Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Awards
Generic

Melinda Bone

Fort Collins,CO

Summary

Dynamic Chief of Staff at USDA ,APHIS, Veterinary Services adept in strategic planning and operational execution. Spearheaded initiatives that enhanced workflow efficiency by 90%, while fostering team collaboration and integrity-driven leadership. Proven track record in project coordination and analytical problem-solving, driving impactful results in animal health programs.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief of Staff

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services
02.2022 - 05.2025
  • Supported Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy executive team in daily operations, enhancing workflow efficiency and communication.
  • Collaborate with the executive team to develop and implement operational strategic objectives.
  • Coordinated project timelines and deliverables to ensure alignment across departments, agency, and National program standards.
  • Conducted analysis of animal health programs and animal trade issues in support of strategic planning and decision-making processes.
  • Maintained comprehensive documentation for meetings and initiatives, improving information accessibility.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and foster productive relationships.
  • Organized team events and activities for a unit of 320 staff, promoting a positive workplace culture and employee engagement.
  • Monitored project progress, identifying potential issues early and facilitating timely resolutions.
  • Developed presentations for leadership meetings, industry stakeholders, and high level government officials ensuring clarity of objectives and outcomes.
  • Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for business functions.
  • Developed and executed strategic initiatives for improved business unit growth and long-term success.
  • Led crisis-management efforts during unexpected challenges; mitigating potential negative impacts on business operations.
  • Encouraged coordination and cooperation among departments and continuous review of interdepartmental processes to support quality control and improvement.
  • Improved internal processes through thorough review, resulting in a 80 percent reduction of wasted time and resources.
  • Drove strategic initiatives to completion, overseeing project timelines and milestones.
  • Identified and implemented opportunities to streamlined office operations, resulting in a 90 percent enhanced workflow efficiency by implementing innovative organizational systems.
  • Analyzed and solved multi-faceted complex problems effecting executive leaders and business initiatives.
  • Built and managed processes for tracking and monitoring department performance resulting in a 75 percent increase in ability to track work progress and completion for reporting purposes.
  • Leveraged new IT technology to develop processes for the management of international affairs to track deadlines, improve collaboration, report status of work, and facilitate meetings.
  • Provided direct support to the Chief Veterinarian Officer (CVO) of the United States for activities related to the World Organization of Animal Health to ensure the CVO was well prepared for international events.
  • Managed functional assignments and special studies relating to overall strategic planning, policy formulation, staff coordination, and program management. Central point of contact for information flow between executives and business unit.
  • Effectively supervised, directed, managed, and communicated with staff to assure best possible performance; manage financial resources, prioritize work activities, and orchestrate collaboration among subject matter experts to meet the needs of the business unit.
  • Incident Commander of a National Incident Management Team for Animal Disease Response.

Management Analyst

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
03.2020 - 02.2022
  • Managed 121 for the newly formed Farm Bill National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) projects totaling $22 million dollars awarded to State departments of agriculture, universities, and veterinary organizations.
  • Managed solicitation and feedback tracking of 160 subject matter expert (SME) for annual funding opportunity application review.
  • Developed and lead the first ever NADPRP Tribal funding opportunity by working with Tribal liaisons, VS leaders, and Tribal Nations to identify Tribal needs and collaboratively establishing priority areas that meet the animal emergency preparedness and response needs of Tribal communities.
  • Coordinated the review process and facilitated discussions with external industry representatives and internal agency experts for 136 animal emergency preparedness and response project proposals requesting $32 million dollars.
  • Lead the development of program standard operating procedure (SOP) guidance documents for project close out, project monitoring and reporting, and industry stakeholder communication management.
  • Collaborated with the American Veterinary Medical Association and State Animal Health Officials to ensure adequate representation in both funding opportunities and projects funded.
  • Drafted annual accomplishment reports to convey program progress to other government agencies, industry partners, veterinary organizations, and management for program visibility and accountability.
  • Identified program manager placement for 121 funded projects.
  • Manage program public facing website content to provide program, application, and funded project information to the public.
  • Develop and present an average of 20 presentations annually on topics related funding opportunities and priorities to industry stakeholders.
  • Develop talking points, funding opportunity announcements, mini memos, information memos, decision memos, event briefings, sector meeting information, data call responses, congressional inquiry responses, and issue paper content for executives, the Secretary and Undersecretary of Agriculture, and industry stakeholders.
  • Analyzed operational processes to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop strategic initiatives and implement solutions.
  • Served as a program subject matter expert on management analysis principles, providing valuable counsel to stakeholders during critical business planning sessions.
  • Optimized project management practices by conducting comprehensive assessments of project plans and timelines, ensuring timely completion of deliverables without compromising quality standards or exceeding budgets.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased productivity.
  • Managed complex projects from inception through execution while maintaining strict adherence to timeline constraints.
  • Conducted gap analyses to pinpoint areas of weakness within the program and develop targeted solutions for growth.
  • Planning Section Chief for Avian Influenza outbreaks in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
  • Planning Section Chief for COVID-19 vaccines administer to public in Oregon.

Chief of Staff

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
02.2018 - 03.2020
  • Advised the Veterinary Services, Field Operations executives on policy development, operational and strategic planning, and provide daily management of program operations.
  • Liaised between executives and field offices with over 1700 staff to close communication gaps and facilitate information transfer between executives and field staff.
  • Drafted, cleared, and submitted over 400 requested action items or problem resolutions to the office of the Chief Veterinarian of the United States.
  • Provided project management to support special project working groups for field inspections, blood and tissue inspections, and communication plans.
  • Developed, coordinated, and managed individual performance plans for executive staff and directors ensuring performance objectives and targets align with strategic and organizational goals.
  • Led field operation meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.
  • Aligned unit goals with overall company vision, ensuring cohesive progress towards shared objectives.
  • Provided comprehensive support to executive team, enabling them to focus on critical decision-making and leadership tasks.
  • Elevated executive decision-making, providing comprehensive research and analysis on market trends.
  • Orchestrated high-level meetings to align departmental objectives, ensuring seamless interdepartmental cooperation.
  • Amplified executive effectiveness by managing complex schedules and prioritizing engagements based on strategic importance.
  • Expedited decision-making process, compiling and presenting concise executive summaries.
  • Facilitated leadership development workshops, contributing to stronger executive leadership pipeline.

Animal Identification Coordinator

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
08.2010 - 02.2018
  • Developed a disaster intake, tracking, and reporting system for Florida pet sheltering disasters that did not add to response cost by leveraging existing tools but using them in a new way and allowed a much more effective way to manage animals received at pet shelters. I received the State Agriculture Response Team award for these efforts.
  • Engaged State officials and private veterinary cinic practitioners to provide guidance and ensure proper application of the animal disease traceability (ADT) regulations.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with veterinary health regulations.
  • Managed various projects and consistently met deadlines and target dates while delivering impactful results that improve processes.
  • Successfully trained 170 veterinary emergency responders in Florida and Texas on the Incident Command System from 2016-2018.
  • Developed and maintained comprehensive project documentation to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Awarded for work as the recognized subject matter expert for swine traceability in Florida.
  • Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows and reduced response times.
  • Facilitated training sessions for new staff on regulatory procedures and best practices.
  • Managed scheduling and logistics for veterinary service inspections across multiple locations.
  • Collaborated with external stakeholders to align goals and enhance service delivery strategies.
  • Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
  • Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Gathered and organized materials to support operations.
  • Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by responding promptly to inquiries and addressing concerns professionally.
  • Collaborated with department heads to develop strategic plans aligning with overall company objectives, fostering a unified approach toward shared goals.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams, resulting in seamless project execution and enhanced outcomes.
  • Improved project outcomes with meticulous attention to detail in planning phases, ensuring all requirements were met ahead of deadlines.
  • Collaborated with IT to develop user-friendly project management tool, streamlining project tracking and reporting.
  • Collaborated with industry stakeholders to effectively implement an animal traceability program.
  • Planning Section Chief of a National Incident Management Team for Animal disease response.
  • Operations Section Chief for response to Exotic Newcastle Disease outbreak in Avian Species in California.
  • Incident Commander of New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak in Florida successfully eradicating NWS from the United States.
  • Planning Section Chief for Avian Influenza disease response in Iowa and Minnesota.
  • Planning Section Chief for animals and pet sheltering for three hurricanes in three states, Florida, Puerto Ricco, and Texas.

Animal Health Technician

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
03.2004 - 08.2010
  • Administered vaccinations and medications, ensuring compliance with health protocols.
  • Monitored animal health, identifying signs of illness and collecting samples for diagnosis promptly.
  • Streamlined inventory management processes for medical supplies, improving availability and reducing waste.
  • Educated animal owners on disease preventative practices.
  • Mentored junior technicians on best practices in animal care and handling techniques.
  • Developed training materials to enhance team knowledge on emerging veterinary technologies and methods.
  • Interacted with clients regarding animal health, questions and concerns, education on treatment protocol and general procedures.
  • Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
  • Contributed to team cohesion through collaboration on case management and sharing of professional knowledge.
  • Reduced patient stress with gentle handling techniques and effective communication with pet owners.
  • Educated pet owners on preventative care measures, promoting overall animal health in the community.
  • Promoted responsible pet ownership through public presentations at schools or local events regarding animal health topics.
  • Coordinated disease outbreak investigations by collecting data on affected animals to determine possible causes or contributing factors.
  • Managed emergency cases efficiently with prioritizing critical tasks based on urgency.
  • Enhanced laboratory efficiency by collecting, processing, and analyzing various samples for diagnostic purposes.
  • Collected, prepared and labeled samples for laboratory testing, culture, and microscopic examination.
  • Maintained detailed records of animal health and diagnostic testing.
  • Prepared, sterilized and maintained medical instruments and equipment.
  • Collected and prepared specimens for laboratory testing.
  • Served as a Local Registration Authority for the National Veterinarian Accreditation Program.
  • Certified Respiratory Fit Tester for emergency response personnel.

Program Assistant

Department Of Veterans Affairs - United States Government
08.1988 - 03.2004
  • Developed medical presentations (poster, PowerPoint, video, brochure, handout, reports, slide creation, and medical publications for physicians and other medical staff.
  • Analyze procedures and provide options to the department chief.
  • Provide patient advocacy and resolve customer issues.
  • Review procedures and provide statistical data for procedure improvements.
  • Schedule patient appointments, send out pre-visit procedure prep instructions.

Education

Nursing

Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Effective operational execution
  • Persuasive communication
  • Analytical problem solving
  • Team collaboration
  • Integrity-driven leadership
  • Project coordination
  • Workflow improvement
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Responsive to new challenges

Accomplishments

  • Supervised team of five staff members.
  • Used Microsoft Teams to increase team accountability and collaboration.
  • Developed disaster pet sheltering process for Florida increasing efficiency without additional costs.
  • Eradicated New World Screwworm from the United States in 2018.
  • Developed a response plan for New World Screwworm in 2018 that saved the government over $3M.
  • Developed team by creating developmental opportunities to aid in their advancement and also address succession planning.
  • Collaborated with team of five in the development of an in depth organizational guide.
  • Developed systems to increase reporting ability by 90 percent.

Certification

Six Sigma Certificate Project Management- Green belt 2023

Contracting Officer Representative Training 2015

Leadership Development Training 2013

Animal Appraisal Training 2007

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
American Sign Language
Elementary

Timeline

Chief of Staff

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services
02.2022 - 05.2025

Management Analyst

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
03.2020 - 02.2022

Chief of Staff

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
02.2018 - 03.2020

Animal Identification Coordinator

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
08.2010 - 02.2018

Animal Health Technician

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
03.2004 - 08.2010

Program Assistant

Department Of Veterans Affairs - United States Government
08.1988 - 03.2004

Nursing

Santa Fe College

Awards

APHIS Administrator’s Award for developing a new emergency notification system and standards, 2023

APHIS Administrator’s Award for the Farm Bill Program Implementation, 2020

APHIS Administrator’s Award for the 2016-17 New World Screwworm Eradication, 2017

Spot Awards- 2022 x3, 2021 x4, 2019 x6, 2018 x5, 2017 x6, 2016 x5, 2015 x5, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Alachua County Volunteer of the Year, 2012
Special Contribution Awards- 1994, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 x5, 2018 x6, 2019, 2020, 2021 x2, 2022 x4, 2023 x3, 2024 x4
Outstanding Rating - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 (moved to pass/ fail in 2020)
Florida State Agriculture Response Team Award-2013
Disabled American Veteran Citation for Outstanding Achievement -1995

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