Kenya Clark
Peyton,USA
Summary
Accomplished Project Portfolio Manager and Army Veteran with over 12 years of project management experience, specializing in budgeting and operational efficiency. Expert in leading high-performing teams within fast-paced environments and developing logistics contingency plans for combat operations. Holds a robust academic background in political science, mechanical engineering, and counterintelligence studies, along with a focus on statistics. Committed to strategic planning, risk management, and effective stakeholder communication to ensure timely project delivery aligned with organizational goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Buildstock Portfolio/Project/Portfolio Manager
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Golden, CO
03.2024 - Current
- Logistical Planner: Ensures seamless support and resource availability for quick response to Stakeholder needs and project critical operations, in alignment with Department of Energy Security (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) standards
- This was done via the adoption and implementation of a Resource Allocation Committee (RAC) for the Buildings Science Program
- Project Management Professional: Spearheaded the successful oversight of the BuildStock portfolio, driving innovative projects in building technologies and energy efficiency
- Managed $5M in Base Allocation for 19 R&D projects, leading them to successful outcomes
- Negotiated and scoped 12 Continuing Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) and 7 new AOPs for the FY25 spend plan, ensuring strategic alignment with project goals
- Supported and optimized resource allocation and logistical strategies for complex, high-stakes projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of resources in response to evolving program needs and emergency situations
- Proven Leader: Led a cross-functional team of researchers and analysts, developing and implementing advanced solutions in building energy performance
- Guided the team to deliver measurable improvements in energy efficiency practices
- Collaborative Team Manager: Managed a team of 19-21 staff members across Residential and Commercial Stock Analysis Groups, maintaining the financial integrity of ResStock Core and 19 supporting projects
- Led critical initiatives such as EUSS, LARGEE, and MF, improving geographical resolution for energy analysis
- Planned, managed, and executed logistics management tasks for 19 projects, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, schedules, and cost constraints
- Data Driven Professional: Leveraged advanced data analytics and project management tools to meticulously track project milestones and ensure timely delivery
- Developed and published Tableau dashboards to optimize financial and staffing plans for BuildStock
- Strategic Developer: Provided expert strategic direction and technical oversight, significantly enhancing project results
- Implemented Python scripts to streamline workflows, contributing to the efficient management of the BuildStock portfolio
- Complex Problem Solver: Led the merger of ComStock and ResStock into an $8M BuildStock portfolio, improving software development workflows
- Co-authored and developed data analytics and visualization for User Persona documentation, supporting DOE stakeholder deliverables
- Operational Innovator: Authored Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the BuildStock Group, establishing best practices for business processes, portfolio strategy, and project management standards, ensuring operational excellence
- Inspirational Leader: Managed and inspired a high-performance team of 20, fostering a culture of excellence that resulted in the promotion of three researchers from TPRO-3 to TPRO-4, elevating team capability and project outcomes
Technical Project Manager
Lindahl Reed/Department of Energy
Golden, CO
10.2021 - 03.2024
- Diversity Mindset: In coordination with the Department of Energy’s EERE arm my team and I were able to redesign inclusion metrics for underserved and minority populations as a metric of measurement within our Funding Opportunity Announcement process
- As a team we petitioned for and created the DEIP (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Plan) metric mandatory for future FOAs
- This led to an increase of government funding to the tune of $23 million in FY 22-23 directly injected into at-need and underserved communities and decreased the systemic barriers to entry
- This also led to an increase in workforce development programs in at need areas
- Fostered Educational Partnerships: Spearheaded the establishment of robust partnerships with local educational institutions to include Colorado School of Mines and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), fostering seamless collaboration and synergy that resulted in 3 mutually beneficial initiatives and amplified community engagement via Solar Decathlon and NREL cooperation
- Manages Projects: Manages upwards of 27 projects at once to include a diversity of portfolio encompassing all of the Department of Energy’s effort areas: Emerging Technology, Commercial Buildings Integration, Residential Buildings Integration, and Congressionally Directed Spending valued at $68 million
- This expert management has resulted in green health indicators across all areas for 2 consecutive years these efforts included coordinating multiple funding resources, working with other divisions such as SCEP and outside organizations such as National Labs, non-profits, private, and universities
- Enhanced Cross teaming: Orchestrated dynamic information exchange and the sharing of groundbreaking ideas among external groups to include NREL, Universities, and non-profit entities significantly bolstering community relations and fostering an environment of heightened collaboration and mutual understanding
- Implemented Educational Directives: Assisted and partnered with Senior Staff to increase the number of Title I schools enrolled in the DOE “Healthy and Efficient Schools Program” by 15 via Measurement and Verification assistance, developing partnerships between schools and National Laboratories, and providing carbon reducing upgrades to Title I schools
- Strategically Preserved Funding: Exceptionally managed a portfolio of 27 awards, each exceeding $500,000; demonstrating unparalleled financial prowess, impeccable technical reporting, and flawless monthly and quarterly invoicing, preserving substantial monetary assets in the millions of dollars
- Revolutionized Government Integration: Recognizing a gap in subjectivity and objectivity I pioneered the seamless integration of critical language and data for 27 federal awards, streamlining operational efficiency across pivotal government databases like FAST, PMC, EPIC, Exchange, and STRIPES, by optimizing information flow and aiding in critical project decision-making
- Masterminded Excellence in Project Execution: Orchestrated the triumphant execution of diverse projects spanning Thermal Energy Storage (TES), envelope, HVAC, and smart home technology, consistently delivering on-budget, technically robust, and viable solutions, elevating the organization's reputation for unparalleled excellence
- This kept negotiations, management, and closeout activities flowing in a smooth manner across 38 projects
- Rigorous Fiscal Responsibility: Noticing a gap in invoice tracking procedures I diligently validated and approved over 92 invoices, safeguarding approximately $2.5million for the Department of Energy through meticulous auditing and precise cost corrections, affirming an unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility
- Tracked performance Indicators: Worked tirelessly to develop the Building Technology Offices’ Active Project Management tracking system through a combination of SQL programming through Access Database and crosscutting efforts with data scientists to script data from Project Management Center and other government databases to provide health and performance indicators for 203 active projects
- Dedication to Quality and Performance: Actively guided and assessed Department of Energy projects, culminating in an outstanding 96% 'Green Status' assessment over 2 years, a testament to unwavering dedication to quality and performance
- This included utilizing Access Database to talk across multiple sites and the statistical analysis of trends, problem areas, and areas of good effort for lessons learned to forecast next steps to ensure project health
- Forward-Thinking Strategy: Proactively identified and harnessed project trends while aligning with community and agency needs, utilizing Tableau to strategically target areas for program development
- This showcases a forward-thinking, results-oriented approach to project planning and execution
- Proficiency in Grant Writing and Strategic Planning: Successfully crafted the language for Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and Federal Requirements Documents (FRDs) for three distinct announcements while taking into account impacts legislation may cause on DOE efforts
- These efforts collectively represented an impressive funding allocation of $122 million, demonstrating my ability to allocate substantial financial support for critical initiatives and strategically plan while giving senior management support and guidance on future efforts
- Ensured Quality Control: Expertly reviewed and collected data on concept and project paper submissions across 5 Funding Opportunity Announcements identifying, analyzing, preparing information, and briefing Senior Managers on statuses as well as trends in award submitters to better improve the funding process
- This resulted in over 250 concept papers and full applications being reviewed
- Revolutionized Administrative Processes: Delivered specialized technical guidance across diverse areas to include strategically evaluating and recommending cutting-edge analysis and evaluation methodologies
- This initiative significantly streamlined operations, amplifying the organization's decision-making prowess
Field Artillery Officer
United States Army
Various Locations
10.2016 - 12.2021
- Logistical Professional: Managed and coordinated diverse teams, ensuring consistent support and efficient resource distribution valued at over $13 million during peak demand periods and in response to operational needs both forward deployed and CONUS
- Mentored and Safeguarded Assets: Expertly mentored a team of 10 personnel and managed $1.2 million worth of equipment, ensuring zero losses
- Proficiently led, planned, and executed complex operations, consistently resolving challenging issues with minimal oversight
- Effectively coordinated command levels for seamless deployment
- Exemplified Fiduciary Responsibility and Trust: Monitored closely as the Government Purchase Card holder for my Battalion the expenditure of funds for goods and services outside of traditional line items in our budget
- Maintained and accounted for over $127,000 worth of goods and services without any losses
- Mastered Fire Direction Operations: Demonstrated exceptional leadership by overseeing all fire direction operations and providing comprehensive training and mentorship to unit personnel
- Proficiently managed equipment needed for effective shooting, maneuvering, and communication
- Developed expertise in enemy neutralization through cannon, rocket, and missile fire
- Enhanced Tactical Proficiency: Played a pivotal role in supporting personnel in the field, skillfully utilizing a range of weapons specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, and short, long, and extremely long-range target engagement
- Acted as an advisor to senior leaders across multiple war-fighting functions in the realm of Field Artillery to ensure mission success as an expert and professional
- Significantly increased levels of leadership and responsibility, ensuring mission success
- Adept Leader: Measuring leadership as an art and science I was able to ensure proper conflict and problem resolution through multiple leadership styles to include Compromising, Competing, Collaborating, and Accommodating
- Via these techniques and models, we were able to seek and find group unity, cohesion, and continue to develop each other as leaders
- Exercised Fiduciary Responsibility: Maintained with 0 losses the Battalion Government Purchase Card (GPC) and provided timely approvals and auditing of purchases with a budget of $200,000
- I was able to provide recommendations: approval and disapproval toward justifying the need for substantial expenditures
- Adaptable Leader: Under the guidance of Army Directives and changes in policy was able to update maintenance procedures to reflect M-777 Howitzer maintainer practices as the Motor Control Officer
- This resulted in quicker maintenance turnovers for 2-12 Field Artillery Battalion
Fire Direction Officer (FDO)
United States Army
Various Locations
06.2016 - 10.2019
- Exceptional Leadership and Problem-Solving: Effectively managed, coached, and mentored a team of 10 personnel and up to 40 personnel and $1.2 million worth of equipment without any losses
- Demonstrated outstanding leadership in planning complex operations and training exercises, resolving intricate problems with minimal oversight
- Impeccable Asset Management: Safely oversaw the impact of over 800 rounds of 155mm and Mortar Systems while controlling 12 individuals organized into four distinct teams
- Maintained accountability for property valued at $3.5 million with no losses to equipment or personnel, showcasing meticulous asset management
- Streamlined logistical processes and enhanced operational efficiency through strategic planning, proactive management, and the development of standardized procedures, reducing costs and improving response times
- Adept Manager: As a Fire Direction Officer, it was my task to ensure proper placement of weapons systems, personnel, protection, and communications for my Battery and Battalion
- I often created and presented reports for Senior Officials outlining findings and recommendations for improvements to our emplacement operations and provided solutions to field management issues to include personnel management, supply management, housing, sustenance, and operational pitfalls
- Through this my team and I were able to develop a Standard Operating Procedure for emplacement utilized to this day by 4ID Artillery Command publicized in their Red Book, a handbook for proper artillery practices
- Provided strategic direction and oversight to a team of logistics specialists as acting Executive Officer at the Company Level, ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures while fostering team cohesion and high performance
- Strategic Advisor for Combat Operations: Provided valuable counsel to Combat Arms Commanders on the effective utilization of Artillery, Aviation, and Close Air support across six separate operations using oral and written means
- Ensured precise target location checks and fire order announcements while establishing robust standing operating procedures to optimize mission success
- Managed Training: Managed and created the training and assessment of personnel in occupational duties culminating in a classification of Trained, Moderately Trained, or Untrained Proficiency Levels
- This was done in propriety to prepare for combat operations in preparation of Operation Enduring Freedom
- Over my career I have successfully managed the training and/or trained over 200 Soldiers to a Trained Status as well as preparing clear and concise documentation of past and present training events to aid in briefing Battalion and Division leadership
- Presented Information to Upper-Level Managers: Weekly I presented information in the form of Weekly Training Briefings (WTBs) and Quarterly Training Briefings (QTBs) to Senior Commanding Officers Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels (O-5 & O-6) on the status of personnel, training, and equipment (Mobility) to assist in operational planning and decision making
- This resulted in successful Fires Operations during training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin 2 years in a row
- Implemented Stewardship: Created and managed continuity programs for Hazardous Waste Management, Safety (OSHA), and Urinary Analysis
- This aided in preparation for turnover of duties from one Officer to the next
- I was able to effectively set the conditions for a succession of duties from myself to future key leaders of these programs
- Enforced Standards: Led and conducted 8 15-6 investigations containing but not limited to: Fraud Waste and Abuse, Misconduct, Misuse of Government Funds, and Sexual Assault
- As a result of my participation in these investigations we were able to gather, interpret, and present findings to other relevant organizations
- These organizations include Local Police, FBI, and CID
- Evaluated and Enforced Equal Opportunity Directives: Served as the 4-2 ARB and 2-12 Battalion Equal Opportunity Advisor
- Conducted multiple sessions on Equal Opportunity training to both Battalions resulting in a decrease of discrimination by 22%
- This was done by conducting survey analysis to all Soldiers of both Battalions and reporting data and findings to Command Level Officers via briefings, charts, as well as PowerPoint delivery methods
- Further statistical analysis was done while controlling for confounding variables to determine root cause for Equal Opportunity incidents
- Corrective action was taken by myself and my Non-Commissioned Officer staff in the form of corrective training/actions varying from Non-Judicial Punishment recommendations as well as retraining on Department of the Army wide policy concerning Equal Opportunity
- Reduced Barriers to Entry: As the 2-12 Battalion Equal Opportunity Advisor I provided research findings in the form of data, statistics, and root cause analysis to Commanding Officers at the Battalion and Brigade levels
- This resulted in a reduction of workforce reported discriminatory incidents and violations of the Department of the Army policy on Equal Opportunity
- With this and anti-discriminatory training we were able as a Battalion to reduce these incidents by 12% confirmed by pre and post survey work done by my Equal Opportunity Representative Staff
Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
United States Army
Various Locations
10.2010 - 06.2016
- Exemplary Engine Maintenance: Proficiently maintained and tested turbine engines for a fleet of 3 distinct aircraft, including UH-60 Blackhawks, CH-47 Chinook, OH-58 Kiowa, and the AH-64 Apache
- Leveraged advanced diagnostics to evaluate part deterioration and expertly conducted replacements as necessary, ensuring uninterrupted aircraft performance
- Strategic Leadership and Expertise: Successfully functioned as a team member and small group leader
- Supervised and led a team of 8 personnel and efficiently managed maintenance for multiple aircraft platforms, at times handling 3-4 concurrently
- Applied deep industry knowledge to execute strategic operations and skillfully dissect complex mechanical issues, contributing to streamlined operations
- Resourceful Problem Solver: Demonstrated a keen aptitude for identifying mechanical issues, methodically selecting the appropriate tools and equipment for each maintenance job
- Initiated proactive measures to resolve inconsistencies and performed routine inspections
- Displayed a remarkable ability to troubleshoot power plant and aircraft issues as needed, ensuring the continuous functionality of critical equipment
- Environmentally Astute: Served as the Hazardous Materials NCOIC for the redeployment of all HAZMAT related equipment and materials for 601st ASB
- Utilized the Globally Harmonized System as a means to ensure all Federal rules and regulations were followed and implemented
- Over 1000 gallons of materials was successfully transported from theater to home station and 17 pieces of heavy equipment containing Hazardous Materials
Education
M.B.A. - Project Management & Data Analytics
Colorado Technical University
09.2024
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Political Science and Government
Kansas State University
01.2018
Associate in Sciences (A.S.) - Liberal Studies
Barton Community College
01.2013
Skills
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Risk Assessment
- Analysis
- Project Management
- Maintenance Procedures
- Training and Development
- Statistical and Data Analysis
- Safety Awareness
- Conflict Resolution
- Microsoft Office
- Python
- Virtual Studio Code
- SQL
- Anaconda
- Tableau
- GSS-Army
- Portfolio lifecycle management
- Portfolio management
References
- Stacey Rothgeb, Leadership Program Manager, NREL, Stacey.rothgeb@nrel.gov, 303-619-7283
- Marcus Bianchi, Leadership Program Manager, NREL, Marcus.bianchi@nrel.gov, 720-258-6822
- Samuel Petty, Technology Manager, DOE, samuel.petty@ee.doe.gov, 303-917-3332
- Charles Llenza, Technical Project Officer, DOE, Charles.llenza@ee.doe.gov, 202-288-5189
Military Training
- Organizational Leadership
- Basic Leadership
- Advanced Leadership
- Master Fitness Trainer
- HAZMAT Handler
- Globally Harmonized System (HAZMAT)
- Master Resiliency Trainer
Accomplishments
- Key Contributor (NREL) FY24
Certification
- Python3
- Scrum Master Certification
- Technical Project Management Certification
- PMI Talent Triangle Certification
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Buildstock Portfolio/Project/Portfolio Manager
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
03.2024 - Current
Technical Project Manager
Lindahl Reed/Department of Energy
10.2021 - 03.2024
Field Artillery Officer
United States Army
10.2016 - 12.2021
Fire Direction Officer (FDO)
United States Army
06.2016 - 10.2019
Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
United States Army
10.2010 - 06.2016
- Python3
- Scrum Master Certification
- Technical Project Management Certification
- PMI Talent Triangle Certification
M.B.A. - Project Management & Data Analytics
Colorado Technical University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Political Science and Government
Kansas State University
Associate in Sciences (A.S.) - Liberal Studies
Barton Community College
Similar Profiles
Brenda CrookBrenda Crook
Protective Force Officer II / Laboratory Protection at National Renewable Energy Laboratory/ Alliance for Sustainable EnergyProtective Force Officer II / Laboratory Protection at National Renewable Energy Laboratory/ Alliance for Sustainable Energy
Nicholas FergersonNicholas Fergerson
Graduate Intern at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NRELGraduate Intern at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL
Christin JeffersChristin Jeffers
Communications Project Lead at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NRELCommunications Project Lead at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL