Daniel 'DJ' Garber
Rochester
Summary
Dynamic aviation operations leader with proven expertise in project management and strategic planning. Skilled in team collaboration and safety compliance, driving operational efficiency across complex programs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Skillbridge Intern; Aviation Planner
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
Concord
09.2025 - Current
- FAA Grant Offers, Amendments, Payments.
- State liaison for 26 airfields
- Conduct airfield inspections
- Organized project timelines and schedules to ensure timely deliverables.
- Conducted research to inform planning decisions and strategies.
- Maintained updated project databases and shared relevant information with the team.
- Supported budget tracking for project expenses and resource management efforts.
Program Manager, Airlift Requirements
United States Air Force, USAF
Scott Air Force Base
07.2023 - 08.2025
- Lead program manager for aircraft modifications while managing a $150B portfolio for 600+ aircraft; overseeing coordination between multiple agencies to advance program objectives, testing and acquisition milestones for 40 active programs annually.
- Completed Department of Defense acquisition course earning Requirements Manager certification, prioritized 30+ new warfighter capability needs to coordination with four program managers.
- Project manager for a cross-functional team of 48 subject matter experts over a two-day workshop focused on facilitating operational testing and concept of operations of a $155M communications upgrade for 275 aircraft.
Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
11.2022 - 07.2023
- Led and advised a diverse team of 225 personnel; principal advisor to manpower projections, training requirements, personnel accountability, and key administrative functions including awards, promotions, and performance evaluations.
- Managed high-tempo operations with over 1,400 global flights, coordinating training and readiness across six teams to meet mission demands during the busiest operational period in ten years.
- Led training and qualification programs resulting in 15 instructor and team member upgrades, increasing production capacity by 18% and reducing instructor workload by 65% through syllabus revision and process improvements.
- Facilitated leadership development programs, engaged with external stakeholders, and mentored future leaders; earning Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year over back-to-back years and selection for a senior leadership role on Headquarters staff.
Operations Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Operations leader overseeing operations, training, and manning for 225 aviators; managing $73M flying-hours program supporting 375 global missions.
- Addressed major instructor shortage by coordinating tour extensions and securing additional manning support, prevented a 15% staffing gap, reduced training delays by 700%, and ensured readiness despite a 40% shortfall in available personnel.
- Led rewrite of course syllabus with 259 SMEs; validated 175 qualification events and 340 course hours.
Team Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
05.2020 - 10.2021
- Supervised 36-member aviation scheduling and resource management team; conducted career development sessions, reviewed awards, performance reports, and optimized team structure.
- Directed 1000+ flights annually totaling 4,000+ flight hours; reduced training backlog by 20% while upgrading 150 aviators for global deployment readiness.
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
10.2018 - 05.2020
- Directed Standardization and Evaluation programs for 428 personnel operating 31 C-17 and C-5 aircraft valued at $8.5B, leading cross-functional teams to maintain mission readiness and compliance with Department of Defense and FAA standards.
- Led Operational Risk Management initiatives, developing 437 threat and error mitigation concepts and conducting 270 in-flight Line Operations Safety Audits, significantly enhancing aircrew and flight safety across global operations.
- Managed 13 Standards and Evaluation programs; successfully guided eight Unit Effectiveness Inspections with zero deficiencies; recognized as a “Best Practice” by the Inspector General.
- Served on Headquarters Training Board; scrutinized 349 flight/ground training requirements to ensure timely compliance and operational readiness for 726 aviators across the Total Force.
Quality Assurance Lead
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
06.2017 - 10.2018
- Managed and validated 12 evaluation programs, supervised 9 liaison officers, and administered a $210,000 training budget to optimize training effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- Investigated and analyzed aircraft safety incidents, identifying root causes and issuing advisories that prevented recurring operational risks and enhanced flight safety culture.
- Honored with Wing Instructor of the Year and 816 EAS Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year awards for exceptional leadership, training excellence, and operational impact.
Training Team Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
05.2016 - 06.2017
- Coordinated and scheduled over 260 training events, delivering 650+ hours of emergency procedures and system failure simulations.
- Collaborated with external contractors and agencies to forecast and organize training resources, optimizing operational readiness.
- Achieved instructor certification with top scores, qualifying to lead and develop personnel training programs.
Scheduling Team Member
United States Air Force, USAF
Dover
10.2014 - 05.2016
- Balanced and managed 81 aviator's daily schedule; coordinated ground and flight training with mission requirements, ensuring operational readiness through currency and proficiency reviews.
- Scheduled 400+ missions, flights, and training events quarterly; aligned personnel activities with strategic and tactical airlift operations, including high-profile missions supporting the White House Movement Team and senior government officials.
Strategic Advisor Instructor to the Afghan AF
United States Air Force, USAF
Kubal International Airport
09.2013 - 09.2014
- Instructed 100+ combat flying missions advising C-130 operations for Afghan aircrew; transported 4,000+ soldiers and 178 critically injured patients while overcoming language barriers to ensure mission success in a high-threat environment.
- Authored and implemented comprehensive C-130 training syllabus, reduced qualification timelines by 8 months; certifying the first four C-130 Afghan aviators.
- Developed standardized cargo loading procedures for 8 Afghan airfields; facilitated movement of 9,000 passengers, 250 medical evacuations, and 86 tons of cargo.
Joint Airdrop Inspector
United States Air Force, USAF
Pope Army Airfield
11.2010 - 11.2013
- Conducted all-phases of airdrop preparation, pallet build-up, and final aircraft inspection for proper extraction while supervising cargo and personnel exiting the aircraft.
- Spearheaded airdrop inspections on 176+ tons across 94 joint airborne operations for the US Army's largest airborne requirement; resulting in zero rigging errors and preventing combat readiness delays.
Law Enforcement Dispatcher
United States Air Force, USAF
United States Air Force Academy
07.2006 - 11.2010
- Led 15-member team; sole dispatcher for 19,000 acres including 1,200 housing units and the Service Academy Restricted Cadet Area, ensuring safety and security across a vast, complex environment.
- Maintained continuous communication with Shift Captain; drafted detailed daily incident reports and processed Criminal Information Center database request during active traffic stops.
- Sole dispatcher managing communications during a fatal hit-and-run; cleared on-scene responders, issued BOLO alerts, coordinated Flight for Life and landing zone, contributing to the apprehension of the subject.
Education
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - General Studies
American Military University
Charleston, WV08-2019
Degree - Aviation Operations
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL08-2015
Associate's Degree - Police Science
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL08-2014
Skills
- Project management
- Employee training
- Curriculum development
- Program management
- Risk management
- Strategic planning
- Operational readiness
- Problem solving
- Training solutions development
- Process evaluation and enhancement
Timeline
Skillbridge Intern; Aviation Planner
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
09.2025 - Current
Program Manager, Airlift Requirements
United States Air Force, USAF
07.2023 - 08.2025
Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2022 - 07.2023
Operations Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2021 - 11.2022
Team Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
05.2020 - 10.2021
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2018 - 05.2020
Quality Assurance Lead
United States Air Force, USAF
06.2017 - 10.2018
Training Team Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
05.2016 - 06.2017
Scheduling Team Member
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2014 - 05.2016
Strategic Advisor Instructor to the Afghan AF
United States Air Force, USAF
09.2013 - 09.2014
Joint Airdrop Inspector
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2010 - 11.2013
Law Enforcement Dispatcher
United States Air Force, USAF
07.2006 - 11.2010
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - General Studies
American Military University
Degree - Aviation Operations
Community College of The Air Force
Associate's Degree - Police Science
Community College of The Air Force