Richard P. – Estate and Property Manager, Cook
A native of South Florida now living in Manhattan, New York City - Richard brings more than twenty years of experience in comprehensive property renovations, property and staff management, and real estate marketing, which culminated in the development of a thriving luxury vacation rental business consisting of ten properties with fifteen houses and apartments that attracted discerning guests from around the world. The impact of his multiple property renovations had such an impact on his downtown West Palm Beach neighborhood, that community leaders urged him to be on the city’s historic preservation board where his understanding of the best property additions, adaptations and practices could have even more impact on the area.
On a more practical level, as a renovator of homes since he graduated from college – personally familiar with a full array of property issues such as electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling systems, roofing, demolition, tiling, painting, masonry, landscape and irrigation installation, pool construction, and later - management of staff to achieve these tasks and many more.
Richard uses his innate talent for applied creativity, combined with his experience and degree in landscape architecture – to develop and/or organize and maintain real estate properties to attain their highest and best use and functioning. From the creative endeavors of designing landscapes, building additions, and extensive house renovations that reflect the latest trends and styles – to the practical tasks of managing vendors, house cleaning and landscape staff, permitting and licensing process, even lobbying for and obtaining new zoning uses, Prescott possesses a proven ability to build and maintain the most value and function out of multiple properties.
Richard thrives on the latest tech trends, starting when he built his vacation rental business’s website in 2003, and taught himself search engine optimization and internet marketing in order to attract discerning international guests to his properties. Today he continues his unique and trend setting real estate visualization and marketing by advising Manhattan property owners and developers on the best way to show their penthouses and other multi-million dollar properties for sale, creating photorealistic images of their property’s highest and best possible use and appearance. Richard has also enriched his broad understanding of real estate property values, usage and marketing by obtaining the New York real estate license.
He is extremely adept with Mac and Windows applications including not only the usual MS Office, but also advanced website design and content management, internet reputation management, search engine optimization, online advertising, architectural 3D imaging and Photoshop. He uses all these methods combined with excellent written and verbal communication skills, to achieve what only a select few can in the field of property management.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys very healthy, gourmet cooking and exploring interesting new recipes and cuisines that he continually invents. Developing a very sophisticated palette even without formal training, and he enjoys cooking delicious meals for small parties. He also enjoys going the gym to maintain a robust physique that helps him to deal with any hands-on property issues that may require some physical energy to get the job done.
Today’s high net worth employers can benefit and profit enormously from Richard's amazing breadth of property maximization, management, skills and talents - which continue to grow and adapt to the world’s increasingly complex real estate property technology, trends and needs – and offer high net worth individuals, estate home owners and multiple property owners the ultimate, comprehensive property management and realization package.
Richard Pettifer – House Manager and Butler
Richard Pettifer is the consummate estate / house manager and butler who combines his early history of Los Angeles and New York City trendy catering management for high end clientele and celebrities such as Celine Dion and Donald Trump - with the most classical form of formal butler service derived from employment by one of Palm Beach’s largest and most important estates for fourteen years.
The Palm Beach Estate consisting of 20,000 square feet main house, two apartment staff quarters, pool, dock and extensive waterfront grounds - was owned by the type of highest net worth employer who demanded only the greatest level of formal butler and house management service. The type of service expected by traditional heiresses of early 20th century fortunes, who looked to the lifestyles of 19th Century royalty for inspiration. Extensive silver service including special utensils like “sugar shakers” and “salt and pepper cellars” (each dinner guest has their own) were standard issue at the estate - which employed an extensive staff of four inside, and eight outside.
It was at this Palm Beach Estate where Pettifer gained the fullest breadth of traditional, formal butler and house manager skills - which are becoming a rare and unique commodity today, in demand by those who are truly familiar with or understand the most desirable and formal estate traditions of the past.
Richard Pettifer specializes in a realm of service expected by the highest of net worth individuals, possessing larger homes or estates that require traditional and extensive support space and staff - and who value serenity, privacy and longevity of staffing. They have employed domestic staff long enough to realize the value of highly qualified and experienced staff - who can vastly increase the owner’s own staff and estate management abilities.
On the more practical level, Richard Pettifer’s affable Mid-West origins, combined with his experience in catering management and formal house management allows him to not only manage all types of estate staff in a highly effective yet rapport-building manner, but to pitch in with the “hands-on” good natured attitude for any need that arises - universally valued by employers everywhere.
In addition to traditional estate home tasks such as VIP guest protocol, expert floral and seasonal arrangements, assistance with a variety house cleaning tasks and formal service – Richard can also offer assistance with today’s contemporary home needs. Modern entertainment and smart home technologies like Crestron, home office equipment service and excellent computer facility in Windows and Mac environments for handling research, ordering goods and services, house inventory and development of house/estate management manuals – allow Richard Pettifer to offer one of the broadest combinations of traditional and contemporary estate home management and butler skills to be found anywhere.
The Pettife Estate Management Team offers an unparalleled set of the ultimate estate management and service skills. Having worked together to build and manage a thriving vacation rental business for five years has demonstrated their team’s strength.
The fortunate estate or multiple property owner will gain an unmatchable value when employing this mature-minded, hardworking team with the proverbial ‘can-do’ attitude. As far as proverbs go, “two for the price of one” and “two heads are better than one” will be come to mind for the discerning employer - who truly understands what top quality estate service is and what it is actually worth.
RICHARD S. - BUTLER / HOUSE MANAGER
PalmBeachButler@gmail.com
Skills / Strengths
· Highly Developed Household Organizational and Management Skills
· Impeccable Reputation in Personal Service industry
· Unparalleled Attention to Detail
· Insistence on Excellence
· Extensive Knowledge of VIP Protocol
· Mastery of the Fine Art of Formal Butler Service
· Outstanding Rapport-building Skills with Employer and Staff
· Light Cooking / Gourmet Sourcing and Presentation
· Event Planning for any Size Party
· Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Business Skills
· Extensive Bed and Bath Detailing
· Great with children and all Types of Pets
· Medication / Supplement Dispensing Experience
· Extensive knowledge of All of Manhattan / New York City, the Hamptons and Palm Beach
· Possesses Fluency in the Microsoft Office Suite, Including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Web Research Capabilities that Facilitate not only a Smooth Operation of the Traditional Estate Household, but it's Technical Information Needs as well
Employment
ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ, Palm Beach, FL 1996 to 2010
Personal/Private Butler
Responsibilities included:
· The setting-up and coordinating of 3 formal meals each day; served Silver-Service, Palm Beach Style from platters / trays when entertaining guests.
· Overseeing the care of an extensive closet of antique service silver in addition to 5 formal sets of monogrammed flatware, often requiring monthly polishing.
· Maintaining numerous orchid planters and cachepots throughout the 20,000 sq. ft. residence
· Maintaining the pool pavilion, five terraces and designated areas of responsibility such as the Library, Dining Room, Butler’s Pantry, Two Bar Areas, Two Downstairs Powder Rooms, Rotunda and Entryway and Staircases / Elevators.
· Chauffeuring the lady-of-the-house to personal appointments.
· Meeting and providing every requisite need for the Read’s and their visiting families and invited guests.
· Working collaboratively and maintaining an outstanding rapport with all estate staff.
CITYOASIS VACATION HOMES, INC., West Palm Beach, FL 2002 to 2008
Co-Owner/Chief Financial Officer
· Co-owned and operated a unique business enterprise, CityOasis Vacation Homes, Inc.
· 15 vacation rental homes in two Historic Downtown Neighborhoods.
PALM BEACH CATERING SERVICE, INC., West Palm Beach, FL 1991 to 1996
Catering Supervisor
· A highly reputable catering service for upscale Palm Beach residents.
· Supervised more than 40 catering events at Mar-A-Lago meeting the impeccable standards of owner Donald Trump.
· Supervised the catered events for Isabel Collier-Read, owner of one of the largest remaining estates on Palm Beach.
C’EST SI BON, West Palm Beach, FL 1991 to 2002
Freelance Majordomo/Maitre d’/Catering Captain
· Concurrently between 1991 and 2002 while also working for Palm Beach Catering, Inc.
· A sought-after butler for VIP’s and celebrities
· Worked as butler for Celine Dion on more than 30 separate occasions at her request.
AMBROSIA GOURMET CATERING COMPANY, Los Angeles 1988 to 1990
Party Coordinator/Maitre D’
ROCCOCO CATERING, Los Angeles 1988 to 1990
Party Coordinator/Maitre D’
JUST OFF MELROSE, Los Angeles 1988 to 1990
Captain/Maitre D’
LA CELEBRATIONS, Los Angeles 1988 to 1990
Party Coordinator/ Maitre D’
Education
BLACKHAWK JUNIOR COLLEGE, Moline, IL
Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1978
o Major Course of Study: Chemistry and Mathematics
RICHARD S. PETTIFER BUTLER / HOUSE MANAGER REFERENCE PORTFOLIO
Mr. William Read Jr.
ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ
In my vast experience of hiring and interacting with household staff there is one person who not only stands out, but truly epitomizes excellence in his craft and that is Richard Pettifer. Mr. Pettifer was our private butler for almost fifteen years and would still be had I not chosen, in my later years, to downsize my living arrangements requiring a corresponding downsizing of staff.
Mr. Pettifer is reliable, honest, hard-working and very generous in his service, going well beyond what is expected of him. However, listing his traits and virtues does not do justice to the truly remarkable and caring person he is. And, not enough can be said about the most important trait of all, his unquestionable and devout loyalty to our family, continuously evidenced by his respectful nature and his often expressed gratitude toward us – when in fact, it was we who we’re so grateful to him for his unparalleled service.
If you are considering employing Mr. Pettifer you need not consider any longer. From the moment Mr. Pettifer joins your staff you will never regret that decision – just as I never did.
Susette L. Tegtmeyer
FORMER CFO/VICE PRESIDENT OF ISABEL COLLIER READ, LLC
“My office managed all of Mrs. Read’s personal and business affairs until her death in 2008.
Richard Pettifer was employed by Mrs. Read on September 01, 1996 and continued to work for Mr. Read until he moved into a smaller home June 15, 2010. Richard was hired as Mrs. Read’s butler and he had many responsibilities. Many times I can remember Mrs. Read stating how Richard would dress up her breakfast trays to match the holidays, and how the floral arrangements he made for the dining table were outstanding. He kept the first floor of her home in perfect condition, plus the silver was always in perfect condition.
There was mutual respect between Richard and Mrs. Read and she gave him positive reviews each year – she knew that he was a dedicated employee.
Even though I was not in the house on a daily basis, when I did visit the home, Richard always did an outstanding performance in serving dinner, answering the door, helping with luggage and he was always three steps ahead of everyone.
It is my belief that Richard would do an outstanding job as butler, that he has many talents to offer, and that he was a loyal employee
William C. Higgins, Chef
ESTATE OF ISABEL COLLIER-READ
“I have had the privilege of knowing Richard Pettifer in a professional capacity as we have worked alongside each other for the past 13 years. He is a true professional; dedicated to always finding a way to improve on excellence. Equally as important I have come to know him as a loyal and valued friend who is equally dedicated to living his best life possible. Richard is one of the most generous and giving persons I have ever known and therefore would be a tremendous asset to any household seeking a Butler / House manager with the highest of standards.”
Vicki Abbott, Summer Chef
WYOMING RESIDENCE OF THE COLLIER-READS
Personal note to Mr. Pettifer: “Richard - I just want you to know I spent half of my summer bragging you up! This staff was so curious about the “butler”. Your professionalism and the expertise you bring to a room simply “wowed” them. Every chance I got, I told another “Richard” story. They loved it! And I couldn’t be more thankful for the manner in which you put your arms around me during my stay at 850 (the Estate of Isabel Collier-Read).
Patricia Voyer, Owner/Operator
C’EST SI BON CATERING
“It is almost impossible to put into words how much we have valued Richard Pettifer’s professionalism and his knowledge of the business of coordinating party/catering events to the upscale clientele of C’est Si Bon. When Richard was assigned to an event, his work ethic and attention to detail ensured us a virtually “worry-free” and tremendously successful outcome. Richard has a keen and innate ability to anticipate the needs of those he is serving and an appreciation for conducting his work with impeccable style and graciousness. His stylized butler services were repeatedly sought-after by such high-profile clients as Celine Dion”
Ann Zweig-King, Owner/Operator
CASUAL AFFAIRS/TALK OF THE TOWN CATERING
“Richard Pettifer has a passion for delivering “over the top” personal service whether he is supervising a large formal catered event or performing personal butler services for Palm Beach’s most discerning clientele. He is professional, he is highly detail –oriented and his genuine concern for others’ well-being is reflected in his ability to anticipate others’ needs. Mr. Pettifer was quite capable of performing all duties within my high-profile catering business and he frequently did. In fact, I would say he always did more than was asked of him. I highly recommend Richard Pettifer for any position in the Personal Service industry. He has the highest standards of integrity which serve him both personally and professionally.”
John Sunkel, Owner/Operator
PALM BEACH CATERING
“Over the past 40 years, PALM BEACH CATERING SERVICE, INC. has been known for its impeccable service and attention to detail resulting in consistently successful events for our discerning Palm Beach clientele. This is accomplished in large part by hiring only the best professional personal service people in the business. Richard Pettifer was one of those people. He was a dependable, diligent and industrious worker
RICHARD P. REAL ESTATE PROPERTY MANAGER RESUME
Extensive Real Estate Property Construction, Management and Luxury Hospitality Experience with over 20 Years Experience in the Real Estate Improvement, Development and Architecture Industries.
Versatile, entrepreneurial and creative real estate-focused professional with more than 20 years experience buying, improving and managing residential / rental properties. Innovative, high-energy person with excellent organizational and communication skills, and a track record of success. Proven real estate design, management specialist, expert hospitality business developer with 5 years experience owning, managing and marketing 15 luxury vacation rental units in Palm Beach. Also familiar with northern climate landscape/building issues.
CORE COMPETENCIES
· Residential Real Estate Project Management
· Real Estate Project Budgeting & Forecasting
· Property Management
· Hospitality Sales and Management
· Extensive Property Renovation and Design
· Real Estate Rental Sales
· Exterior and Interior Property Staff Management
· Landscape Design / installation / management
· Excellent Gourmet and Health oriented Cook
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
· Conceived the vision, formulated the plan and founded a thriving luxury real estate rental business.
· Devised a profitable exit strategy for a successful business prior to real estate market deterioration.
· Designed and managed numerous and extensive property renovations inside and out, including new kitchens, building additions, AC systems, Electrical improvements, roofs, new swimming pools, landscapes
TECHNICAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SKILLS
Building and Real Estate Property Systems and Management
Intimately familiar with: Electric, Plumbing, Roofing, AC/Heating Systems, General Interior / Exterior Maintenance, Pest Control including Fumigation, Hurricane Preparation, Demolition, Pool / Jaccuzzi Maintenance, Painting, Tiling, Residential Construction, Cleaning Crew/landscape maintenance, Historic Building Issues, Permitting Process, Landscape Installation, New Kitchens, New Bathrooms, New Flooring, Asphalt/Concrete/Brick Paving Installation, Masonry, Weather Proofing
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Executed the smooth sale of a start up business grossing in excess of $350,000 annually. Cultivated and fostered relationships with clients and vendors. Managed projects through scope definition, understanding business requirements, setting deliverables, adhering to project time lines, ensuring budgetary compliance and aligning projects with corporate goals. Orchestrated efforts amongst real estate marketing and web development to guarantee stated business objectives were attained. Created aggressive Internet marketing campaigns, which resulted in obtainment of number one search rank positions. Utilized numerous mediums to transform conceptual ideas into a successful real estate rental business.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
www.PropertyEffects.com
Real Estate Property Advisory Service and Real Estate Internet Marketing, New York City, 2010 - present
Owner/President
CityOasis Vacation Homes, West Palm Beach, Florida 2002 - 2007
Leading regional firm offering weekly rentals of luxury vacation homes.
Owner/CEO/President
· Purchased, renovated and upgraded 10 historic properties / 15 luxury vacation rental units
· Coordinated construction and vendors for extensive property improvements, including 3 new pools
· Managed a crew of 3 property maintenance workers and 3 inside cleaning personnel
· Designed, furnished and stocked interiors for exclusive clientele
· Rental marketing and sales of luxury, furnished rental units to national and international clientele
· Personally handled rental clientele’s scheduling and special needs
· Designed and managed installation of extensive new landscaping
· Developed web site and corporate branding for the business
· Obtained and maintained city, county and state rental licenses for the properties
· Ensured code compliance for short term rental use (exit signs, fire safety, pool fences, safety signage, etc.)
· Lobbied for and achieved a new land use in the City of West Palm Beach (vacation rentals)
· Sold all properties as furnished, turn-key vacation homes at profit by 2007
"CityOasis Vacation Rental Homes owner Richard holds aesthetics in the highest regard... every pillow, chair choice and bedspread fabric are treated as part of a finely tailored ambiance. The Grandview Heights neighborhood just South of CityPlace and the Palm Beach County Convention Center has become the city's vacation home epicenter with it's gorgeous homes... Prescott has made it the heart of vacation rental territory in West Palm Beach."
-Front Page Story - The Palm Beach Post, July 4, 2005
Burt Hill - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Dubai, UAE 2007 - 2010
A prominent, global engineering and architectural firm focusing on sustainable design, technology integration and energy management.
Senior Urban Designer, Marketing, Presentation and Visualization Specialist
Traveled and worked extensively in Dubai, UAE on the planning, presentation and design of large scale mixed-use real estate developments owned by Emirati royalty.
Glatting Jackson, West Palm Beach, Florida 1997 - 2002
A highly talented team of professionals who excel at planning, urban design, environmental services, landscape architecture and transportation planning and engineering.
Urban Designer, Presentation and Marketing Specialist
Software Applications
Extremely computer/smart phone savvy. A master of all forms of written, visual communication
pertaining to real estate.
Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Adobe CS4 Suite - Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, etc
Google SketchUp - 3D architectural /floor plans, site plans, landscape plans, building 3D modeling / visualization
EDUCATION
· The NY Real Estate Institute - NYREI
New York state real estate license - March 2011
University of San Francisco School of Business
Master Certificate of Internet Marketing - 2010
· University of Florida
Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning 1988
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
· City of West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board 2005
· City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Place Committee 2006-7
· Grandview Heights Historic Neighborhood Association - Instrumental in turning a highly undervalued and troubled historic neighborhood into one of West Palm Beaches hottest in ten years, with values up 500% before the crash. Initiatives: Historic home tours, Extensive streetscape improvements, Multiple property renovations:
· Purchased, renovated and sold 15 historic residential properties in downtown West Palm Beach 1990-2007
· Purchased, renovated and sold an historic home adjacent to downtown Pittsburgh, PA Feb. 2010, earning a 155% profit in three years. This sale was during one of the slowest real estate sales periods/winter seasons ever.
REFERENCES
“Richard has brought a great deal of value to the Site Planning division of the Burt Hill Pittsburgh office. After being transferred from the International Site Design Studio, he has consistently introduced an exceptional level of sophistication, maturity and innovation to our domestic work. No job is too large or too small to capture his enthusiasm for creating exceptional quality. His remarkable versatility and experience allowed him to contribute to many facets of our practice. Richard’s devotion to innovation was tireless.
Although we were no longer able to retain Richard and others due to the economic situation, we look forward to the future effects of his efforts on our business, and would definitely not hesitate utilize his unique and powerful talents in the future when it is possible.
Jeffrey F, RLA, LEED, AP
Principal
"CityOasis Vacation Rental Homes owner Richard holds aesthetics in the highest regard... every pillow, chair choice and bedspread fabric are treated as part of a finely tailored ambiance. The Grandview Heights neighborhood just South of CityPlace and the Palm Beach County Convention Center has become the city's vacation home epicenter with it's gorgeous homes... Prescott has made it the heart of vacation rental territory in West Palm Beach."
-- Front Page Story - The Palm Beach Post, July 4, 2005
“The name CityOasis could not have been better chosen for this portfolio of bijou houses. Each house is individually designed, and each is a fine example of taste and attention to detail. No corners have been cut here, no petty economies made - everything is of the best quality. In years of staying in vacation rentals throughout the world, rarely have I come across any that equal the exacting standards and flights of imagination of the CityOasis homes.”
- Ros Belford,British International travel writer and Conde Nast Traveler contributor
“Thanks so much for the effort and attention to detail. We rent a LOT of houses and not a one has the soul and personality of thi CityOasis home. We feel like we’ve just stayed in our own place - rare in general. HUGE thanks for stocking the place so well - I'm sure future guests will find it as comfortable as we did. Loved your Style...thanks for making everything so comfortable - very sweet.”
Rick & Lisa - San Francisco, CA
