Harold Blakely
Slidell,LA
Summary
Dynamic Test and Trials Manager with extensive experience at Birdon America, excelling in systems engineering and training development. Proven track record in leading successful test events, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement. Adept at managing complex projects and fostering collaboration among diverse teams to achieve operational excellence. Highly motivated, goal-oriented professional with over fifteen years of managerial, technical, and leadership experience. Additionally, I have experience in test and evaluation, maintenance planning, budget reviewing, systems acquisitions, and fault isolation. Extraordinary organizational and leadership skills resulted in my successful assignments as heads of divisions and departments. I have been recognized for the ability to lead individuals in stressful situations with exceptional results.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Test and Trials Manager
Birdon America
09.2023 - Current
- Lead planning, coordination, and execution of test and trials events for new construction vessels, while ensuring compliance with U.S. Coast Guard requirements and contractual obligations.
- Develops and manages detailed test procedures, schedules, and documentation for all systems and components including: propulsion, electrical, and mission-critical subsystems.
- Serves as a primary interface between engineering, production, government inspectors, and subcontractors during trial activities.
- Analyzes test results and coordinate corrective actions to resolve deficiencies prior to delivery.
- Oversees dockside and underway testing phases, ensuring readiness, safety, and performance verification.
- Direct integrated product team (IPT) meetings to align with stakeholders on test readiness and milestones.
- Maintain strict configuration and quality control throughout testing phases, including tracking of trial cards, discrepancies, and test reports.
- Support USCG acceptance trials (AT), builder's trials (BT), and final acceptance processes.
- Manages risk assessment related to test activities and drive continuous improvement in testing methodologies.
Testing and Trials Manager
General Dynamics NASSCO Norfolk
02.2017 - 08.2023
- Developed and managed the Integrated Test Plan, Comprehensive Test Plan, Comprehensive Test Plan, and System Restoration Plans for all ship platforms in the execution phase of their ship yard availability.
- Ensured all work was complete and certified in accordance with NAVSEA Standards Items.
- Integrated each platform's work items with the government regional maintenance centers, AIT project managers, port engineers, and ship's force.
- Successfully certified all contractual Key Events and Milestones for all shipyard availabilities to date.
- Stood in as project manager for three months to complete an availability that transferred to Naval Station Norfolk.
- Continually engaged in process improvement for validating work items, tracking completion of reports, identifying growth work, and improving the availability endgame.
Operational Test and Evaluation Force
United States Navy, USN
07.2014 - 01.2017
- Managed the creation and routing of test and evaluation products for multiple Naval systems resulting in timely dissemination to DOT&E stakeholders.
- Responsible for database management of over 100 test and evaluation programs for various Naval systems across multiple platform types (ships, airplanes, submarines, weapon systems, navigation systems, etc.)
Commander's Action Group/Surface Force Atlantic
United States Navy, USN
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Responsible for consolidating inputs for messages, briefs, instructions, notices, etc. that provide direction from the Commander of the Surface Atlantic Fleet to his subordinate commands.
Current Operations Officer/Navy Central Command
United States Navy, USN
09.2011 - 09.2012
- Managed the current operations of over 100 ships, both U.S. and coalition, in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
- Led a watch team of intelligence and operational personnel in the execution of missions at sea, multi-national training scenarios, and rescues at sea.
- Liaised with the commercial shipping community to offer protection during their transit through the area of operation.
- Directly reported the status of plans to a 3-star Admiral during daily briefings.
Combat Systems Officer
United States Navy, USN
03.2010 - 09.2011
- Responsible for the maintenance and employment of the ship's weapons and associated RADAR equipment.
- Ensured successful completion of System Operation Verification Tests (SVOT) of radar, communication, and IT equipment.
- Led various personnel as Combat Systems Training Team Leader in multiple exercises and successful assessments by higher authority.
- Senior Watch Officer in charge of the ship's training and qualification process.
- Third in command and substituted for Executive Officer in his absence.
Chief Engineer
United States Navy, USN
08.2008 - 03.2010
- Led a department of approximately 100 personnel in the maintenance and operation of four main propulsion diesel engines, four ship's service diesel generators and all auxiliary equipment.
- Supervised a $50 million high level ship repair of marine propulsion equipment to include job prioritization, direct liaison with civilian repair team stakeholders, post repair inspections/QA, and successful operational tests of repaired equipment.
- Senior Watch Officer in charge of the ship's training and qualification process.
- Led all engineers as Engineering Training Team Leader in realistic equipment casualty scenarios to include damage control (i.e. fire, flooding, structural damage, etc.)
- Oil/Pollution Abatement Manager
Fire Control Officer/USS VELLA GULF (CG 72)
United States Navy, USN
09.2003 - 03.2005
- Directed the operation and maintenance of the SPY 1 RADAR and ancillary equipment.
- Responsible for training weapon system personnel in various combat scenarios on the proper employment of installed systems.
- Supervised the refurbishment of SPY 1 array faces, combat systems consoles and displays, and the combat systems computer system during a major repair availability.
Main Propulsion Assistant
United States Navy, USN
05.2001 - 08.2003
- Led 100 engineers in the maintenance and operation of all engineering spaces.
- Responsible for all training to include directing real life scenarios on various equipment casualties.
- Prepared for and passed all inspections given by higher authority.
- Led the engineering watch team as plant control manager while conducting underway operations.
Education
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2025
Engineering Acoustics
Navy Post Graduate School
Monterey, CA05-2007
Mechanical Engineering
University of Mississippi
University, MS12-1999
Skills
- Training and development
- Systems engineering
- Human resource management
- Marine engineering plant operations
- Test and evaluations
- Trend analysis
- Budget management and project management
Timeline
Test and Trials Manager
Birdon America
09.2023 - Current
Testing and Trials Manager
General Dynamics NASSCO Norfolk
02.2017 - 08.2023
Operational Test and Evaluation Force
United States Navy, USN
07.2014 - 01.2017
Commander's Action Group/Surface Force Atlantic
United States Navy, USN
09.2012 - 07.2014
Current Operations Officer/Navy Central Command
United States Navy, USN
09.2011 - 09.2012
Combat Systems Officer
United States Navy, USN
03.2010 - 09.2011
Chief Engineer
United States Navy, USN
08.2008 - 03.2010
Fire Control Officer/USS VELLA GULF (CG 72)
United States Navy, USN
09.2003 - 03.2005
Main Propulsion Assistant
United States Navy, USN
05.2001 - 08.2003
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Liberty University
Engineering Acoustics
Navy Post Graduate School
Mechanical Engineering
University of Mississippi
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