ALEXANDRA S. ZULLO Executive Management
Chester, VT 413-***-**** **********.*****@*****.*** Historic and Luxury Resorts SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: a self-motivated leader with 20 years of management experience encompassing financial and budgetary projections, profit maximization, marketing rebranding and sales, training/development of multi – level staff and daily operations. Demonstrates excellent skills in nurturing client and community relationships, problem solving, interpersonal communication skills and fundraising in high volume environments. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Kimpton Taconic Hotel – 86 boutique guest rooms, Copper Grouse, 4,500 SF event space General Manager – Kimpton Hotel 8/2020 – 9/2022
Relaunched hotel in summer of August with COVID restrictions. Implemented and executed brand modifications along with hiring and training staff on proper procedures. Oversaw daily operations of the hotel and the Sales/Marketing department.
• Assisted with reservations and front desk protocols which has increased our room sales by 10.3% within the first six months of 2021
• Increased weddings 35% and developed menu’s, assisted with key elements with marketing to increase sites visits, and RFP for one of the largest wedding venue’s in Southern VT
• Increased our transient sales in 2021 by 21% and accelerated our ADR by 34% by implementing rate strategies. Equinox Golf Resort & Spa 199 guest rooms, Restaurant, Spa, Golf, & Land Rover, 13,500 SF event space Director of Marketing & Sales – HEI Hotels & Resorts (Luxury Collection) 9/2016 – 8/2020 Guided and Implemented procedures for catering and sales team and increased revenue by 33% in 2017 and assisted with decreasing accounts payable by 1.5 million by implementing proper billing procedures in sales. Assisted with both corporate and property team to brand the property through 6 million dollar renovation, while navigating group rooms and catering to continue strong growth.
• Continued and strengthen local relationships with Summer Festival, Manchester Designer outlets, Orvis and town selectman board for continue growth of the Equinox along with community events
• Increased weddings 20% and developed menu’s, assisted with key elements with marketing to increase sites visits, and RFP for one of the largest wedding venue’s in Southern VT
• Assisted Sales team with booking new business with guidance and understand comp set to sell our attributes
• Navigated team through Marriott franchise and new software Hanover Inn Dartmouth, Hanover NH 108 guest rooms, PINE Restaurant, 11,000 SF event space Director of Marketing & Sales – Pyramid Hotel Group (Four Diamond) 8/2013 – 4/2016 Stabilized both Sales Team and Catering Team and reduced turn over. Guided and Implemented procedures for catering and sales team and increased revenue by 7.5% in two years and oversaw 5.1 million in revenue. Developed new group marketing strategy along with wedding strategy to increase group room share in comp set. Develop strong local corporate negotiated plan and gain property market share. Responsible for hotel rooms, catering, and group room night’s budget along with the property business and marketing plan.
• Responsible for implementation of Preferred LVX & Four Diamond standards
• Developed strong relationships with Dartmouth Departments and assisted with ideas of fundraising
• Managed database for targeted campaigns and increased email openings and click through by 13%
• Set yearly budget for both transient and group room nights along with catering budget Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa, Saratoga Springs, NY 124 guest rooms; Roosevelt Baths & Spa (43 treatment rooms); 12,000 SF event space and Putnam’s Restaurant
Director of Marketing & Sales – Delaware North Company 10/2012 –8/2013 Challenged to resurrect chronically stagnant/declining sales. Turned around sales department; re-branded and re- positioned resort. Targeted group sales and social segments; designed/implemented enhanced marketing plan and improved standards. Established profitable rate-management strategies. Worked with marketing/sales group to optimize annual media purchases (ads, digital, email and social-media campaigns).
• Following re-branding, resort earned Saratoga Living designations as Best Hotel in Capital Region and Best Spa in Capital Region
• Achieved quarterly plan (first quarter 2013) within just six months
• Increased first-quarter booking pace by 15% year-over-year Tidewater Inn, Easton, MD 98 well appointed rooms & suites, 7,000+ SF event space and Hunters’ Tavern General Manager – Gulph Creek Hotel Company 4/2010 – 8/2012 Recruited to provide oversight and direction during $9 million “facelift” of historic property on the Eastern shore. Rate Strategy & revenue management/ P&L responsibility for Front Office, Guest Services, F&B, Housekeeping, Engineering, Sales/Marketing and Finance. Designed/implemented five-year capital plan and Performa. Updated management procedures. Spearheaded FF&E renovations in guest rooms, ballrooms, public spaces and restaurant, managing all aspects from budget to punch list. Conducted contractor research, obtained vendor quotes and negotiated contracts. Introduced “green” strategy with cleaning products, recycling and farm-to-table. Worked with Marketing to design social-media campaigns, improve website design, re-brand hotel collateral and institute PPC advertising.
• Increased gross revenue 47% in first year, with an additional 20% in second year;
• Generated 19+% increases in average daily rate (ADR).
• Managed complex $1 million HVAC project: Worked closely with engineering firm to provide individual HVAC controls in each guest room on a two-pipe system. Took property from 1940s into 21st century comfort: Increased efficiency and lowered utility bills by 30% while maintaining historic ambiance.
• Upgraded booking system, connecting PMS with Sabre: On target to increase 2012 online bookings by 20%.
• Standardized/upgraded housekeeping processes and equipment, resulting in greater efficiency, cleaner rooms and enhanced guest satisfaction.
• Earned "Commander's Certificate of Excellence" for service to military group from Fort George G. Meade Harbor View Hotel & Resort and 114 water-view rooms & suites, waterfront activities, Kelley House, Edgartown, MA marina, fine-dining restaurant and hotel bar Director of Marketing & Sales – Gulph Creek Hotel Company 7/2007-4/2010 Recruited to turn around “the Grand Dame of Martha’s Vineyard” for full-service conversion. Acted as interim Operations/F&B Director (eight months). Supervised Director of Group Sales, Director of Catering and Revenue Center Created annual budget for Marketing, Catering, and Rooms Division. Designed/executed media plan, ad purchases and OTA contracts. Assessed demographics; targeted luxury market.
• Achieved 14% group sales increase in 2008; maintained numbers in 2009 despite economic downturn
• Designed new website for Kelley House; tracked analytics to build ROI of online and social-media campaigns
• Received Certificate of Appreciation (White House Communications Agency) for service to the First Family first Martha Vineyard Vacation
Cranwell Resort Spa & Golf Club, Lenox, MA 114 rooms, 380 acres, golf, 3 restaurants, world-class spa Director of Sales (FOUR DIAMOND RESORT) 5/2004-7/2007 Supervised three managers, sales coordinator, event rep and an assistant. Oversaw all market segments (social, weddings, corporate, spa, golf and custom packages). Developed annual marketing/sales plan; created targeted sales campaigns/collateral; wrote press releases; conducted public presentations. Compiled operational and budget reports. Instituted emailed group surveys to improve service quality.
• Drove 8% gain in first-year revenues; also boosted Group sales 10% (2006), setting new 13-year sales record.
• Maximized profit through increased Group marketing to pharmaceutical, wholesale distribution, Fortune 500, healthcare, financial, association and judicial (MA Superior Court) segments
• Designed customized spa packages with sustainable foods, treatments and health education to cater to expanding market segment
EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
B.A. Business Administration and Marketing Trinity College/St. Michael’s University, Burlington, VT A.A. Hotel and Restaurant Management Champlain College, Burlington, VT BUSINESS AND CIVIC AFFLIATIONS
• Board Member, Vermont Lodging Association (2021 – Present)
• Board Member, Manchester Business Association, increasing tourism in place of Chamber (2019 – Present)
• Board Member, East Main Street, boosting business development in Easton, MD (2010-2012)
• Co-Chair, Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival, supporting the Boys & Girls Club (2008-2009)
• Volunteer, Farm Institute, Martha’s Vineyard, a nonprofit education program (2009-2010)
• Advisor, No Home for Soldiers, Hospice and the Benedictine School, Easton, MD (2012 – 2013)
• Recipient of Commander’s “Certificate of Excellence” from Forte Meade and “Certificate of Appreciation” from White House Communications Agency