Joseph D'Alessandro

Accountable for P&L, Sales, Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and stewarding six proprietary brands at this venerable importer of top specialty food brands from Scandinavia and Western Europe. Improve organizational effectiveness and growth within a values-driven culture alongside an incredible hard-working team of experienced professionals.

SHS provided expert executive and management search and talent acquisition consulting for businesses that deliver a high degree of service in food and beverage verticals such as restaurants, hotels, catering, food service, clubs, manufacturing, and wholesale food distribution.

Successfully and profitably started-up, managed, and sold a franchise platform that celebrates the lives of elite-level realtors through a high-quality monthly publication, events, digital app, and social media.

Accountable for business operations, accounting, legal matters, and successful sale for a group of residential income properties in Chicago. Selected and oversaw management company, legal, tax, insurance, and accounting services. Ensured that 17 partners realized maximum ROI and liability protection.

Provide strategic guidance to a brilliant and innovative Career Services Team focused on placing graduates with the world's premier hotels, restaurants, cake studios, artisan bakeries, and confectioners. Create and facilitate knowledge transfer of skills such as long-term career planning, interviewing, resume writing, correspondence, social media presence, and networking through lecture and extensive written work. Individually counsel students and graduates when confronted with difficult career decisions.

Provide overall strategic and operational direction for the volunteer leaders, staff, programs, expansion, administration, finance, and execution of the mission of Christian Business Fellowship (“CBF”), a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. While there are many trade associations and coaching services, CBF delivers a unique mix of member benefits designed to equip, encourage, and energize each member while building vibrant communities of business leaders at the local, national, and international levels.

Catalyzed the start-up of this private label baked goods manufacturer, serving as Director of R&D and Business Development from 2006 to 2009. Actively added value to the monthly Board of Directors meetings through relationship capital and industry insight. Enjoyed the privilege of working with one of Chicago's most accomplished entrepreneur families.

Recruited unit, regional, and executive positions in restaurants, hotels, sports entertainment, clubs, foodservice, and catering.

Owned, operated and sold a popular white tablecloth Italian/Continental restaurant in Palatine, Illinois.

Advised restaurants to improve culinary operations and profitability through menu engineering, proper cost accounting, training, procurement strategy and thorough management.