Self-Employed

Strength-based approach to strategic change, business administration transformation. (1) work with client to assess and document the existing process. (2) Analyze current process and ask critical questions to determine if the step adds value, is a necessary business activity, or an unnecessary step. (3) Update the process to maximize profitability and effectiveness. (4) Verify that all constraints have been met (resources, policies, business practices.) (5) Ensure resources are in place to sustain updated process. (6) Train employees on new processes. Example of business administration projects for a client:

   Law Firm, Portland, Maine

A one year on-site project to provide administrative advice, and implement changes to streamline the operations for an already successful law firm with skyrocketing overhead and insufficient work space for growth. Work included management of human resources, financial, and marketing functions.

• Overseehiring; ensure efficient work flow and delegate jobs among staff members. Conduct research and monitor employee performance through appraisals. Recommend process improvements on compensation and benefit management.

• Manage and maximize budget and oversee weekly bill payment, bookkeeping, accounting vendors, payroll, and quarterly and annual financial documentation.

• Improved office system operations through research and identification of a more systematic interoffice software system. Oversaw migration of all client data, from generalist software to new system; purchased / updated all computer hardware and software to bring it all up to date and ensure licensing compliance.

• Redesigned accounting program and practice for firm, from updating software, to interface with 3^rd party book-keeper to update and correct existing records, organized four years of paper documentation to align with previous tax records and created safety backup system.

• Researched, negotiated, and hired new payroll company. Generated weekly reports on hours, benefits, and pay rates. Created HR manual in compliance with State & Federal laws in collaboration with firm’s HR counsel.

• Negotiated media buys for network and cable television spots ranging from .10 to .30 seconds for five new commercials working with media professionals in drafting and creating commercial scripts, supervising the filming and editing process; updated and conferred new buys as books renewed all yellow pages advertisement.

• Successfully relocated firm to new offices; created plan for design of space, consulted with furniture companies in purchasing new set of furniture, and selecting art pieces to complement the firm’s brand and maximize the space for most efficient use.

Education Projects included:

• Instructor (1998-1999), UCLA Extension New Media Division and California State Long Beach Extension New Media. Facilitated marketing trade show presentations with more than 150 business attendees, representing product manufacturers and book publisher.

• Tradeshow Roundtable Host, for intellectual property law with one-on-one business consultations for business owners; introduced creativity-based business goal setting seminar to 100 participants.

• Created seminars for civic organizations, private groups on cruise ships, and individual businesses on topics ranging from marketing to rights review and protection.
  

• Keynote Speaker and featured speakers at numerous conventions on topics from marketing to law to business practices.

• Author of three art / creativity books (F & W Publications, Cincinnati, OH, 2000 – 2004).
  
  

Internet Adventure Company, Carlsbad, CA

Designed and ensured successful implementation of more than 300 web sites for companies ranging from start-ups to major corporations. Hand-picked and spearheaded a complex workforce of freelance computer programmers and web designers working on New Media projects.Clients included:Elliott & True Medical Group, familylaw.com, RSC (Rental Service Corporation), California Transportation Corridor Agencies, Hypernauts! (ABC Television), Best Data Products, Hot Body International Video Magazines,MotorVac Technologies, Inc., Newport Leasing, DecoArt, Inc, Ballard & Tighe Publishers, Loew-Cornell, Inc., California State University – Fullerton. Successfully negotiated sale of company and it’s assets in 2000.

Law Office of Curtis L. Gemmil, Whittier, CA

Business and law & motion lawyer for generalist law firm; directed and managed support staff of 25 investigative and legal research assistants. Key accomplishments included obtaining sales agreements and prepared contracts for auction sales for artwork and musical instruments with major international auction houses including Christies and Guernsey’s. Successfully negotiated and sold highly publicized auction of Fender Stratocaster prototype guitar. Represented and advised seller at NYC auction of Fender prototype guitar.Prior to licensing as an attorney, worked as an investigator / law clerk from 1988-1993, conducting legal research and provided support services to four attorneys.

Founder / President                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               July 1989- January 2009

Foundedand served on Board of Directors, as well as President of successful nonprofit charity program responsible for delivering over 108,000 boxes, free of charge, to more than 600 hospitals worldwide for infant bereavement programs. Managed volunteer activities encompassing approximately 8,000 individuals per year, conceived and implemented fundraising programs, and corporate sponsorship, to cover program costs, as well as functioning as public spokesperson.

Board of Directors                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2006 - 2007

A Certified National Historic Trust Main Street Program

Led “Art, Wine & Jazz” Festival Committee; designed festival logo, posters, and t-shirts, as well as created applications and vendor agreements for festival participants. Renegotiated contract with the city, attended to employee issues, and helped to re-engineer the foundation of the program to be more proactive in accordance with Main Street goals. Rewrote and designed the program’s fundraising letters, membership brochure, and press release templates as a member of the Promotions Committee.

Whittier College, Whittier, CA

Juris Doctor: Western State University, College of Law, Orange County, CA

State Bar of California, 1993–Present