Operations Manager/Chief Operating Officer

STEPHEN GRAY HALES

Woodland, CA *****

*******@*****.*** ~ 530-***-****

OBJECTIVE

After 21+ years of management roles with the Solano County Fair Association in Vallejo, CA, I am seeking to “begin the third act” of my career and bring my unique skills and experiences to an organization that will value and appreciate them, while enabling me to both continue my professional journey and expand my horizons beyond my previous employment opportunities. SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Over the course of my years in venue management and operations, I have consistently proven my ability to get the job done, whatever the task may entail! I am equally comfortable in the administration office or in the field, whether formulating and tracking budgets, analyzing income and expense date, sourcing services, materials & supplies, supervising projects, scheduling & managing staff or jumping in and getting my hands dirty in the trenches. I have overseen everything from ongoing facility & equipment preventative maintenance and repair programs, capital projects planning & execution, facility use rental negotiations, contracting & fulfillment, risk management, public safety/facility security and public attendee parking & admissions activities. I can multitask and balance the needs of competing constituencies in

“real time” work environments. I am a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity software tools and CorelDraw vector graphics software. I am a solid verbal and written communicator. I am also a competent digital graphics layout and wide-body printer & lamination signage production tech when the need arises. Outside the confines of the office environment, I am a decent “handyman” carpenter/plumber, along with being an able equipment operator and “field” maintainer (ie, forklifts, tractors, aerial lifts, etc). EXPERIENCE

Solano County Fair Association – Vallejo, CA 2003 – 2024 (21+ years) Served in 4 distinct roles during 21+ year tenure with the Solano County Fair Association. Each of these roles required a combination of office-based management/administrative tasks, combined with a significant amount of hands-on operational supervision to ensure successful execution in the field.

Operations & Maintenance Manager, 2003 – 2008 (5+- years)

Assistant General Manager, Operations & Maintenance, 2008 – 2017 (8+- years)

General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, 2017 – 2018 (2+- years)

Operations Manager/Chief Operating Officer, 2018 – 2024 (6+- years) Equestrian Facility & Competition Management 1986 – 2003 (18+- years) 17+ year career in the equestrian competition sector, initially working as a self-employed competition services provider throughout the USA, 1986 – 1991 (5+- years). Managed two equestrian facilities (Wild Horse Valley Ranch Napa, CA 1991 – 1995 (5+- years) and the Horse Park at Woodside, Menlo Park, CA 1997 – 2003 (7+- years) whose primary focus was high-level equestrian competitions. Served on the team that produced the equestrian events at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 1995 – 1996 (1+- year). EDUCATION

American University, Washington DC 1982 - 1985

Fields of study focused on economics, history and music.

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