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Manager Service

Location:
North Palm Beach, FL, 33408
Salary:
The Going Rate / Negotiable
Posted:
August 22, 2012

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Resume:

RICHARD PETTIFER – Personal Butler, Household Manager, Estate Manager

Richard Pettifer specializes in a realm of formal, Palm Beach Butler and house manager service expected by the highest of net worth individuals, possessing homes and lives that require traditional personal service - and who value serenity, privacy and longevity of staffing. Richard is able to bring his unique expertise to important households of any size, formal and informal - which require only the best estate service and staff management skills.

His fourteen years of tenure as the butler at one of Palm Beach’s largest estates, with a staff of eight inside and three outside – is a testament to his complete understanding of the most elite private service industry standards. His expertise and enthusiasm for estate housekeeping knows no bounds - managing cleaning staff while building rapport, and cheerfully lending a helping hand whenever the need arises.

Pettifer also has extensive special event catering management experience in Los Angeles and Palm Beach, and is an expert manager of every facet of the perfect formal or casual event, from staff management down to the smallest table setting detail.

Richard Pettifer – May 2011

RICHARD S. PETTIFER

Personal Butler, Household Manager, Estate Manager - Resume

***************@*****.*** 561-***-****

320 Southwind Court, #112

North Palm Beach, FL 33408

OBJECTIVE

I am seeking a position as a Butler, House / Estate Manager where my extensive skills and experience can be utilized, and can facilitate the highest standard of living and comfort for my employer.

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

• Highly developed household organizational and staff management skills

• Impeccable reputation in the personal service industry

• Unparalleled attention to detail

• Insistence on excellence

• Extensive knowledge of VIP protocol

• Mastery of the fine art of formal butler service

• Outstanding rapport-building skills with employer and staff

• Light cooking / gourmet sourcing and presentation

• Event planning for any size party

• Able to effectively communicate with Spanish speaking staff regarding housekeeping and other estate issues

• Special Event Catering for VIP functions

• Entrepreneurial knowledge and business skills

• Extensive bed and bath detailing

• Great with children and all types of pets

• Medication / supplement dispensing experience

• Extensive knowledge of Palm Beach

• Fluency in the Microsoft Office suite as well as excellent web research capabilities that facilitate not only a smooth operation of the traditional estate household, but it's technical information needs as well – Mac and PC

RICHARD S. PETTIFER 561-***-****

Butler, House Manager, Estate Manager – Continued

EMPLOYMENT

JUPITER ISLAND ESTATE September 2011 to June 2012

Estate Manager and Estate Executive Assistant / Secretary for an ocean-to-intracoastal property with two houses, separate guest building, staff building, three pools and two boat docks

Responsibilities include:

• Management, supervision of cleaning staff, landscaping contractors and grounds staff

• Management, supervision of numerous contractors and vendors for repairs and new projects

• Handling of day to day financial needs and responsibilities of the estate in conjunction with the accountant

• Coordinate preparation and stocking of the private jet for trips to family’s international residences

• Chauffeuring the Principals to private airport, and visitors and staff to Miami International Airport

• Guest services for visiting family members including food and beverage stocking, fresh flowers, daily freshening of guest house

• Coordinate maintenance and repairs for five vehicles

• Multiple, daily correspondence with Principals regarding estate management and financial issues via text and email during

their absence

ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ, Palm Beach, FL 1996 to 2010

Personal / Private Butler

Responsibilities included:

• Working collaboratively, managing and maintaining an outstanding rapport with all estate staff; including chef, housecleaning, laundress, gardeners, contractors and outside vendors

• Greeting and providing every requisite need for the Read’s and their extended, visiting families and invited guests

• Maintaining the pool pavilion, five terraces and designated areas of responsibility; such as the library, dining room, butler’s pantry, two bar areas, two downstairs powder rooms, rotunda and entryway and staircases / elevators

• The setting-up and coordinating of three formal meals each day; served silver-service, Palm Beach Style from platters / trays when entertaining guests

• Overseeing the care of an extensive closet of antique service silver in addition to five formal sets of monogrammed flatware, often requiring monthly polishing

• Maintaining numerous orchid planters and cachepots throughout the 20,000 sq. ft. residence

• Chauffeuring the lady-of-the-house to personal appointments

CITYOASIS VACATION HOMES, INC., West Palm Beach, FL 2002 to 2008

Co-Owner / Chief Financial Officer

Co-owned and operated a unique business enterprise, CityOasis Vacation Homes, Inc.

15 luxury boutique vacation rental homes in two Historic Downtown Neighborhoods.

PALM BEACH CATERING SERVICE, INC., West Palm Beach, FL 1991 to 1996

Catering Supervisor

A highly reputable catering service for upscale Palm Beach residents.

• Supervised more than 40 catering events at Mar-A-Lago meeting the impeccable standards of owner Donald Trump

• Supervised the catered events for Isabel Collier-Read, owner of one of the largest remaining estates on Palm Beach

C’EST SI BON, West Palm Beach, FL 1991 to 2002

Freelance Majordomo / Maitre d’ / Catering Captain

Concurrently between 1991 and 2002 while also working for Palm Beach Catering, Inc.

• A sought-after butler for VIP’s and celebrities

• Worked as butler for Celine Dion on more than 30 separate occasions at her request

EDUCATION

BLACKHAWK JUNIOR COLLEGE, Moline, IL

Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1978

Major Course of Study: Chemistry and Mathematics

RICHARD S. PETTIFER – PERSONAL BUTLER, HOUSE / ESTATE MANAGER REFERENCES 561-***-****

Mr. William Read Jr. 307- 587- 9844 - ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ

In my vast experience of hiring and interacting with household staff there is one person who not only stands out, but truly epitomizes excellence in his craft and that is Richard Pettifer. Mr. Pettifer was our private butler for almost fifteen years and would still be had I not chosen, in my later years, to downsize my living arrangements requiring a corresponding downsizing of staff.

Mr. Pettifer is reliable, honest, hard-working and very generous in his service, going well beyond what is expected of him. However, listing his traits and virtues does not do justice to the truly remarkable and caring person he is. And, not enough can be said about the most important trait of all, his unquestionable and devout loyalty to our family, continuously evidenced by his respectful nature and his often expressed gratitude toward us – when in fact, it was we who we’re so grateful to him for his unparalleled service.

If you are considering employing Mr. Pettifer you need not consider any longer. From the moment Mr. Pettifer joins your staff you will never regret that decision – just as I never did.

Susette L. Tegtmeyer 704 -812-8224 - FORMER CFO / VICE PRESIDENT OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ, LLC

“My office managed all of Mrs. Read’s personal and business affairs until her death in 2008.

Richard Pettifer was employed by Mrs. Read on September 01, 1996 and continued to work for Mr. Read until he moved into a smaller home June 15, 2010. Richard was hired as Mrs. Read’s butler and he had many responsibilities. Many times I can remember Mrs. Read stating how Richard would dress up her breakfast trays to match the holidays, and how the floral arrangements he made for the dining table were outstanding. He kept the first floor of her home in perfect condition, plus the silver was always in perfect condition. There was mutual respect between Richard and Mrs. Read and she gave him positive reviews each year – she knew that he was a dedicated employee. Even though I was not in the house on a daily basis, when I did visit the home, Richard always did an outstanding performance in serving dinner, answering the door, helping with luggage and he was always three steps ahead of everyone. It is my belief that Richard would do an outstanding job as butler, that he has many talents to offer, and that he was a loyal employee.”

William C. Higgins, Chef 561-***-**** - ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ

“I have had the privilege of knowing Richard Pettifer in a professional capacity as we have worked alongside each other for the past 13 years. He is a true professional; dedicated to always finding a way to improve on excellence. Equally as important I have come to know him as a loyal and valued friend who is equally dedicated to living his best life possible. Richard is one of the most generous and giving persons I have ever known and therefore would be a tremendous asset to any household seeking a Butler / House manager with the highest of standards.”

Vicki Abbott, Summer Chef 307- 272-7424 - WYOMING RESIDENCE OF THE COLLIER-READS

Personal note to Mr. Pettifer: “Richard - I just want you to know I spent half of my summer bragging you up! This staff was so curious about the “butler”. Your professionalism and the expertise you bring to a room simply “wowed” them. Every chance I got, I told another “Richard” story. They loved it! And I couldn’t be more thankful for the manner in which you put your arms around me during my stay at “850”, (the Estate of Isabel Collier-Read.)

Patricia Voyer, Owner / Operator 561- 848-7183 - C’EST SI BON CATERING

“It is almost impossible to put into words how much we have valued Richard Pettifer’s professionalism and his knowledge of the business of coordinating party / catering events to the upscale clientele of C’est Si Bon. When Richard was assigned to an event, his work ethic and attention to detail ensured us a virtually “worry-free” and tremendously successful outcome. Richard has a keen and innate ability to anticipate the needs of those he is serving and an appreciation for conducting his work with impeccable style and graciousness. His stylized butler services were repeatedly sought-after by such high-profile clients as Celine Dion.”

Ann Zweig-King, Owner / Operator 561-***-**** - CASUAL AFFAIRS / TALK OF THE TOWN CATERING

“Richard Pettifer has a passion for delivering “over the top” personal service whether he is supervising a large formal catered event or performing personal butler services for Palm Beach’s most discerning clientele. He is professional, he is highly detail-oriented and his genuine concern for others’ well-being is reflected in his ability to anticipate others’ needs. Mr. Pettifer was quite capable of performing all duties within my high-profile catering business and he frequently did. In fact, I would say he always did more than was asked of him. I highly recommend Richard Pettifer for any position in the Personal Service Industry. He has the highest standards of integrity which serve him both personally and professionally.”

John Sunkel, Owner / Operator 561-***-****/1446 - PALM BEACH CATERING

“Over the past 40 years, PALM BEACH CATERING SERVICE, INC. has been known for its impeccable service and attention to detail resulting in consistently successful events for our discerning Palm Beach clientele. This is accomplished in large part by hiring only the best professional personal service people in the business. Richard Pettifer was one of those people. He was a dependable, diligent and industrious worker.”



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