MANUEL C. DIWA
Austin
Summary
Strategic Analyst and Advisor with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional management. Proven consulting track record and program direction, delivering critical and entrepreneurial insights that drive decision-making and enhance operational effectiveness. Active TS Security Clearance and interagency experience supporting U.S. defense objectives.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Aviation Consultant
SKO AvFID Consulting
Austin
09.2024 - Current
- Delivering business development consulting and specialized knowledge to a network of defense and private sector industry stakeholders across various aviation sectors such as fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and small unmanned aircraft system acquisitions, new equipment fielding, partner capacity building, short- and multi-year security cooperation initiatives.
Aviation Operations/Logistics Support Director, Volunteer
Ark Salus
Dothan
06.2021 - Current
- Planned and prepared conops for forward deployed rotary wing aviation and ISR support to rescue Afghan groups targeted by Taliban.
- Advised CEO and board on Helicopter Assault Force status to inform strategic decisions.
- Collaborated with peer non-profits and for-profit entities to ensure operational alignment.
- Conducted PDSs in Central Asia to enhance mission effectiveness.
Strategic Advisor, East Africa
Crisis Response Company
Nairobi
08.2022 - 09.2024
- Advised Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) service chiefs on strategic efforts for force modernization.
- Collaborated with peer and senior leader networks to propose and execute aircraft acquisition programs.
- Collaborated with peer and senior leader networks to propose and execute aircraft acquisition programs.
- Advised Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) service chiefs on strategic efforts for force modernization.
- Interfaced with U.S. embassy country team, reporting monthly on host nation shortfalls to DOS East Africa desk.
- Supported counterinsurgency peace and stability activities under U.S. Department of State's security cooperation plan.
- Participated in strategic discussions to align KDF goals with U.S. defense objectives.
- Interfaced with U.S. embassy country team, reporting monthly on host nation shortfalls to DOS East Africa desk.
Deputy Program Manager/Advisor/Mentor
Aviation Training Consulting LLC
Kabul
08.2019 - 06.2021
- Trained Afghan Special Mission Wing under DoD contract, advising leaders and aircrews for day and night flight operations.
- Conducted training for special missions, including direct action, air assault, search and rescue, and ISR.
- Served as instructor pilot for flight simulator training of Afghan aircrews.
- Executed support for NATO Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan on host nation counterinsurgency and stability initiatives.
Strategic Advisor, West Africa
Crisis Response Company International
Nouakchott
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Facilitated U.S. Department of Defense's theater security cooperation plan with Mauritania's Air Force executive staff, enhancing collaborative security efforts.
- Cultivated mutual trust with host nation chiefs of staff, advising on strategic development for air and ground forces to align military capabilities with national objectives.
- Assessed aviation requirements, focusing on aircraft major end-items and spares to align with strategic goals.
- Collaborated with peer and senior leaders to propose and implement aircraft acquisition programs from inception to completion.
- Engaged executive-level stakeholders, providing briefings to counterparts equivalent to U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Assessed aviation requirements, focusing on aircraft major end-items and spares to align with strategic goals.
Operations Manager
DynCorp International
Ft Worth
01.2016 - 02.2018
- Managed operations for DOS/INL Bureau Air Wing, directly enabling Chief of Mission and U.S. Embassy team to achieve mission objectives in Baghdad.
- Oversaw seven midlevel functional managers to optimize deployment of composite aircraft fleet across Iraq and Jordan, enhancing operational capabilities.
- Coordinated with U.S. Embassy country team, including senior aviation advisor and regional security officers, to effectively address and fulfill mission requirements.
- Developed inter-agency contingency plans to ensure operational readiness and response.
- Authored and presented senior-level reports and briefings to facilitate decision-making and strategic planning.
Adjunct Faculty/Consultant
Booze Allen Hamilton
Tampa
07.2015 - 12.2015
- Provided strategic and operational subject matter expertise for the Joint Special Operations University on special operations aviation in irregular and complex operations.
- Developed and assessed strategic and long-range plans, doctrine, and educational programs to improve U.S. and Host Nation/Partner SOF integration.
- Analyzed client needs to develop tailored solutions for complex challenges.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design strategic initiatives and recommendations.
- Facilitated workshops to gather information and drive stakeholder engagement effectively.
Program Manager
Momentum Aviation Group
Woodbridge
02.2014 - 05.2015
- In a forward deployed environment, led a subcontractor team of aircrews and maintenance specialists in Aviation Foreign Internal Defense activities;
- Assisted the DoD in Security Cooperation programs building capabilities and the capacity of Afghanistan's Special Mission Wing.
- Safely led over five subordinate cross-functional managers and over 40 employees.
Army Aviation Officer
01.1991 - 12.2013
- Led Army globally distributed organizations at progressively increasing size and levels of responsibility at the tactical, operational and strategic level conducting special and conventional operations from peacetime humanitarian operations for man-made and natural disasters, and through the spectrum of conflict.
- Staffed, initiated, managed diverse projects addressing rapidly changing scope and risk, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Chaired multinational working groups to identify, analyze, and prioritize aviation requirements, enhancing operational readiness.
- Collaborated with functional areas and secured endorsements from U.S. Congress and Pentagon leadership, including the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict, to advance strategic initiatives.
- Deployed frequently throughout INDOPACOM, AFRICOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM.
- Dec 2010 - Dec 2013, Director, SOF Air, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) - Belgium
- Jul 2010 - Nov 2010, Deputy Operations Director, NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan
- Jan 2010 - Jun 2010, Operations Director, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin - Afghanistan
- Jan 2007 - Dec 2009, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment
- Jan 2005 - Dec 2006, Operations Officer, Directorate for Special Operations Aviation
- Jun 2002 - Jun 2003, Air Operations Chief, Special Operations Command - Korea
- Jul 1997 - May 2002, Company Commander, Staff Officer, Platoon Leader, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
- Sep 1991 - May 1997, Company Commander, Detachment Commander, Platoon Leader, 159th Aviation Regiment
Advisor/Mentor
Engility Corp
Alexandria
06.2015 - 06.2015
- Advised senior and mid-level Nigerian Army officers on best practices in military leadership and staff functions under temporary DOS contract supporting ACOTA (Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance) within framework of larger DOD Theatre Security Cooperation Plan.
Education
Master of Science - Defense Analysis, w/Irregular Warfare, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Program
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CaliforniaBachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
University of California
Berkeley, CaliforniaCertificate - Alternative Dispute Resolution
University of Texas
El PasoSkills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Decision-making support
- Capacity building
- Relationship building
- Staff development and oversight
- Lead generation
- Needs assessment
Specialized Training
- U.S. Army's Chief Executive Officer/Senior Corporate-Level Resource Manager School, Ft Leavenworth, KS
- U.S. Army's Corporate-Level Leadership and Resource Management School, Ft Benning, GA
- Executive/Senior-Level Stakeholder Engagement Management
- U.S. Army's Front-Line Leadership School, Ft Rucker, AL
- Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional (PMP) member in good standing
- Travel savvy; visited nearly 70 countries for deployments and personal interest
- Over 20 years of leadership of small and large organizations distributed globally
- Innumerable deployments in peacetime and to austere conflict areas
- Level 2: limited working proficiency in Tagalog; Level 2: limited working proficiency in Spanish; Level 3: professional working proficiency in French
- Distinguished Graduate (top 3% of Army nationwide), Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, UC Berkeley
- Top three highest honors; Distinguished Graduate at the Army's induction course of over 400 students
Timeline
Aviation Consultant
SKO AvFID Consulting
09.2024 - Current
Strategic Advisor, East Africa
Crisis Response Company
08.2022 - 09.2024
Aviation Operations/Logistics Support Director, Volunteer
Ark Salus
06.2021 - Current
Deputy Program Manager/Advisor/Mentor
Aviation Training Consulting LLC
08.2019 - 06.2021
Strategic Advisor, West Africa
Crisis Response Company International
01.2018 - 08.2019
Operations Manager
DynCorp International
01.2016 - 02.2018
Adjunct Faculty/Consultant
Booze Allen Hamilton
07.2015 - 12.2015
Advisor/Mentor
Engility Corp
06.2015 - 06.2015
Program Manager
Momentum Aviation Group
02.2014 - 05.2015
Army Aviation Officer
01.1991 - 12.2013
Master of Science - Defense Analysis, w/Irregular Warfare, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Program
Naval Postgraduate School
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
University of California
Certificate - Alternative Dispute Resolution
University of Texas