Donald Greengrass
Summary
Remote-ready business leader with 8+ years of entrepreneurial experience building community-oriented teams and driving sustainable business operations. Successfully reduced operational costs by 21%, led $55K community fundraising initiative, and leveraged CRM systems and goal-setting strategies to enhance customer experiences across multiple industries. Combines proven remote management capabilities with environmental sustainability focus, having lived and worked internationally while maintaining business operations. TEFL-certified with expertise in cross-cultural communication and impactful training program design.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Patron Relations Specialist
La Crosse Public Library
03.2023 - 10.2024
- Designed comprehensive training program for onboarding and professional development.
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Maintained detailed digital documentation using professional incident reporting systems.
- Provided cross-departmental support both in person and via collaboration tools including Microsoft office.
- Delivered exceptional customer service while managing high-volume public interactions.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
International Hospitality Professional
The Boat Shed Cafe
12.2023 - 04.2024
- Demonstrated cross-cultural adaptability while maintaining professional standards in international environment.
- Successfully integrated into new cultural and operational systems with minimal supervision.
- Managed customer service operations independently in fast-paced hospitality setting.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by providing exceptional customer service and promptly addressing concerns.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with guests for satisfaction.
- Processed payments with focus on accuracy and correct cash-handling procedures.
- Reorganized inventory to improve efficiency, reduce costs, simplify training, and optimize space utilization.
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Greengrass Cafe
08.2014 - 08.2022
- Built and led restaurant operations by managing teams of 15. Customer service oriented, created schedules, budgets, and cultivated B2B relationships. Strong experience in Quickbooks, 7Shifts, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
- Point person in hiring, onboarding, training, and termination of employees. Among general human resource responsibilities such as recruitment, payroll, policy management, and work culture development. Experience with different payroll services. Maintained compliance and recordkeeping in accordance with DWD of WI.
- Collaborated with vendors to ensure fair/competitive prices, installations, deliveries, and products needed. As well as insurance companies, city inspectors, banks, and contractors to prepare the restaurant to open. Additionally, to keep up to code and continue operations, while building long term relationships.
- Successfully transitioned to remote oversight model. Appointing and developing General Manager with weekly virtual check-ins for 4 years, during which I traveled internationally.
- Reduced operational expenses by 21% over one year through data analysis and remote financial monitoring using cloud-based systems.
- Digital marketing through Facebook and Google; using analytics to successfully grow our digital following by 65% following reopening in 2021-2022.
- Evaluated market trends to identify emerging opportunities and inform strategic decision making.
- Developed strategic plans for business growth, enabling the company to expand its market share and increase revenue.
- Promotions had been through local events, groups, and advertising mediums to promote the business in the community. Some events include Turkey Trot 5K and Wheels for all basketball.
Food Service Manager
Mr. Ed's Magical Midway
05.2016 - 10.2018
- Managed distributed team of 10-15 staff across 3 separate food wagon locations.
- Implemented standardized food safety protocols and quality control measures across multiple sites.
- Coordinated inventory management and supply chain logistics for multiple concurrent operations.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised seasonal workforce with emphasis on customer experience delivery.
Ramp Agent
Delta Global Services
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Coordinated aircraft operations requiring precise communication and safety protocol adherence.
- Managed freight and baggage logistics with zero-error tolerance standards.
- Demonstrated reliability and attention to detail in high-stakes operational environment.
- Efficiently operated ground service equipment, such as tugs and belt loaders, to facilitate smooth handling of baggage and cargo.
- Guided aircraft into and out of parking positions using hand signals.
Sales Associate
Herberger's Department Store
10.2010 - 01.2014
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
Founder & Event Director
Elv8d Entertainment
05.2013 - 11.2013
- Founded entertainment company leading distributed teams of 20-35 people.
- Coordinated large-scale events (500-800 attendees) through project management and vendor coordination.
- Structured ticket sales and events, aligned company with staging and venue partners to reduce expenses, generate sustainable business model to continue operations.
- Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.
- Managed seamless event transitions by overseeing the teardown and post-event evaluations, identifying opportunities for future improvement and maintaining detailed records of event outcomes.
- Managed budgets effectively, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing financial risk while maintaining high-quality standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management and Marketing
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, WI05.2016
Skills
- Relationship management
- Critical thinking
- Small business operations
- Decision-making
- Expert problem solving
- Digital Operations: Advanced Excel
- Microsoft Office 365
- Digital Marketing
- Digital marketing ROI
- Creativity
- Community engagement metrics
- Cloud-based Financial Management
- Analytical thinking
- Leadership: Multi-location team management
- Cross-departmental collaboration
- Work culture development
- Virtual project coordination
- Data-Driven Results: Financial forecasting
- Inventory optimization
- POS systems
Certification
- TEFL Certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
- Certified for cross-cultural communication and remote teaching
Language Competency
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
Hobbies and Interests
Sports, Travel, Sustainability, Wellness, Personal Development, Reading, Business
Global Experience & Cultural Competency
- International Experience:
- Extensive travel across South East Asia (2025) Acquired TEFL, taught in Thailand.
- Resided and worked in New Zealand (2023-2024)
- Played for Queenstown AFC and Nelson Suburbs (2024)
- Participated in tryouts for Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, and Minnesota United(2016-2017)
- Extensive travel throughout USA, Canada, Australia, and Mexico (2016-2020)
- Successfully managed business operations across multiple time zones (2016-2020)
Remote Work Success Indicators
- 8+ Years Autonomous Leadership: Proven track record managing business operations independently
- Multi-Location Management: Successfully coordinated teams across different physical locations
- International Adaptability: Lived and worked professionally in multiple countries
- Digital Native: University focus on digital marketing plus real-world application
- Community Project Leadership: $55K fundraising success demonstrates virtual stakeholder management
- Cross-Industry Experience: Hospitality, education, public service, and entertainment sectors
- Crisis Management: Successfully navigated business through COVID-19 challenges and reopening
Timeline
International Hospitality Professional
The Boat Shed Cafe
12.2023 - 04.2024
Patron Relations Specialist
La Crosse Public Library
03.2023 - 10.2024
Ramp Agent
Delta Global Services
09.2016 - 04.2017
Food Service Manager
Mr. Ed's Magical Midway
05.2016 - 10.2018
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Greengrass Cafe
08.2014 - 08.2022
Founder & Event Director
Elv8d Entertainment
05.2013 - 11.2013
Sales Associate
Herberger's Department Store
10.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Management and Marketing
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
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