GEORGE S. EYSTER
Madison,AL
Summary
Dynamic and accomplished executive with over 27 years of experience in the aviation industry and government service sector. Proven track record of developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to tackle complex challenges in fast-paced environments. Skilled leader with expertise in overseeing successful aviation programs, flight and maintenance operations, as well as government and military support agencies. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and develop staff. Proficient in strategic planning, operations management and providing oversight on cost, schedule and performance. Strong interpersonal, presentation and communication skills. TS/SCI clearance.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Lead and Operations Chief
Defense Enterprise Solutions (DES) LLC
Huntsville, Alabama
02.2022 - Current
- Program Lead for contract support to the Aviation Mission Systems and Architecture Project Management Office (PMO) under the Program Executive Officer, Aviation (PEO-AVN).
- Oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations for the most diverse PMO in PEO-AVN
- Focus on strategic communication, planning, and coordination with key stakeholders; strategic and tactical planning; and integration of departmental functions.
- Support cost, schedule, and performance oversight across 53 unique product lines and efforts.
- Developed communication materials for internal and external audiences.
- Facilitated responses to inquiries from PEO-AVN, Army Futures Command, Department of the Army, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Congress.
- Engaged with technical, logistic, business, civilian, military, and contract personnel daily to enhance collaboration.
Deputy Program Director, Aviation
Vinnell Arabia LLC / Northrup Grumman
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
11.2019 - 02.2022
- Managed operational activities for a large-scale aviation training contract valued at over $500 million.
- Oversaw management of 800 personnel and 3 airfields.
- Supervised flight instruction and crewmember training for 300 personnel.
- Managed the maintenance of 94 aircraft and 400 items of ground support equipment.
- Managed logistical and supply chain functions necessary to support the enterprise.
- Directed proposal efforts for the Program Team, resulting in a contract extension valued at $537.7 million with USASAC.
- Cut annual contract spending by $20 million via staff optimization
- Enhanced operational efficiency by trimming 200 excess administrative positions, creating room for 75 necessary maintenance jobs.
- Unified systems into a single cross-enterprise IMS, improving asset visibility and delivery efficiency.
- Reprioritized ABC inventory to reduce cost and streamline supply chains, resulting in $4 million in capital recoup.
Operations Manager, Airfield Support Services
Vinnell Arabia LLC
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
03.2018 - 11.2019
- Directed comprehensive operations for a 180-employee airfield support services and flight training program.
- Oversaw all facility maintenance, base/airfield operations, airfield crash, fire, and rescue, air traffic control, aviation ground support equipment maintenance, aviation dispatch/flight operations, and flight instruction functions.
- Directed initiatives for aerodrome safety maintenance and navigation aid certification, leading to a zero-incident safety culture.
- Oversaw biannual compliance activities for airfields under the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabian aviation authorities.
- Oversaw airworthiness release recertification validated by System Readiness Director of U.S. Army
- Executed plan that reduced employee workload by 20%, saving 200 man-hours monthly
Executive Trainer
Command and General Staff College
Leavenworth, KS
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Mentored junior executives in training development and career growth during graduate level courses
- Organized comprehensive training modules for specialized military operations
- Appointed to oversee and lead aviation subject matter college-wide
- Oversaw international military exchange program between Brazilian and U.S. Army Command and General Staff Colleges
Deputy Commander
Joint Special Operations Air Component-Central
Doha, Qatar
03.2015 - 01.2017
- Directed all planning, synchronization, and daily activities for a diverse 750-employee special operations organization
- Coordinated activities for $1.5 billion aviation assets and resources at eight Middle Eastern locations
- Achieved completion of 3,400 combat missions without loss or incident.
- Realized annual cost savings of $4.5 million through departmental consolidation.
- Led planning for operational realignment of corporate aircraft, achieving $10 million in annual savings
Student Officer
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Leavenworth, KS
08.2013 - 07.2014
- Masters-level curriculum and instructional course for Army mid-level officers.
- Significant coursework in the strategic context of military operations, unified military action, and application of U.S. Army doctrine, development of organizations and leaders, managing Army change, ethics of the western way of war, and operational art and planning.
- Achieved Commandants List (Top 10% of all students) and completed Master Degree in International Relations.
Operations Officer
3-17 Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
Savannah, GA
01.2012 - 03.2013
- Oversaw planning, coordination, and implementation for a 450-employee organization composed of 30 OH-58D(R) aircraft.
- Oversaw comprehensive training and operations during 9-month combat readiness phase
- Spearheaded the planning and development of three major training exercises.
- Managed logistical execution, relocating personnel and assets over 2,500 miles, twice.
- Enhanced overall effectiveness through refined operational practices
- Achieved recognition as top Operations Officer in a 3,000-person organization.
Executive Officer
1-3 Attack Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
Afghanistan and Savannah, GA
06.2009 - 01.2011
- Directed acquisitions, logistics, and financial management of a $900 million asset organization.
- Oversaw the maintenance management of 34 aircraft, flying over 2,100 hours per month, with a monthly budget of $15 million.
- Enhanced fleet readiness from 78% to 90% over a sustained 9-month period.
- Oversaw organization-wide relocation of 500+ staff and 1,900 equipment pieces from Afghanistan to Savannah, GA in 90 days.
- Efforts led to recognition as the top Aviation Unit in the U.S. Army for 2011.
Director of Logistics (Brigade S-4)
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
Savannah, GA
04.2008 - 06.2009
- Responsible for all logistics operations for 132 aircraft and 5,000 staff across six sites in Afghanistan.
- Supervised a $6M vehicle fleet maintenance project.
- Oversaw procurement of resources totaling $4.5 million.
- Ensured asset management for corporate holdings valued at $1 billion.
Senior Aviation Analyst/Advisor (BAO)
3rd Infantry Division
Savannah, GA
03.2007 - 04.2008
- Provided expert counsel on Army Aviation technical matters for a 3,000-strong organization
- Achieved substantial utilization growth, reaching a 400% increase over prior usage rates.
- Introduced advanced aviation procedures that became divisional benchmark
Strategic Planner/Field Manager
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
Honolulu, HI
01.2005 - 03.2007
- Senior strategic planner for United States' premier national-level Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Department of Defense accountability organization.
- Planned all aspects of 22 highly visible, multimillion-dollar projects to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific, resulting in the recovery of 22 previously missing American servicemen.
- Led 9 field operations to remote, austere locations, including Laos, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea, resulting in the repatriation of 14 American servicemen previously missing in action.
Education
Graduate Certificate -
Army Command & General Staff College
Leavenworth, KS07-2014
Master of Arts - International Relations
Webster University
St. Louis, MO05-2014
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL01.1997
Skills
- Project planning, scheduling and management
- Staff management, training, and development
- Budget and cost management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Change management processes
- Continuous Improvement processes
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma – IASSC Green Belt, U.S. Army SkillPort, 03/07
- Joint Government Flight Contracting Representative, Defense Acquisition University, 08/16
- Series 7 License – General Securities Representative, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 09/18
- Series 66 License – Uniform Combined State Law, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 09/18
Timeline
Program Lead and Operations Chief
Defense Enterprise Solutions (DES) LLC
02.2022 - Current
Deputy Program Director, Aviation
Vinnell Arabia LLC / Northrup Grumman
11.2019 - 02.2022
Operations Manager, Airfield Support Services
Vinnell Arabia LLC
03.2018 - 11.2019
Executive Trainer
Command and General Staff College
01.2017 - 08.2018
Deputy Commander
Joint Special Operations Air Component-Central
03.2015 - 01.2017
Student Officer
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
08.2013 - 07.2014
Operations Officer
3-17 Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
01.2012 - 03.2013
Executive Officer
1-3 Attack Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
06.2009 - 01.2011
Director of Logistics (Brigade S-4)
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
04.2008 - 06.2009
Senior Aviation Analyst/Advisor (BAO)
3rd Infantry Division
03.2007 - 04.2008
Strategic Planner/Field Manager
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
01.2005 - 03.2007
- Lean Six Sigma – IASSC Green Belt, U.S. Army SkillPort, 03/07
- Joint Government Flight Contracting Representative, Defense Acquisition University, 08/16
- Series 7 License – General Securities Representative, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 09/18
- Series 66 License – Uniform Combined State Law, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 09/18
Graduate Certificate -
Army Command & General Staff College
Master of Arts - International Relations
Webster University
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Florida State University
Similar Profiles
Bryson KirkmanBryson Kirkman
Interior Installer at DESInterior Installer at DES
Christian HopperChristian Hopper
Eligibility Specialist at DESEligibility Specialist at DES
Fernando MadrigalFernando Madrigal
Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior at DESBenefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior at DES