Cody Church
San Diego
Summary
District Manager: San Diego Zoo & Safari Park @Photogenic Inc.
Results-driven leader with expertise in multi-site operations, project management, and strategic business development. Skilled in driving revenue growth, improving operational efficiency, and leading high-performing teams to deliver exceptional results and customer experiences.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District Manager: San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
Photogenic Inc.
07.2024 - Current
- Oversees operations across multiple locations within the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, ensuring consistent alignment with organizational standards and guest experience excellence
- Leads and develops high-performing teams, driving employee engagement, retention, and professional growth across various locations
- Directs cross-functional collaboration between teams to ensure seamless operations and a unified guest experience throughout the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
- Analyzes performance data and implemented actionable strategies that resulted in exceeding both operational and financial targets
- Spearheads new initiatives aimed at improving revenue streams, operational efficiency, and customer service quality, achieving significant growth
Operations Manager: San Diego Safari Park
Photogenic Inc.
04.2024 - 07.2024
- Successfully launched and implemented operations at the San Diego Safari Park, overseeing the project from inception to live date
- Recruited, onboarded, and trained a team of 45 staff members within a 30-day window, ensuring full operational readiness by launch
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives that consistently outperformed KPI targets, exceeding forecasted revenue goals by up to 70%
- Played a key role in streamlining workflows, enhancing staff productivity, and delivering exceptional guest experiences
Operations Coordinator
So Diego Inc
08.2022 - 03.2024
- Ensure seamless operations for private events by communicating with clients and negotiating agreements with vendor partners
- Optimize tour routes tailored to client preferences, coordinated guides, nurtured business relationships, and facilitated bi-monthly payroll processing
- Administered vendor payments, cultivated and sustained restaurant partnerships, and conducted negotiations to optimize pricing
- Streamlined ticketing procedures by overseeing Fareharbor and other online travel agencies (OTAs) for bookings, inquiries, cancellations, and payments
- Spearheaded communication initiatives to drive direct bookings, enhancing the company's revenue streams and market presence
Crew Chief of Airport Operations (SBA)
Contour Aviation
08.2019 - 07.2022
- Managed day-to-day operational logistics, ensuring compliance with FAA, TSA, and company regulatory standards
- Reported to senior leadership for monitoring and executing the safety and security programs at the station to ensure a safe and secure workplace for Crewmembers, Customers, Business Partners, aircraft, facilities, and ground service equipment (GSE)
- Strategically identifies operational challenges and implements improvements to maximize and ensure success of on-time performance initiatives to maintain the integrity of the flight schedule
- Collaborated with management to address staff schedule conflicts and airport operational concerns
- Supported all aspects of the customer experience, including safety, equipment maintenance, and communication of airline policies
Outreach Coordinator (SCTV)
On The Spot at UC Santa Cruz (SCTV)
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Company Overview: A video sketch organization
- A former SCTV council member of On The Spot Production, a video sketch organization
- Responsibilities included publishing and distributing media throughout campus ensuring that it does not conflict with any copyright infringements and that it fulfills the code of ethics agreement established by the University
- Fulfilled obligations developing content under time restricted deadlines
- In charge of overseeing public interests, advertising, and social media platforms, (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat)
- Helped teach and empower film students to take agency over projects from inception to completion
- A video sketch organization
University Admissions Tour Guide
University of California, Santa Cruz
04.2018 - 05.2019
- Guided groups of up to forty people on tours of facilities spread out across University grounds
- Provided informative knowledge of student life and insight into the undergraduate experience
- Highlighted the University high-impact interdisciplinary research and world renowned faculty, and showcased the campus uniquely stunning environment
Insurance Broker/ Office Manager
Affordable Insurance Services
06.2013 - 08.2017
- Served as the first point of contact for internal and external parties, while delivering exceptional customer service and coordinating with senior management to ideate and implement effective operations and procedures
- Acquired and served nearly 50 clients per month, evaluating individualized needs and leveraging risk management strategies to provide home, auto and commercial insurance premiums and first-class policy options
- Coordinated with in-house brokerage specialists to identify and engage opportunities to increase client satisfaction
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Media, Business Management & Economic
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06-2019
General Studies -
Folsom Lake College
06-2017
Skills
- Multi-Site Operations Management: Successfully oversee and streamline operations across multiple locations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and consistent guest experience
- Project Management Excellence: Lead complex initiatives from inception to execution, including the successful launch of the San Diego Safari Park within tight deadlines
- Strategic Business Development: Develop and implement strategies that consistently exceed revenue goals, including outperforming KPIs by up to 70%
- Profit and Loss Accountability: Manage financial performance across locations, ensuring budget compliance and revenue growth
- Team Leadership and Development: Inspire and mentor high-performing teams to achieve operational and financial success while fostering professional growth
- Process Improvement Expertise: Implement and refine workflows to enhance operational efficiency, boost productivity, and elevate customer satisfaction
Certification
- Outlook on the Web Essential Training
- Essential Lessons for First-Time Managers
- California Notary Public License
- Casualty Broker-Agent License
- Make the Move from Individual Contributor to Manager
Timeline
District Manager: San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
Photogenic Inc.
07.2024 - Current
Operations Manager: San Diego Safari Park
Photogenic Inc.
04.2024 - 07.2024
Operations Coordinator
So Diego Inc
08.2022 - 03.2024
Crew Chief of Airport Operations (SBA)
Contour Aviation
08.2019 - 07.2022
University Admissions Tour Guide
University of California, Santa Cruz
04.2018 - 05.2019
Outreach Coordinator (SCTV)
On The Spot at UC Santa Cruz (SCTV)
08.2017 - 06.2019
Insurance Broker/ Office Manager
Affordable Insurance Services
06.2013 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Media, Business Management & Economic
University of California, Santa Cruz
General Studies -
Folsom Lake College
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