Hely R. Araujo

Results-driven client relations, sales, and operations professional with 20+ years of experience in customer service, hospitality, business development, account management, and team leadership. Proven ability to build strong client relationships, identify customer needs, recommend appropriate solutions, generate new business, and maintain long-term accounts. Highly motivated self-starter with strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Experienced in fast-paced, customer-facing environments while managing multiple priorities, financial responsibilities, operational procedures, and sales objectives. Recognized for providing personalized service, developing client trust, and maintaining a strong focus on results and customer satisfaction.

Catering Sales Director - Citadel Hospitality Group - Houston, TX

(2024-04)

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate clients, businesses, venues, and prospective accounts throughout the Houston market.
• Identify client needs and recommend service solutions based on budget, requirements, preferences, and business objectives.
• Prospect for new business through direct client visits, outbound calls, referrals, networking, and follow-up activities.
• Manage an active pipeline of prospective and existing clients while identifying opportunities for repeat business and account growth.
• Build trust with clients by providing clear information, resolving concerns, and maintaining consistent communication throughout the sales process.
• Coordinate appointments, tastings, client meetings, proposals, and follow-up activities while effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Partner with operations, culinary, management, and other departments to ensure client expectations are communicated and fulfilled.
• Maintain accurate client information, sales activity, follow-up notes, quotes, and account details.
• Handle pricing discussions, invoices, payments, refunds, deposits, and other financial aspects of client accounts according to company procedures.
• Resolve client concerns using strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while protecting both the client relationship and company interests.
• Focus on revenue growth, customer retention, new account development, and overall client satisfaction.

Assistant Regional General Manager - Norris Conference Centers - Houston, TX

(2022-10 - 2024-04)

• Managed daily operations in a high-volume, client-focused hospitality and event environment.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with corporate clients while ensuring a professional and positive customer experience.
• Worked directly with clients to understand their needs, recommend solutions, resolve concerns, and coordinate successful events.
• Managed budgets, pricing, invoicing, payments, inventory, and other financial and operational responsibilities.
• Led and supported a team of 20+ employees while maintaining service standards and operational procedures.
• Managed multiple appointments, events, client requests, and operational priorities simultaneously.
• Collaborated across departments to resolve problems and deliver services according to client expectations.
• Followed established company procedures related to financial controls, customer service, employee management, safety, and daily operations.
• Identified opportunities to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen existing client relationships.
• Adapted quickly to changing business needs, technology platforms, client requests, and operational requirements.

Multi-Unit Manager - Haza Foods - Houston, TX

(2013-09 - 2022-10)

• Managed multiple locations with responsibility for customer service, sales performance, cash controls, staffing, operations, and profitability.
• Oversaw daily cash-handling procedures, deposits, financial reporting, reconciliation, and operational controls.
• Monitored sales results and worked toward company performance and revenue goals.
• Developed strong relationships with customers, employees, vendors, and business partners.
• Identified customer needs and resolved concerns quickly while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
• Trained employees in customer service standards, operational procedures, point-of-sale systems, cash handling, and company policies.
• Ensured locations followed established company procedures, financial controls, safety requirements, and operational guidelines.
• Used sales and operational information to identify problems, develop solutions, and improve location performance.
• Managed time and resources effectively across multiple locations and competing priorities.
• Adapted to new systems, policies, technology, and changing business requirements.

Event Planner / Business Owner - Hely Araujo Event Planner - Houston, TX

(2000-11)

• Build long-term relationships with clients by understanding individual needs, expectations, budgets, and priorities.
• Consult with clients and recommend customized solutions based on their specific goals.
• Manage the full client relationship from initial inquiry and consultation through proposal, contract, payment, execution, and follow-up.
• Generate business through networking, referrals, prospecting, repeat customers, and relationship development.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, budgets, payments, timelines, and client accounts.
• Resolve unexpected issues using critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and personalized service throughout the customer experience.

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering - Polytechnic Santiago Mariño

Associate Degree - Computer Science - U.N.I.R. READIC