CHERYL PETERSON BURRIS

33046 NE 70th Street  Carnation, WA 98014  425-333-6078  cherylpb@petersonart.com 
Management, marketing and administrative professional with extensive experience in various
hard and soft line businesses. Analytical, detail oriented multi-tasker that is an extremely
organized and effective planner. Experienced product buyer with a proven record of increased
profits through gauged procurement. Particularly talented in training and motivating team
members to meet and exceed objectives. Skilled in computer network support/administration,
technical support, customer service and database/spreadsheet development.
Specific expertise in:









Customer Service
Office Management
Loss Prevention
Bookkeeping
Database Design
Website Development
Inventory Control
Art Education
Staff Development










Product Procurement
Exhibit Development
Budget Management
Forecasting
Presentations
Recruitment
Public Speaking
Event Planning
Media Relations
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND


Community Relations
Computer (A+
Certification, Microsoft
Office, Visio, Visual
Basic, Windows 2000
Server (MCSE), HTML,
Norton Ghost,
NetFusion, PowerPoint,
Photoshop, QuickBooks

C.A.R.E. Foundation, Inc
(Cardiac Arrhythmias Research and Education), Duvall, WA
2006 - 2007
Non Profit Foundation
Executive Assistant
 Responsible for Front Desk and phones. Provided customer service to affected families,
donors and marketing events.
 Responsible for all office management including database management, mailings, travel
arrangements, and bookkeeping. Saved and recovered thousands of dollars for the
Foundation upon discovery of payroll service and phone service errors.
 Managed and maintained website that included online store and donations.
 Event coordinator for Heart to Heart Seminars and Heart Rhythm Society Trade
Shows. Traveled with Executive Director to these events.
The Home Depot, Redmond, WA
2005 - 2006
Retail Home Improvement Center
Head Cashier, Cashier
 Responsible for Opening and Closing of the front end of the store - procedures that included
loading and unloading Self Check Out registers’ cash.
 Responsible for “line” management, performance management of cashiers, POS equipment
troubleshooting, merchandising the “front end”, authorizing price changes and refunds,
preventing shrink as well as responding to emergencies.
 Wrote “easy to use” guide/procedure for Returns cashiers to utilize for sorting and inventory
management of returned and damaged merchandise.
CHERYL PETERSON BURRIS
Page 2
Dougherty Offices, Issaquah, WA
2004 - 2005
Oil and Gas Development and Distribution, Charitable Foundation, Conference Center
Office Manager, Assistant to President, Technical Support, Webmaster
 Developed bookkeeping procedures and systems upgrading and using QuickBooks to
coordinate with Texas businesses and various banks in several states.
 Maintained wide area network which included four servers in Texas and Washington.
 Managed and updated the development of 4 e-commerce websites
 Responsible for payables and receivables while owner was in Washington State.
 Managed projects for all businesses as well as remodel of Washington residence.
 Maintained vehicles and managed maintenance for residence.
 Received, organized, tracked grants as well as entering them on website for the foundation.
Parallel Technologies, Inc, Redmond, WA
1997- 2004
Software Development, Networking Device Manufacture & Distribution
Sales Manager, Buyer, Assistant to President, Technical Support
 Increased sales 400% from 1999 –2001 by recommending new product
categories and new markets.
 Standardized Technical Support and Customer Service procedures by growing
and overhauling knowledge base.
 Built and maintained small office network which included machines for product
testing, technical support, workstations and a Windows 2000 server.
 Managed the development of new e-commerce website
 Planned, wrote, tested and produced product manuals and quick user guides
reducing tech support hours by 50%
 Responsible for budgeting, forecasting, sales strategy development
 Managed all steps of manufacture of patented cable product line including
final molding process in Taiwan
Gambados, Kirkland, WA
1996-1998
Equine Art, Furnishings, Gifts & Interior Design Services
Director
 Utilized marketing skills to develop owner’s successful Interior Design business
 Responsible for day-to-day operation of store front
 Managed all AP and AR accounts for retail and design businesses
Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
Sponsor of Annual PNW Arts Fair – Bellevue Square
PNW Arts Fair Event Coordinator
 Established timetable that enabled staff and volunteers to meet all deadlines
and commitments
 Recruited and trained 300 volunteers as part of a 3-member team
 Acquired over $30,000 of in-kind donations for annual Fair using community
connections
 Expanded call-for–entry and media databases from regional to
national scope
Peterson Art Furniture, Kirkland, Washington
High Quality Functional Art Gallery promoting artist-made furniture
Director/Owner
 Represented 150 functional artists in 2,200 square foot gallery
 Sponsored 14 exhibitions of local and regional artists
1995-1996
1992-1995
CHERYL PETERSON BURRIS
Page 3
Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle, Washington
1980-1992
Cooperative Gallery owned by 32 NW Fine Woodworkers
Director
 Created a $1.5 Million business by promoting its identity as a “gallery” showcasing
handmade wood furniture and wood artisanry
 Generated extensive media exposure by producing 6 exhibitions / year
 Wrote was awards grants for outreach exhibitions in the community
 Part of three member team who created and produced the first “Gallery/Art Walk”
promotional event.
San Clemente Stained Glass, San Clemente, California
1976 -1980
Retail Art Glass Supply, instruction center and design facility
Artist/Owner/Instructor
 Designed and fabricated flat glass artworks for residential, commercial and religious
properties including windows, lighting and interior structures
 Created popular instruction center which resulted in profitable retail glass and supply
business

RELATED RETAIL EXPERIENCE

Olga Lingerie, Van Nyes, CA Manufacturer of Womens Lingerie
Sleepwear Buyer
 Purchased and maintained fabric and notion inventories needed
for manufacture of sleepwear garments
 Assisted in upgrade of ordering system to a computer database
Orbachs, Los Angeles, CA -
1975 -1976
1973 - 1975
Womens and Mens Fashion Department Store
Assistant Buyer, Branch Store Merchandise Manager
 Managed 10 women’s and children’s departments
 Assisted store manager in day to day operations, loss prevention, etc,
Midwest Stores, Inc, Minneapolis, MN -
1971 -1973
Buying Group of 250 Junior Department Stores
Womens and Children Clothing Buyer
 Designed Shopped New York market 4 times per year
 Put on “trade shows” to display suggested lines viewed in NY market.
 Published monthly newsletter featuring “hot buys” and market news
Donaldson’s Department Store, Minneapolis, MN
Full Line Regional Department Store, part of Allied Corp.
Department Manager, Assistant Buyer
 Managed sales staff and department operations for Fabrics, Domestics
and Junior Sportswear.
 Assisted Buyer in maintaining stock levels and merchandising the sales floor
1969 - 1971
CHERYL PETERSON BURRIS

Page 4
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Lake Washington High School Drill Team Booster Club
King County 4H Horse Project
Back In The Saddle, Kirkland, WA 4-H Horse Project Club
Lake Washington Saddle Club, Western Shows
Kirkland Arts Center Board of Directors
Artsplash, Redmond, WA
Kirkland Gallery Association
American Association of Woodturners, Seattle Chapter
Pacific Northwest Arts Fair
Bumbershoot, Artist Market
Pioneer Square Gallery Association

PRESENTATIONS
President
Treasurer
Club Leader
Manager
Recording Secretary
Juror
Vice President
Treasurer, Advisor
Juror
Juror
Treasurer

Port of Seattle, “Exhibits 90”
American Association of Woodturners, “Selling Your Work”
Washington Woodworkers Conference
Oregon Guild of Fine Woodworking, Annual Conference
Woodturning Active Arts Demonstration, Pacific NW Arts Fair,

EDUCATION / TRAINING
Bellevue Community College, AA Professional Degree
Bellevue Community College, Certificate
California State University, working toward BFA
Saddleback College, selected courses
University of Minnesota, selected courses
Iowa State University, working toward BA
Speaker, Curator
National Symposium
Guest Speaker, Advisor
Guest Speaker
Curator

Network Administration
Non-Profit Management
Fine Arts Major
Business Administration
Marketing
Fashion Design
Advertising