John Blanchard
Ruther Glen,VA
Summary
Seasoned Executive Leader with comprehensive background in strategic planning, policy development and team leadership. Notable strengths include problem-solving abilities, adaptability to change, and strong interpersonal skills. In previous roles, have facilitated effective communication between executive leaders and staff while implementing operational strategies that enhanced overall productivity. Efficient Administrative Services Manager with experience in overseeing office operations, managing staff, and developing policies to improve organizational efficiency. Demonstrated ability to enhance communication between departments, resulting in optimized operational workflows. Committed to maintaining high ethical standards of organization and operational excellence.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief of Staff
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Quantico, Virginia
04.2023 - Current
- Provided oversight on product development initiatives from concept to completion.
- Signed and approved budgets for new funding and program initiatives.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for resources needed for the startup.
- Leveraged trends in customer industries and marketplaces to shape solutions and approaches.
- Oversaw corrective action plans to remedy structural, organizational and departmental issues.
- Contributed ideas for improving operational efficiency and increasing profitability.
- Developed long-range plans for business growth, resulting in increased mission.
- Implemented customer feedback loops to gather insights and improve product and service offerings continually.
- Established and maintained strategic partnerships with key industry players to enhance business growth and development.
- Collaborated with external consultants to develop innovative solutions for strategic challenges.
- Implemented scalable processes and systems to support business operations and facilitate efficient growth.
- Managed crises and unexpected challenges, ensuring minimal impact on business continuity.
- Built and led cross-functional teams, overseeing recruitment, training, and development of staff across departments.
- Fostered a positive company culture that encourages teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
- Created program to promote new managers from within, leading to cohesive leadership structure.
- Ensured compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the business operations.
- Developed and implemented strategic business plans to guide the startup from conception to operational success.
- Conferred with staff, board members and officials to coordinate activities, resolve problems and discuss issues.
- Prepared reports on progress made towards achieving long-term objectives.
- Fostered collaboration and development of new practices by business leaders.
- Secured initial funding through pitching to angel investors and venture capitalists, raising significant capital.
- Oversaw the development and maintenance of the company website and e-commerce platforms.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
Director, Adminstration and Customer Service
U.S. Census Bureau
Suitland, MD
10.2018 - 04.2023
- Created detailed plans for implementing new systems or procedures.
- Analyzed data collected during process assessments to identify potential areas for improvement.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Evaluated needs of departments and delegated tasks to optimize overall production.
- Prepared presentations for senior leadership regarding project updates or other relevant topics.
- Assisted in developing strategies for cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality service levels.
- Monitored maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment and electrical and mechanical systems.
- Developed preventive maintenance schedules for facility assets to ensure optimal performance.
- Implemented policies and procedures that promote efficiency in daily operations within the facility.
- Developed emergency response plans outlining steps taken during critical situations at the premises.
- Hired and coordinated with vendors to perform preventive maintenance work at facility.
- Oversaw construction and renovation projects to meet environmental, health and security standards.
- Participated in architectural and engineering planning and design.
- Collaborated with vendors to procure necessary supplies and services for facility operations.
Chief of Staff
USDA Farm Service Agency
Washington, DC
08.2014 - 10.2018
- Developed hiring and recruitment policies to drive transparent and fair hiring process for selecting candidates on basis of merit and relevance with job.
- Attended conferences, workshops and special events to recruit qualified candidates for company.
- Managed delivery of customer-focused HR services to company to increase hire rate and reduce churn.
- Collaborated with department managers to develop comprehensive training programs that meet the needs of each individual team member.
- Resolved conflicts between different departments or personnel using sound judgment to maintain a harmonious work environment.
- Provided HR consultation services to leadership and department heads.
- Encouraged open communications, promoting positive and pro-employee work environment.
- Evaluated current HR processes and recommended changes when necessary to improve efficiency.
- Managed a team of security personnel, providing ongoing training and performance evaluations.
- Oversaw the installation and maintenance of security systems, including CCTV and access control systems.
- Established crisis management and emergency response plans, conducting regular drills to ensure preparedness.
- Established relationships with law enforcement agencies in order to facilitate investigation of cybercrime incidents or other criminal activities involving IT infrastructure.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
- Supervised property entrances and exits and monitored employee safety.
- Addressed customer complaints regarding any aspect of the facilities' operation or services offered.
- Supervised production of annual rent, operating expense, and real estate tax adjustments.
- Prepared and maintained accurate lease documentation and tenant records.
- Formulated recommendations on corporate structure, capital investments, and operational policies.
- Developed strategic plans to increase organizational efficiency and profitability.
- Identified potential partners and alliances that would enhance the company's competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Mitigated risks by leading and auditing international subsidiaries and operational processes.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and budget constraints.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors in support of strategic objectives.
- Directed the selection, evaluation and negotiation process for vendors and suppliers.
- Performed risk assessments and forecasts on potential contracts and business decisions.
- Implemented performance measures for vendors and suppliers based on service level agreements or key performance indicators.
- Conducted regular reviews of existing contracts to ensure that they are up-to-date and in compliance with applicable laws or regulations.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Created and implemented employee retention strategies.
- Prepared presentations to company executives regarding employee performance and retention trends.
- Created detailed reports on corporate performance metrics for senior management.
- Led training sessions for staff members on new systems or processes related to their roles.
- Coordinated events related to executive team building activities.
- Advised organizational leaders on best practices for developing effective teams.
- Created innovative learning materials, such as videos, manuals, presentations, and job aids.
- Conducted investigations and took appropriate actions to resolve concerns.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure that all areas of risk were addressed in a timely manner.
- Worked closely with external auditors during annual reviews to ensure accuracy in reporting.
- Conducted risk assessment to identify and control environmental and safety risks to reduce injuries and costs to organization.
- Facilitated meetings between stakeholders to discuss risk-related issues, develop action plans and
- Directed operations of multiple departments with a focus on efficiency and productivity.
- Led initiatives to improve customer satisfaction levels by implementing new processes.
- Conducted regular meetings with departmental managers to review progress on projects.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly through feedback sessions.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
Director of Transportation
General Services Administration
Washington, DC
03.2008 - 08.2014
- Managed relationships with partners and vendors to align with company goals.
- Fostered an environment of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and efficiency.
- Maximized profits through reducing expenditures and evaluating prices.
- Monitored performance metrics to ensure quality standards are met.
- Directed the development of budgets and financial plans, ensuring compliance and fiscal responsibility.
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple departments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Hired, trained, evaluated and retained high-performing, effective and diverse team embodying organizational culture.
- Provided organizational leadership and collaborated with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies and company policies.
- Enhanced operational systems, processes, and best practices for greater efficiency.
- Spearheaded the development and integration of operational best practices.
- Defined scopes, managed resources, and oversaw schedules in line with stakeholder and project owner specifications.
- Procured software, hardware and infrastructure required to meet program demands.
- Modified project plans when needed to better align with organizational objectives.
- Created status reports detailing progress against timeline milestones and budget constraints.
- Drafted project proposals outlining scope of work, timeline, cost estimates, and deliverables.
- Implemented strategies to take advantage of new opportunities.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings to align on business objectives and strategies.
- Researched competitive landscape and benchmarked against industry leaders.
- Pinpointed growth opportunities within services portfolio and business model.
- Fostered relationships with key industry players to explore partnership opportunities.
- Guided businesses through regulatory compliance and corporate governance issues.
President and COO
Metro Contract Management
Atlanta, GA
05.2005 - 10.2007
- Managed and oversaw leadership team to meet established KPIs and achieve objectives and key results.
- Led strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability and company growth.
- Developed long-range plans for business growth, resulting in increase in annual sales.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, partners, and sponsors.
- Provided organizational leadership and collaborated with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies and company policies.
- Provided leadership and guidance on budgeting decisions to maximize resources available.
- Implemented strategic offerings to enhance company's suite of products and services.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, suppliers and other partners.
- Drove revenue by cultivating successful client relations.
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple departments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Established plans to address productivity, operational performance and staff retention and satisfaction.
- Evaluated performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
- Established policies that promote company culture and vision through proper communication channels.
Leader of Marines
USMC, United States Marine Corps
Worldwide
08.1985 - 08.2005
- Devised programs to develop executive potential among employees in lower-level positions.
- Facilitated group discussions focused on developing effective problem-solving techniques.
- Explained goals and expectations required of trainees.
- Supervised, evaluated or referred instructors to skill development classes.
- Created individualized action plans for clients to help them reach their goals.
- Implemented innovative approaches to enhance the effectiveness of existing leadership development initiatives.
- Monitored, evaluated and recorded training activities or program effectiveness.
- Utilized new technologies, concepts, and techniques to add to talent and leadership development strategy and resources.
- Maintained school-wide culture of respect and actively used positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) disciplinary methods.
- Tutored students requiring additional assistance in mastering concepts.
- Mentored faculty members in teaching methods and best practices.
- Participated in continuing development and training to bolster professional teaching skills.
- Engaged with colleagues in scholarly activities at professional conferences.
- Developed syllabus of lectures, classwork and assignments and distributed to students on first day of class.
- Organized seminars, workshops or other events related to topics within the discipline.
- Built life-long learning skills and strong study habits in students to help each prepare for higher-level education.
- Designed collaborative learning exercises to capitalize on students' resources and skills.
- Developed partnerships between the university and external organizations to promote research collaborations.
- Evaluated student performance through tests, quizzes, and other assessments.
- Maintained high standards of internal and external customer service.
- Performed needs analysis to determine performance gaps and developed appropriate tactics to resolve issues.
- Assigned tasks and projects to team members based on their experience level and skillset.
- Ensured compliance with government regulations related to freight forwarding activities.
- Managed purchases by making initial assessments, selecting suppliers and meeting support requirements.
- Established contacts with government agencies, industry associations, and other organizations related to international business development.
- Coached, developed and motivated team to achieve revenue goals.
- Monitored changes in customer preferences across different regions around the world.
- Coordinated Daily Field Reports (DFRs) and distributed to clients.
- Reviewed supplier agreements and terms and conditions of sale prior to signing off on them.
- Cultivated strong professional relationships with suppliers and key clients to drive long-term business development.
- Developed strategies for entering new international markets and increasing sales of existing products.
- Inspected emergency facilities and equipment to maintain optimal functional capabilities in emergency situations.
- Coordinated with outside vendors to provide necessary resources during a crisis situation.
- Coordinated post-incident debriefings with relevant personnel to evaluate effectiveness of response efforts.
- Collaborated with other departments within the organization to ensure alignment of emergency response efforts across the company.
- Identified practical and potential problems facing emergency services and implemented realistic and successful solutions.
- Devised and implemented improved care models to increase throughput, patient experiences and staff onboarding.
Education
Master of Science - Human Relations And Counseling
Villanova University
Villanova, PA05-2003
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL06-1991
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, ILSkills
- Meeting facilitation
- Results orientation
- Ethical leadership
- Influencing skills
- Innovation management
- Collaborative mindset
- Financial planning
- Excellent communication
- Problem-solving abilities
- Change management
- Department leadership
- Vendor relationships
- Resource allocation
- Operational standards development
- Risk assessment
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Business needs identification
- Company representation
Affiliations
- Certified Coach,
Certification
- Certified Coach
- Level 3 Acquisition SME
- High level security clearance
Accomplishments
- Depart of Commerce Excellence in Acquistions
- Department of Commerce Gold Award for Excellence
- Organizational Award for Customer Service (2)
- USDA Harvest Award for Innovation in Employee Engagement
- GSA Portfolio Excellence Award for Strategic Sourcing
- Directors Pinnacle Award for Leadership
- 20+ Individual Cash Awards for Performance
- Multiple Awards and Medals from USMC for Excellence in Leadership and Performance
Timeline
Chief of Staff
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
04.2023 - Current
Director, Adminstration and Customer Service
U.S. Census Bureau
10.2018 - 04.2023
Chief of Staff
USDA Farm Service Agency
08.2014 - 10.2018
Director of Transportation
General Services Administration
03.2008 - 08.2014
President and COO
Metro Contract Management
05.2005 - 10.2007
Leader of Marines
USMC, United States Marine Corps
08.1985 - 08.2005
- Certified Coach
- Level 3 Acquisition SME
- High level security clearance
Master of Science - Human Relations And Counseling
Villanova University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Jacksonville University
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
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