DONALD E. CLAYBORN, JR.
Washington,USA
Summary
Senior Program Manager at Tecolote Research, Inc. with expertise in change management and data analysis. Demonstrated ability to enhance program efficiency and lead diverse teams toward strategic objectives. Notable for delivering impactful presentations and promoting collaboration, resulting in improved project outcomes and increased stakeholder engagement.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Manager
Tecolote Research, Inc.
Washington, D.C.
05.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic consulting on CISA’s Program Management Support Services (PMSS) contract under the Cybersecurity Division’s Capacity Building Branch, Acquisition & Budget (AB) Section.
- Support oversight of a $554M annual budget, $412M in cybersecurity products, and 40+ contracts managing 1,700+ contractor FTEs.
- Develop Gantt charts, Excel trackers, and dashboards to monitor initiative milestones and ensure mission-aligned delivery.
- Deliver efficiency analysis using the Gartner Maturity Model to support Acquisition Center of Excellence initiatives.
- Craft executive presentations, policy briefings, and leadership reports that influence federal cybersecurity acquisition strategies.
- Deputy Chief, PEO Action Group, managing a $20.9B MilComm & PNT portfolio with 26 active programs, 9 sustainment lines, and 17 satellites in production.
- Led a 9-person team coordinating 1,000+ acquisition deliverables for Congress, GAO, DoD leadership, and international partners.
- Oversaw integration of 17 Acquisition Category (ACAT)/Middle Tier programs including SATCOM, GPS UE, C2, and FMS systems.
- Created digital knowledge-sharing tools improving task traceability by 40% and optimized public affairs and legislative workflows.
- Conducted regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss project updates and provide status reports.
- Monitored team performance against established goals and objectives by providing coaching when necessary.
- Assisted in the development of business cases for new initiatives or enhancements to existing ones.
- Identified potential risks associated with projects and developed strategies to mitigate them.
- Managed change requests related to scope changes or requested modifications during the course of a project.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to identify objectives and deliverables for projects.
- Analyzed data from multiple sources in order to make recommendations on how best to improve program efficiency.
- Reviewed project progress reports, identified areas of improvement, and provided feedback as needed.
- Provided guidance to team members on project tasks and timelines.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to define success criteria for programs and projects.
- Designed training materials used by team members when onboarding new personnel or introducing process improvements.
- Facilitated communication between cross-functional teams in order to ensure successful delivery of projects.
- Stayed abreast of local, state, and federal regulations impacting corporate compliance.
- Coached, mentored and trained personnel to create positive working environment.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
- Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
Motivational Speaker & Workshop Facilitator
USAF
Worldwide
01.2012 - 01.2023
- Designed and led 10–15 annual workshops with 50–100 participants each, reaching thousands of military and civilian professionals.
- Topics included: Leading Across Lines of Diversity (Women & Minorities), Understanding Military Strategy, Leadership at the Senior Ranks, Military Communications for Civilian Leaders.
- Known for engaging, impactful delivery and translating complex leadership concepts into actionable insight.
- Conducted research on current events, trends, and audience demographics to create relevant content for talks.
- Utilized appropriate media tools such as videos, slideshows, props for making talks more interesting.
- Organized workshops, seminars, and training sessions focused on self-improvement and positive thinking techniques.
- Assisted participants with setting realistic objectives that could be achieved through hard work and dedication.
- Built strong relationships with clients by providing personalized attention and support in developing their individual goals.
- Advised team members on how best to communicate their message in order to maximize its impact on the audience.
- Brainstormed creative ways of delivering key messages in an engaging manner that resonates with audiences.
- Incorporated storytelling methods into presentations in order to capture the attention of listeners.
- Developed and delivered inspirational speeches to large audiences.
- Created engaging presentations tailored to specific topics or target groups.
- Collaborated with event organizers in order to ensure a successful program delivery.
- Facilitated group discussions around motivational topics such as career growth, relationships, stress management.
- Monitored feedback from participants during events in order to make necessary adjustments accordingly.
- Delivered speeches to groups, explaining company mission, position and services.
- Handled crisis communications to alleviate panic during incidents or accidents.
- Established a strong personal brand as a thought leader through consistent public speaking engagements.
- Conducted thorough research to ensure presentations were informative and up-to-date.
- Utilized feedback surveys to gauge presentation success and areas for improvement.
- Integrated audience feedback to improve and adapt speeches for greater impact.
- Coached peers and juniors in developing their public speaking skills and confidence.
- Utilized multimedia tools and software to enhance presentation effectiveness.
- Spoke about personal life experiences to inspire, motivate and benefit listeners.
- Collaborated with event organizers to align presentation topics with audience interests.
- Maintained poise and professionalism under pressure and in the face of technical difficulties.
- Liaised with company leadership to discuss speech topics.
- Mastered the use of storytelling to connect with audiences and reinforce key messages.
- Employed persuasive speaking techniques to influence audience opinions and behaviors.
- Articulated ideas clearly to engage listeners at lectures or seminars.
- Delivered engaging presentations at over XX conferences and seminars annually.
- Promoted important messages to attendees using humor and audience engagement.
- Tailored speeches to accommodate cultural and demographic diversity of audience members.
- Drafted speeches to persuade or entertain audience.
- Researched stories to convey information in front of camera.
- Developed and refined presentation content to suit diverse audiences and objectives.
- Developed and delivered presentations supporting or speaking on behalf of organizational initiatives.
- Led panel discussions on relevant industry trends and challenges, facilitating meaningful dialogue.
Senior Advisor | Director of Operations | L&D Program Manager
United States Air Force
Various Global Locations
01.2001 - 01.2023
- Director of Operations– Washington, D.C. (2020–2023)
- Directed enterprise-level logistics and workforce development strategy supporting 50,000 global stakeholders across the U.S. and Middle East.
- Managed 15 HR leaders, 300 trainers, and a $55M operating/training budget, including onboarding, DEIA programs, and crisis readiness.
- Oversaw largest DoD logistics hub in the Middle East, ensuring operational continuity for 1,000+ deployed personnel.
- Regional Transportation Strategist – Ramstein AB, Germany (2019–2020)
- Advised six C-suites across five countries on logistics readiness and compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, and CDL standards.
- Mentored 1,700+ military, civilian and contractor transportation personnel, implemented cross-border training initiatives, and managed $750K ops budget.
- Promoted to top 1% enlisted tier by Congressional selection.
- Logistics & Fleet Operations Manager – DE/PA/NJ (2015–2019)
- Managed 125+ military, civilian and contractor staff and a $15M vehicle fleet, enforcing compliance, safety, and operational KPIs across tri-state logistics centers.
- Designed and led region-wide leadership development programs.
- Honored with the 2019 Federal APAC Uniformed Services Award for championing DEIA efforts in the Air Force.
- Instructor & Coach – Peterson AFB, CO (2011–2015)
- Facilitated 5,000+ hours of adult education; coached 500+ mid-level leaders annually across 14 states.
- Led cadet seminars at the U.S. Air Force Academy and created onboarding certification programs.
- Named Educator of the Year (2013); increased student pass rates by 18% through strategic instructional design.
- Executive Assistant & Protocol Lead – Vandenberg AFB, CA (2010–2011)
- Coordinated senior leader engagements across five states; managed internal communication, executive scheduling, and EA training.
- Directed HQ recognition and development programs.
- Named NCO of the Year for outstanding performance.
- Transportation Operations Lead – Various Locations (2001–2010)
- Supervised dispatch teams and VIP logistics; ensured global compliance with OSHA, DOT, and EPA standards.
- Recognized for multiple leadership and operational excellence awards.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Management
American Military University
Charles Town, WV08-2018
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor of Technology & Military Science
CCAF
Montgomery, AL01.2012
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
CCAF
Montgomery, AL01-2007
Skills
- Change management
- Team leadership
- Data analysis
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Coaching and mentoring
- Training development
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Decision-making
- Organizational skills
- Program and project management
- PMO support and strategic initiatives
- Organizational change management
- DEIA program integration
- Performance metrics and KPI dashboards
- Curriculum development and facilitation
- Government stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge management strategies
- Digital transformation initiatives
- Leadership development and public speaking
Certification
- Project Management Certification, Air University, 05/01/14
- Occupational Instructor Certification, Air University, 05/01/14
- Senior Leader Development Course, 05/01/22
- Joint Service Logistics Course, 05/01/20
- Contingency Wartime Planning Course, 05/01/19
Awards
- Educator of the Year – 2013
- Federal APAC Uniformed Services Award – 2019
- Magna Cum Laude Graduate – 2018
- HQ Enlisted Leader of the Year – 2011
Security Clearance
Active SECRET Clearance
Timeline
Senior Program Manager
Tecolote Research, Inc.
05.2023 - Current
Motivational Speaker & Workshop Facilitator
USAF
01.2012 - 01.2023
Senior Advisor | Director of Operations | L&D Program Manager
United States Air Force
01.2001 - 01.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Management
American Military University
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor of Technology & Military Science
CCAF
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
CCAF