Description
Omar Cruz 5 Finch Court, Norwalk, CT 06854 203-515-8055 omarcruz520@gmail.com Professional Profile Transformational leader with the determination and drive to propel an organization to achieve a new level of organizational excellence. ➢ Strategic leader with a record of significant accomplishments in growing membership, increasing fundraising revenue, board development, and building an organization’s visibility in the community. ➢ Highly adept in recruiting, developing, and inspiring staff, volunteers, members, and potential donors ➢ Visionary manager able to create an organizational culture that promotes integrity and ethical behavior of all stakeholders. ➢ Certified in the following areas from the Fordham University Center for Non-profit Leaders: o Organizational, Financial, and Staff Management o Fundraising: Special Events, corporations, and foundations o Program Development o Grant Writing o Public Relations and Marketing o Public Advocacy and Board Development o Public Speaking Experience EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Head Swim Coach, Norwalk Aquatic Club 2002 to present Direct the operation of a not-for-profit member organization with more than 150 members and over 100 volunteers. • Developed and executed a strategic plan that transformed a membership based organization with declining membership (30 members) and revenues into a vibrant and growing club, catapulting membership 500% (150 members) and increasing operating budget tenfold. o Network within the community to generate member referrals through existing youth programs, the local YMCA, and various country clubs o Organized many marketing events throughout the year in the community to allow us to become a visible entity. Such as staffing a booth at the Norwalk Oyster Festival and participate in the Norwalk Memorial Day Parade. o Created public awareness of organization by garnering coverage in local newspapers, PSA announcements, and a nationally broadcast segment on PBS TV. o Created a digital communications program that includes a newsletter, interactive website, and alumni database. o Pioneered a community outreach strategy that increased organization’s visibility. Cultivated partnerships with all schools in the city, community agencies, such as Norwalk Parks and Recreation, Norwalk YMCA, Norwalk Special Olympics, the Norwalk Board of Education, and the Norwalk After School Alliance, to recruit culturally diverse inner city youth. • Spearheaded efforts with the board of directors that transitioned a Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department program into an independent 501c3 entity. This was done once we were a financially stable organization. o Formed a 9 member Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Fundraising Committee, Volunteer Committee, and Marketing/ Public Relations Committee. o Attend monthly board meetings. Create monthly reports. o Organize regularly scheduled staff meetings. o Recruited members for board development and work closely with committee members to achieve organizational goals. • Design and oversee the implementation of organization’s fundraising/ development efforts, which now generate 25% of the operating budget. o Currently developing a corporate sponsorship package for the upcoming rollout of organization’s first ever corporate sponsorship campaign. o Orchestrate a yearlong calendar of fundraising, membership building, and social events, including an annual banquet, Super Bowl raffle, swim-a-thon, and over 7 nationally sanctioned competitions. o Negotiate contracts with venues and vendors, organize over 100 volunteers, and manage marketing for events attended by more than 750 participants. o Created an Alumni Organization to provide support for fundraising and a source of volunteers for events • Due to an increased membership, upgraded programming with the introduction of new age and skill specific training programs, resulting in the development of more competitive athletes, more satisfied members, and increased volunteer support. o increased weekly hours of programming from 9 hours to 28 hours o expanded programming to 2 sites o Recruited, developed, and lead a team of highly dedicated coaches. Achieved minimal staff turnover through inspirational leadership style, development of effective compensation policies, and by encouraging the ongoing professional development of staff. Which resulted in building staff from 2 to 7 employees. o Developed programs that teach participants life as well as athletic skills, which led to numerous club graduates’ receipt of college scholarships. • Part of financial committee that creates and manages the annual budget of over $350,000. ASSISTANT COACH, Assistant Program Director, Montclair YMCA and White Plains YWCA 1997 to 2002 • Instrumental in the creation of program philosophies, training approaches, and practice schedules that resulted in the development of nationally competitive athletes. • Trained, coached, and counseled athletes at various ages and levels of skill. • Contributed to the development of numerous YMCA national qualifiers and three United States Olympic Trial qualifiers and 1 member of the Philippine 2004 Olympic Team. • Served as liaison with YMCA management and Parent Board of Directors. This included helping with all fundraising efforts and attend all board meetings. • Part of YMCA staff that maintained the aquatic facilities. • Attend staff meetings. ASST RESTAURANT MGR, Crescent Beach Club, and New York Athletic Club 1993 to 1997 • Managed a team of 8 to 10 service personnel in a restaurant that offered fine and casual dining to the general public and to membership. • Hired, trained, and scheduled staff. • Controlled food and beverage inventory. • Initiated orders from purveyors. • Assisted in managing the budget for establishment that generated more than $1 million in annual revenues. Professional Awards, Honors, and Certifications • USA Swimming Coach, Connecticut Diverse All-Star Team at LaSalle University (2011) • Connecticut Coach of the Year Nominee (2014, 2013, 2004, 2003) • Connecticut Coach Select All-Star Camp at Wesleyan University (2003) • Westchester County Coach of the Year (Nominee in 2000) and (winner in 1999). • Coach National Select All-Star Camp at the USA Olympic Center (1997) Education • Fordham University, Bronx, NY Bachelor of Arts in History – 1993 • Fordham University, Certified in Non-Profit Leadership for Executives from Fordham University, 2015 • ASCA Level 3 Certification Omar Cruz 5 Finch Court, Norwalk, CT 06854 203-515-8055 omarcruz520@gmail.com Professional Profile Transformational leader with the determination and drive to propel an organization to achieve a new level of organizational excellence. ➢ Strategic leader with a record of significant accomplishments in growing membership, increasing fundraising revenue, board development, and building an organization’s visibility in the community. ➢ Highly adept in recruiting, developing, and inspiring staff, volunteers, members, and potential donors ➢ Visionary manager able to create an organizational culture that promotes integrity and ethical behavior of all stakeholders. ➢ Certified in the following areas from the Fordham University Center for Non-profit Leaders: o Organizational, Financial, and Staff Management o Fundraising: Special Events, corporations, and foundations o Program Development o Grant Writing o Public Relations and Marketing o Public Advocacy and Board Development o Public Speaking Experience EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Head Swim Coach, Norwalk Aquatic Club 2002 to present Direct the operation of a not-for-profit member organization with more than 150 members and over 100 volunteers. • Developed and executed a strategic plan that transformed a membership based organization with declining membership (30 members) and revenues into a vibrant and growing club, catapulting membership 500% (150 members) and increasing operating budget tenfold. o Network within the community to generate member referrals through existing youth programs, the local YMCA, and various country clubs o Organized many marketing events throughout the year in the community to allow us to become a visible entity. Such as staffing a booth at the Norwalk Oyster Festival and participate in the Norwalk Memorial Day Parade. o Created public awareness of organization by garnering coverage in local newspapers, PSA announcements, and a nationally broadcast segment on PBS TV. o Created a digital communications program that includes a newsletter, interactive website, and alumni database. o Pioneered a community outreach strategy that increased organization’s visibility. Cultivated partnerships with all schools in the city, community agencies, such as Norwalk Parks and Recreation, Norwalk YMCA, Norwalk Special Olympics, the Norwalk Board of Education, and the Norwalk After School Alliance, to recruit culturally diverse inner city youth. • Spearheaded efforts with the board of directors that transitioned a Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department program into an independent 501c3 entity. This was done once we were a financially stable organization. o Formed a 9 member Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Fundraising Committee, Volunteer Committee, and Marketing/ Public Relations Committee. o Attend monthly board meetings. Create monthly reports. o Organize regularly scheduled staff meetings. o Recruited members for board development and work closely with committee members to achieve organizational goals. • Design and oversee the implementation of organization’s fundraising/ development efforts, which now generate 25% of the operating budget. o Currently developing a corporate sponsorship package for the upcoming rollout of organization’s first ever corporate sponsorship campaign. o Orchestrate a yearlong calendar of fundraising, membership building, and social events, including an annual banquet, Super Bowl raffle, swim-a-thon, and over 7 nationally sanctioned competitions. o Negotiate contracts with venues and vendors, organize over 100 volunteers, and manage marketing for events attended by more than 750 participants. o Created an Alumni Organization to provide support for fundraising and a source of volunteers for events • Due to an increased membership, upgraded programming with the introduction of new age and skill specific training programs, resulting in the development of more competitive athletes, more satisfied members, and increased volunteer support. o increased weekly hours of programming from 9 hours to 28 hours o expanded programming to 2 sites o Recruited, developed, and lead a team of highly dedicated coaches. Achieved minimal staff turnover through inspirational leadership style, development of effective compensation policies, and by encouraging the ongoing professional development of staff. Which resulted in building staff from 2 to 7 employees. o Developed programs that teach participants life as well as athletic skills, which led to numerous club graduates’ receipt of college scholarships. • Part of financial committee that creates and manages the annual budget of over $350,000. ASSISTANT COACH, Assistant Program Director, Montclair YMCA and White Plains YWCA 1997 to 2002 • Instrumental in the creation of program philosophies, training approaches, and practice schedules that resulted in the development of nationally competitive athletes. • Trained, coached, and counseled athletes at various ages and levels of skill. • Contributed to the development of numerous YMCA national qualifiers and three United States Olympic Trial qualifiers and 1 member of the Philippine 2004 Olympic Team. • Served as liaison with YMCA management and Parent Board of Directors. This included helping with all fundraising efforts and attend all board meetings. • Part of YMCA staff that maintained the aquatic facilities. • Attend staff meetings. ASST RESTAURANT MGR, Crescent Beach Club, and New York Athletic Club 1993 to 1997 • Managed a team of 8 to 10 service personnel in a restaurant that offered fine and casual dining to the general public and to membership. • Hired, trained, and scheduled staff. • Controlled food and beverage inventory. • Initiated orders from purveyors. • Assisted in managing the budget for establishment that generated more than $1 million in annual revenues. Professional Awards, Honors, and Certifications • USA Swimming Coach, Connecticut Diverse All-Star Team at LaSalle University (2011) • Connecticut Coach of the Year Nominee (2014, 2013, 2004, 2003) • Connecticut Coach Select All-Star Camp at Wesleyan University (2003) • Westchester County Coach of the Year (Nominee in 2000) and (winner in 1999). • Coach National Select All-Star Camp at the USA Olympic Center (1997) Education • Fordham University, Bronx, NY Bachelor of Arts in History – 1993 • Fordham University, Certified in Non-Profit Leadership for Executives from Fordham University, 2015 • ASCA Level 3 Certification
Accomplishments
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