Craig Smith
Newalla
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at Tinker AFB, excelling in aircraft maintenance and safety compliance. Proven track record in performance evaluation and resource allocation, fostering a culture of training and development. Adept at resolving complex issues while ensuring operational efficiency and a safe work environment for over 500 personnel.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
12.2021 - Current
- Serves as a second level manager overseeing four first line Supervisors and 123 employees.
- Responsible for the repair, overhaul and kitting for @ seventy 135 Tankers.
- Provide real time posture to leadership daily.
- Organize and deliver daily needed kits to build up and maintain need dates to meet the War Fighter on time and in most cases early.
- Assisted with performance plans, issued appraisals to Supervision.
- Reviewed and verified appraisals given to 100 plus employees.
- Ensured Agency provided a healthy work area which encouraged participation and the ability to stop business as usual when safety became a concern.
- Facilitated promotions, transfers, reassignments, demotions and disciplinary actions.
- Resolved on the daily employee issues as well as Union issues.
- Assigned by Unit to be DMO (Determining Management Official) on disciplinary actions as well as 913 Grievance disputes.
- Ensured all employees were free of any type of harassment to include sexual harassment, equal opportunity for advancement, and affirmative action.
- Following the Agencies zero tolerance policy.
- Participate in a daily morning meeting to discuss needs and constraints providing a transparent view to leadership on the state of areas managed.
VPP Management IDT Representative (Group)
Tinker AFB
12.2019 - 01.2021
- Represent leadership through the voluntary protection program.
- Improving the relationship between employees and leadership.
- Maintaining and implementing safety measures for the workforce.
- Providing real time data and solutions to leadership and workforce to create and maintain a safe working environment.
- Created and provided safety presentations to Group Leadership that provided real time data to Leadership.
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
12.2016 - 11.2019
- Served as a second level manager overseeing five first line supervisors and 100+ mechanics responsible for the repair, maintenance, and modification of 5 to 7 aircraft concurrently.
- Organized and directed the operation of the unit; maintained a balanced workload, allocated resources, and coordinated with other units to meet schedule requirements.
- Monitored work progress and recommended or implemented corrective action to prevent production delays.
- Assisted in developing long and short-term production goals; advised leadership on manpower and budget requirements.
- Allocated and explained work assignments to subordinate supervisory staff, ensured adequate resources were available and coordinated distribution to appropriate area based on schedule requirements.
- Assisted in developing and implementing performance plans for subordinate supervisors and personnel; counseled employees on performance expectations and provided feedback or corrective action if required.
- Performed administrative responsibilities; approved leave schedules, appraised subordinate supervisors on work performance, reviewed personnel actions and performance appraisals issued by subordinate supervisors.
- Recommended or facilitated promotions, transfers, reassignments, demotions and disciplinary actions.
- Resolved employee complaints and addressed Union concerns.
- Force directives and policies; verified proper documentation and implementation.
- Determined the training needs for the unit and ensured compliance by all employees.
- Ensured all personnel were free from any type of harassment to include sexual harassment, equal opportunity for advancement, and affirmative action in accordance with EEO guidelines.
- Determined and implemented changes needed to ensure and maintain a safe working environment; ensured all areas and employees within purview were in compliance with established security, safety, training, and health requirements.
- Led 8-step problem solving meetings to reduce accidents and maintain safe work environment.
- Immediately acted on any safety concerns/issues and reported to upper-level management.
- Led and participated in several rapid improvement events and value stream mapping events to identify ways to reduce flow days.
- Currently certified to instruct SAPR Training as well as Resiliency instructor.
KC-135 Aircraft Section Chief WS-8852-14 (acting)
Tinker AFB
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Serves as the Aircraft Section Chief overseeing the repair, maintenance, modification and overhaul of various major aircraft operating systems on the KC-135.
- Responsible for five second line supervisors, 25 first-line supervisors, and 500+ personnel as well as 15 Aircraft Docks and Kitting.
- Determines resource, material and manpower requirements to support long-range production goals and briefs flight and squadron leadership as required.
- Allocates and explains work assignments to subordinate supervisory staff, ensures adequate resources are available and coordinates distribution to appropriate area based on schedule requirements.
- Monitors subordinate supervisor’s work plans, determines sequence of assignments, and sets deadlines to ensure efficient time management and coordinates changes from work schedules with other sections if work operations are affected.
- Communicates long and short-term goals orally and in writing to coordinate and implement work activities through multiple layers of supervision.
- Provides mentoring to subordinate personnel and assists with administrative issues and technical problems.
- Monitors daily metrics and acts upon the information provided by shifting work assignments, manpower, or resources to control costs and avoid delays.
- Maintains a positive working relationship with Engineering and DLA to resolve constraints.
- Performs administrative supervision of subordinates; develops performance plans, provides feedback and appraises performance.
- Objectively resolves complaints and grievances; keeps upper management apprised as required.
- Ensures all subordinate supervisors comply with EEO directives and apply EEO principles to all decisions made regarding personnel actions and hiring.
- Determines and implements changes needed to ensure and maintain a safe working environment; ensures all areas and employees within purview are in compliance with established security, safety, training, and health requirements.
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
05.2010 - 01.2014
- Served as a second level manager overseeing four first line supervisors and 70 mechanics responsible for the repair, maintenance, and modification of 4 to 6 aircraft concurrently.
- Organized and directed the operation of the unit; maintained a balanced workload, allocated resources, and coordinated with other units to meet schedule requirements.
- Monitored work progress and recommended or implemented corrective action to prevent production delays.
- Assisted in developing long and short-term production goals; advised leadership on manpower and budget requirements.
- Allocated and explained work assignments to subordinate supervisory staff, ensured adequate resources were available and coordinated distribution to appropriate area based on schedule requirements.
- Assisted in developing and implementing performance plans for subordinate supervisors and personnel; counseled employees on performance expectations and provided feedback or corrective action if required.
- Performed administrative responsibilities; approved leave schedules, appraised subordinate supervisors on work performance, reviewed personnel actions and performance appraisals issued by subordinate supervisors.
- Recommended or facilitated promotions, transfers, reassignments, demotions, and disciplinary actions.
- Resolved employee complaints and addressed Union concerns.
- Ensured unit were in compliance with Air Force directives and policies; verified proper documentation and implementation.
- Determined the training needs for the unit and ensured compliance by all employees.
- Ensured all personnel were free from any type of harassment to include sexual harassment, equal opportunity for advancement, and affirmative action in accordance with EEO guidelines.
- Determined and implemented changes needed to ensure and maintain a safe working environment; ensured all areas and employees within purview were in compliance with established security, safety, training, and health requirements.
- Led 8-step problem solving meetings to reduce accidents and maintain safe work environment.
- Immediately acted on any safety concerns/issues and reported to upper-level management.
- Led and participated in several rapid improvement events and value stream mapping.
KC-135 Aircraft Supervisor WS-8852-10
Tinker AFB
02.2008 - 05.2010
- Responsible for a crew of 20 journeyman mechanics responsible for the maintenance of the KC-135.
- Exercised technical and administrative supervision over subordinate workers.
- Assigned work to employees and monitored status to ensure the timely delivery of aircraft.
- Effectively communicated work assignments and provided technical troubleshooting to subordinates and ensured tasks were completed efficiently.
- Validated workload requirements through Programmed Depot Maintenance Scheduling System.
- Adhered to work priorities and schedules; adjusted workers, equipment, resources, materials to meet deadlines.
- Inspected completed work and ensured proper documentation recorded.
- Ensured accurate reporting of aircraft status and reported possible delays to upper management.
- Established and ensured the development of personnel through performance plans.
- Ensured safety directives and policies were followed by all personnel.
- Certified all personnel were educated and compliant with regulations and maintained proper documentation for review.
- Performed administrative responsibilities; approved leave schedules, appraised subordinate supervisors on work performance, applied equal opportunity principles to all personnel issues.
Team Spirit Lead WG-8852-10
Tinker AFB
03.2006 - 02.2008
- Responsible for ten journeyman mechanics.
- Planned use of manpower and issued work assignments.
- Determined appropriate work plan reflecting long and short-term goals.
- Performed administrative and technical supervision towards completion of aircraft related jobs.
- Ensured employees were free of any type of discrimination.
- Ensured proper protective equipment was utilized according to safety guidelines and directives.
- Managed aircraft production effort and was accountable for the utilization of resources.
Aircraft Mechanic WG-8852-10
Tinker AFB
06.2000 - 02.2006
- Planned and implemented work to be accomplished.
- Read and understood technical order guidance.
- Practiced tool control and became proficient with flight controls and their function.
- Served as alternate Supervisor when needed.
- Ensured employees were free of any type of harassment.
- Followed local policies as well as OSHA standards.
- Ensured area was free of FOD and reported discrepancies to leadership.
Electrician WG-2892-10
Tinker AFB
05.1998 - 06.2000
- Planned and laid out work.
- Read and followed drawings and specifications.
- Followed technical order guidance as well as practiced clean as you go policy.
- Led and trained less skilled personnel.
- Adhered to safety requirements provided by the Air Force as well as followed and ensured OSHA standards were complied with.
- Provided accurate feedback to supervisor on training progress of less skilled personnel.
- Reviewed and maintained documentation which included aircraft records, work performed, confined space entry.
- Kept work area and aircraft free of FOD.
- Maintained an organized work area.
- Immediately reported accidents or injuries to the supervisor.
Education
General Education Diploma -
Jones High School
Jones, OklahomaAssociates in Arts -
Rose State College
Midwest City, OKOrganizational Leadership - 91 hours earned
Southern Nazarene University
Bethany, OKAerospace Management -
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Skills
- Aircraft maintenance
- Safety compliance
- Performance evaluation
- Resource allocation
- Technical supervision
- Employee training
Accomplishments
- Implemented dock board status currently used in all weapon systems which allows all skills to understand and know the status of aircraft at a glance.
- Served as a core team member on the ground floor set up of the KC-135 operation machine helping to produce aircraft in record breaking time.
- Vital part of the KC-135 Tanker Team that was the first Air Force organization to be awarded the Robert T. Mason in 2011.
- Served on numerous rapid improvement events that have allowed KC-135 Tanker Team to continue to break records that has established Tankers as a World Class Organization.
Timeline
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
12.2021 - Current
VPP Management IDT Representative (Group)
Tinker AFB
12.2019 - 01.2021
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
12.2016 - 11.2019
KC-135 Aircraft Section Chief WS-8852-14 (acting)
Tinker AFB
01.2014 - 12.2016
KC-135 Aircraft Unit Chief WS-8852-13
Tinker AFB
05.2010 - 01.2014
KC-135 Aircraft Supervisor WS-8852-10
Tinker AFB
02.2008 - 05.2010
Team Spirit Lead WG-8852-10
Tinker AFB
03.2006 - 02.2008
Aircraft Mechanic WG-8852-10
Tinker AFB
06.2000 - 02.2006
Electrician WG-2892-10
Tinker AFB
05.1998 - 06.2000
General Education Diploma -
Jones High School
Associates in Arts -
Rose State College
Organizational Leadership - 91 hours earned
Southern Nazarene University
Aerospace Management -
Southeastern Oklahoma State University