to achieve maximum performance, penetrate competitive

markets, maintain peak quality and meet aggressive business objectives.

> Highly skilled in business analysis, site selections, market appraisals,

regulatory compliance and resource allocation to identify client

requirements and maintain production objectives.

> Effective background in labor cost controls, turnaround strategies,

conflict resolution, complex troubleshooting and timely delivery of a

wide range of services and enterprise solutions.

> Multi-tasking talents in recruiting, hiring, training, supervising,

motivating and mentoring high-performing staff in all operating policies

and procedures.

> Full compliance with all regulations pertaining to food service, liquor

licensing, taxation, HR, legal and online customer engagement.

> Extensive exposure to cross-cultural dynamics and multinational business

practices through frequent travel and vendor interaction. Adequate in

Russian.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Start-Up Operations ? New Business Development ? Strategic Planning ? C-

Level Relationships ? Contract Negotiations ? Performance Metrics ?

Competitive Analysis ? Territory Management ? Team Leadership ? Business

Savvy ? Financial Acumen ? P&L/Budgeting ? Process Improvements ? Target

Marketing ? Turnaround Strategies ? Repeat Business ? Special Events

Planning ? Social Media ? Entrepreneur

EMPLOYMENT & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Cornett Hospitality LLC, Mechanicsburg, PA 2002 - 2013

President

Started and grew this company from scratch by deploying hands-on talents in

P&L, budgeting, cost controls, marketing, advertising and franchisor

compliance. Followed through on business prospects, organized detailed

presentations, handled location development and site operations,

facilitated menu planning and ensured regulatory compliance. Closely

interact with managers, field staff and administrative employees. Smoothly

facilitated Point-of-Sale to Back Office integrations. Fully familiar with

all HR and accounting functions, including payroll, training, benefits

administration and incentive programs.

> Opened up a career total of 15 Hooter's restaurants, while

expanding sales from $10 million to $20 million in 10 years;

most recently reduced food costs by 300 base points in 2012

after reengineering menus.

> Personally tested, interviewed and evaluated hundreds of

management candidates; hired, trained and oriented hundreds

of new staff for 9 restaurants in the Hooter's group,

including 4 in Pennsylvania.

JAMES E. CORNETT III Page Two

> Upgraded the central accounting system from an IBM System 34

to Oracle database on a Windows-based Great Plains system.

> Prepared valuations for sale-leaseback and complex financial

paradigms, reviewed financial statements and identified

source capital opportunities.

> Created radio copy for each annual campaign season for all of

the CH Hooters, and directly impacting web presence and

social media interaction with higher traffic and sales

levels.

> Developed and instituted a full range of reporting processes,

POS systems and operating protocols to maximize productivity

and operating efficiencies.

> Key participant in National Franchise Association committees

to cultivate promotional strategies and facilitate grassroots

campaigns to expand market penetration and brand awareness.

CMI of Virginia, Richmond, VA 1987 - 2002

Director- Systems & Controls

Responsible for coordinating all aspects of internal control analysis,

document preparation and process improvements in support of a corporate

accounting system for a 4-state territory with 35 KFC restaurants.

Organized and conducted training programs for management and staff in all

operating procedures.

> Spearheaded the automation of sales and financial reporting

on new systems platforms; trained and oriented staff and

management in operations.

> Greatly assisted in organizing year-end accounting reports

for tax return preparation by external accountants.

> Documented Internal Control of entity, and later prepared

Data Flow Diagrams to effectively plan for accounting and

system control effectiveness

> Guided the smooth migration from an IBM System 34 to UNIX-

based platform; also programmed a complete NCR 2160 POS

system to help with polling.

> Served as Beta site for various software vendors to design

and implement new applications that provided critical

consumer feedback for executive decision-making.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

? As Staff Auditor with Arthur Young & Company, performed external

audits for corporate clients in a wide range of industry sectors,

including insurance, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, heavy equipment

and government.

? Consistently recognized for excellent skills in financial

dynamics, multi-project management, resource allocation and attention to

detail in a trust-based working environment.

? Gained hands-on talents in business operations, team participation,

report generation, executive presentations and staff coaching.

EDUCATION

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

M.B.A. Degree; Matherly Scholar (Top 10 graduate); Teaching Assistant.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

B.S. Degree in Commerce; concentration in Accounting.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

* Full Serve Safe food service and Responsible Alcohol certifications.

* Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (inactive) in the State of

Virginia.

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