KATHLEEN PIERSMA
Baden, PA ***** **********@*****.*** 843-***-****
Dynamic and goal-oriented professional with diverse and extensive experience in business development, grant writing, staff management, quality control, and budget management. Well-versed in driving corporate growth by team participation. A self-starter and strong ability to work independently. Strong leadership and management skills with a track record of maximizing efficiency by providing coaching and guidance to staff as well as independent contributions.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Quality Control
Employee Management
Business Development
Budget Management
Profit Optimization
New Product Development
Team Collaboration
Grant Writing
Event Coordination
Program Management
Exceptional Leadership
Innovative Decision-making
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Blackbeard's Southern BBQ, Food Truck & Event Promoter, SC 2010 – Present
Business Owner
Devise business plans, develop marketing campaigns, financial forecasting to keep the company competitive.
Network with local community leaders for event planning and fundraising for non-profits.
CAP USAF AUX Civil Air Patrol US Airforce Auxiliary Volunteer South Carolina Wing, Mid-East Region 2001 – 2008
State Director of Aerospace Education, Search and Rescue Air Crew, Ground Team Search and Rescue Leader
Writing grants and partnering with an aerospace school grant.
Recognized by USAF for developing a programs of integration receiving an Exemplary evaluation.
Earned national recognition by initiating (first in the nation) AE program for elementary schools.
Delivered compelling, engaging, and informative presentations at national and state conferences.
Liaised with multiple squadrons in managing state-wide staff.
Heron Point Golf Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC 2001 – 2004, 2006 – 2010
Business Consultant/Director Food & Beverage
Transformed a failing entity of the organization to profitability within six months.
Drove effective business growth by re-designing the business approach and eliminating previous vulnerabilities.
Ensured high-quality food products by coordinating activities of the food and beverage department.
Empowered employees to make decisions and showcase skills that improved guest and employee satisfaction.
Increased profitability and met objectives by controlling and managing budgets.
Led the resort to become top performing in the Spearman Group.
Portraits by Kathleen, Commercial Color Lab, Retail Store, Rome, NY 1984-1999
Self-employed Professional Photographer
Operated a professional photography studio specializing in large city contracts, sports, schools as well as working with local and state law enforcement and news agencies.
Owned and operated a full-service commercial color lab, processing this company’s large quantities of work but also other photographers as well as the general public.
Supported a local Olympic athlete in the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics with fundraising opportunities.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marketing/Economics – Entrepreneurship, 2017 SUNY ESC, NY GPA 3.8
Associates in Biology MVCC, Utica, NY
HONORS AND AWARDS
USAF AUX CAP Exemplary Rating from USAF Evaluation Two Benchmarks from the USAF Evaluation
Master Rating in Aerospace Education CAP
CERTIFICATIONS Homeland Security Training
AWR-160-1-TtT Homeland Security Instructor,
PER-229-1 Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations
TtT MGT-313 Incident Management Unified Command for Terrorism and CBRNE Incidents
Administrative Management Profile