Damon Brook Ward
Lacey,WA
Summary
Dynamic aerospace leader with a strong focus on people and extensive expertise in managing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Quality Assurance organizations within highly regulated manufacturing environments. Proven track record of building, mentoring, and leading high-performing technical teams while ensuring compliance with AS9100, NADCAP, FAA, and customer requirements. Renowned for driving operational excellence through the implementation of standardized processes, comprehensive training and certification programs, and fostering a robust safety and quality culture. Collaborates effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to resolve complex quality issues, enhance first-pass yield, mitigate risks, and ensure timely delivery of flight-critical hardware.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Non-Destructive Testing Supervisor
Blue Origin LLC
01.2022 - Current
- People Manager responsible for 17 employees all in the Non-Destructive Testing background with Inspection Methods of Radiography Inspection, Computed Tomography Inspection, Penetrant Inspection, Eddy Current Inspection, Laser Shearography Inspection, and Ultrasonic Inspection. Responsible for managing a team of technicians in facilitating the analysis techniques in terms of Nondestructive testing. Responsible for ensuring proper non-destructive inspection of large and small diameter products meet API, CSA, ASTM, and/or other industry standards and customer specifications. Provides functional direction to NDT personnel, provides technical support services to the NDT personnel through training and certification, support for equipment troubleshooting, support of new equipment projects. Improve process control systems to monitor the real-time effectiveness of NDT systems.
- Developing employee skills and performance through training and coaching.
- Hiring, training, and developing new employees to meet organizational needs.
- Providing feedback on an employee’s performance, helping to develop an employee’s skills where needed, and addressing performance problems.
- Monitoring employee attendance and performance to ensure that they meet required standards of conduct and performance.
- Assigning tasks and projects to employees according to their strengths and weaknesses.
- Conducting exit interviews with former employees to determine why they are leaving the organization.
- Coordinating employee meetings such as staff meetings or team meetings.
- Maintaining employee records such as personnel files and documentation of disciplinary actions.
- Reviewing employee performance evaluations and providing feedback on areas for improvement.
Manufacturing Supervisor
Exotic Metals Forming
Kent, WA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- People Manager responsible for 23 employees that stem from Machine Welders, Assemblers, Machine Operators, and Press Operators. Main responsibilities are to look ahead and foresee any production issues, raise awareness, and act using all available resources. Develop a staff skills and visual queues to ensure employees optimize part flow and production output within established scheduling systems. Actively participates and is involved in new product development entering the department. Conduct improvement events in the department, which results in measurable improvements in unit times and part flow. Use Non-Conforming/TIPQA to understand the key drivers to part quality. Drives improvements that continuously increase and improves first pass yield. Develop and maintain training/skill set matrix with continuous Individual Development Plans with each employee on career and professional growth.
- Has broad understanding of the business model and philosophy. Connection between area of supervision and the broader organization including setting up and managing newer value streams.
- Continuously assesses the overall health of the department/building through the correlation of data and direct observation. Identified and implemented systemically effective improvement plans based on analysis.
- Understands and consistently utilizes multiple leadership styles and techniques based on any situation. Creative approach to problem solving. Actively looks at the big picture and sees beyond current or historical practice that has provided alternate solutions.
- Team morale and positive work atmosphere has always been a priority for consistent employee turnover.
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Exotic Metals Forming
Kent, WA
01.2016 - 01.2020
- People Manager responsible for 24 employees that stem from Non-Destructive Testing Technicians, Quality Inspectors, Calibration Technicians, to Pyrometry Technicians. Main responsibilities were to coordinate and control production activities to achieve cost and quality targets and production schedules, while closely monitored day to day operations. Leadership is kept abreast of all policies, procedures, planning, preparation, and execution of organization tasks; responsible for the health and welfare of 24 employees, and the training of all NDT Technicians entering the company as well as ensuring Quality Inspectors are properly trained using our TWE/JI training.
- Understands business model, philosophy, and the connection between areas of responsibility within the organization and value streams.
- Knowledge in the use and application of multiple NDT methods.
- Knowledge of drawings, production work orders and familiarity with inventory and issue tracking system.
- Connected with the team to understand and monitor current skill sets, company and industry requirements that identify developmental opportunities.
- Has a creative approach to problem solving and team building. Can look at the big picture and see beyond current and or historical practice to provide alternate solutions.
- Has successfully grown future key employees and peers.
Senior Administrative Manager
US Army JBLM
WA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Manager of an organization with over 1,500 employees. Main responsibilities were to ensure executive leadership is kept abreast of all policies, procedures, planning, preparation, and execution of organization task; responsible for the health and welfare of 4 executive managers, 20 senior managers and the training of 250 supervisors on all matters pertaining to administrative, planning, preparation, and execution processes on all organization mission tasks. Served as the subject matter expert to the executive staff on Sexual Harassment/Assault within the organization.
- Provided expert guidance and recommendations while consulting with organizational leadership on organizational programs, enabling leadership to manage human safety and efficiency.
- Coached, trained, and mentored 6 subordinate supervisors, and 29 employees, by providing both formal and informal job performance-based feedback.
- Analyzed data to find trends, solve problems, leverage expenses and develop objectives to maximize productivity which ensured a 35% increase in total production.
- Increased training efficiency by over 150% from fiscal year to fiscal year by taking an in-depth personal interest in the organization mission and tasking success.
Senior Executive Team Manager
US Army JBLM
WA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Served as the Senior Executive Team Manager for a mobile training/transition team of an organization with over 2,500 employees. Key advisor to the executive leadership on all matters pertaining to training and mentorship of foreign dignitaries for future district progress in policing. Responsible for the health and welfare of 3 senior executives, 5 subordinate managers, and the training of 15 supervisors on all matters pertaining to human resource processes including, systems such as personnel and training. Responsible for assisting in initiating Army policy change within the organization by training and informing not only the leadership, employees of the organization rapid changes being initialized.
- Developed, planned, prepared, and executed executive level academy training.
- Trained and mentored 20 instructors on HR and administrative skills.
- Evaluated, monitored, and tested students on course material as the exam Chief Instructor.
- Expert in property accountability, logistics and configuration management.
- Maintained 100% accountability of over $3,500,000 in equipment in an austere environment, with no loss of equipment or supplies.
- Supervised and trained personnel in executive level operations and intelligence activities.
- Demonstrated expertise in management, strategic planning, coordination and synchronization, organizational efficiency, procurement of goods, inventory management, distribution, and quality assurance.
Education
Bachelors in Business Administration -
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, ALBachelors in Criminal Administration - undefined
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, ALAssociate in Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, ALArmy Sergeant Majors Academy Battle Staff Course - Executive Level
Vilseck, Germany
Vilseck, GermanySenior Leader Course - Management Level
Ft. Sill
Ft. Sill, OKArmy Advanced Leader Course - Supervisory Level
Ft. Sill
Ft. Sill, OKArmy Warrior Leader Course - Introductory Level
Ft. Benning
Ft. Benning, GASkills
- People Manager with deep experience leading NDT, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing teams in aerospace and defense environments
- Proven leader in hiring, coaching, mentoring, and career development across diverse, highly technical workforces
- Strong background partnering with executive leadership to develop and execute strategies that improve productivity, quality performance, and operational visibility
- Extensive experience managing and improving training, certification, and qualification systems, including automated training management platforms
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement system-level improvements that enhance quality, throughput, and compliance
- Effective communicator with the ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to drive efficiency and consistency
- Known for an engaged leadership style that balances accountability, employee development, and results
Awards
- Distinguished honor graduate from the Army Senior Leader course
- Distinguished honor graduate from the Army Advanced Leader course
- SHARP (Sexual Harassment Assault Response Program) Representative
- EOR (Equal Opportunity Representative)
Timeline
Non-Destructive Testing Supervisor
Blue Origin LLC
01.2022 - Current
Manufacturing Supervisor
Exotic Metals Forming
01.2020 - 01.2022
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Exotic Metals Forming
01.2016 - 01.2020
Senior Administrative Manager
US Army JBLM
01.2013 - 01.2015
Senior Executive Team Manager
US Army JBLM
01.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelors in Criminal Administration - undefined
Columbia Southern University
Associate in Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Columbia Southern University
Army Sergeant Majors Academy Battle Staff Course - Executive Level
Vilseck, Germany
Senior Leader Course - Management Level
Ft. Sill
Army Advanced Leader Course - Supervisory Level
Ft. Sill
Army Warrior Leader Course - Introductory Level
Ft. Benning
Bachelors in Business Administration -
Columbia Southern University