Bob O’Brien is customer service expert with decades experience in the retail environment. Bob is a relationship builder with customers and team members alike. A skilled employee trainer, Bob leads with a focus on staff development. With a solid history of meeting and exceeding expectations, Bob is a capable store manager. Knowledgeable at increasing sales; creating daily schedules for store efficiency; reducing spoils. Driven by the power of YES– that’s Bob.


View Bob’s LinkedIn profile here.

Bob’s personal blog, Serve and Grow, is here.

Contact Bob here.


Experience

Trader Joe’s Baton Rouge – April 1996 to Present

Exemplifies the WOW customer experience. Skilled at training staff for authentic engagement and store efficiency. Focused on staff development. Adept at developing daily strategy to achieve store priorities. Oversaw development and management of food bank giving program. Coached section leaders.

Telluride Film Festival – August 2002 to Present

Sponsorship Operations Manager at world renowned annual film festival. Responsible for sponsorship materials, smooth transfer of materials throughout multi-venue festival. Responsible for confidential information. Help enhance sponsor experience. Successfully work with rigid deadlines and high-expectation situations. Oversee team of staff and dedicated volunteers.

Big Music – 1987 to 1995

Owner and muse behind Big Music, San Luis Obispo’s premiere independent record store, music venue, and gallery. First independent record store used by Billboard Magazine Sound Scan. Recreated the classic listening booth for a modern music shopper. Unofficial SLO Mardi Gras HQ. Fostered an atmosphere of fun, community, and gathering.


Community Involvement

Mentor – Empower 225

Served as mentor and trainer in workforce education classes for youth. Provided consistent encouragement and constructive feedback as needed. Modeled professional composure and consistency to an at-risk population.

Picker – Baton Rouge Green

Participant in Baton Rouge Green’s City Citrus Pick Event. Picked and sorted homegrown satsumas for the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Reading Coach – Volunteers in Public Schools Baton Rouge

Helped elementary children improve literacy. Fostered an enjoyment of reading.

Disaster Relief Volunteer – Operation Blessing

Disaster relief clean-up in Panama City, FL following Hurricane Michael (2018.)


Organizations

Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Non-incarcerated member of prison-based communication and leadership skills organization. Modeled professionalism and positive attitude. Delivered speeches following the Toastmaster’s Pathways education program.

SpeakEasy Toastmasters

Elected to position of club president. Developed public speaking skills as a member of the world’s largest public speaking and leadership club.


Other Skills & Interests