CHERRY D. SMITH
Falls Church,VA
Summary
Executive support and human resources professional with extensive experience in defense and National Guard operations. Manages taskers, correspondence, calendars, and travel coordination for senior leaders. Oversees employee relations, onboarding, compliance tracking, and mission support.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Support Specialist
Defense Health Agency, J-3
Falls Church, VA
02.2025 - Current
- Executed over 200 tasking actions and projects across seven stakeholders; facilitated 15 urgent taskers and monitored high-priority communications from senior leadership for timely decision-making.
- Processed, screened, prioritized, and tracked more than 196 correspondence actions and taskers, completing all actions on time; prepared and quality-checked executive correspondence and briefing materials for J-3 director approval and distribution.
- Coordinated critical taskers and high-visibility communications for J-3/5 team, ensuring alignment with staff guidance and pre-vetting content for senior-level review.
- Coordinated critical taskers and high-visibility communications for the J-3/5 team, ensuring packages were properly aligned with staff guidelines and pre-vetted before senior-level review.
- Acted as J-3 records liaison, maintained 57 electronic and physical records continuity files and reference materials in accordance with records-management requirements.
- Reviewed and approved over $98,141 in Defense Travel System authorizations and vouchers.
- Acted as alternate billing official for approximately $120,000 in Government Purchase Card spending; maintained fiscal accountability, completed reconciliations, and supported program compliance.
- Used email, ETMS2, instant messaging, and video teleconferencing platforms to manage taskers, maintain action visibility, and support accountability.
- Supported implementation of two communication-process improvements that reduced response time by 50% and eliminated avoidable rework.
- Monitored suspense actions to ensure timely completion. and routed documents through Defense Health Agency channels.
- Prepared travel arrangements and reimbursement packets to ensure smooth executive support operations.
- Compiled data from various sources into comprehensive reports for executive review.
Lead Administrator
Defense Health Agency / Cayuse Technologies
Falls Church, VA
06.2022 - 11.2024
- Conducted data queries, managed data sources, and prepared reports, briefings, papers, and presentations to support leadership analysis and decision-making.
- Provided management consultation that improved mission effectiveness, resource efficiency, and streamlined administrative processes.
- Executed administrative policies and implemented procedures that enhanced organizational operations and supported mission requirements.
- Provided human resources consultation and administrative support to clients and Deputy Assistant Directors.
- Facilitated recruitment processes by sourcing candidates and coordinating interviews., workforce initiatives, and relationship-building activities.
- Maintained records-management processes and safeguarded sensitive employee and organizational information with discretion.
- Prepared memorandums, letters, reports, and other official correspondence using office automation systems.
- Managed security operations by overseeing access control and safety protocols. and administrative support activities supporting DHA operations.
Human Resources Specialist
National Guard Bureau, U.S. Army
Arlington, VA
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Facilitated onboarding, orientation, benefits administration, recruitment, and reassignment to streamline personnel processes.
- Advised leadership on organizational events, activities, schedules, and staff actions to enhance decision-making.
- Developed standard operating procedures and administrative tools to improve consistency, efficiency, and continuity.
- Established recurring schedules and tracked requirements to support timely actions for the J-33 Director.
- Coordinated tasking via Enterprise Task Management Software Solution (ETMS2) for Chief, National Guard Bureau, ensuring timely completion of assignments.
- Supported Defense Travel System administration, talent reviews, records management, and policy-compliance activities.
- Acted as Interim Executive Assistant for the J-33 Director, managing protocol, travel, training, correspondence, and task-management activities.
Equal Opportunity Advisor
U.S. Army
Joint Base Andrews, MD
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Conducted training on workplace bias, equal opportunity requirements, reporting channels, and complaint procedures.
- Inspected organizations for compliance with equal opportunity standards, facilitating readiness for formal reviews.
- Interviewed personnel involved in discrimination and equal-rights complaints, documented concerns, gathered information, and supported conflict-resolution efforts.
- Monitored complaint-processing procedures, ensuring clear communication of compliance requirements to employees and supervisors.
- Reviewed organizational policies to support compliance with applicable equal opportunity provisions.
Protocol Specialist
U.S. Army
Washington, DC
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Supported protocol and executive-service needs for senior military leaders, foreign dignitaries, congressional members, and civilian officials.
- Helped plan, organize, and execute more than 800 ceremonies, conferences, and events for National Guard Bureau.
- Coordinated over 20 State Partnership Program and congressional events, enhancing diplomatic relations and engagement..
- Managed senior leader calendars; prepared and edited official correspondence; and arranged office calls, awards ceremonies, and social functions.
- Tracked more than $20,000 in government supply funding and assisted quality-control management.
Human Resources Specialist
U.S. Army / National Guard Bureau
Arlington, VA
10.2009 - 07.2016
- Advised general officers and stakeholders across 54 states and territories on diversity, inclusion, personnel, and human-capital matters.
- Compiled and analyzed workforce data and reports using Human Resources Management System and Full-Time Support Management Control System to support strategic decision-making.
- Handled over 5000 assignment requests and personnel actions according to regulations and policies.
- Updated officer and enlisted personnel records and employee files to ensure compliance with regulations and accuracy of career information.
- Completed background checks, reference checks, and employment-verification activities.
- Delivered professional-development training and provided guidance on lifecycle-management policies and regulations to enhance staff capabilities.
- Applied Army National Guard policies and regulations to support Department of the Army mandatory selection boards.
- Performed operational analysis, needs assessments, and process mapping to improve departmental structures and leadership support.
Education
BBA - Business Administration W/ Human Resources
Strayer University
Washington, DC12-2025
Skills
- Executive support and administration
- Task and correspondence management
- Calendar and schedule management
- Records and document management
- Human resources operations
- Employee relations and compliance
- Event coordination and protocol
- Defense travel system (DTS) management
- Government purchase card (GPC) oversight
- Travel card program administration
- Briefings and decision papers preparation
- ETMS2 proficiency
- Microsoft Office suite expertise
- Video teleconferencing facilitation
- Process Improvement
- Process improvement strategies
- Stakeholder Coordination
- Stakeholder coordination
Personal Information
Title: Executive Support Specialist | Human Resources Operations | Administrative Management
Certification
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), 2010
- Certified Equal Opportunity Advisor, 2016
- Human Resource Management Certification, 2010
- Certified Senior Management, 2019
- Certified Advisor, 2020
- Supervisor Development Certificate, 2002
- Certified Postal Clerk, 2007
SELECTED AWARDS
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal, - Meritorious Service Medal, - Army Commendation Medal, Third Award, - Army Achievement Medal, Sixth Award, - Army Good Conduct Medal, Third Award, - Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, - Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, - Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
Timeline
Executive Support Specialist
Defense Health Agency, J-3
02.2025 - Current
Lead Administrator
Defense Health Agency / Cayuse Technologies
06.2022 - 11.2024
Human Resources Specialist
National Guard Bureau, U.S. Army
09.2021 - 05.2022
Equal Opportunity Advisor
U.S. Army
07.2019 - 09.2021
Protocol Specialist
U.S. Army
07.2016 - 07.2019
Human Resources Specialist
U.S. Army / National Guard Bureau
10.2009 - 07.2016
BBA - Business Administration W/ Human Resources
Strayer University