Brea Barnes
Crystal Lake
Summary
Executive Assistant and Administrative Operations Specialist with 5+ years of experience supporting government leadership, multi-department teams, and high-volume workflows. Known for independent judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to manage complex administrative, clerical, and operational responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism. Brings a strong foundation in executive support, HR liaison functions, document control, scheduling, communication, and cross-department coordination, strengthened by continuous professional development and leadership roles inside and outside the workplace.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative & Financial Operations Specialist
Lake County Government
Waukegan, IL
01.2021 - Current
- Provide administrative and clerical support across 23 departments, ensuring accurate documentation, timely communication, and adherence to County protocols.
- Manage master files, correspondence, and departmental documentation, supporting executive-level readiness and compliance.
- Independently evaluate, prioritize, and complete daily tasks, resolving issues with minimal supervision.
- Serve as a cross-department liaison, coordinating with internal teams, outside agencies, business owners, and residents to provide information on documentation, meetings, notices, and compliance.
- Coordinate with EIT on system updates, workflow improvements, and software troubleshooting.
- Process 1,000+ invoices monthly, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution of payments.
- Support audits, reconciliations, and maintaining documentation accuracy for internal and external review.
- Implement workflow improvements that reduced manual entry and increased automation, improving operational efficiency.
Owner
Barnes Enterprises Inc
Crystal Lake, IL
11.1998 - Current
- Managed the negotiation process for both renewal and new office cleaning contracts to ensure optimal service agreements.
- Cultivated strong client relationships, resulting in a consistent annual retention rate of 95%.
- Administered payroll functions and facilitated resolution of employee matters to maintain workplace harmony.
- Developed and implemented training programs for 12 new hires per year to ensure workforce readiness.
- Analyzed market trends and executed plans resulting in a 200% growth in business revenue.
Administrative & Accounting Assistant
Walker Consultants
Hoffman Estates, IL
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Provided administrative and financial support to leadership, ensuring accurate documentation and organized records.
- Maintained the Master Vendor Database, ensuring complete and compliant documentation for audits and onboarding.
- Reviewed and processed employee expense reports and travel reimbursements.
- Assisted with month-end close, reconciliations, and documentation accuracy.
- Prepared formatted financial data for client reporting and audit support.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Pastry Arts
Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL05-2021
Skills
- Executive Support — Calendar Management
- Meeting Coordination
- Document Preparation
- Travel Arrangements
- Confidential Correspondence
- Administrative Operations — Workflow Prioritization
- Records Management
- Problem Solving
- Protocol Compliance
- HR & Payroll Support — Onboarding
- Reimbursements
- Credit Card Reconciliation
- Professional Writing
- Technology — Oracle, OnBase, Deltek, Workday, QuickBooks, Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables), Google Workspace
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Volunteer Leadership & Operations (Ongoing)
- Directed retreats with 100+ participants, managing scheduling, logistics, budgeting, and cross-team coordination.
- Led a 12-member volunteer committee for a day camp serving 125 campers, overseeing operations, communication, and documentation.
- Served as liaison between council and volunteers; awarded the GSUSA Volunteer Award for excellence in service and reliability.
- Strengthened skills in event planning, communication, leadership, and administrative coordination — directly transferable to executive support roles.
- Independent Skill Development (Ongoing)
- Advanced Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, data validation).
- Training in government operations, internal controls, administrative procedures, and financial systems.
- Supported community programs (Girls on the Run, Let Me Run), reinforcing communication and organizational skills.
Timeline
Administrative & Financial Operations Specialist
Lake County Government
01.2021 - Current
Administrative & Accounting Assistant
Walker Consultants
01.2020 - 01.2021
Owner
Barnes Enterprises Inc
11.1998 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Pastry Arts
Elgin Community College