Rene Avant

Operations and human resources leader with 25+ years of experience across retail, healthcare, and service businesses. For the past 12 years, has led HR, payroll administration, compliance, and day-to-day operations for a two-location retailer in a highly regulated industry, including managing a team of 9 and helping open a second store and build it into a highly profitable operation. Known for creating the policies, systems, and accountability that let teams perform consistently, and for resolving complex employee and operational issues quickly.

Office Manager | Operations, HR & Compliance Leadership - Jim's Firearms - Pensacola, FL

(2014-08)

Serve on the leadership team, taking part in company-wide decisions on operations, staffing, policies, compliance, marketing, and day-to-day business strategy.

• Manage a team of 9 and lead the full employee lifecycle: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, discipline, terminations, and resolution of workplace concerns.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and training practices that create consistency across teams and support efficient daily execution.
• Maintain internal controls, documentation, and employee accountability to meet company, federal, and state requirements in a highly regulated retail environment, managing all FFL paperwork, records, and reports digitally through FastBound and Celerant.
• Oversee payroll, accounts payable/receivable, billing, invoices, receipts, supplies, records, and vendor coordination.
• Led the opening of a second store and helped build it into a highly profitable operation, contributing to plans for continued expansion.
• Plan and run marketing across social media, radio, email/text campaigns, in-store promotions, and events to drive traffic and revenue.
• Act as the go-to problem solver, stepping into multiple roles during high-volume periods and resolving employee, customer, and vendor issues quickly.

Medical Office Manager - Jaffe Eyelid and Cosmetic - Dallas, TX

(2005-07 - 2012-12)

Managed administrative and patient-service operations for a private oculoplastic and cosmetic surgery practice, including scheduling, records, billing, collections, and clinical workflow.

• Implemented workflow improvements that increased productivity and capacity without adding staff, while maintaining a high-touch patient experience.
• Prepared operational and financial reports, verified billing charges, and negotiated payment solutions with delinquent accounts.
• Coordinated consultations and procedures and supported physicians with in-office procedures and patient follow-up.

Spa Director - Riviera Day Spa - Dallas, TX

(2000-01 - 2005-07)

• Directed spa operations, including staffing, payroll, inventory, scheduling, budgeting, reporting, and promotions.
• Set budgets and financial targets, monitored expenses, and developed sales and promotional strategies that grew the customer base and revenue.
• Hired, trained, and coached staff to maintain high standards of service, product knowledge, and sales performance.

Massage Therapist - Get Fit Day Spa - Arlington, TX

(1999-01 - 2000-07)

• Delivered individualized therapeutic massage services and built lasting client relationships.

Massage Therapy Program - Christian Associates Massage Therapy School (1998 - 1998)