Santa Claus
(alias: Cal Cooley)
Summary:
I have over 30 years of professional experience entertaining children and adults. I have worked in all types of settings, from private home visits and parties to hosting and entertaining at large formal and civic events. After years of focused effort, I have finally matured into possessing my very own real, white beard and “jelly-bowl” belly, so I am also available for print and video work year-round. I am meticulous in my attention to detail in both my clothing and personal grooming. I am an excellent communicator due to years of public speaking and theater work, and remain in-character at all times when in costume or in the presence of children.
Education, Certification and Credentials:
Doctorate of Jollyness
St. Nicholas University (Class of 1643)
Certified Master Toymaker
International Association of Elves (IAE)
Member in Good Standing
International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS)
Work Experience:
Contract Claus-ing
Various venues and positions throughout the United States and Canada
10/78 – Present
• Spent the last 38 years “earning my beard” through amateur and paid appearances in a wide range of venues and circumstances.
• Designed and created a multi-tiered professional certification program for out-of-work (non-flying) Reindeer that was then adopted as a standard program for all current and future Reindeer North of the Arctic Circle.
• Managed a staff of senior Elves tasked with coordinating toy making and Business Process Improvement for all manufacturing facilities in the North Pole area of operations.
• In charge of all strategic gifting initiatives, to include initial project design, staffing, creating stakeholder buy-in and level setting, organization of all staff training and development of training tools at both regional and international levels.
Santa in Residence
Kaiserslautern Military Community,
Ramstein, Germany
09/12 – 12/14
• As the Santa-In-Residence for various military organizations and facilities in and around the Kaiserslautern military district in Germany, I created and/or participated in a range of entertaining events that provided military and civilian employees of the U.S. government working in Europe a taste of home. These events required flexibility, sensitivity, kindness, caring and creativity to accomplish. In addition, they also required a range of corporate-level professional skills such as: Project Management, Customer Service, Time Management, Personnel Management, etc.
• Managed a small staff of entertainers tasked with coordinating all aspects of a busy, retail-based customer service environment. Including: musical presentations, photo-ops, child wrangling, and creative problem solving in a multi-lingual environment.
• Kept Mrs. Claus and the Elves from suffering any pre-holiday meltdowns.
In-Park Character
Disneyland, Anaheim, CA.
09/77 – 7/81
• Wore a range of furry costumes and large shoes to impersonate Disney animated characters in holiday parades, shows and for in-park atmosphere.
• Discovered the personal joy of giving children and adults a sense of wonder and delight.
Legendary Gift Giver and Saint
March 15th 270 A.D. – Present
• Spent hundreds of years learning (and then teaching) the value of kindness and generosity to heal the heart and soul.
• Figured out how to fit down small chimneys, make reindeer fly, and how to compress the space-time continuum one night of the year. (And let me tell you, that is MUCH easier said than done!)
• Met and married Mrs. Claus, the sweetest wife and companion a big elf could ever hope for. (Mrs. Claus is also available for events, resume and picture available upon request.)
Specialized Skills:
Past basic competency in Japanese and Spanish with familiarity in German and French.
Experienced National and International Traveler. (With a current Passport)
Experienced and accomplished entertainer and presenter.
Member IBRBS (International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas).
Current Background Check and Proof of Insurance Available upon Request
Member Mensa… (Meaning: I can outthink a normal 5 year old about 30% of the time.)
Unites States Military Veteran
Currently employed full time for the Fish and Wildlife Service but with a flexible schedule.
