Karen J. Brown Board Application packageCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPLICATION FORM
BrownKarenJ
NAME:
First Name
Last Name
Middle Initial
FL33139
HOME ADDRESS
:
1450 Lincoln Road #310Miami Beach
Home No./StreetState
Apt No.City
Zip Code
kbsobe2020@gmail.com
78638264157862841176
PHONE
:
WorkEmail Address
HomeFax
General Manager
Business Name:
Hotel Gaythering
Position:
1409 Lincoln Road
Miami BeachFL33139
Address:
State
CityZip Code
Street
Pursuant to City Code section 2-22(4) a and b:
Members of agencies, boards, and committees shall be affiliated
requirement shall be fulfilled in the following ways: a) an indi
months; or b) an individual shall demonstrate ownership/interest
Yes
Yes
Yes
South Beach
circle one): I am now a resident of:
It has been an honor to be of service to the LGBT BEC Committee
No
123Please note that only three (3)
Please list your preferences in order of ranking [] first choice [] second choice, and [] third choice.
choices will be observed by the City Clerks Office.
(Regular Boards of City)
Choice 1:Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT)
Choice 2:Convention Center Advisory Board
Choice 3:
Fine Arts Board
Note
: If applying for Youth Advisory Board, please indicate your aff
1. Past service on the Youth Center Advisory Board:
No
Years of Service:
if yes, please list the names of your children, their
No
2. Present participation in Youth Center activities by your chil
ages, and which programs. List below:
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony:If yes, please explain in detail:
No
Do you currently have a violation(s) of City of Miami Beach codeIf yes, please explain in detail:
No
Do you currently owe the City of Miami Beach any money:If yes, please explain in detail:
No
Are you currently serving on any City Boards or Committees:If yes, which board?
What organizations in the City of Miami Beach do you currently h
List all properties owned or have an interest in, which are loca
Property
1450 Lincoln Road #310 Miami Beach, FL 33139
No
I am now employed by the city of Miami Beach:Which department?
The following information is voluntary and is neither part of yo
being asked to comply with federal equal opportunity reporting r
Gender:Female
Race/Ethnic Categories
White
What is your race?
Mark one or more races to indicate what you consider yourself t
Other Description:
Are you Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino? Mark the "No" box if not Spani No
No
Physically Challenged:
NOTEIf appointed, you will be required to follow certain laws which
:
These laws include, but are not limited to, the following:
Prohibition from directly or indirectly lobbying city personnel
o
Prohibition from contracting with the city (Miami-Dade County Co
o
Prohibition from lobbying before board/committee you have served
o
Beach Code section 2-26).
Requirement to disclose certain financial interests and gifts (M
o
(re: CMB Community Development Advisory Committee): prohibiti
from having any interest in or receiving any benefit from Co
or those with whom you have business or immediate family ties
Upon request, copies of these laws may be obtained from the
I hereby attest to the accuracy and truthfulness of the applica
VII of the City Code Standards of Conduct for City Officers,
I Karen Brown agreed to the following terms on 2/18/2014 1:52:06
Received in the City Clerk's Office by:
Name of Deputy Clerk Control No.Date
Karen J. Brown
Resides in Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-4338 (H) (786) 382-6415 (C)
email: brownkarenj@bellsouth.net
HOSPITALITY EXECUTIVE
Sales and Revenue Generation, Account and Staff Development, Operational Proficiency,
Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, Creative Marketing and Social Media
Team oriented management style, fair
Strong internal/external communications
Successful in the delivery/execution of action plans
Self-motivator, team motivator
Strong sense of humor, quick thinking
Excellent written/verbal communication skills
Recognized industry-wide for successfully building, managing and maintaining
critical guest/client/community/employee/vendor relationships
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dynamic sales/marketing/operational management career spanning 21 years
highlighted by a series of increasingly responsible promotions based on exemplary sales, marketing,
operational, corporate communications and management leadership qualifications. Career highlights include:
10/13 – current Hotel Gaythering, Miami Beach, FL
General Manager
Operations Manager for 25 room Boutique Hotel, Coffee Shop, Lounge and Self Spa
Supervise 23 employees
Provide communication to guests and members of local community
Assisted in opening of hotel
7/12 – 9/13 The MDGLCC Foundation/LGBT Visitor Center Miami Beach, FL
Executive Director
Direct all operations of public visitor center
Manage Marketing and Public relations outreach
Create revenue streams to ensure financial support
Seek and facilitate donor base
Create and execute multiple fundraising events
Work with local and federal government on a variety of initiatives i.e. health/employment
Shaped and managed all relevant Social Media
8/10 – 10/11 The Angler’s Boutique Resort and 660 at The Angler’s Miami Beach, FL
General Manager ALSO ACTING GM 4/09-8/09
Independent full service 45 key luxury boutique hotel and restaurant in South Beach.
ABR is a multiple award winning hotel known for top quality and personalized service.
Managed all Hotel and Restaurant operations – total staff of 54
Total operating budget of $3.7 million
Achieved average of 73% flow through
Top 2 Hotel on Trip Advisor for over 6 years, mainly #1 spot and still is today
Created and managed all relevant Social Media
rd
Reported to owners and 3 party management company.
Provided monthly Financial Narrative and Market Analysis.
Expedia Insiders Select Winner, Open Table Diners Choice Award 2009/2011.
Active with GMCVB, Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA), Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of Commerce, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami and the Beaches
Hotel Association and various local organizations. Began as GM when BHM was separated from
property. Left when Coral Hospitality took over property.
10/05 – 7/10 Boutique Hospitality Management (BHM) Miami, FL/Atlanta, GA
V.P. of Sales & Marketing
Third Party Hotel Management company where responsibilities were held in General Sales,
Marketing, Public Relations, Internet Marketing, Social Media, Project Mgmt.
Duties included competitive set analysis, revenue management, training of sales and front desk
staff including shopping and role play, strategic client relationships, account procurement,
rd
contracting and RFP processes, internet and 3 party contracts, and continuous support both at
property level and from corp. office
Multi-faceted position with boutique firm
Traveled Extensively
Reported to President, all property Owners and Asset Managers
Represented properties at NBTA, Tour Connection, Chambers, all Media
Managed Angler’s since construction phase, developed executed original web content
Effectively managed and promoted various hotel projects simultaneously
Hotel properties included markets in NY, TX, GA, FL and Dominica
Various levels of involvement including renovation, construction, website development, staff
development, service level training, F & B development, social media engagement, advertising
media including print, radio and television
Left BHM to become GM at Angler’s Boutique Resort due to budgetary constraints
12/01 - 8/05Abbey Hotel & Abbey Dining Room / S & S Hotel Mgmt. - BHM Miami Beach, FL
Director of Sales & Marketing
Charged with increasing revenues, brand awareness and community involvement for boutique
hotel and restaurant in sagging market.
Developed concentrated entertainment, LGBT and cultural arts markets for both hotel and F&B
Worked seamlessly between owner/mgmt. to create sales, market strategies, public relations
and advertising campaigns resulting in increased & consistent market share.
Duties included, Direct Sales, Revenue/Yield Management, Internet Partnership management,
Website/Web content development, Catering Sales, Front Office Supervision, and Staff
Recruitment
Raised profile for unique hotel product in challenging neighborhood
Increased revenues for the rooms division by 31%, and 39% for F & B
Acting GM during extended absences of GM
The hotel was sold and is closed
7/01 – 12/2001 The Savoy Hotel South Beach / S&S Hotel Management Miami Beach, FL
Director of Sales & Marketing
Responsible for organization and development of sales effort for converted timeshare property
to competitive boutique hotel.
Resort property with 74 suite units using Room Master property management system.
Created original sales and marketing kit.
7/99 - 7/2001 Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel Coconut Grove, FL
Senior Sales Manager
Senior Group Sales Manager handling the Medical / Pharmaceutical / Sports and Incentive
market for high-end hotel.
Targeted specific market segments via sales trips to Chicago, Philadelphia & New Jersey.
Achieved 4th quarter sales quota of 121%.
Work with hotel specific data management programs Delphi and Fidelio, also Microsoft Word
and Excel systems. Provide onsite support to clients and in-house staff.
Accomplish outside solicitation via telephone, e-mail, and direct mail efforts.
Worked through major chain property conversion (Wyndham).
4/1998-7/99 Island Outpost Miami Beach, FL
Entertainment Sales Manager
Multiple property company with 13 hotels in South Beach (including Tides, Marlin, Casa Grande),
Bahamas (including Pink Sands, Compass Point) and Jamaica (including Goldeneye, Caves,
Jakes).
Responsible for revenue with regard to group/transient bookings at all properties.
Developed Sales Action Plan to include specific selling strategies for each individual property.
Market travel included New York and Los Angeles.
Also worked with local and statewide production entities to increase local market share both on
a group and transient basis.
Host clients via receptions, and at onsite food and beverage outlets.
Work with Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, AICP, Entertainment Incubator, FMPTA, and
Tour Connection.
11/1995-4/1998 Sheraton Biscayne Bay Hotel - Interstate Hotels Corp. Miami, FL
Business Travel Sales Manager
EDUCATION
1984-1987 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Florida State University
1982-1984 Associate of Arts Degree, Miami Dade Community College
Immediate Past Member of City of Miami Beach Mayor’s LGBT Business Enhancement
Committee
Former Board of Directors World OUT Games 2017 Miami Beach-Miami
Board of Directors MDGLCC Foundation Inc.
Extensive professional development and leadership training through Interstate
Hotels, Wyndham Hotels, the Continental Companies, Doubletree Hotels,
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, and Preferred Hotels and Resorts.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite inc/Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Opera , Adobe, WordPress,
Drupal, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp Business, Trip Advisor Business, Rubicon, STR, and
Hoteligence Reports.