Compliance, Risk & Operations Leadership Professional
Resume:
HEATHER D. MAY
Cottonwood, California
********.***********@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Compliance, Risk Management, and Operations professional with over 25 years of progressive leadership experience overseeing regulatory compliance, internal controls, policy development, operational risk management, employee training, investigations, and business operations. Demonstrated success implementing procedures that reduce organizational risk, ensure regulatory compliance, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational efficiency. Recognized for strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively to diverse stakeholders. Proven track record managing multiple high-priority initiatives while maintaining compliance with state, federal, and organizational requirements.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Compliance Program Management
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Internal Controls Development
• Regulatory Compliance Monitoring
• Policy & Procedure Development
• Operational Auditing
• Corrective Action Planning
• Root Cause Analysis
• Employee Training & Development
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Change Management
• Investigations & Documentation
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Executive Communication
• Conflict Resolution & Negotiation
• Performance Management
• Budget Administration
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Operations Manager / General Manager
Mark’s Cotton Club / Mark’s Place Cottonwood, California
June 2000 – January 2025
Managed all aspects of business operations for a high-volume hospitality organization while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, labor, and industry regulations.
Key Achievements:
• Developed, implemented, and enforced company policies, procedures, and operational controls to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize organizational risk.
• Conducted compliance reviews, operational assessments, and internal monitoring activities to identify control weaknesses and implement corrective actions.
• Managed risk mitigation programs involving employee conduct, workplace safety, alcohol compliance, cash controls, inventory controls, and loss prevention.
• Performed investigations involving customer complaints, employee misconduct, policy violations, and operational discrepancies while maintaining detailed documentation.
• Analyzed operational data, financial reports, inventory metrics, staffing trends, and performance indicators to support management decision-making.
• Led organizational change initiatives, including implementation of new policies, training programs, operational procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Designed employee onboarding, training, and performance management programs that improved accountability and reduced compliance exposure.
• Managed vendor contracts, purchasing controls, inventory accountability systems, and budget oversight.
• Prepared reports and presented findings, recommendations, and operational updates to ownership and key stakeholders.
• Successfully managed multiple concurrent projects while maintaining operational continuity and regulatory compliance.
• Developed and maintained employee handbook, policy manuals, operational procedures, and compliance documentation.
Independent Business Consultant
Self-Employed
• Develop organizational policy and procedure manuals.
• Conduct operational assessments and identify process improvement opportunities.
• Design employee onboarding and training resources.
• Provide compliance-focused documentation and workflow development for small businesses.
• Assist organizations with risk reduction strategies and operational best practices.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology
Simpson University
Associate of Science (A.S.), Biochemistry
Shasta College
HONORS & LEADERSHIP
• Shasta College Student of the Year
• 4.0 GPA Academic Achievement
• Phi Theta Kappa Vice President
• Student Senate Leadership
• Community Board Leadership Experience
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Extensive experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, and operational requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing formal reports, investigations, policies, procedures, and executive correspondence.
• Proven ability to influence organizational compliance through training, coaching, and leadership.
• Highly adaptable professional with demonstrated success managing change in dynamic environments.
• Experienced in balancing operational objectives with compliance, risk management, and internal control requirements.
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