Details
General Manager of Concessions and Catering (Hughes Stadium and Moby Arena), Colorado State University (Ovations Food Services)
Collins, CO
Age: 29
Education: B.A. in communications from Arizona State University
Years at organization: 2
Why Selected?
According to Robert Krenzel, office manager with Ovations Food Services, Karla has made an impact on concessions by:
- Leading her account to be in the top three companywide in profit percentage
- Showing outstanding performance with financial controls, client relations and adherence to company standards as a first-year general manager
- Enhancing the fan experience by incorporating unique Ovations concepts
Get to know
Earning the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award at our national meeting in front of the entire company this past January.
Q. What would you say you excel at over more seasoned colleagues?I have a strong drive to be successful, and don’t feel comfortable being complacent. I also like to get my hands dirty; one of my favorite quotes is “Make so the general is never spotted because they are working like a soldier.” I think it’s important to work alongside your team to show them the pace at which you expect them to work, as well as to gain their confidence and respect.
Q. What's the best career advice you've been given?Always believe in yourself and trust your decisions.
Q. What's been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?In fall 2012, my first day on the job was a mere couple of weeks before our volleyball and football seasons started. I not only had to learn everything I possibly could about the venues, client, employees and processes, but I had to do it in a very short amount of time. Although daunting, this actually worked to my benefit; to hit the ground running, so to say, made me learn quickly and trust fast decision-making.
Q. What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next two years?I would like to be an integral part in the design and opening of the proposed brand new on-campus CSU football
stadium.
Not so much funny, but a definite near disaster occurred this past fall for our home opener football game. There was record-setting flooding throughout Colorado in the week leading up to the game, and 24 hours before game day, half of my subcontractors couldn’t get their trailers to the stadium, employees and volunteer organizations were unable to leave their homes due to flooded bridges, my beer delivery trailer was stuck in the next town over—just to name a few disasters. However, on game day, the sun miraculously came out for a few hours, fans showed up and everything was in its place—disaster averted!