MARIE L. SIMONDS

• Provide oversight and management of the Texas Army National Guard, Department of Defense Network supporting over 18,560 users across 82 locations.
• Led a team of network engineers, administrators, and technicians, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Refined and exercises a comprehensive network disaster recovery plan, ensuring business operations could be quickly restored
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align network infrastructure with business objectives, supporting new initiatives and growth strategies
• Led the development and implementation of a comprehensive IT strategic plan, aligning state and federal policy, technology investments with organizational goals and driving digital transformation

• Navigated complex negotiations with stakeholders, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements that advanced division interests.

• Utilizes the Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC) methodology to plan, manage communications, scope, time, cost, and risk along with quality control, HR management and procurement management are monitored

• Developed and managed the IT budget, optimizing resource allocation and maximizing ROI on technology investments

• Drove digital transformation initiatives that aligned with state policy and governor's executive orders to improve business processes and create new value

• Collaborated with business leaders to align IT strategy with organizational goals, supporting new initiatives and growth strategies

• Conducted in-depth research and analysis of complex policy issues related to IT, Cyber and Communications, providing data-driven recommendations to policymakers

• Prepared policy briefs, white papers, and presentations summarizing research findings and policy recommendations for diverse audiences to include military senior leaders, legislators, National Guard Bureau and other State partners.

• · Ensure the Information Management Directorate has adequate support and resources to ensure network compliance and security to meet and maintain the criteria for Command Cyber Readiness Inspection (CCRI), C4 program objectives and AR 25-1 Army Knowledge Management and Information Technology
• Development and implementation of the Information Technology Approval System (ITAS) and Information Technology Acquisition Review (ITARB) processes for the Texas National Guard utilizing the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) best practices

• Served as a principal financial advisor and technical expert to the Texas Adjutant General (AG), senior staff management, major subordinate commands, and the Program Budget Advisory Council (PBAC)
• Responsible for the execution of multiple appropriations and disbursements of funds in excess of $53 million
• Determined the significant impact of projected Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Army (DA), National Guard Bureau (NGB) and other government programs affecting the state ARNG's fiscal policies
• Represented the organization within the functional area with both internal and external stakeholders
• Provided advisory services through briefings, conferences, advisory committee meetings, etc., on a regular basis
• Routinely developed GANNT charts, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and other project management tools to track resource allocations to minimize scope creep and costs
• Interpreted State and Federal policy, laws, and guidance to develop and policy and guidance and recommendations to the primary staff, Chief of Staff and the Adjutant General
• Identified the need for special projects, initiating milestones and goals
• Exercised supervisory personnel management responsibilities
• Extensive experience in GFEBS, DTS, WAWF, CAPPS and other DoD and State Financial Management Systems
• Prepared and executed budgets utilizing principle of Planning, Programming, and Budgeting Systems (PPBES) for Senior Leaders and members of Legislation

• Prepare and deliver briefings on IT budget execution, purchasing, and acquisition to high level management
• Research and create Independent Government Estimate for all federal purchase requests
• Conduct Contract Administration by performance monitoring and inspection and acceptance of invoices for payment
• Provide reconciliation, auditing, and management support to the G6 Government Purchase Card program for procurements under the micro purchase threshold
• Process invoices in a timely manner, in accordance with contract terms and conditions
• Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities
• Engaged in all phases of the acquisition lifecycle from the formation of the requirement, solicitation creation, quotes and proposal evaluations, through award, contract administration, and contract closeout

• Serve as Resource Manager and Information Technology Project Manager for the Texas Army National Guard, Information Management (G6), created requirements and managed financial resource for both Federal and State IT activities
• Develop requirements under Simplified Acquisition Threshold to insure fluid communication from customer to contracting office
• Research market conditions to create IT Statements of Work and Statements of Objectives in support of the Department of Defense (DOD) Planning and Budgeting process, as well as, that of the Texas National Guard G6
• Led project teams though concept development, planning, requirements analysis, design, development, integration and test, implementation, post-implementation support oversight, operations and maintenance and disposition phases
• Routinely developed GANNT charts, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to manage projects
• Create waivers, request for information, and request for information in Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS)
• Serve as member of Source Selection Team providing technical and past performance factors analysis
• Perform Acquisition Planning to meet the requirements of the G6 to execute the Annual Funding Program for each fiscal year
• Prepare and deliver briefings on budget execution, purchasing, and acquisition to high level management

Anticipated graduation