Jo Ellen Vest
Woodland Park,CO
Summary
Career Summary: Detail-oriented and self-motivated who is seeking a position to support government, military and civilian operations through financial management to program management specialist with 20+ years of experience. Assurance seeks opportunity to broaden skills, experience and continuing education. Successfully optimizes tracking projects and collaborating on financial and management solutions which support cost saving and efficient completion of goals. Excellent relationship-building, problem-solving and communication skills with analytical and adaptable nature ranging from audit, contracting, finance and engineering personnel. Experienced Program Manager skilled in managing functional operations and projects related to supplies and logistics. Advanced understanding of organizational strategies, financial management, procurement and contracting. Expertise in logistical analysis, inventory and supply chain performance, development and standardization. Thorough understanding of inventory management, procurement and acquisition regulations.
Overview
1848
1848
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Management Specialist
Acquisition Air Force Material Command 517th SWEG
Peterson, CO
04.2019 - Current
- Performed duties associated with projects, contracting and cost analysis, logistics and acquisition program management career field positions
- Served as Program Management Specialist for 517th Software Engineering Squadron as advisor on variety of contract activities, working with engineers, system engineers, computer engineers, project management and flight directors on all aspects of procurement
- Served as point of contact for Squadron and Hill AFB for Government Purchasing Card (GPC) Program
- Manage planning processes to create and maintain GPC accounts and contract proposal in response to existing and emerging plans and requirements
- Render contract pre-award and post award including price/cost analysis, negotiation and administration expertise to 517th Software Engineering Squadron and Hill Air Force Base
- Provides knowledge as contract analyst responsible for providing advice, reviews and services concerning wide variety of service procurements requiring in-depth analysis and resolution
- Lead multi-functional team to complete full life cycle of assigned projects
- Meet with functional and project managers for purpose of clarifying procurement issues and resolving problems
- Review contract requirements to determine method of procurement, milestones, acquisition plans and contracting strategies
- Prepare solicitation/amendment documents and assemble acquisition request materials such as RFI/RFP/Market Research/Acquisition Plans/Requirement Plans/etc. or information needed by management
- Managed critical and complex competitive sealed bidding process, conduct routine analyses, including price/cost analysis
- Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial organizations, nonprofit organizations or research and development to Federal Government
- Plan, establish and review contracts, programs, policies and procedures
- Develop acquisition strategies and direct or manage procurement
- Resolve complex logistics problems affecting numerous activities spread over large geographical areas to ensure uniform execution of operational requirements
- Assist in conducting meetings and briefings for team members
- Monitor obligation plans and year end close out of all accounts
- Establish schedules for coordination of work to facilitate program operations and acquisition planning
- Customize documentation support including update technical reports and support managers with creating and updating databases
- Performance work statements and objectives, cost benefit analysis, sole source justifications, past performance, independent government estimates, ensure appropriate JON account for proper transfer funding, delivery schedules, lead times and monthly reconciliation report
- Manage, monitor and measure purchase portfolio status, recommending corrective action as necessary and communicate portfolio status to their management
- Track all purchase request (PR) and distribution of costs and project timelines and provide reporting metrics to lead team and customer
- Reviews procurement documents for accuracy, adequacy and completeness, and provide Configuration Management Team and Software License Management Specialist as needed to ensure final product was delivered
- Analyze efficiency and effectiveness of each PR and delivery methods, to recommend improvements, and implement quality control
- Establishes and maintains controls to ensure that contracts are executed in accordance with clause
- Determine which projects are most essential to business and divide resources based on project priority
- Ensure that policies and supporting products to ensure procurement activities are consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other federal procurement laws and regulations
- Analyze projects throughout Life Cycle to establish trend data and courses of action
- Evaluate project changes and their impact to scope, schedule and budget
- Support project execution by articulating policies in areas such as contracting, finance and accounting and information management
- Improve administrative management policies and procedures and maintain necessary liaison essential for uniform interpretation and implementation of administrative management policies
- Complete yearly certifications within acquisition requirements and maintain FAR procurement laws and regulations
- Responsible for keeping purchase requests on schedule and on budget; providing detailed cost analysis and market research reports in order to facilitate this task
- Participate as analyst or evaluator during Procurement Management Review (PMR) or evaluated contracting work as part of evaluation team or single evaluator
- Continuing acquisition education requirements as per IAW DoDI 5000.2
- Maintained effective and lasting vendor relationships through dynamic communication, collaboration and intelligent questioning skills
- Maintained ongoing communication with suppliers to promote workflow and respond to inquiries
- Determined feasibility of proposed procurement actions by performing market research
- Prioritized important customers by reviewing logistics and handling shortages, delivery schedules and office functions
- Reviewed current contracts to identify upcoming contract expirations and coordinated with stakeholders to analyze contract renewals and re-negotiation
- Liaised with outside organizations and financial management analysts to negotiate contract details
- Facilitated cost savings analysis by tracking and creating database of phone data usage
- Reviewed contract plans and project specifics for thorough understanding
- Worked proactively with market contacts to help resolve vendor issues for Flight wide
- Performed in-depth market research, identified optimal acquisition strategies and prepared contracts for approval
- Negotiated with bidders to achieve fair, reasonable and positive outcomes
- Closely monitored and evaluated contract performance to determine regulatory compliance and necessary amendments
- Created electronic contract administration request system (ECARS) submissions
- Managed full procurement cycle by planning, reviewing, soliciting, awarding, administering and closing out contract to achieve seamless transition at all levels of procurement
- Created and prepared specific contracts to present to senior management
Human Resources Assistant
Headquarters Air Force Space Command A1
Peterson AFB, CO
01.2002 - 04.2019
- Served as technical advisor to Major Command (MAJCOM) level, HQFSPC/A1 Senior Staff Commanders, HQ AFSPC installations and operation locations on all aspects of DoD, Air Force and Command Special Trophies and Awards, Awards and Decorations Program for military members and civilian employees
- Review and revised policies, directives and regulates on military and civilian sponsored special trophies and awards and military and civilian decorations
- Maintained metric that impacts high level awards report to Secretary of Air Force
- Provides wide range of advisory, support and guidance on program requirements to 175 locations worldwide including Headquarters Air Force Space Command Directorates, two Numbered Air Forces, four Centers and nine Wings
- Provides policy guidance on 40 personnel programs for over 68,000 military, civilian and family members
- Managed Major Command Special Trophies and Awards Program for Headquarters Air Force Space Command Commander (four-stars GO) and Command Chief
- Manage and revised AFI 36-2805_AFSPCSUP, Special Trophies and Award and AFSPC HQ Instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive 36-28
- Advice management and senior raters by recommend guidance for awards meriting proper recognition for outstanding accomplishments
- Maneuver awards board across MAJCOM to ensure boarding regulations are strictly adhere and forwarded to higher level for consideration
- Authored and implemented Civilian/Military Awards Guide and checklist as result of unnecessary processing delays, requiring additional reviews throughout processing/approval chain with zero kickbacks and saved manpower hours
- Through expedition of Command Management Level Review (MLR) promotion boards through grade of Colonels to Captains, support MLR process of PRFs, evaluations, retirements/separations, and adverse actions
- Contributor to Promotions and Evaluations programs and Force Shaping exercises as directed by Air Force
- Support promotions staff in nomination process, reports/separations and processing adverse action packages
- Served as personnel for Request Personnel Actions and managing Government Purchase Card program
- Additional duty as Functional Area Records Manager and liaison manager bee records manager and records custodians
- Served as Air Force Portal Content Manager and SharePoint for Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Service website; created extensive updates to links providing better overall information
- Streamline SharePoint first-ever Space Command Award Program
- Responsible for Government Purchase Card (GPC) ensuring legal compliance with appropriate regulations and fiscal compliance with unit budgetary guidelines and directives
- Reviewed all invoices received, reconcile to billing statements, administrative audit and investigative reports to determine appropriate changes or corrective action required
- Under general practice maintain monthly certification of GPC accounts to ensure compliance with Federal Prompt Payment Act
- Composed and/or prepared correspondence, memorandum, promotional materials, forms, manuals, and reports using appropriate word processing and spreadsheet tools
- Performed other administrative duties as needed to support mission and function of unit
Adjunct Professor
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2009 - 12.2012
- Instruct American Sign Language and Interpretation Preparation Program
- Participate in departmental and college activities, develop/integrate departmental curriculum and mentorship/advise students
- Provided weekly classroom lessons, student testing, lectures and communicate effectively with students of diverse background
- Instructed students about course requirements, evaluation procedures and class participation and attendance requirements according to the course syllabus
- Strive to maintain a thorough knowledge of instructional standards, practices and methodologies for adult learners
- Worked closely with peer professors and colleagues in higher education on various college issues enhancing a great team
- Maintain a class syllabus, assignment log and additional material helps for the students
- Participate in faculty to discuss departmental goals and upcoming events
- Plan lectures, assignments and in-field experience to collaborate with necessary course curriculum
- Clear communicator and confident presenter to effectively instruct students in a way that is concise and understandable
- Strong organizational skills to ensure class information including syllabus, assignments, and other documentation is accessible and easy to understand
- Committed team player to work successfully with other faculty to establish course guidelines, modify curriculum, and set departmental goals
- Patient, reassuring, and enthusiastic when meeting with students to discuss personal progress, answer questions, and assign extra-credit work
- Skilled understanding of technology and willing to learn about new software interfaces to enhance the learning experience of students.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Evaluated student comprehension using exams, quizzes and assignments and managed student performance using automated reporting system, leveraging data to identify student learning needs and create action plans to overcome learning deficiencies.
- Assisted and identified at-risk students to eliminate student barriers to learning.
Human Resources Coordinator
Ambassador Home Marketing
Tulsa, Oklahoma
06.200 - 08.2022
- Performed other administrative duties as needed to support mission and function of unit
- Oversaw and managed hiring process and assisted human resources.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as required.,
- Responsible for administration, accounting and payroll for real estate home marketing
- Responsible for assisting customers with inquiries, account information, processing applications, and any other duties to meet business objectives
- Responsible placing tenants into show homes and residence agreement contracts
- Provides ongoing guidance to staff as appropriate
- Conducting research through various methods to identify problematic situation or find issue cause
- Identifying pain points, problems, and bottlenecks in human resources processes and practices
- Devising strategies to achieve immediate and long-term efficiencies in human resource activities
- Reviewing previous human resource strategies and decisions made by company
- Assisting management and organization in implementing human resource changes
- Provided advice and recommendations to human resource personnel for resolution of daily issues
- Managing aspects of human resource processes for company
- Performing training and education tasks to improve company's human resource practices
- Communicates with employees to provide, exchange or verify information, answer inquiries and assists as needed to complete daily tasks
- Consults and addresses difficult issues, resolves problem or complaints by customers and/or employees
- Managed and provides guidance to staffing policy, procedure, office operations and customer inquiries.
- Maintained work structure by updating job requirements and job descriptions for positions.
- Improved customer service rankings by quickly resolving issues to improve overall satisfaction.
- Conserved time and improved workflows by handling special projects and emergency solutions.
- Analyzed issues and employed improvement processes
Education
Master of Science - Human Resources
East Central University
Ada, Oklahoma12.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Human Service Counseling
East Central University
Ada, Oklahoma12.1996
Skills
- Contracting
- Process Improvements
- Project Management
- Cost Analysis Management
- Procurement
- Documentation Proficiency
- Federal Acquisition & Contracting (FAR)
- Supply Chain Distribution
- Purchasing and Acquisition
- Supply Chain Management
- Life Cycle Management
- Vendor Management
- Cross Functional Team Builder
- Cost Estimates & Budgets
- Logistics Operations
Accomplishments
- Finance Committee for Pikes Peak Center on Deafness (2000-2005)
- Specialized and/or Technical Trainings:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Knowledge in SharePoint, AF Portal Content Manager, ALEXSYS Database, Acquisition Management Tools, eCars and Automatic Data Processing
- Completed training in DoD Government Purchase Card, Disability Program Manager Pilot Course, DoD Information Assurance, Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference, Change Management Training, National Training Conference, CLM 059 Fundamentals of Small Business for the Acquisition Workforce, CLC 030 Essential of Interagency Acquisitions/Fair Opportunity, CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements, CLC 004 Market Research, CLC 046 DoD Sustainable Procurement Program, FAC 889 Section 889 Prohibition on Contracting for certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, CLC 058 Intro to Contract Pricing, CLC 055 Competition Requirements, SPS 101 Standard Procurement System, CLC 054 Electronics Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS), CLC 062 Intra-Governmental Transactions, CLC 009 Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, LCL 003 Sealed Bidding, CON 237
Affiliations
Member of American Counseling Association
Additional Information
- Awards: , Twenty Year Length of Service Award (2022) Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award (2019) A1 Quarterly Award (2014) Time Off Award (2002-2014) A1 Quarterly Award (2008, 09, 12 and 14) Ten Year Length of Service Award (2012) A1 Civilian of the Year (2008) HQ AFSPC Civilian of the Year (2008) HQ AFSPC Personnel Junior Manager of the Year (2008) HQ AFSPC/A1 Annual Awards-Technician of the Year MAJCOM Level (2009) A1 Annual Award - Personnel Technician of the Year, Air Force Level (2009) Notable Achievement Award (2003)
Timeline
Program Management Specialist
Acquisition Air Force Material Command 517th SWEG
04.2019 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Pikes Peak Community College
01.2009 - 12.2012
Human Resources Assistant
Headquarters Air Force Space Command A1
01.2002 - 04.2019
Master of Science - Human Resources
East Central University
Bachelor of Arts - Human Service Counseling
East Central University
Human Resources Coordinator
Ambassador Home Marketing
06.200 - 08.2022
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