JAMES E. NELSON 214-***-**** adxy37@r.postjobfree.com LinkedIn.com/in/jamesnelson-design

NATURALLY GIFTED AND ENGAGING CULINARY AND INTERIOR DESIGN LEADER offering 20+ years of award-winning experience and passion for creating experiences and spaces worth repeating Seasoned hospitality and interior design leader with extensive experience accelerating business results and achieving high standards of excellence for start-up operations to decades-old institutions. Regarded for ability to forge and fortify relationships and influence senior stakeholders to embrace change during complex transformations. Recognized for demonstrated and successful ability to lead, motivate, hold accountable, develop, direct, and achieve target results while maintaining flexibility and urgency to complete projects. CULINARY BY DESIGN Principal Consultant 2022 to Present Leveraging extensive knowledge of catering and restaurant and bar operations to help owners and operators improve profitability, enhance staff morale, reduce food and materials waste, increase speed of service, and above all else create an inviting atmosphere where guest satisfaction is consistently rated five stars with rave reviews.

» Provide coaching, training, education, and development tools appropriate for all levels of the operation

» Evaluate brand presence and ensure adherence to standards all areas including marketing, FOH, BOH, etc.

» Review and if needed, develop standards to govern effective restaurant operations including safe food handling

» Assess purchasing contracts and terms with vendors to unlock opportunities to streamline providers and reduce cost

» Develop and implement training programs for all staff levels focused on delivering the best guest experience

» Assist operators with analyzing business opportunities and identify areas for improvement while preparing business plans

» Facilitate regular business reviews to help improve results and obtain business excellence INDEPENDENT INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANT 2017 to Present Transform private residential and public spaces from owner vision to vibrant, customized, highly stylistic, and captivating realities.

» Design and deliver customized spaces owning the design process from establishing relationship to installation

» Coordinate with contractors and architects – own schedule, budget, change orders, and coordination with client

» Create design boards and other visual aids to help clients visualize how materials will exist together in the final product

» Assist clients in selecting furniture, lighting, fabric, paint and wallpaper, and accessories for all spaces

» Design and layout floorplans to scale to accurately plan placement of furniture and accessories CULINARY DESIGN BY JAMES Owner, Private Chef 1983 to Present Provide innovative menus, services, design expertise, event innovations, and culinary experiences to clients in for-profit and pro bono arrangements for a range of gatherings from weddings, family gatherings, holiday parties, receptions, social events, and more.

» Executed small scale and elaborate dinner parties and events on-site in client homes or other spaces

» Specialized in smaller gatherings of 30 persons or less with small plate wine pairings

» Catered larger events such as the “Great Gatsby Fundraiser” for AIN in Dallas

» Catered private suites at Texas Stadium for Dallas Cowboy Games for owners of Miller of Dallas and Pepsi-Co Dallas

» Designed Deep Ellum nightclub “DNA”, hailed as the most innovative club ever built in Dallas by Dallas Morning News ORIGINAL CUPCAKERY Operations Manager 07/2009 to 09/2017 Led and oversaw success of four stores with varied location settings and unique operating environments for this local favorite that specialized in cupcakes, cake bites, and other custom treats, baked daily, with cake and icing made in house.

» Facilitated open discussion and encouraged all team members to provide input strengthen team and improve profitability

» Evaluated store location to identify special product needs which aided in exceeding monthly sales and service goals

» Head of marketing and brand identity strategy; took ownership of and personally designed company logo

» Negotiated and secured business awards as “The Official Cupcake” of The Dallas Summer Musicals, The Dallas Opera, The Dallas Symphony, The Fort Worth Opera, Broadway at the ATTPAC, Broadway at the Bass, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and The Fort Worth Symphony

INNOVATIVE CONCRETE SYSTEMS Outside Sales 05/2007 to 04/2008 Hired by owners to analyze and improve outside sales opportunities for this diamond polished concrete company. WISH UPON A CHEF GOURMET MARKET Gourmet Store and Catering Manager of Operations 02/2005 to 04/2007 Developed and designed a full-service market and catering kitchen from the ground up. Retained by the owner to direct all efforts of the catering kitchen and all outside events.

ST. MARTINS WINE BISTRO Server and Bartender 1997 to 2005 Delivered extraordinary service, served as wine list consultant and designer, and created expertly crafted cocktails for guests of this establishment hailed by customers and critics as the most romantic French restaurant in Dallas, and recipient of multiple accolades and awards, including “Best in DFW French Cuisine” by Dallas Morning News. JAMES E. NELSON 214-***-**** adxy37@r.postjobfree.com LinkedIn.com/in/jamesnelson-design DNA Nightclub General Manager of Operations 1993 to 1994 Led, managed, and oversaw operations, ensuring bar efficiency and high production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards in a, energetic, high-volume nightlife atmosphere. Oversaw custom renovation working with general contractor on design. Served as lead interior decorator – created lighting program, sound installation, and DJ specifications. EDUCATION

Associate of Arts, Interior Design and Commercial Art CADDO Career Center CERTIFICATIONS

ServSafe

Texas TABC

Food Manager Certification Texas and Dallas County NOTABLE CLIENTS AND WORKS

Dallas Summer Musicals, Fort Worth Opera, Dallas Opera, Broadway at the Bass, AT&T Broadway Series KIDSCAPES Foundation, Resource Center, AIDS Interfaith Network, South Dallas Aids Walk, Asian Film Festival Dallas Make A Wish Foundation, LVC the Network, After Party Radio, Neiman Marcus, The Addison Suite, Sundance Square Uptown Trolley {McKinney Avenue Transit Authority}, 5 Factor, Jewel Charity Ball, Klyde Warren Park, BLOOMIN BALL The Great Gatsby Fundraiser, Fort Worth Pride, Fort Worth Gay Rodeo, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Gay and Lesbian Fund Cocktails for A Cure, Trinity River Audubon, World AIDS Day, PURPLE Foundation, C.U.R.E., THINKHAUS CREATIVE Dallas Symphony AT&T Gala, The MADI Museum, Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, Cuts for A Cure Toast to Life, Hispanic Heritage Month, The Trevor Project, and more Foundations and 501c3 Organizations AWARDS AND PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP

Crystal Hope Award, Access and Information Network (AIN), 2017 Open-Heart Award, Community Unity Respect Education (C.U.R.E.), World AIDS Day, 2015 Chair, BLOOMIN BALL, 2016

Honorary Co-Chair, BLOOMIN BALL, 2010

FUN FACTS

My passion has always been art. I paint, color, sketch, doodle, and draw anything in front of me. I’ve been a wood worker and enjoyed building small cabinets. I was Art Club President in High School and designed the band uniforms in my senior year which were used for the next 25 years. I attended Caddo Career Center and graduated in the top 5% in the study of Commercial Art. I studied Interior Design at Louisiana Tech and haven’t looked back. EARLY CAREER

HILTON BOSSIER CITY Banquet Manager 1983 to 1987 POTTERY PLUS Visual Merchandiser 1982 to 1983

CARAWAY & GREEN Interior Designer 1980 to 1982

BEWLEY FURNITURE Visual Merchandiser 1978 to 1980