Interior Designer Hotel

ZENAWI MESFIN

**** *** **** ***** ~ Norcross, GA, 30093 ~ Cell 770-***-****

*********@*****.*** ~ linkedin.com/in/zenawi-mesfin-5145b251/

Director of Operations / General Manager / Director of Hotel Operations

A result-oriented hospitality professional with over 25 years of senior experience in hotel operations management and a proven track record of providing superior performance in all areas of hotel start-up and direction. An expert in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to build revenue. Experienced in pre-openings, turnarounds, and rapid growth in highly competitive markets. Develop loyal client/vendor relationships while building visibility, service quality and profitability.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Saved USD 200,000 per year by building stringent financial cost reduction policies. Forefront in leading the organizational change resulting in integrated profitable status for the hotels.

Recognized for driving double-digit sales leading to REV PAR increase from 61 to 113 USD and GOP increase from 28 % of GOP to 52% (USD 2,500,000/Year), sales revenue increase by 100 % while managing Intercontinental, Swiss Inn, Nexus, Sapphire & Harmony hotels.

Hired and trained 3000+ team members in a year for new five hotels in Africa and USA. Increased organizational efficiency by consistently devising the training trainee program of providing task-based training to all managers and team members following with a detail follow up and controlling system.

Opened and implemented seven restaurants and hotels in given budgets and deadline including Hilton Garden Inn Food and beverage outlet, Sapphire Addis Hotel (five star), Nexus hotel (five star), Luel Mekonen, Addison, Planet, Dejena hotels (four star).

Exceeded the budget performance for Addis Hotel Exceed by 20%, Washington Plaza Hotel F&B performance by 25%, Swiss Inn & Resorts Harmony hotel by 15 % and managed cost expenses and sales revenue for Hilton Garden Inn F&B Budget.

Designed marketing sale-out strategy for local government agencies, embassies, corporate, NGO, international and local tour operator contributing to increase in revenues by 30%.

Recognized and awarded multiple times and received recommendation letters for meeting revenue goals, developing properties, and showcasing exceptional hotel management skills. Appeared in several public speaking, panel discussions, publications and Television programs (appended below).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2017 – Present Managing Director, Swiss Inn Hotels & Resorts, LLC, Ethiopia

2017– 2021 General Manager, Harmony Hotels, Ethiopia

2017- 2018 Executive Advisor, Sapphire Hotels, Ethiopia

Formulated goals, monitored work, and evaluated results to meet departmental and organizational objectives, operating requirements, and overall mission of the organization.

Oversaw revenue generation and generated innovative ideas to maximize REV- PAR, GOP up to 40% by providing intensive training to general managers and department heads.

Planned, directed, coordinated, and oversaw operational activities to meet current and future needs of three hotel properties while delivering cost-effective systems.

Launched and orchestrated the operations of a new two five-star luxury hotel in Addis Ababa. Supervised and completed the construction leveraging PERT system project management and smart plan for all sub-contractors & project managers.

Led and developed an effective organizational structure, department’s policy, HR policy manuals, operational budget set up, manpower budget, salary scale, training manual, management operational check list, and overall system standard.

Laid out an effective management system standard policy structure. Managed promotional activities including menu planning design, quality assurance and service control system.

ZENAWI MESFIN

1915 Oak Loch Trace ~ Norcross, GA, 30093 ~ Cell 770-***-****

*********@*****.*** ~ linkedin.com/in/zenawi-mesfin-5145b251/

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued)

Monitored and oversaw closely the two 5-star hotel operational and business activities. Provided updates to board of directors on company’s strategy.

Led & managed company audit committee to prepare budgets & analyze financial report. Delivered budget goals, established short & long-term strategic goals.

Developed new business development opportunities, maximized operations and guest satisfaction, and provided an effective leadership and strategic planning to all departments in support of organization’s service culture.

2012 – 2017 General Manager, Intercontinental Addis Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Facilitated an immediate turnaround of the Hotel by identifying and addressing critical problems, exceeding short term goals, boosting sales, and increasing revenue without compromising customer service.

Implemented new F&FE configuration to meet the five-star standard resulting in completely reinvigorated and luxurious image of the Hotel.

Executed a new system of management strategy by changing service standards, features and hotel amenities to meet the five-star hotel standard.

Restructured management organizational structure, operational budget, job description, management operational check list, hotel safety policy and training manual.

Developed Service-Improvement strategy by implementing in house training, maintaining proactive human resource function to keep employee motivation and morale high.

Generated F&B sales increase of over 80%, room revenue increase of 100% within 4 Year period. Dynamically Increase of Rev Par from 61 to 113 USD and from 28 % to 52% of GOP growth within 3 Year period of time.

Received the best 5-star hotel by Expedia and Hotel.com and in Trip advisor in 2012.

2005 – 2011 Franchisee Owner & Managing Director, Fire House Restaurant group, Acworth, GA

Opened and owned a restaurant chain with a new health food franchise concept.

Operated and managed an effective management team that caused 20% gross sale increase per year. Restaurant consistently received the highest score from 189 restaurants during inspection for cleanliness, product quality and service performance.

Restaurant Health inspection amounting 18 times was announced officially in the Marietta journal newspaper agency.

Received acknowledgment from customer for best and most effective service standards and products.

2001 – 2005 Director of Food & Beverage / Director of Hotel Operation, Hilton Garden Inn., Arlington, VA

Opened a new Food and Beverages Outlet for a new property of Hilton Garden Inn.

Established the food and beverage department including all FF&E delivery and installation throughout the department.

Designed workflow and set-up of kitchen equipment and the supply-chain and purchases of systems and food logistics.

Hired and trained new staff for restaurant, banquet, kitchen and cocktail lounge.

Solicited service contract proposals and secured contract for Food & Beverage vendors.

Received high marks from Hilton quality control inspection leading to be a highlight of hotel operations.

ZENAWI MESFIN

1915 Oak Loch Trace ~ Norcross, GA, 30093 ~ Cell 770-***-****

*********@*****.*** ~ linkedin.com/in/zenawi-mesfin-5145b251/

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued)

Designed and programmed POS ordering and tracking system and Food and Beverages inventory and cost control.

Developed annual budget recommendations and implemented the approved budget by monitoring revenues & costs regularly and taking corrective actions as deemed necessary.

Created and implemented new operational systems for quality, service program with procedural training material. Planned & executed effective department meeting.

Reconciled monthly statements and P&L, tracked regular food and beverages reports.

Tracked actual and budgeted figures for purchase orders and maintain purchase order log.

Created, accomplished, and utilized monthly action plan, completed performance review each month as they are due, following established, procedures.

Accomplished banquet function, events with follow-up of BEO in coordination with sales and catering department.

2000 – 2001 Director of Restaurant Operations, Washington Plaza Hotel, Washington D.C

1992 – 1999 General Manager, Interszezon General Hotels (Four-Star), Estergom, Hungary

EDUCATION Master of Science in Business Administration, Budapest University of Economic Science, 1997

Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Catering and Tourism Management, Accredited College of commerce & Catering, Budapest, 1992 (*Foreign credential is certified to the level of US equivalency)

TECHNICAL Microsoft Office Suite, Power Point, Excel, Internet Management, Hotel Management related POS, Opera, SDS, Micros, System 21, Skynet

CERTIFICATION Freeman Gray’s Train the Trainer Seminar, Washington Plaza, 2000

The Ultimate Service Training in Hotel Bad House, (post) Austria, 1990

Hotel Operation Management & leadership in Grand Hotel, Budapest, 1990

AFFILIATION Vice Chairman (Current), Addis Ababa Hotels Owners Association, Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Active Member (Current), West African Diplomatic Community Association

Member, Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce

ZENAWI MESFIN

1915 Oak Loch Trace ~ Norcross, GA, 30093 ~ Cell 770-***-****

*********@*****.*** ~ linkedin.com/in/zenawi-mesfin-5145b251/

AWARDS Award of Excellence for exceeding company’s financial plan, Intercontinental Addis Hotel 2012, 2013, 2014

Award of Excellence for outstanding project and operation results, Hilton Management, XXXX

World Luxury hotel award winner, Among the Top 10 in Africa for Exceptional Service,

Product, and Facilities, Intercontinental Addis Hotel, 2014

PUBLIC SPEAKING Presentation for 500+ audience at Hotel owners association meeting for 300 hotel owners organized by the Ministry of Tourism in Ethiopia & Madagascar

Panel Member on the topic of ‘Hotel Development in Africa’ for international hotel brands owners & executive directors & CEO organized by WTO

MEDIA INTERVIEW Recognized as the turnaround architect on getting Best 5-star hotel rating to Intercontinental Hotel by Expedia and Hotel.com and in Trip advisor 2012, 2013, 2014

The award resulted in extended media coverage in Sendek & reporter local newspapers, capital, fortune, & monitor and TV interview by BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), ETV (Ethiopian Television) and a one-hour one-on-one interview on EBS (Ethiopian Broadcasting Service).

LINKS Interview, Leading the hotel industry in Addis Ababa Intercontinental Addis Hotel

In News, Nexus Hotel Expands Further with 410m Br

Interview, Intercontinental Addis Hotel: Guarantee of the best hotel services, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBd18-VQOsM

REFERENCES Available upon requests

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