Kayla Flippo
Summary
A highly motivated results-oriented Team Lead with six years of experience in Communication Security (COMSEC), program management, and professional development. Committed to implementing best practices to improve performance, inspire morale, and achieve full operational success. Specialized in strategic planning, organizing priorities, providing follow through, assuring a well-
organized workforce, and implementing training and development tactics to ensure a well-rounded professional environment.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Battle Management Program Manager
Space Development Agency (SDA) - US Navy
Chantilly, VA
05.2021 - 05.2024
- Piloted the tracking and schedule process of the first NSA certified and approved space High Assurance IP Encryptor (HAIPE) and space-based Link-16 devices through the NSA Certification process totaling $1.3M
- Balanced and managed risks, schedule changes, delivery timelines, and development processes between program leads, device developers, purchasing vendors, and affiliated government agencies to ensure complete operational success.
- Participated a Communications Security subject matter expert developer on a scrum team for two years.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with federal policies and regulations.
- Worked in fast-paced and high-risk environments while maintaining exceptional standards of excellence for security programs, strategies, and plans.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to team.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Optimized resource allocation, effectively balancing priorities and managing competing demands.
- Leveraged technology tools for enhanced project tracking, reporting, and information sharing among team members.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Participated in vendor selection and management process for program initiatives.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
SDA COMSEC Account Manager
Space Development Agency (SDA) - US Navy
Chantilly, VA
05.2021 - 05.2024
- Established SDA's first NSA COMSEC account; leading to 100% operational operability between all vendors with the SDA community.
- Safeguarded sensitive information and secure equipment through proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures in accordance with Navy policy.
- Increased client satisfaction by building strong relationships and addressing their needs promptly.
- Maintained high client retention rate by providing exceptional customer service and anticipating client needs.
- Addressed problems with accounting, billing, and service delivery to maintain and enhance client satisfaction.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of accounts, ensuring timely communication and effective problem resolution.
- Successfully resolved escalated issues, preventing potential loss or delayed shipment of secure material while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved.
- Conducted regular account reviews to identify areas for improvement and ensure continued success.
- Established clear communication channels between clients and internal teams, ensuring seamless project execution.
- Improved overall team productivity by implementing best practices in organization and time management.
Communications/Cyber Division Officer
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
Mayport Naval Station, FL
03.2019 - 04.2021
- As a Division Officer, led eight communication technicians and seven network technicians through the ship's maintenance phases, deployment preparation, and a nine-month Middle East Deployment.
- Communicated clearly with employees and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Established robust risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against potential operational challenges or disruptions.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Optimized resource allocation by conducting regular performance evaluations and providing personalized coaching for staff development.
- Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
- Streamlined incident response processes, enabling faster identification and resolution of security breaches.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate security measures into product development lifecycles, ensuring secure end products for customers.
- Reduced the risk of cyber threats by conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
- Mentored junior cybersecurity staff members, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the team.
- Developed robust encryption protocols for sensitive data storage, minimizing the impact of potential breaches on company assets.
- Served as primary point of contact for clients during security incidents, providing timely communication and guidance on necessary remediation steps.
- Improved employee awareness of cybersecurity best practices through regular training sessions and communication initiatives.
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
- Identified computer hardware and network system issues, performing troubleshooting techniques for remediation.
- Led technical upgrade projects for clients by working and coordinating with consultants and developers for integrations.
- Coordinated secure system access of users to various department systems and platforms.
- Oversaw development and implementation of improvements to support network operations.
- Liaised with other departments to minimize network interruptions and possible downtimes.
- Updated strategic business plans outlining need for departmental information technology resources.
Key Management Infrastructure Operating Account Manager (KOAM)
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
Mayport Naval Station, FL
03.2019 - 04.2021
- Managed COMSEC material necessary for all secure communications, weapons, and targeting systems onboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.
- Maintained high client retention rate by providing exceptional customer service and anticipating client needs.
- Evaluated client needs and developed tailored solutions to increase positive customer ratings.
- Conducted regular account reviews to identify areas for improvement and ensure continued success.
- Cultivated long-term relationships with key stakeholders in assigned accounts, fostering trust and loyalty among clients.
- Assisted in the development of training materials for new hires, ensuring smooth onboarding process.
- Built relationships with customers and community to promote long term business growth.
- Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Recorded accurate and efficient records in customer database.
- Contributed to team objectives in fast-paced environment.
- Kept detailed records of daily activities through online customer database.
- Implemented preventive maintenance schedules for all security equipment to minimize downtime and ensure optimal performance.
- Met with customers to discuss and ascertain needs, tailor solutions and close deals.
Assistant Security Manager
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
Mayport Naval Station, FL
03.2019 - 04.2021
- Managed, distributed, trained, and reconstructed the ship's physical security programs across all departments.
- Evaluated current security measures regularly for effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement as needed.
- Safeguarded sensitive information through proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures in accordance with company policy.
- Increased efficiency in security operations through the development of standard operating procedures and guidelines.
- Reviewed and analyzed safety and security programs and proposed revisions and innovations.
- Improved employee safety awareness by designing and delivering comprehensive training programs.
- Monitored trends within the industry to stay informed about emerging best practices, technologies, or regulatory changes that could impact organizational security.
- Developed strong relationships with management, employees, and vendors to foster a culture of shared responsibility for security matters.
- Conducted regular security audits and assessments to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities.
- Developed contingency plans to formulate response and procedures for emergency situations.
- Reduced risk of security breaches by conducting thorough investigations and reporting findings to management.
- Conducted education, training and professional development programs to increase security personnel efficiency.
- Observed departing personnel to reduce unauthorized removal of property.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA05.2018
High School Diploma -
Lee Davis High School
Mechanicsville, VA06.2014
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Project Management
- Detail Oriented
- Strategic Planning
- Decision-Making
- Team Leadership
- Training and Development
- Flexible and Adaptable
- MS Office Applications
- AutoCAD
- Confluence
- Jira
Education Certifications
- Virginia Military Institute, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 05/16/18, With Distinction
- Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Certification, 09/16/21
- CompTIA Security+, 08/04/22
- ScrumMaster Certification, 12/15/23
- Dam Neck, VA, Information and Communications Manager Course
- Dam Neck, VA, Information Systems Security Manager
- Dam Neck, VA, Key Management Infrastructure Operating Account Manager
- Dam Neck, VA, Information Professional Officer Basic Course
- Dam Neck, VA, Information Warfare Basic Course
Timeline
Battle Management Program Manager
Space Development Agency (SDA) - US Navy
05.2021 - 05.2024
SDA COMSEC Account Manager
Space Development Agency (SDA) - US Navy
05.2021 - 05.2024
Communications/Cyber Division Officer
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
03.2019 - 04.2021
Key Management Infrastructure Operating Account Manager (KOAM)
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
03.2019 - 04.2021
Assistant Security Manager
USS LASSEN (DDG 82) - US Navy
03.2019 - 04.2021
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
Virginia Military Institute
High School Diploma -
Lee Davis High School