JORGE ARZABALA
Linkedin/jorge-arzabala
Summary
Senior Military Executive with 27 years of leadership experience supporting General Officers. Proven track record in operational excellence and organizational transformation for multi-billion-dollar portfolios. Skilled in strategic communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams to align on critical initiatives. Holds an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Strategy | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
Fort Leonard Wood
01.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded a strategic reorganization of a 5,000-person staff, enhancing operational readiness to support a 65,000-person annual training mission.
- Drove portfolio efficiency across a $2.5B program by assessing, re-prioritizing, and divesting from under performing programs to better align with strategic goals.
- Pioneered new policies and processes that streamlined core functions, including operations, logistics, and modernization, to significantly improve organizational efficiency.
- Served as a primary strategic communicator, developing and delivering high-impact presentations to audiences at all levels, from large-scale organizational town halls to executive leadership briefings.
- Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Director of Operations | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
Aberdeen Proving Ground
06.2021 - 01.2023
- Led all talent management, professional development, and performance strategy for a 4,200-person workforce distributed across 19 installations.
- Provided executive-level counsel to the Commanding General as the principal trusted advisor, shaping strategic decisions on enterprise risk, personnel readiness, and highly specialized Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) operations.
- Oversaw all policy implementation for nine specialized units, ensuring strict compliance with training and performance standards to maintain peak operational readiness and mission effectiveness.
- 20th CBRNE Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Senior Operations Manager | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
Fort Leonard Wood
07.2019 - 06.2021
- Shaped the human capital strategy for a 22,000-person training enterprise, advising the senior executive on performance, development, and readiness across six battalions.
- Managed the end-to-end training lifecycle for all personnel, including advanced operations at the DoW's sole live-agent toxic training facility.
- Set the standard for excellence as the organization's lead trainer, coaching and mentoring leaders at all echelons to build organizational capacity and cultivate a culture of high performance.
- 3rd Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Program Manager | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
Fort Hood
10.2017 - 07.2019
- Shaped the overarching strategy for mission readiness and talent management to build a high-performing, cross-functional force operating across multiple states.
- Spearheaded the rapid, short-notice deployment of 700+ personnel for simultaneous, high-stakes operations, including a National Training Center rotation and multi-state DSCA missions, achieving flawless operational success with zero personnel injuries and zero loss of equipment.
- Ensured the peak operational readiness of five subordinate units for rapid worldwide deployment, aligning their capabilities for high-stakes CBRNE and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)-Elimination missions.
- 2nd CBRN Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas
Senior Analyst/ Force Integration Staff Officer
US Army
Washington
03.2015 - 07.2016
- Guided data-driven investment decisions for senior SOF leadership by modeling the long-term ROI of competing strategic initiatives, directly influencing the selection of mission-critical capabilities.
- Analyzed program data and metrics, summarized findings, and developed conclusions and recommendations for senior leadership to inform time-sensitive funding and resourcing decisions.
- Served as the financial advisor to senior SOF leadership on force structure investments, modeling the long-term cost and operational ROI of competing strategic initiatives to guide data-driven decisions on mission-critical capabilities.
- Washington DC
Operations Manager | First Sergeant
US Army
Washington
02.2013 - 03.2015
- Directed the full-cycle talent management for a 350+ person, globally dispersed force, cultivating a high-performing team that successfully supported national-level counter-extremism missions.
- Ensured mission success in non-permissive and hostile environments by deploying organic, multi-disciplined intelligence capabilities to generate innovative solutions for complex challenges.
- Leveraged statistical and qualitative analysis to assess organizational performance, driving data-driven improvements in personnel proficiency, productivity, and resource allocation.
- Washington DC
Project Manager | Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
US Army
Washington
09.2010 - 02.2013
- Forged trusted partnerships with key interagency and military stakeholders to establish secure channels for mission-critical intelligence, ensuring absolute operational security and confidentiality.
- Coordinated use of Strategic Assets around the world, including low-visibility environments on multiple occasions.
- Pioneered systematic improvements by identifying root causes to operational challenges, enhancing the efficiency of training management and joint planning between internal and external stakeholders.
- As the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), directed a $2.3M contract portfolio, guaranteeing 100% SOW compliance and zero disruption to mission-critical support.
- Washington DC
Education
Master of Arts - Leadership Studies
University of Texas at El Paso
01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Homeland Defense and Emergency Management
Ashford University
01.2013
Keystone Command Senior Leaders Course -
National Defense University
01.2023
Executive Leaders Course -
U.S. War College
01.2021
CSM Development Program Course -
Command and General Staff College
01.2019
Master Resiliency Trainer -
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy
01.2017
Manpower and Force Management Course -
U.S. Army Logistics University
01.2016
Contracting Officer Representatives Course -
Defense Acquisition University
01.2011
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training -
Joint Special Operations Command
01.2011
Jumpmaster Course -
U.S. Special Operations Command
01.2011
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Training and Leader Development
- Change Management
- Strategic Communications
- Project & Operations Management
- Executive-Level Communication
- Conflict Resolution
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Awards
- Legion of Merit
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
Timeline
Senior Director of Strategy | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
01.2023 - Current
Director of Operations | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
06.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Operations Manager | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
07.2019 - 06.2021
Program Manager | Command Sergeant Major
US Army
10.2017 - 07.2019
Senior Analyst/ Force Integration Staff Officer
US Army
03.2015 - 07.2016
Operations Manager | First Sergeant
US Army
02.2013 - 03.2015
Project Manager | Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
US Army
09.2010 - 02.2013
Master of Arts - Leadership Studies
University of Texas at El Paso
Bachelor of Arts - Homeland Defense and Emergency Management
Ashford University
Keystone Command Senior Leaders Course -
National Defense University
Executive Leaders Course -
U.S. War College
CSM Development Program Course -
Command and General Staff College
Master Resiliency Trainer -
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy
Manpower and Force Management Course -
U.S. Army Logistics University
Contracting Officer Representatives Course -
Defense Acquisition University
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training -
Joint Special Operations Command
Jumpmaster Course -
U.S. Special Operations Command