Personal Statement:

Born in Germany, I have experienced a multitude of cultures. It is through my varied experiences that I have come to find my particular management style and subsequently, my calling in the service industry. I came to know the service industry at a very young age, through my mother who worked as an Executive Chef. It was due to her example that I found my way into restaurant service as a teenager. It was a natural extension for me to work in the service industry, since I had been around it my entire childhood.

Upon graduating from Sturgis High School, I joined the U.S. Army.  I worked in the Army in communications, but the urge never escaped me to pursue what I had always longed to become, a chef. My determination paid off; I started a part time catering business and subsequently landed a position as a Household Manager in the Army.  For 16 years, I served six Generals, learning to become flexible enough to respond to changing needs with little notice, while maintaining high standards in all areas. After many years in the military as a Manager, coupled with my passion for the culinary arts, I have come to find service as a natural extension of my life.

While serving in the Army I received an Associates Degree in Management from Hawaii Pacific University and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Maryland. 

The transition to civilian management was an interesting one.  In the military you manage usually down.  I found in the civilian management you manage down, sideways and up.  I possess extremely strong organizational skills and am able to multitask a multitude of projects and make it look effortless.  Adept in overseeing staff and using my worldly experience has allowed an uncanny ability to understand the needs of the staff.  I am proficient in working with vendors and outside contractors and making them feel as they are part of the team; while at the same time getting everything out of them.  I understand when my around the house knowledge ends and when I need to seek outside assistance.

While disciplined, I have an amazing amount of flexibility.  My top three service standards are Administrative and am very adept on the computer and with the management of others; Housekeeping as the Army taught me to do it right the first time; and Entertaining as I have organized events around the world while serving in the military.  As a bonus, I am also very talented at understanding and representing the employer’s perspective with building a new home.

I believe in using a visionary approach, as this saves time and money.  One must have the ability to not only perform the current tasks but to see how they might be impacted by future projects.  

While I am very serious about my duties, one must never forget that this is the home of the principals and one must respect their privacy and boundaries.