John Gillespie
Honolulu,HI
Summary
Results-oriented and accomplished Program Manager enthusiastic about taking on new challenges. Experienced with working in sensitive and classified environments. Strategic planner and clear communicator with an adaptable approach. Adept at leading and managing teams for performance driven results. Provides in-depth understanding of developing and implementing organizational strategies. Well-versed in spearheading initiatives to support functional, mission driven operations and project completion.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Emergency Management & CBRN Program Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
Honolulu, HI
12.2021 - Current
- Audited operations and processes to enhance organize, train, and equip efforts for installations across the Pacific theater, managed compliance for 114 personnel.
- Oversaw program management support for $13M equipment portfolio, eliminated equipment shortfalls and streamlined delivery.
- Worked to prepare and update operational plans up to the TS/SCI level.
- Assisted in strategy preparation among numerous outside agencies.
- Led program compliance with requirements, schedules, and budgets.
- Identified areas of improvement in existing processes, procedures and systems related to the program delivery cycle, provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive program improvements across 10 installations.
- Worked closely with other departments to support program technical aspects and cost proposals for next generation chemical weapons protection.
- Supported Inspector General inspections by coordinating subject matter experts across 10 installations.
- Reviewed and approved annual budgets across Pacific Theater, provided honest feedback, lower cost solutions, and budgetary streamlining while prioritizing urgent operational needs.
Superintendent, Emergency Management
United States Air Force, USAF
Misawa, Japan
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Prepared and maintained emergency response plans up to TS/SCI level, coordinated with base agencies for seamless emergency response .
- Provided guidance to senior staff on the implementation of hazard mitigation measures as the Installation Emergency Manager and Emergency Operations Center Manager.
- Collaborated with other departments, agencies, and the Japanese Defense Force on all issues related to emergency management and chemical response operations.
- Developed, implemented, and monitored emergency management, hazardous materials, and chemical protection training and education programs.
- Enhanced emergency preparedness and maintenance of over $2M in inventory and equipment, ensured 30 minute response time ready.
- Led 18 personnel to include Logistics, Training, and Operations Teams, Japanese Liaison, Unit Deployment Manager, and front office staff.
- Built, tracked, and improved monthly metrics and readiness reports for 250+ personnel and $18M in equipment.
- Built relationships and worked seamlessly with multiple agencies to train and prepare 5,000+ personnel.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Secretary of Defense, Pentagon
Arlington, VA
10.2016 - 12.2018
- Assisted in coordination and planning efforts for Continuity of Government and Continuity of Operations programs for key DoD personnel.
- Provided tactical through strategic level guidance and inputs for operational plans up to TS/SCI level.
- Developed and deepened relationships with local, county, state, and national departments and agencies to facilitate smooth planning and coordination of emergency response efforts for the National Capitol Region.
- Conducted regular response drills to test the effectiveness of emergency plans.
- Administrator for the Pentagon's Emergency Operations Center.
- Provided numerous training courses for Pentagon personnel working in the Emergency Operations Center.
- Updated and improved emergency response plans and coordination efforts.
- Integrated with Emergency Operations Center personnel in surrounding counties to refine information sharing and response efforts.
Emergency Management Team Lead
Air Force
Hill Air Force Base, UT
08.2011 - 10.2016
- Led 12 emergency management personnel for plans, training, operations, and hazardous material response. Monitored team progress and enforced deadlines.
- Managed $2M in emergency response equipment and vehicles.
- Emergency Operations Center Manager for numerous real world and exercise events in northern Utah.
- Lead Air Force Emergency Manager for military deployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2014-2015. Ensured anti-terrorism efforts merged with emergency management and chemical protection plans.
- Led 400+ hour annual emergency response training and exercise program.
- Drove emergency management program for 62 tenant organizations and 20,000+ military and civilian personnel.
Emergency Management Specialist
Air Force
Abilene, TX
10.2006 - 08.2011
- Led 8 Airmen for emergency management training, logistics, and operations.
- Ensured compliance for inspections, responses, and exercises.
- Trained 5,000+ base personnel annually in chemical warfare defense.
- Response Team member for hazardous materials incidents.
- Managed $1M response equipment portfolio. Ensured all assets poised for readiness and deployment. Coordinated maintenance and repair efforts.
- Deployed to Iraq as a part of a mobile engineer team 2008-2009.
Helicopter Crew Chief
Air Force
Hurlburt Field, FL
10.2002 - 10.2006
- Maintained and inspected all aspects of MH-53 Pavelow helicopter.
- Conducted maintenance operations and repairs on helicopters, engines, transmissions, rotor systems, flight control systems and other components.
- Troubleshot systems to isolate mechanical or electrical faults, repaired components.
- Inspected aircraft for corrosion, cracks, or structural damage prior to flight operations.
- Removed, disassembled, inspected, repaired and reinstalled parts and assemblies.
- Documented discrepancies found during inspections or maintenance activities.
- Completed numerous short-notice temporary duties worldwide for mission execution in support of special operations.
- Deployed to Africa 2003 and Iraq 2004 in support of special operations.
- Earned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe & Powerplant license.
Education
MBA - Business
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2018
Bachelor of Science - Quality Systems Management
National Graduate School of Quality Management, Inc.
Falmouth, MA06-2014
Associate of Arts - Aircraft Maintenance
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL04-2012
Associate of Arts - Emergency Management
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL11-2009
FAA Airframe & Powerplant License -
North Georgia Aviation & Technical College
02-2007
Skills
- Operations Management
- Resource Management
- Data Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Performance
- Detail Oriented
- Remote Team Management
- Team Management
- Relationship Building
- Budget Coordination
- Attention to Detail
- Team Leadership
- Program Performance Analysis
- Personnel Management
- Financial Leadership
- Customer Service
- Project Management
- Critical Thinking
- Project Coordination
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Change Management
- Problem-Solving
Certification
- Top Secret/ Secret Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance held since 2017, reinvestigation completed 2023
- Project Management Professional (Tentative for April 2024)
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technician
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License
Timeline
Emergency Management & CBRN Program Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
12.2021 - Current
Superintendent, Emergency Management
United States Air Force, USAF
01.2019 - 12.2021
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Secretary of Defense, Pentagon
10.2016 - 12.2018
Emergency Management Team Lead
Air Force
08.2011 - 10.2016
Emergency Management Specialist
Air Force
10.2006 - 08.2011
Helicopter Crew Chief
Air Force
10.2002 - 10.2006
MBA - Business
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science - Quality Systems Management
National Graduate School of Quality Management, Inc.
Associate of Arts - Aircraft Maintenance
Community College of The Air Force
Associate of Arts - Emergency Management
Community College of The Air Force
FAA Airframe & Powerplant License -
North Georgia Aviation & Technical College