Marion Wendall
Arlington
Summary
Dynamic professional with a strong background in policy development and operational strategy within defense environments. Specialized in forging consensus among stakeholders and advancing critical capabilities, significantly enhancing the Department's ability to achieve strategic objectives and respond effectively to emerging threats.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Battlespace Awareness Portfolio Analyst
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security
Washington
09.2024 - Current
- Led the development of innovative sensor-to-shooter capabilities, integrating Department of War and Intelligence Community systems to ensure a United States advantage in contested environments, and championed the transition of these capabilities from experimentation to acquisition and into programs of record, significantly improving the Department’s ability to find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess strategic targets.
- Supported Directorate in developing acquisition strategies for $40 billion Battlespace Awareness Portfolio, aligning strategic objectives with capability needs.
- Technical leadership and in-depth knowledge of national strategy were vital in establishing and integrating key capabilities required to meet the Secretary of Defense priorities.
- Facilitated development and support of complex systems, providing technical advice and guidance across all functional areas of DoD acquisition to enhance operational readiness.
- Monitors and analyzes legislation, policy, and budget activities to ensure alignment with Department goals.
Senior Military Evaluator
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Washington
08.2021 - 09.2024
- Led and inspired seven diverse program teams: 53 personnel/9 disparate functions on $35 Billion Department of Defense programs ensuring operational relevance of test and evaluation processes for critical weapon systems.
- Led Operational Test and Evaluation oversight for multiple Department of Defense aircraft and weapon systems programs valued over $325 billion, enhancing capability delivered to the warfighter.
- Facing failure and opposition, expertly engaged across Office of the Secretary of Defense, Headquarters Air Force, Air Force Logistics contracting material command, the program office and the lead command to forge consensus and poise the $128 Billion program for success.
- Advised Congress and Senior Office of the Secretary of Defense leaders on policy formulation for classified Department of Defense Air Warfare programs, influencing strategic defense decisions.
- Applies principles, theories, and methodologies of operations research and statistical analysis for C4ISR systems.
Chief, Total Force Aircrew Management Division
HQ Air Force A-3 (Operations) Staff
Washington
07.2019 - 08.2021
- Led 20-member Department of the Air Force multi-divisional team setting Air and Space Force strategy and policy to retain over 44,846 rated total force.
- Oversaw Air Force level strategy, policy, guidance, and functional oversight of AF operational training and readiness.
- Developed and executed '101 Days of Retention' engagement plans, supporting initiatives of Air Force Chief of Staff.
- Forged small business contracts to implement Rated Diversity Initiative strategy, synchronizing 26 actions and aligning program funds.
- Established Congressional Hearings Branch, enhancing organization’s communication standards.
Commander
607th Air Control Squadron
Goodyear
05.2017 - 07.2019
- Led 14 officers, 524 enlisted members and their families, and 15 civilians in the Air Force’s only Air Control Squadron Formal Training Unit.
- Developed strategic vision and direction for organization, authoring first-ever Organization Strategic Plan to synchronize enterprise efforts.
- Monitored budgetary expenditures across multiple departments, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational goals.
- Devised and implemented metrics for leadership, facilitating data-driven decision making aligned with Air Education and Training Command and Department of the Air Force objectives.
- Synced multi-unit operations after catastrophic radar failure.
Director of Operations
607th Air Control Squadron
Goodyear
07.2015 - 05.2017
- Led $12.6 Million operations weapons system upgrades, implementing wing’s first operations system support equipment upgrade.
- Oversaw 55 courses and 8 syllabi to enhance combat training exercises and Battlespace Awareness.
- Led combat tactics and weapons training for 370+ Joint Service warfighters.
Chief, Command and Control and Standardization and Evaluation
613th Air and Space Operations Center
Honolulu
06.2013 - 07.2015
- Developed Coalition operational strategy through analysis and policy recommendations, enhancing interoperability and mission success.
- Led Theater Air Control System/Integrated Air and Missile Defense operational force laydown and employment, optimizing deployment effectiveness.
- Coordinated with constituents, lobbyists, and organizations to advocate for AADC mission and Battlespace Awareness priorities.
Education
Air and Space Operations Center Combat Operations Course - DG
Hurlburt AFB
Hurlburt AFB, FL01-2014
Air and Space Operations Center Combat Plans Course -
Hurlburt AFB
Hurlburt AFB, FL01-2014
Integrated Air and Missile Defense Planning Course -
Hurlburt AFB
Hurlburt AFB, FL01-2014
Air War College - Correspondence Program
Air University
Montgomery, AL01-2011
Master’s - Military Operational Arts & Sciences
Air University
Montgomery, AL01-2010
Air Command and Staff College - In-residence
Air University
Montgomery, AL01-2010
Master of Science - Business Administration And Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06-2009
Joint Operations Planning Execution System Training - Operational Assessments
Air University
Montgomery, AL01-2006
Squadron Officer School - Top-third Graduate
Air University
Montgomery, AL01-2006
Graduate Certificate - Marine Corps Weapons School
Marine Corps Weapons And Tactics Squadron 1
Yuma, AZ05-2004
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Tucson, AZ01-1998
Air Battle Manager Initial Qualification Training - Command And Control
Air Battle Manager School House
Panama City, FLSkills
- C5ISR systems
- JCIDS / Acquisition Management
- Acquisition strategies
- Data analysis
- Change management
- Program oversight
- Research and Analysis
- Project and Change Management
- Program Guidance and Oversight
- Strategic Communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Policy Development
Highlights Of Expertise
- Battlespace Awareness and Analysis
- Policy Development
- Operations Research
- Data Analytics and Visualization
- Project and Change Management
- Program Guidance and Oversight
- Strategic Communication
- Research and Analysis
- JCIDS / Acquisition Management
- Acquisition Strategies
- PPB&E / Budgeting
- C5ISR
Other Notable Experience
- Career Field (CEA/AFE) Functional Manager, HQ Air Force A-3 (Operations) Staff, Arlington, VA
- Chief of Safety, 53rd Wpns Eval Group and 434th Expeditionary Wing, Tyndall AFB, FL
- Commanders Action Group OIC, NATO AWACS, US Air Force Element, Geilenkirchen, Germany
Security Clearance
Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance
References
- Honorable Nicolaus Guertin, SES, Asst Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, nicholas.h.guertin@us.navy.mil
- Dr. Raymond O’Toole, SES, Principal Deputy Director Operational Test and Evaluation, OSD, Raymond.d.otoole1.civ@mail.mil
- Kevin Ruce, SES, Director Battlespace Awareness and Security Programs, OUSD (I&S), kevin.w.ruce.civ@mail.mil
Leadership Profile
Accomplished and innovative civic minded professional with extensive experience guiding policy, strategy and operational affairs within the Department of War (DoW) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Results driven with demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans and communication to accomplish objectives in support of strategic goals. Excels in high-stress positions; served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Senior Leader’s Senior Military Assistant, in Group and Squadron leadership, as the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for an Air Force Wing, and the Chief of Safety for an Expeditionary Wing. Recognized expert with demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of congressional, Department of Defense (DoD), and DAF legislative, policy, legal, and budget processes.
Personal Information
Citizenship: US Citizen/Registered for Selective Service
Timeline
Senior Battlespace Awareness Portfolio Analyst
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security
09.2024 - Current
Senior Military Evaluator
Office of the Secretary of Defense
08.2021 - 09.2024
Chief, Total Force Aircrew Management Division
HQ Air Force A-3 (Operations) Staff
07.2019 - 08.2021
Commander
607th Air Control Squadron
05.2017 - 07.2019
Director of Operations
607th Air Control Squadron
07.2015 - 05.2017
Chief, Command and Control and Standardization and Evaluation
613th Air and Space Operations Center
06.2013 - 07.2015
Air and Space Operations Center Combat Operations Course - DG
Hurlburt AFB
Air and Space Operations Center Combat Plans Course -
Hurlburt AFB
Integrated Air and Missile Defense Planning Course -
Hurlburt AFB
Air War College - Correspondence Program
Air University
Master’s - Military Operational Arts & Sciences
Air University
Air Command and Staff College - In-residence
Air University
Master of Science - Business Administration And Management
University of Phoenix
Joint Operations Planning Execution System Training - Operational Assessments
Air University
Squadron Officer School - Top-third Graduate
Air University
Graduate Certificate - Marine Corps Weapons School
Marine Corps Weapons And Tactics Squadron 1
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Air Battle Manager Initial Qualification Training - Command And Control
Air Battle Manager School House