Kenneth Wiseman
Manassas,United States
Summary
Experienced policy expert and non-profit leader with a proven track record in federal funding programs, legislative action, and leadership.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Rural Broadband Policy and Funding Specialist
U.S. Department of Agriculture
02.2021 - Current
- Oversees cooperative agreements for projects awarded funding and supports public engagement relating to several programs that fund broadband infrastructure in rural America as part of the Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Program
- Provides leadership, oversight, and technical guidance concerning programs using grants, loans, and cooperative agreements and helping to implement funded projects by supporting awardees
- Part of the core group of three employees who established the new Technical Assistance Branch
- Key member of the team that established a new Broadband Technical Assistance Program using cooperative agreements to support awardees
- Lead developer for the review process for applications received which required me to create new materials and procedures, present and defend my product, and implement changes
- Travels extensively, oversee efforts by awardees, plan events, and work with little to no direct supervision
- Develops policy briefings and conducting training addressing new or revised grants management policies
- Directly oversees cooperative agreements for multiple awardees receiving roughly $4.5 million in grant funds under the Broadband Technical Assistance Program
- Serves as the Program Lead for the publicly accessible Contact Us portal
- Regularly meets with stakeholders, build relationships inside and outside of USDA, and represents the agency
- Partners with internal and external stakeholders to address needs including meetings that are contentious and includes providing responses to Congressional inquiries
- Leads planning and execution efforts for conferences for awardees and applicants
- Expected to periodically lead teams for the organization's efforts, and has have served as an Acting Branch Chief
- Communicates with peers and superiors on issues relating to these responsibilities, which requires collaborating in developing recommendations to management for formal action on new or revised grants management policies
- Manage and develop the online content for programs covering multiple websites and social media
- Participates in hiring efforts and mentors new employees
- Manages, coordinates, and facilitates training for employees on various issues
- Supports research and development of funding announcements, regulations, FAQs, fact sheets, and other official documents relating to various programs
- Awarded an Administrator's Award for Fiscal Year 2022 for team efforts: 'successfully transitioning the ReConnect Program from its pilot phase to its third and largest round of funding and opening the fourth round of funding'
Legislative Director
Powerhouse Gaming
07.2020 - 02.2021
- Served as the company's government affairs specialist and reporting directly to the President and Vice President of the company and managed the legislative agenda for several states where the company operated and efforts to expand into new states
- Researched laws and regulations, testified to legislative bodies, and coordinated the efforts of contracted consultants, public relations experts, and others
- Developed numerous partnerships with senior agency officials in state government as well as elected officials in various state legislatures
- Collaborated other stakeholders
Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Department of Virginia
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Served as the senior professional employee for the Virginia state headquarters of a major veterans organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, leading a team of five other employees and managing $3 million in assets and annual budgets in excess of $685,000
- Ensured federal legal compliance with the IRS (non-profit requirements) and various state laws
- Managed the VFW's legislative portfolio as their registered lobbyist in the state of Virginia getting laws adopted to benefit the organization
- Led state-wide efforts for various programs and fundraising efforts resulting in surplus budgets and new opportunities for expanded efforts
- Coordinated emergency support for the Coast Guard during a partial government shutdown over $15,000 in direct financial support to those members stationed in Virginia was provided
- Exceeded goals relating to organizational membership
- Accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist with the submission of claims for benefits a discharging service member, veteran, or family member would qualify for in line with federal law and regulations
- Developed and oversaw multiple conferences
- Tracked employee needs, justified the creation and led hiring for positions, managed and modernizing benefits including health care, 401k, etc., and handling all types of awards, discipline, and other documentation
- Collaborated with outside entities and led the implementation of a 401(k) program
- Researched creative ways to manage increased health care costs without cutting benefits that required approval by our board of directors
- Led development and execution of projects supporting 130 local chapters of the organization spread across Virginia
- Partnered with internal and external stakeholders and fundraised for an allied 501(c)3 foundation
- Planned and executed training and education programs
Associate Director, National Legislative Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. National Headquarters
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Responsible for policy work and grassroots political activity for the largest combat veterans organization in the United States
- Coordinated policy efforts related to the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC)
- Led grassroots political organizing included editing a weekly e-newsletter going to more than 300,000 people, coordinating massive turnout for elections, Congressional town hall events, and more
- Testified to HVAC four times and the House Blue Dog Caucus once in an in-person nature and submitting 'testimony for the record' for other hearings held by HVAC
- Partnered with Congressional offices from both political parties and in both chambers to introduce and pass major legislation supporting veterans
- Accredited by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs to assist with the submission of claims for benefits managed by that agency
- Co-led the organization's legislative fellowship program for veterans in college by collaborating with another veteran service organization leading to participants getting college credit for the work done
Instructor and Work Center Supervisor
U.S. Navy
07.2002 - 09.2015
- Served in various commands over the course of 13 years of total service including 10 years on active duty and three years in the Navy Reserve
- Led a maintenance team of three Sailors and the administrative tracking for ship-wide damage control equipment
- Qualified as an instructor with Navy NEC 9502 performing high-risk course instruction, curriculum development and management, and supervision for three years in Hawaii at a mid-sized training facility, three years in a Navy Reserve Center, and two years onboard a ship
- Managed courses and evaluated training needs based on program metrics as well as analyzing training gaps to recommend improvements or changes
Education
Master's degree - Public Administration
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA08.2015
Technical or occupational certificate - Grants Management Certificate Program - Federal Tract
Management Concepts Grants Management Certificate Program - Federal Tract
Vienna, VA02.2025
Professional degree - Paralegal Studies
The George Washington University
Washington, DC08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA05.2014
Skills
- Policy Expert
- Verbal Communication
- Customer Relations
- Team building
Additionalinformation - Awards
Administrator's Award for FY2022, Presented by the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service for performance by staff involved in the ReConnect Program.
Availability
Permanent, Full-time
Timeline
Rural Broadband Policy and Funding Specialist
U.S. Department of Agriculture
02.2021 - Current
Legislative Director
Powerhouse Gaming
07.2020 - 02.2021
Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Department of Virginia
06.2018 - 06.2020
Associate Director, National Legislative Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. National Headquarters
06.2015 - 06.2018
Instructor and Work Center Supervisor
U.S. Navy
07.2002 - 09.2015
Master's degree - Public Administration
Old Dominion University
Technical or occupational certificate - Grants Management Certificate Program - Federal Tract
Management Concepts Grants Management Certificate Program - Federal Tract
Professional degree - Paralegal Studies
The George Washington University
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Old Dominion University
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