Cheo Stallworth
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Dynamic executive leader with 24 years of experience in the United States Air Force, driving operational excellence and strategic initiatives. Proven track record in budget management and cross-functional team building, enhancing organizational performance. Adept at fostering collaboration and delivering innovative IT solutions, ensuring mission success in high-stakes environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO
06.2023 - 09.2025
- Provided executive leadership for six divisions, overseeing daily operations for 4,000 cadet officer candidates and 6,000 personnel.
- Directed university facility functions including civil engineering, contracting, HR management, logistics, IT/Cybersecurity operations, fire & emergency services, and public safety for approximately 9,500 individuals.
- Managed a $150 million budget encompassing six organizations and a 19,000-acre military university campus valued at $4.2 billion.
- Represented university during strategic engagements with city, congressional & government entities and integrated development initiatives across various sectors.
- Supervised extensive public safety operations for Division-1 university sporting events, managing 90 employees to ensure safety for over 300,000 attendees annually.
- Led long-term strategic planning initiatives for installations and developed Annual Impact Planning documents.
Deputy Chief Information Officer
United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
06.2022 - 06.2023
- Directed $1.2 billion communications and nuclear command portfolio, establishing strategic direction for over 9,000 USAFE members.
- Ensured provision of integrated command and control, intelligence, and combat communications support globally.
- Collaborated with several allied nations and USAFE units during operations and exercises.
- Managed 35 communications organizations across Europe and Africa, leading teams in cyber operations development.
- Oversaw technology resource allocation strategy for European and African Air Force operations.
- Leveraged data analytics and performance metrics to enhance IT capabilities for 35 organizations.
Executive Officer to the Commander
Air Education & Training Command (AETC)
San Antonio, TX
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Supported the Air Force's Senior Training Director in overseeing 29,000 employees across 34 locations.
- Delivered training programs to nearly 300,000 members nationwide.
- Facilitated cross-functional partnerships as an ambassador with other Air Force organizations and congressional staff.
- Advised Training Chief Executive Officer on command topics and prepared strategic correspondence for dissemination.
Director, Air Force Training Support Squadron
Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT)
San Antonio, TX
07.2019 - 06.2021
- Directed logistics and personnel systems management for 790 employees supporting 39,000 trainees annually.
- Managed one of Air Force’s largest shipping centers, supplying $230 million in assets and implementing cost-cutting measures to save $750K annually.
- Established data analytics and Key Performance Indicators to enhance decision-making for senior leaders.
Branch Chief, Cyber Operations Support Branch
NORAD & USNORTHCOM
Colorado Springs, CO
07.2017 - 06.2019
- Delivered executive leadership for 12-member C4ISR and engineering team, enhancing cyber responses for Homeland Defense.
- Supported tactical communications during national disasters, ensuring IT interoperability across agencies.
- Guided NORAD, NORTHCOM, and Canadian military leaders on information security operations.
- Directed $2.1 billion multinational mission systems to maintain confidentiality and integrity of critical data.
- Developed staffing strategies for critical IT roles, overseeing hiring, onboarding, and personnel mentoring.
- Fostered cross-functional collaboration through Crisis Action Team and Incident Response Team initiatives.
- Analyzed emerging cyber threats impacting mission systems to enhance operational readiness.
Commander, Cadet Squadron
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO
05.2014 - 07.2017
- Supervised 110-person organization dedicated to commissioning Air Force officers.
- Established leadership development programs aligned with Air Force Core Values.
- Instructed lessons on leadership, climate enhancement, and character development.
Program Manager, Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWICS) Voice/Video Services
Defense Intelligence Agency
Tampa, FL
08.2012 - 05.2014
- Managed 6-member team delivering voice, video, and data engineering services for 2,000 Top-Secret JWICS users globally.
- Implemented cost control measures to optimize JWICS enterprise IT budget; provided budget metrics for senior leader decision making.
- Oversaw large-scale project to upgrade secure voice and data desktop terminals; replaced 76,000 VoIP devices valued at over $118 million across four continents.
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC (AFROTC)
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
06.2009 - 08.2012
- Recruited and mentored over 200 AFROTC officer candidates, cultivating high-performing teams.
- Oversaw administrative functions for cadet students, ensuring adherence to admissions and academic standards.
- Established strong relationships with university staff to facilitate athletic and financial compliance.
- Led regional recruiting initiatives for university and AFROTC across Tampa Bay area.
- Developed an organizational culture centered on innovation, respect, leadership, and accountability.
Director, Tactical Communications Unit
1st Combat Communications Squadron
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
08.2006 - 06.2009
- Led 81-member cross-functional team to support military operations across Europe and Africa.
- Engineered mobile IT infrastructure for secure voice and data services to warfighting units.
- Oversaw $45M budget to sustain tactical communications equipment for four deployable units.
- Planned and collaborated with foreign allies to integrate communications across federated networks.
- Served as operations lead for multiple deployments in European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters.
- Developed relationships with foreign military communication leaders to enhance collaboration.
- Facilitated network operations support for allied operations centers during joint missions.
Director, Deployable Air & Space Communications Integration Division
Air Force Command & Control, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Center (AFC2ISR)
Hampton, VA
07.2003 - 08.2006
- Developed and reviewed capability concepts, requirements documents, and modernization plans for C2ISR operations.
- Coordinated Senior Leader Special Steering Groups while providing secretariat support for Network Operations Panels.
- Served as Subject Matter Expert for innovations and experiments in Communications and Infrastructure.
- Conducted analysis of proposed technologies to evaluate operational effectiveness.
Director, Base Network Infrastructure and Operations Division
20th Communications Squadron
Sumter, SC
02.2001 - 07.2003
- Directed 46-member operational crew in delivering round-the-clock network operations and defense for 5,800 personnel.
- Oversaw Air Force base's primary communications hub for reporting, resolution, and maintenance control.
- Ensured adherence to enterprise network standards and common operating environment; submitted comprehensive reports to leadership and command authorities.
- Managed $2.7 million annual budget alongside $50 million in base equipment, optimizing resource allocation.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling/Leadership Studies
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO05.2014
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Troy University
Troy, AL05.2003
Bachelor of Science - Computer Information Systems
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX12.2000
Skills
- Executive leadership
- Program and project management
- Operations management
- Organizational development
- IT development and technical leadership
- Customer service excellence
- Communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Business acumen
- Cross-functional team building
- Budget management
- Human resources management
Other Developmental Experience And Awards
Top Secret Clearance (TS/SCI), Air Command & Staff College, United States Air Force (Concentration, Strategic Problem Solving), Air War College, United States Air Force (Concentration, Executive Leadership), Air Force Institute of Technology (Concentration, Advanced Cyberspace Operations Planning), Air Force Instructor’s Course, Command, Control, Communications & Computers (C4) Planners Course
Accomplishments
Multiple Operational Deployments to the Middle East, Africa, Europe
35 Career Leadership and Outstanding Organizational Excellence Awards
Tactical & Deployable Communications Experience
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
United States Air Force Academy
06.2023 - 09.2025
Deputy Chief Information Officer
United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)
06.2022 - 06.2023
Executive Officer to the Commander
Air Education & Training Command (AETC)
06.2021 - 06.2022
Director, Air Force Training Support Squadron
Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT)
07.2019 - 06.2021
Branch Chief, Cyber Operations Support Branch
NORAD & USNORTHCOM
07.2017 - 06.2019
Commander, Cadet Squadron
United States Air Force Academy
05.2014 - 07.2017
Program Manager, Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWICS) Voice/Video Services
Defense Intelligence Agency
08.2012 - 05.2014
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC (AFROTC)
University of South Florida
06.2009 - 08.2012
Director, Tactical Communications Unit
1st Combat Communications Squadron
08.2006 - 06.2009
Director, Deployable Air & Space Communications Integration Division
Air Force Command & Control, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Center (AFC2ISR)
07.2003 - 08.2006
Director, Base Network Infrastructure and Operations Division
20th Communications Squadron
02.2001 - 07.2003
Master of Arts - Counseling/Leadership Studies
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Troy University
Bachelor of Science - Computer Information Systems
Texas State University