Jason E. Schlegel
Senior Operations Executive
USMC Veteran
Operational Excellence
Vince Lombardi once said, “perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” As a long-term operations leader and ardent business improvement enthusiast, this comment resonates with me. Over the course of my career I have optimized business systems that drive breakthrough performance. Operational excellence has also enabled me to support new business launches, company turnarounds, and cultural transformations.
One of the keys to excellence, I have learned, is to thoughtfully build strategies and plans before executing ideas. I have instilled this discipline in my employees, and it has led to business-enhancing automations, seamless corporate relocations, and exceptional client experiences. While I certainly have a bias for action, I agree with Abe Lincoln when he said, “give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”.
In the end, operational excellence cannot be attained without a capable and engaged workforce. At every stop in my career, I have emphasized learning cultures, mentorship at all organizational levels, and development through stretch assignments. When professionals feel like they are growing and moving forward, it maximizes effort - which benefits my employees, company, and customers.Current Position
Chief Operating Officer | 2024 – Present
As the COO for a diversified company that manages 1500+ multifamily apartments, operates a small construction firm, runs a real estate education company, and owns a laundry business among other ventures, my role is pivotal in steering the day-to-day operations across all sectors. My responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum, including overseeing project management, enhancing operational efficiencies, and ensuring the seamless integration of services across our portfolio. My focus is on driving operational excellence, fostering innovation, and implementing strategic initiatives that support our growth and sustainability. With a hands-on approach, I work closely with our teams to optimize performance, deliver exceptional service to our clients, and achieve our company's ambitious goals. Through leadership and collaboration, I strive to maintain the highest standards of operation, contributing significantly to our company's success and reputation in the market.
Career Highlights
Integrated five companies into a streamlined Microsoft Teams envirnoment with multiple tenants, thus optimizing operations, communications and user experience.
Supervised a company acquisition of assets and personnel over a five month agressive timeline that involved complete manufacturing turn over and integration into new parent company across state lines.
Integral contributor in leading Tober Building Company growth from 9 employees to 70 and $5M to ~$45M in top line revenue.
Elevated operational performance and slashed $100K in expenses by integrating software, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and introducing analytics-generating business intelligence (BI) systems. Implemented a variety of Microsoft tools that eliminated many manual tasks through automation.
Strengthened company culture through leading a variety of employee engagement initiatives, creating a branded clothing website for staff members, and launching a first-ever e-learning catalog for five companies.
Increased organization sales $3.1MM by improving fulfillment of digital products, implementing large national events, establishing affiliate partnerships, and retaining subscription model customers.
Saved an organization thousands of dollars annually by evaluating all variable and fixed expenses (e.g. personnel, supplies, shipping, T&E) and negotiating improved business partnership terms.
Increased customer retention on subscription-level products from 1.8 months to 3 months while reducing refund rates on all products and services from 13% to 9.8%.
Successfully led a project that integrated the CRM system and API pass-throughs, which created a seamless transition for customers and generated thousands in incremental monthly revenue.
Developed and executed revenue-generating development opportunities for employees, including training for service agents, performance bonuses and mentoring of clients in an executive mastermind.
Successfully planned and executed several corporate office moves within the Ohio region within budget and aggressive timelines.
Drove a 92% customer satisfaction rating and an A+ accreditation score by rigorously training staff to be courteous, prompt, and accurate.
Set an all-time one-day sales record by selling out a downtown restaurant location for $70K in gross revenue.
Tapped by division VP to provide budget management guidance to dozens of U.S. restaurants.
Spearheaded an “all hands” cost analysis/improvement initiative that boosted restaurant division profitability by 5%.
Increased restaurant sales $1.1MM in three years by improving marketing, food, service, events, and talent.
Transformed a restaurant net income from a $250K loss to an $80K profit.
Reduced turnover in restaurant and boutique hotel 90% and controlled labor costs to 4% below budget.
Kolbe A Index Assessment
Analyze, Decide & Execute
Community Outreach
Giving Back to Neighbors in Need
Rahab Ministries
Street Team · Protective Services
Safe House Liaison
Volunteered as part of a committed weekly small street team that would search out, speak with, and encourage women who were caught up in the world of sex trafficking to offer hope and safety. Rahab would assist with a safe place to offer physical, spiritual and emotional needs for these young women. My main task was to protect the women on our team on the streets of the inner city as we walked late at nights (9pm-11pm) or very early mornings (5am-7am). I also assisted as being a liaison between our grace groups and other organizations to coordinate with the Rahab Director and CEO for their needs for specialized safe housing areas. I was also one of the leads for a few Thanksgiving meal provisions for several dozen Rahab women who we served during that season.
Grace Church of Greater Akron
Grace Group Leader · Safety Team
Haiti Missionary · Count Team
I have been leading several Grace Groups over the years where we meet weekly to discuss the sermon and go in-depth into the Bible. I have also been an active member of multiple campus safety teams to ensure the protection of our pastors and the congregation, as well as, financial count team. I have participated in a mission trip to Haiti in 2015 as well as serving on a meal and bereavement ministry. I continue to serve our local community through other outreach programs and church partners.
In addition, my wife and I have started a small home group where we take and disciple others through the entire bible and dig in and apply in our daily life.
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Global | Local Humanitarian Meal Needs
Led a team of two groups of volunteers to help organize and pack hundreds of pounds of food items to be delivered for humanitarian relief across the globe.
Resume
Download a copy of my resume or contact me below for more information.
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