MORE ABOUT ME- PERSONAL
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I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana raised in Natchez and Hattiesburg Ms. and then Alabama. My grandparents, (and my parents in their youth) were farmers/sharecroppers, and hard laborers. Both my parents and grandparents taught me the value of a hard days work and dirty hands.
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My first job was my own neighborhood lawn cutting service at the age of 12. I then went to work for my father in his IGA grocery store as a stocker, clerk and meat cutter. I learned valuable lessons of entrepreneurship from my father and helping in his business. Among the many lessons, that of true ownership and the critical nature of proper financial management were among the most valuable.
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I attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where I majored in Hospitality Management with a minor in real-estate and marketing.
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My hobbies while in college centered around canoeing, and mountain biking/racing.
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The West, and the life of Adventure came calling my senior year of college and upon graduation I headed to Montana for a job in Glacier National Park. That decision and calling begin a life long affair with unique, remote, adventurous jobs and settings. That need and sense of adventure to "embrace a lifestyle, not just a job" stays with me to this day.
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I was raised an "explorer" by my parents who took me and my sibling on excursions into the outdoors every weekend, fishing, exploring history and nature. From picking wild "dew berries" to chasing rabbits I was brought up enjoying and respecting nature.
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I believe in the principles of honesty, integrity and loyalty as a person.
A 30 YEAR LIFESTYLE OF REMOTE/UNIQUE PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS
I have 30 years experience at running operations autonomously with past and present measurable success. I'm comfortable in a broad business range from building and interpreting financials to overseeing building and maintenance, infrastructure and services, QHSE, hiring/HR, contractor and government relationships and management of all aspects of properties, communities and projects in that spectrum.
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I've embraced and thrived in the lifestyle of remote living and working, an aspect that can prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for many who are unfamiliar that there's a "toughness" required to go with the romantic notion of working in remote, demanding locations.
PROFESSIONAL PHR - CONNIE
Introducing
Meet Connie Malone. My "other half" and a valuable professional asset as well. Connie is Professional Human Resources (PHR) certified with a wealth of experience in HR, employee housing, orientation, customer service and safety training, accounting and management in retail, and F&B.
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Connie is a hands on professional who has a genuine interesting in seeing people grow personally and professionally.
CONNIE
Hobbies and spare time
Connie enjoys hiking, geode hunting/rock collecting, mountain biking and reading in her spare time.
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She's owned and run an organic blueberry farm and raised Alpacas and chickens in past endeavors.
A RECORD OF QUICK TURN AROUNDS AND RELATED NON-PROFIT AND GRANT WORK
One of my specialties has been "fixing" operations in need of a quick turn around or quick evolution. I've been successful as a "fixer" by using leadership, common sense and business science and principles. I protect assets, make the right staffing decisions and use a transparent style to teach and grow staff by telling them not just to "do it" but also explaining "why we're doing it" to get them bought in to the process.
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I'm experienced in seeking and writing grants, through the entire life cycle from the award, distribution and compliance process. I've had non profit operating sectors under my direction and and have sat on non profit boards funded through grants and donations.
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I'm experienced in contractor and governmental relationships, and the clear communication and hands on follow up required when working with government and private entities to complete projects. I've worked from and with timelines, blueprints, deadlines and regulatory guidelines and codes successfully.
ST. MARY LODGE MONTANA- TEE PEE VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION
Design and construction project manager for the Tee Pee, village, a complex/authentic tee pee village at St. Mary Lodge, Glacier National Park Montana. Work and challenges included contractor relationships, the Blackfeet Nation and TERO for workers, state and federal building and safety codes compliance and inspections, and the wrath of mother nature.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LAND BASED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Outdoor Adventure Center and business development: I Helped facilitate and run the first annual "Ticaboo ATV Rally" and continual expansion of land based outdoor activities with the Director of Outdoor Adventure to expand and sustain business models, including evolving through partnerships and marketing to evolve from more lake based activities and reliance.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND OWNERSHIP
Conception, construction, and successfully running "Dancing Bear Campground" from the ground up. A camping, glamping and cabin rental business located 9 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
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The project included, land acquisition and purchase, site design and build, power/water and septic design and installation and subdivision and zoning compliance and approval.
The business operation was successful, gained value and was sold to the Under Canvas Company and is now known as "Glacier Under Canvas".
DIVERSE HANDS ON PAST AND CURRENT PROJECTS AND DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES.
LARGE UNIQUE TRANSPORTATIONÂ LOGISTICS
I managed Offshore Marina and was head of the House and Pleasure Boat services at that included moving small, medium and large boats.
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I improved safety through training and inspection programs, and I facilitated, and oversaw the design and build of 2 new custom fabricated houseboat trailers to replace an aging fleet. I instituted an inspection schedule on all large and small fleet equipment to ensure safety and compliance. There were no exceptions to run equipment that failed inspection and needed repair. Both DOT and OSHA were our guidelines.
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Safety was non-negotiable and looked at through the eyes of risk management in the large, complicated dangerous operations of moving boats to and from Lake Powell.
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The safety and compliance programs cut yearly costs of workman's comp and liability insurance by decreasing our risk category and associated premiums.
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EXCAVATION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
I was the daily liaison between the ownership and the excavator contractor for boat storage yard expansion and work on the bullfrog block development.
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We expanded storage space working with SITLA and put in new access to give safer routes in and out of the business while moving large vessels.
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HANDS ON BUILDING EXPERIENCE
I built Cabins for my business, Dancing Bear Campground, including plumbing and electrical wiring installation, following the NEC and passing all building and electrical inspections and permitting processes.
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I designed and contracted a well and public water system install on the property and maintained all of it's components and compliance requirements.
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I understand construction, equipment operation, and electrical principals and wiring.
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT
I understand that business and operations must always evolve and grow to sustain success. New regulations, competition, and numerous other environmental factors affect the need to be nimble, proactive and reactive.
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I understand the unique living and working challenges of a remote environment.
IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION
Flooring project upgrade at Ticaboo Lodge, a Capital Budget item for 2021. Maintaining and improving structures critical for preventative maintenance and increasing revenues.
PROMOTING ASSETS
Promoting ATV rentals and overall ATV development recognizing the change in business trends brought on by mother nature kept lodge occupancy high and sustained and increased revenues.
LARGE FLEET MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SHEDULES
IÂ purchased new semi trucks, repaired current ones, and set up in house, tracked, maintenance schedules to cut costs and extend the lifecycle of large, expensive fleet vehicles and equipment by improving the maintenance quantity and quality.