Colt Zesch

www.IronHorse-Aviation.Com

• Founder, Owner / CEO, and Chief Pilot of Iron Horse Aviation.
• Soley scaled the company into a 7 figure business within 4 years and became the largest privately owned Helicopter operation in state of Iowa.
• Chief pilot for FAA Part 91, 133, and 137 Certificates / Operations
• Aerial Applicator Pilot for part of the Midwest crop industry
• Airshow, Utility Pilot
• Movie Stunt Pilot, utilizing M134 Mini guns, and Hydra Rocket Pods
• Instructor Pilot for Aerial Application Operations
• Instructor Utility Pilot for Construction Operations and banner towing
• Instructor Pilot for DOD and Government contracts of Aerial Platform Operations (Gunnery)
• Special Event Pilot for NFL, MLB Players
• “Flying in the Wire Environment” Total Time of 1900
• Spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving internal communication channels between team members facilitating greater collaboration across departments.
• Managed day-to-day business operations.
• Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
• Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
• Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
• Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
• Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
• Hired trained, and managed a high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
• Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
• Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
• Negotiated contracts with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall costs for the business.
• Established a positive workplace culture that fostered employee engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.
• Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
• Drove profitability with thorough financial analysis and strategic decision making.
• Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
• Achieved company growth by implementing strategic plans and streamlining operations.
• Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
• Collaborated with co-pilots on decision-making processes during high-stress situations, mitigating risks and maintaining a calm environment.

• Conducts full spectrum security operations as part of an elite, Special purpose team, supporting DOD Programs and interagency operations in the field
• Advises Senior DOD officials on required security, weapons, and communications systems necessary to conduct specialized missions in support of operations in hostile locations; technical experience with broad spectrum of communications equipment, as well as tools for surveillance detection operations
• Real world experience with hostage recovery procedures, methods, and organizational elements that conduct hostage recovery
• Rigorously screened for selection and singled out for exemplary professionalism, strong character, and superior communications skills
• Current TS/SCI Security clearance with CI Poly
• Participated in regular emergency drills to maintain preparedness for potential crisis situations.
• Conducted thorough risk assessments for events and venues, implementing tailored security plans to mitigate potential threats.
• Assisted in the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and protocols to improve overall safety.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by enforcing property rules consistently among all individuals present onsite.

• As a Personal Protection Specialist served a 8 man T.V Set crew for the Discovery Channel, F.Y.E
• Network is to include Director of Photographers, Executive Producers, and Production Manager in duties of Personal Protection of the entire crew in various locations throughout the heart of Detroit

• As PST Member assist in the matters of protecting any Department of State Personal in transportation to various locations
• Ensuring safe travel and protecting them in any way necessary to complete the mission
• As Range Safety Officer/ Lane Safety Officer I helped run ranges for American teams and TCN's to go through training classes and requalification tests

• As a Personal Protection Specialist served a Corporate CEO and HR manager in duties of personal transport and protecting them from Harm and Embarrassment

• As Senior Guard Shift Supervisor In Charge of roving duties of the Third Country Nationals in Guard Towers ensuring the safety of the compounds perimeter
• As Senior Guard Shift Supervisor In Charge of Third Country Nationals at Fuel Common Access Control Point (CAC) validated and searched fuel trucks entering and leaving the compound for explosives or harmful devices used against US/Global employees
• Manned rosters using Excel spreadsheets

• As Agent in Charge provided close protection for U.S
• State Department personnel while they executed their daily duties
• As Tactical Commander I controlled motorcade movements and developed route power point presentations for briefings
• As a Personal Security Specialist provide close force protection to any and all personnel tasked out to us from harm and embarrassment, to include Ambassadors and Vice President of the United States of America
• As Team Vehicle Representative provided weekly Excel spreadsheet reports on all maintenance problems with the vehicles, and provided inspections to make sure they were mission ready
• As the Intelligence Analyst Assistant I received daily reports on threats, information to which I briefed my team for mission dependent information

• Planned mission reports to coordinate and executed advanced team operations, reconnoiter operations; both low profile and overt vehicle movements throughout Kabul of mission essential operations in support of assigned clients as well as government personnel from the US Embassy
• Assisted in developing and implementing an Emergency Reaction Plan for the personal security detachment within a 500-man camp
• Involved in over 15 US PSD members and over 6 principles of force protection
• Formulated complex reports for accountability, extraction and close protection contingencies for any threat involving living quarters or work place of assigned and visiting clientele
• One of ten EP operators hand selected to provide close protection of the President and CEO of DynCorp International as he and other executives traveled throughout Afghanistan
• Hand selected to serve as an AIC during the executive's travels

• As Team leader, I supervised and trained my soldiers in all areas to be prepared for combat, especially in the areas of weapons handling, manipulations, Troop Leading Procedures, CQB, and Infantry Tactics
• Operation Iraqi Freedom II From February 2003 - January 2004, served in Iraq, conducted 248 motorcade operations and over 200 walking formations
• Mission was to provide force protection for members of the local council
• Provided security to augment military motorcade operations
• From July 2004 – July 2005, was personally selected and assigned for close protection to escort the Battalion Executive Officer, Major Fellinger during duty activities and movements
• Operation Enduring Freedom From July 2005 – November 2005, served in Afghanistan conducting over 100 motorcade operations, which involved the rebuilding process of Afghanistan and Iraq
• Provided personal security and force protection for the Augment elements