Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Onsite Contract Support Program Manager
Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc., and Chenega Decision Sciences
07.2017 - 09.2024
Led performance compliance for 80% of the contract period, monitoring sixteen contract support personnel and subcontractors
Managed a team of sixteen contractors, ensuring contract standards and quality expectations
Improved project delivery by 30% through strategic planning
Ensured prompt support aligned with the performance work statement, leading to correct report submissions to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
This oversight maintained contract standards and performance metrics, ensuring work met or exceeded expectations
Ensured that the network services and support provided by the Cyber Security Service Provider (CSSP) met the 100% requirement, as showed in their Service Level Agreements
Delivered high-quality results by setting performance metrics and monitoring progress against targets
Provided research, analytical, and program support directly to the CISO and the Cybersecurity Program
Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives
Conducted complete program evaluations, finding areas for improvement and proactively recommending actionable solutions that led to significant enhancements
Met with project stakeholders regularly to assess progress and adjust if/when required
Leveraged project management processes and tools to define and execute projects.
Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to the team.
Coached team members on professional development opportunities, contributing to improved overall performance.
Developed and maintained logistics workflows, procedures, and reports.
Participated in vendor selection and management process for program initiatives.
Enhanced project visibility with regular status updates, leading to increased stakeholder engagement.
Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
Met with project stakeholders regularly to assess progress and make adjustments.
Improved program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving solutions.
Delivered high-quality results by setting performance metrics and monitoring progress against targets.
Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
Ensured regulatory compliance by closely monitoring adherence to industry standards and guidelines throughout the program lifecycle.
Leveraged technology tools for enhanced project tracking, reporting, and information sharing among team members.
Optimized resource allocation, effectively balancing priorities and managing competing demands.
Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches to inform strategy development and optimize outcomes.
Increased customer satisfaction through effective communication of program goals and expectations.
Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.
Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
Championed best practices in project management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms that supported budgetary constraints.
Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential barriers to project success.
Researched industry best practices in support of training development and program content.
Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
Led change management efforts, supporting staff through transitions and promoting buy-in for new initiatives.
Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity, and risk exposure.
Devised creative solutions to critical customer and user needs.
Demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills to develop briefs, memorandums, and analytical reports for clients.
Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
Spearheaded innovative problem-solving techniques that addressed challenges head-on, resulting in effective resolution measures.
Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
Streamlined communication channels to facilitate efficient collaboration among team members and stakeholders.
Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
Participated in pilot tests and revised programs based on feedback and results.
Established employee performance goals and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development
Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
Established team priorities, maintained schedules, and monitored performance.
Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Recruited, interviewed, and hired employees and implemented a mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations.
Maintained a professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
Planned, created, tested, and deployed system life cycle methodology to produce high-quality systems to meet and exceed customer expectations.
Senior Information System Security Manager (ISSM)
Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc., and Chenega Decision Sciences
07.2017 - 09.2024
Managed the 163-application and 261-entity-level Federal Information System Control Audit Manual (FISCAM) controls for two financial systems
Performed compliance and security assessments, designed, and implemented controls, provided remediation support, and drafted governance documentation
Led SOP creation with the Privacy Act Officer, securing 100% RMF compliance and elevating privacy standards
Kept team compliant with security protocols and appearance standards.
Oversaw contract negotiations, budget implementation, disciplinary reviews, training and manpower work schedules.
Coordinated protective service operations with other emergency response agencies.
Verified excellence in regards to security programs, strategies and plans within fast-paced and high-risk environments.
Developed and enforced strict security policies, significantly reducing risk of data breaches and theft.
Customized security training programs to address specific needs and vulnerabilities within organization.
Advised senior management on security best practices, contributing to strategic planning and risk management.
Enhanced overall security by conducting comprehensive risk assessments and implementing tailored security plans.
Enhanced staff awareness and compliance with security protocols through comprehensive education and training programs.
Conducted regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and recommend corrective actions.
Conducted regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities, resulting in strengthened defense mechanisms.
Managed a team of security personnel, providing regular training for improved performance and professional growth.
Mentored junior security staff, providing guidance and support to build skilled and motivated security team.
Conducted regular security audits and assessments to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities.
Analyzed security threats and risks and developed mitigation strategies to reduce potential losses.
Responded swiftly to security incidents and effectively resolved security issues.
Delivered regular security awareness programs to educate personnel on security measures and protocols.
Collaborated with senior management to develop and implement strategies to mitigate security risks.
Supervised team of 16 security personnel during shift.
Cultivated relationships with external security vendors to make additional security resources available if necessary.
Evaluated security systems and procedures to identify areas for improvement.
Sr Cybersecurity Engineer and USMC Validator
Sentar, Inc
12.2014 - 07.2017
Analyzed security policies, performed security assessments, and generated compliance documentation as part of the security assessment team while measuring and tracking 50% of relevant metrics
Achieved ATO for eleven critical systems by conducting security and risk assessments on-site for military (Air Force) clients
Improved system resilience with development and execution of disaster recovery plans.
Created customized security awareness training materials tailored to various departments within the organization.
Reduced risk of data breaches by systematically upgrading security software and hardware.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive cybersecurity policies and procedures.
IT Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
Independent Consultant
03.2013 - 12.2014
Conducted risk assessments that led to a 25% decrease in downtime and a 30% improvement in response times at FEMA's Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center
Led vulnerability assessments for DoD and IC, identifying 120 vulnerabilities (15 critical), reducing risk exposure by 30%
Reviewed the subscribers' JCAP security documentation and architectures
Improved compliance score by 60% by identifying weaknesses and implementing controls
Sr Information Assurance Analyst
Syracuse Research Center (SRC) Inc.
06.2010 - 01.2013
Assigned by the DAA to ensure that over 160 sites follow DCID 6/3 security standards, achieving compliance in 95% of audits conducted and reducing non-compliance rating by 30% over the year
Completed the migration of 160 systems to a new security framework within 8 months by adhering to agency directives and guidelines
Developed and recommended security policies and procedures for implementation, achieving 90% compliance with security standards
Director, Security
QinetiQ North America/Pinnacle CSI
04.2002 - 05.2010
Organized internal risk management audits with a 95% compliance rate, enhancing customer satisfaction by 25% through status updates
Supervised five ISSOs and System Admins
Oversaw the spending of $3 million to build a 50,000-square-foot facility
Managed safety and security operations at various locations, reducing incident reports by 25%
Established an incident reporting system that streamlined information gathering processes during critical events or emergencies.
Developed and executed comprehensive emergency response plans, ensuring swift action during crises.
Managed a team of security personnel, providing training and development opportunities to ensure their consistent growth and effectiveness.
Facilitated internal security awareness training sessions for all employees, fostering a culture of vigilance within the organization.
Spearheaded cybersecurity initiatives to protect sensitive company data from breaches or unauthorized access attempts.
Collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to strengthen partnerships and enhance overall safety in the community.
Oversaw budget allocation for security department expenditures, maximizing efficiency while maintaining high-quality service provisions.
Monitored CCTV cameras and alarm systems for security breaches.
Issued access cards to authorized personnel to monitor access points.
Conducted training sessions for new security personnel to facilitate compliance with security protocols.
Education
Master of Science - Information Technology, Assurance & Security
American InterContinental University
Schaumburg, IL
08.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Management, Concentration: Information Systems
Ashford University
Clinton, IA
12.2008
Skills
Leadership
Problem-solving
Cybersecurity
Risk Management Framework
Project Management Communication
Team Management
Time Management
Adaptability
Decision-making
Remote team management
Team leadership
Certification
ISC2 Certified Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC), 11/01/19, 03/01/26