Personal/Executive Administrative Assistant

Tobi Lynne James

Hillsborough, CA ***** * **.***.7211

LinkedIn Profile t **********@*****.***

Executive Administrative Assistant

Administrator Event Planner Researcher, Writer and Editor Fundraising and Donor Relations

Creative, unorthodox thinker able to quickly understand and find solutions to complicated problems and situations. Versatile and highly organized with a mind for details, numbers, and processes. Juggle phones, calendars, schedules, and more.

Outgoing and social with the ability to relate to people of all backgrounds. Affable PR ambassador, writer, and communicator. Confident leader and quick study with good judgment and the ability to ask the right questions to make the right decisions.

High-energy, high-stamina, I love to work, no task too big or too small. Open to travel, adventurous, and able to relocate anywhere.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Journalist/Writer/Editor/Proofreader Freelance C hicago, IL and San Mateo, CA To allow flexibility to care for a family member during a long illness, began doing freelance writing and research.

(2001-present)

Built a clientele of organizations, individuals and publishing houses s uch as the YMCA, Chicago Urban League, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Rainbow Push Coalition, Dennis Basso Showroom and Motorola. Projects include writing, proofing, and editing of press releases, screenplays, admissions applications, novels, business materials, speeches, and conducting interviews and research.

Manager of Administration Aerotek R olling Meadows, IL Headquartered in Maryland, Aerotek is a global recruiting and staffing agency that was growing fast with five divisions offering executive search, telecommunications, sales, medical, and engineering staffing services. (1996-2001)

Oversaw all administrative aspects of Rolling Meadows, the largest office in the country a nd the only office housing all five divisions under one roof; and was then asked to manage two additional Chicagoland offices.

Led a 16-person administrative team, including hiring, firing, training, and development as well as streamlining processes and tools. Created a sense of teamwork and excellence and developed new programs to empower the administrative team to work with our contractors and to be a valuable resource for recruiters and salespeople in the sales process.

Streamlined and standardized the payroll system s o all contractors were on the same schedule. Created a company newsletter for the Midwest Region, choosing topics, interviewing people and writing articles.

On the team of three recognized as being the “Best-Run Office of the Year.” Program Consultant Stone Container C hicago, IL Stone Container made paper and paper products, and as recycling became popular, wanted to find sources of newspaper they could recycle, which would potentially save millions of dollars a year. (1994-1996)

Researched alternative sources of used newsprint and created a blueprint for a pilot program. Reviewed demographics, locations, and situations and determined that nonprofit organizations were the best target, and offered them a per-pound rate so their membership could organize paper drives to raise money.

Flew throughout regions from Kansas and Oklahoma to Oregon and Seattle, visiting small towns to address huge gatherings of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Elks Clubs, Shriners, and YMCAs. Campaign Press Secretary National Republican Committee / Ed Howlett Campaign C hicago, IL A chance encounter in a hotel buffet line after moving to Chicago led to being offered the job of managing press communications for Ed Howlett’s campaign for Cook County Clerk, even though I am a Democrat. It was very interesting.

(1994)

Wrote all press releases on campaign issues f or Ed Howlett’s campaign, and many for Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan. Handled calendar details, including deciding which events to attend, oversaw bookings, talking points preparation, and rehearsals for radio spots and television appearances, and even rode or walked in parades, waving and smiling. Managing Editor Squire Publications D enver, CO With a team of twelve, 20-year-old Squire Publications specialized in publishing local business magazines. (1990-1994)

Hired by Publisher/Owner to produce content and publish monthly D enver Corporate Connection a nd bi-weekly T he Squire. Worked with a team of writers to develop articles and interviews on Denver businesses. Managed ad layouts and article placement. Created one of the most comprehensive examinations of the controversial Denver International Airport.

Under a notoriously tough boss, I had the longest tenure of any Managing Editor in 20 years when the company was sold.

Director of Safety and Loss Control Amtech Reliable Elevator L os Angeles, CA A subsidiary of American Building Maintenance (ABM), Amtech designed, installed, and maintained elevators.

(1984-1990)

Took over investigating claims against nine branches t hat ABM had been paying on Amtech’s behalf and found myself working with elevator mechanics to research elevator malfunction, causes, and liability. Given free rein to make policy, set precedents, hire/fire law firms, and determine which cases had merit, which reduced costs significantly.

Acted as company representative at BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Assn.), Los Angeles Chapter. While on the Speaker’s Committee, I secured various speakers including Pat Haden, John Madden, Governor Jerry Brown, Sam Donaldson, Art Laffer. Chaired the yearly Golf Outing and instrumental in securing donations on the Charities Committee.

Managed workers comp program, opening claims, tracking injuries, medical treatment, investigations. Tracked liability claims for injuries occurring on our elevators.

Oversaw the motor vehicle program and managed a nationwide fleet of cars. Confirmed employee insurance eligibility and managed accident reports and follow-through.

Introduced the company’s first hazardous materials waste program t o alleviate any OSHA or superfund fines, including asbestos mitigation and initiating a program to dispose of PCBs in used hydraulic oil tracking it from cradle to grave. Program was acknowledged for saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. EDUCATION

Associate of Arts. A merican Academy of Dramatic Arts P asadena, CA Additional Coursework L oretto Heights College a nd University of Denver ON THE SIDE

Volunteer H umane Society 1998 – 2015 I love animals. Sports Fan Hold my own talking to anyone about pro sports. Favorite teams: Broncos, Spurs, Blackhawks, White Sox, and Cubs.

Athlete Avid skier, sometime surfer, tennis enthusiast, and bicyclist. Walk 5-8 miles a day and practice yoga three times a week.

Book Club Founder Love to read and founded an interactive book club in 1996 that thrived with monthly programs until 2011.

Etc. Love theater, TV and movies, and have a good eye for design and color.

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