Leslie Baccus
Box Elder,SD
Summary
With a distinguished career of 19 years at the United States Air Force, I excel in organizational and personnel management, showcasing innovation and mentoring prowess. As the Commandant for Airman Leadership School, I oversee the first level of professional military education and am responsible for preparing Airmen and Guardians to be professional leaders, supervisors, communicators and problem solvers. I direct four instructors through strategic improvements and leadership development, significantly enhancing team performance and operational efficiency while ensuring curriculum meets The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education and Community College of the Air Force standards. My approach combines rigorous analytical skills with a commitment to an exceptional education experience, fostering personal and professional growth, and achieving mission success through effective collaboration and leadership.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Commandant, Airman Leadership School
United States Air Force, USAF
Ellsworth AFB, SD
10.2021 - Current
- Leads a diverse Enlisted Professional Military Education schoolhouse, including three instructors and 1,110 students across a seven-state area of responsibility
- Directs seven, six-week long classes annually and issued 7,606 Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) credit hours for courses including Leadership and Management I, Managerial Communications I and Military Studies I
- Manages the program's CCAF accreditation program - inspection revealed a top-tier "Highly Effective" rating
- Validated the Barnes Center for Enlisted Education's largest curriculum re-write, reviewing 768 lesson hours, isolating seven major discrepancies and facilitated corrective actions for immediate Air Force-wide adoption
- Conducts comprehensive evaluations of organizational performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes through the development of the CCAF Off-Campus Instructional Site Annual Report
- Oversees instructor qualifications including the validation of 13,150 teaching hours, evaluations, credentials, professional development and training
- Provided strategic direction for the organization by developing long-term plans aligned with overarching goals and objectives.
- Participated in strategic planning and public relations with organizational leaders and content-relevant guest speakers
- Developed personnel through targeted training programs, resulting in improved skill sets and increased productivity
- Enhanced team performance by implementing effective communication strategies and fostering a collaborative environment
- Developed leaders within the organization through mentorship, guidance, and targeted professional development opportunities
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Instructor, Airman Leadership School
United States Air Force, USAF
Ellsworth AFB, SD
10.2019 - 10.2021
- Completed 1,184 hours of teaching experience and earned CCAF Instructor Certification I
- Rose to Instructor Supervisor in less than four months and lead three instructors through lesson planning, evaluations, curriculum revisions and classroom instruction
- Assisted in curriculum development, ensuring alignment with CCAF accreditation standards and best practices for effective instruction
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning and align with best practices
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching including virtual and in-residence environments to keep students engaged
- Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics
- Applied various teaching aids to minimize learning gaps and instruct and motivate students
- Participated in and instructed professional development seminars to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching effectiveness
- Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing valuable insights and strategies for classroom success
- Led professional development sessions for faculty, introducing innovative teaching tools and methodologies
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Clinical Medicine Flight Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
Ellsworth AFB, SD
07.2019 - 10.2019
- Directed operations for four clinics including Women's Health, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy, and Immunizations, and coordinated care for 17,000 beneficiaries
- Oversaw 15,000 appointments and $2.8 million dollars in services, capturing #1 in Command for acute access to care
- Enforced strict compliance with standard operating procedures and regulatory organizations
- Managed professional growth and development of seven medical technicians, two nurses and three providers by scheduling training and managing credentials
- Managed relationships with key vendors and suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of products and services
- Developed standard operating procedures to streamline processes, enhance safety measures, and improve overall efficiency within the team
- Conducted performance evaluations, identifying areas for individual improvement and fostering professional development
- Led cross-functional teams in resolving complex technical issues and improving communication resulting in smoother operations and overall patient care
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Wing Protocol
United States Air Force, USAF
Ellsworth AFB, SD
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Managed Wing Protocol operations including high profile visits and major events at presidential, legislative and foreign distinguished visitor levels
- Directed 88 distinguished guest visits, events and ceremonies
- Facilitated professional communication with federal and state officials, DoD leaders and affiliates, and community partners
- Maintained strict compliance with the DoD's protocol policies and procedures
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration, leveraging diverse expertise to optimize problem-solving capabilities for various events and visits
- Collaborated effectively with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve common objectives
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Lab Ops
United States Air Force, USAF
Ellsworth AFB, SD
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Oversaw daily operations including the supervision of three technicians and five sections (hematology, chemistry, microbiology, urology and serology), ensuring quality testing and accuracy for 91,000 samples annually
- Evaluated test results, developed or modified laboratory operating instructions and ensured accuracy for 60 methodologies
- Managed the lab's accreditation program through the College of American Pathologists ensuring strict compliance with 542 standards with zero findings during the annual inspection
- Directed the lab's quality assurance program, proficiency testing and employee competency training
- Managed analytical equipment valued at $312 thousand dollars and oversaw daily maintenance, test validation, calibration and quality control processes
- Oversaw budgeting decisions regarding equipment purchases or upgrades by evaluating current needs and anticipated future requirements
- Addressed issues related to staffing levels or scheduling in a timely manner, ensuring sufficient coverage for all laboratory tasks
- Followed Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) consistently across daily activities and special products
- Participated actively in interdisciplinary meetings as a representative of the clinical laboratory department
- Reviewed employee performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for growth and development
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Air Force, USAF
Various Locations
01.2006 - 08.2017
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards
- Performed comprehensive analysis of patient samples and generated detailed reports to inform medical staff of results
- Performed routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment to produce accurate results
- Assisted in the training of new staff members, ensuring proper knowledge transfer and adherence to safety protocols
- Prepared reagents and solutions, making readily available during testing for convenience
- Enhanced patient care through accurate and timely diagnostic testing for various medical conditions
- Played key role in laboratory accreditation process, ensuring compliance with national standards
Education
Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH12-2020
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor of Technology And Military Science
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL09-2020
Bachelor of Science - Medical Laboratory Science
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH04-2018
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL10-2011
Skills
- Program Director
- Strategic Planning
- Staff Development
- Team Leadership
- Instructor skills (virtual and in-residence)
- Curriculum Writer
- Mentoring abilities
- Organizational Management
- Personnel Management
- Innovation Skills
- Lesson Planning
- Office skills including typing, professional communication and microsoft office programs
Certification
- Medical Lab Scientist Certification (MLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - May 2018
- Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Instructor Certification I - CCAF - June 2021
Accomplishments
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
2011 Air Force Global Strike Command Laboratory Airman of the Year
2011 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
2013 341st Medical Group, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
2015 Air Force Global Strike Command Laboratory NCO of the Year
2017 John L. Levitow Honor Graduate Recipient (#1 of 92 students), Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB, Colorado
2020 Air Force Global Strike Command, Force Support Squadron, Special Duty NCO of the Year
2021 Air Force Global Strike Command, Airman Leadership School of the Year
Timeline
Commandant, Airman Leadership School
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2021 - Current
Instructor, Airman Leadership School
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2019 - 10.2021
Clinical Medicine Flight Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
07.2019 - 10.2019
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Wing Protocol
United States Air Force, USAF
07.2018 - 07.2019
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Lab Ops
United States Air Force, USAF
08.2017 - 07.2018
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Air Force, USAF
01.2006 - 08.2017
Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of Cincinnati
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor of Technology And Military Science
Community College of The Air Force
Bachelor of Science - Medical Laboratory Science
University of Cincinnati
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Community College of The Air Force