Drew Buckley
Simi Valley,CA
Work Preference
Summary
Results-oriented Aircraft Maintenance Manager with 24 years of senior program and project management with experience leading complex, mission-critical initiatives across operations, training, and workforce development in high-accountability environments. Manages programs from strategy through execution, applying data-driven analysis to secure funding, modernize systems, and improve operational performance. Translates organizational objectives into scalable delivery plans that accelerate timelines, optimize resources, and drive measurable outcomes. Partners effectively with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable programs that create long-term business value.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Director, Aerospace Training and Development
United States Navy
12.2023 - Current
- Directed development and execution of a locally based Naval Aviation Maintenance Center of Excellence, designing, implementing and delivering 44 platform-specific lessons and 9 industry-partner courses, significantly expanding technical training capacity and reducing reliance on external training sources. Efforts resulted in the completion of 43 certifications, 33 maintenance qualifications, and 153 support equipment licenses were granted while saving the Department of Defense 18,206.6 combined days of training.
- Led procurement and implementation of advanced training technologies (Augmented Reality / NGAS IETM VR maintenance scenarios), modernizing maintenance instruction and improving hands-on skill development and knowledge retention.
- Partnered with the Naval Aviation Enterprise Total Force Team to analyze and streamline E-2D maintenance qualification timelines, reducing time-to-qualify while increasing training throughput and operational readiness.
- Invested 250+ hours developing flag-level analytical briefs that directly supported funding approval for a future-focused NAMCE-T, influencing strategic resourcing and long-term capability development.
- Coordinated with the Office of Naval Research to introduce additive manufacturing capabilities through acquisition of a 3D printer, expanding on-site repair, prototyping, and sustainment capacity.
- Designed and implemented the first-ever Maintenance Training Instructor (MTI) qualification program, improving instructor quality, platform expertise, and Sailor confidence across maintenance operations.
Director, Manpower and Talent Acquisition, Finance
United States Navy
05.2021 - 12.2023
- Led a command-level administrative and personnel department supporting 302 military personnel, 33 civilians, and 3 operational detachments, processing 947+ correspondence actions, 376 pay/personnel transactions, 217 evaluations, 161 awards, and 172 career development boards, directly improving workforce readiness and retention by over 75%.
- Managed and developed a team of 12 military members, delivering end-to-end HR, pay, travel, and manpower services while coordinating directly with HRO Headquarters to identify, develop, and approve three General Schedule (GS) civilian billets, expanding long-term organizational capacity.
- Identified and allocated 45 manpower billets in coordination with the Navy Manpower Analysis Center, strengthening mission alignment and enabling scalable staffing for future operations.
- Managed annual operating budget of $355K, ensuring accurate forecasting, allocation, and fiscal accountability in support of organizational priorities. Strengthening internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Led talent acquisition and manpower planning initiatives, aligning a turnover rate of 30% annually with an onboarding program and training program to meet evolving Operational Requirements.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Director, Production Operations - Logistics
United States Navy
09.2018 - 05.2021
- Managed $1.08B in assets and a 140+ person organization, overseeing performance management, program reviews (50+ active programs), and continuous improvement initiatives across production cycles and strategic forecasting.
- Served as executive liaison to C-suite and VP stakeholders, translating complex operational data into concise decision-read insights and synchronizing cross-organizational efforts to support U.S. Navy Command-and-Control missions.
- Led international workforce planning, talent acquisition, and training programs for 160+ personnel billets, executing 30%+ annual turnover while ensuring rapid onboarding, role readiness, and mission continuity through structured recruitment and development plans.
- Managed multi- program people operations budgets ($750K+ annually) across a 45 person team, overseeing performance management, compensation and benefits, facilities ($8M+), and executive stakeholder communications to support global command-and-control objectives.
Program Manager, Tech & Physical Security, COR
United States Navy
06.2016 - 09.2018
- Led cross-functional production and maintenance programs spanning 290+ military and civilian personnel across six divisions, executing 8,300+ maintenance actions for 50+ aircraft across 10 commands, achieving 93–95% readiness rates and driving $800K+ in cost avoidance.
- Led cross-agency program planning and execution with Commander Naval Air Forces, Commander Naval Installations Command, and NAVAIR to design, fund and deliver a $1.3M composite repair facility and lithium-ion battery locker on time and within scope.
- Enhanced production efficiency and platform readiness by expanding repair and storage capabilities by 75% in direct support of MQ-4C, MQ-3, and E-2D aircraft operations.
- Designed and executed a $1.5M contract to expand workforce capacity, enabling onboarding of 24 additional personnel in direct support of increased Department of Defense production targets.
- Directed enterprise maintenance and supply chain initiatives that reduced backlog by 65%, enabled repair of 1,200+ depot-level assets, and delivered 100% availability for critical aircraft and engine platforms through hands-on stakeholder coordination.
Senior Manager, Production Operations - Aerospace
United States Navy
Lemoore, CA
08.2013 - 07.2016
Aviation Structural Mechanic - Quality Assurance
United States Navy
Lemoore , CA
06.2002 - 08.2013
Education
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA05-2023
Skills
Strategic planning
Operations management
Team collaboration
Strategies and goals
Project management
Analytical thinking
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Performance Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Certification
- Program Management Professional (PMP) - Enrolled at Syracuse University (Completion date of April 2026)
- Agile Project Management Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Champion
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR)
- US Military Apprenticeship Program - Aircraft Hydraulics
- US Military Apprenticeship Program - Airframes Mechanic
Timeline
Director, Aerospace Training and Development
United States Navy
12.2023 - Current
Director, Manpower and Talent Acquisition, Finance
United States Navy
05.2021 - 12.2023
Director, Production Operations - Logistics
United States Navy
09.2018 - 05.2021
Program Manager, Tech & Physical Security, COR
United States Navy
06.2016 - 09.2018
Senior Manager, Production Operations - Aerospace
United States Navy
08.2013 - 07.2016
Aviation Structural Mechanic - Quality Assurance
United States Navy
06.2002 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management
University of La Verne
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Volunteer
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Valley Children's Healthcare - Patient Pals
- AYSO - Division Director
Security Clearance
Top Secret: Effective Date 13 Nov 2023