Melissa Gallaher
Riverview
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, data management, processes, and administrative oversight. Adept at performing comprehensive analyses and evaluations to support senior leadership and enhance operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability to deliver impactful presentations and prepare detailed reports with substantive quantitative and qualitative data. Proven track record in coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and compliance with federal training regulations. Skilled in conducting independent studies, making strategic recommendations, and implementing process improvements to optimize data collection programs and governance. Eager to contribute to a new organization, while leveraging a diverse skill set and commitment to excellence in contributing to the mission success.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Specialist - Training Manager
St. Petersburg Regional Office – Veterans Benefits Administration
01.2024 - Current
- Partner with program management to successfully implement process improvements and corrective actions, enhancing overall operational efficiency
- Deliver impactful presentations on program initiatives, policies, and best practices, improving staff knowledge and compliance
- Ensure training programs remain relevant and effective by adeptly managing their implementation and ongoing maintenance
- Align learning programs with VA values and legal requirements by delivering strategic recommendations to leadership
- Maintain high standards across multiple departments by ensuring strict compliance with VA's mandatory training requirements
- Assure seamless operation of training systems by maintaining accurate user accounts and Profile Maintenance
- Spearhead the development and implementation of a learning and development program, significantly boosting employee engagement, skills, and productivity
- Enhance training consistency and effectiveness by efficiently coordinating training initiatives across divisions
- Strengthen supervisors' and employees' capabilities by delivering thorough training on accessing and utilizing learning products and plans
- Partner with program management on recommendations, process improvements, and corrective action plans as well as managing training and learning assets and curriculum
- Develop and deliver educational and informational presentations on program initiatives, policies, guidelines, and best practices for evaluating and implementing integration opportunities and projects related to the Veteran Affairs Talent Management System
- Improve training metrics measurement and reporting by consistently preparing accurate weekly training reports
- Provide targeted training solutions by thoroughly analyzing division reports to identify the efficiency and effectiveness of current training practices and address future training needs
- Minimize disruptions to training activities by effectively resolving TMS account issues
Executive Staff Assistant
St. Petersburg Regional Office – Veterans Benefits Administration
08.2021 - 01.2024
- Delivered comprehensive executive direction and technical support, leveraging administrative expertise to optimize office functions for the Director and Assistant Directors
- Developed and implemented tracking systems to manage and monitor all actions and queries, ensuring timely responses and accurate task completion
- Facilitated efficient communication by drafting, reviewing, and disseminating written reports, policies, decision memos, and briefing materials, enhancing information flow
- Authenticated and ensured the accuracy of documents for signature and approval, maintaining high standards of quality control
- Coordinated the Director’s calendar, organized meetings, and planned events, optimizing time management and operational efficiency
- Managed travel authorizations and vouchers, and processed all timekeeping actions, ensuring accurate and timely payroll and administrative support
- Monitored budget expenditures for awards, maintaining financial oversight and alignment with regional office programs
- Strategically prioritized and resolved administrative issues independently, utilizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills to maintain seamless operations
- Liaised with internal and external stakeholders, fostering relationships to streamline responses to inquiries and tasks, and ensuring effective coordination
- Proficiently utilized Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, and VBA systems including VBMS, MAST, and Concur, to enhance productivity and data management
- Conducted thorough research and analysis to keep leadership informed on significant matters, improving decision-making processes
- Acted as liaison, managing communications with staff, agencies, and the public, and handled high-level correspondence in the absence of senior leadership
- Planned and coordinated meetings, conferences, and offsites attended by business lines and senior leaders
- Facilitated contract of meeting spaces, assisted with agendas, and coordinated all attendee engagement to include travel authorizations, audio visual needs, PowerPoint presentations, and room-set-up
Chief of Protocol
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
12.2019 - 08.2021
- Headed protocol operations for major events attended by US Congress, Department of State, Department of Defense, and foreign dignitaries
- Supervised two personnel in-person and virtually, optimizing efficiency for flawless execution of ceremonies, conferences, briefings, and official functions
- Interpreted and implemented Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force, and Department of Defense protocol policies for over 5,700 personnel, ensuring adherence to procedural standards
- Delivered detailed briefings and advisories to military and civilian senior leaders on protocol matters, demonstrating exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Orchestrated distinguished visitor (DV) itineraries, aligning with commander objectives and visitor expectations through comprehensive knowledge of organizational structure and base activities
- Assigned tasks to protocol specialists and project officers, ensuring high-quality work and effective direction of protocol functions
- Managed Official Representation Funds (ORF) and Special Morale and Welfare (SM&W) funds, ensuring compliance with Air Force and Department of Defense directives
- Served as a liaison for Key Spouse Mentors, providing guidance on etiquette and protocol procedures
- Achieved Ambassador recognition for superior support by leading protocol logistics for the Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control visit, coordinating with a 6-member team for nuclear modernization program tours
- Directed protocol security and logistics for the Secretary of Energy visit, including two CODELs, the Governor of ND, and a 19-member travel party, ensuring all honors and courtesies were observed
- Authored security plan and visit itinerary for Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and spouse visit to include the Commander of the U.S
- Strategic Command and 12-member travel party during COVID-19 restrictions, lauded as exception visit
- Planned/executed visit itinerary for 6 CODELs, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the AF to discuss nuclear modernization and female security forces body armor improvements
- Visit was flawlessly executed to ensure each objective was met
- Authored and implemented COVID-19 protocol guidance for events and ceremonies, safely conducting 24 events and 30 ceremonies while maintaining proper customs and courtesies
- Improved office processes by updating event and ceremony checklists and templates, providing access to 5,700 personnel, and establishing internal visit process tracking tools, recouping over 50 staff hours
Planning and Program Specialist: Executive Assistant
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
04.2018 - 12.2019
- Lead administrative authority for the installation; provides guidance to eight administrative professionals
- Executive assistant to the 5th Bomb Wing Commander and Vice Commander
- Routinely and effectively analyses complex issues and participates in the planning and execution of special projects, work processes and initiatives associated with policy development, performs assignments, conducts research, and recommends appropriate actions that impacts the installation and subordinate units
- Aids in development of timely and executable plans of action for programs and projects that require extensive coordination with congressional staffers, Department of Defense, Air Force Global Strike Command, Eighth Air Force, 91st Missile Wing, group commanders and local civic leaders
- Ensures both the wing commander’s and vice commander’s objectives are met and adhere to governing directives and schedules are adjusted accordingly to fit changing requirements to integrate within the intent of the strategic calendar
- Provides administrative support to internal and external agencies for diversified programs, projects, and activities involving coordination with multiple functional areas including civic organizations
- Manages schedules and coordinates significant wing activities, exercises, assessments, and visits
- Scheduled over 8,600 calendar appointments in support of the installation commander and vice commander in coordination with the command chief, director of staff, group commanders and various base leadership
- Devised and oversaw development of wing correspondence tracking systems enabling communication and follow-up tracking of suspenses to subordinate agencies
- Manages and reviews all incoming correspondence, evaluations, and decorations prepared by others for procedural and grammatical accuracy, conformance with general administrative policies, and factual correctness
Administrative Executive Support Services – Rank/Grade: Master Sergeant (E-7), USAF
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
03.2015 - 08.2017
- Led executive support for the 5th Bomb Wing leadership team (Commander, Vice Commander, Command Chief, and Director of Staff), overseeing administrative functions and guiding a team of five to maintain operational efficiency
- Utilized automated systems to track deadlines and coordinate tasks for Wing Staff Agencies, streamlining operations effectively
- Maintained records in compliance with regulations and policies, resulting in top-notch performance during Unit Compliance Inspection
- Organized and oversaw video teleconference equipment for two wings, fostering effective communication between leadership teams and DoD agencies
- Worked closely with department managers to enhance communication flow and support the Commander's vision for effective support services
- Provided technical guidance to staff, scheduling work assignments, resolving disputes, and reviewing training efforts for continuous improvement
- Delivered regular reports and staffing updates to senior leadership, showcasing strong written and verbal communication skills
- Handled all communication for wing staff initiatives, delivering administrative support to a base community of over 5,700 personnel
- Authorized travel arrangements and allocated a $118K budget for 151 staff members, while also supervising Government Purchase Card expenses and prioritizing a $200K annual budget efficiently
- Organized manpower, training, and deployment schedules for 37 team members, evaluating processes and training methods for optimal performance
- Leveraged superior leadership traits, while supervising 37 personnel across 7 groups and 2 wings as the Base 3A1X1 Functional Manager for Administration personnel, optimizing work processes, analyzing employee performance, and training initiatives
Administrative Support Services – Rank/Grade: Technical Sergeant (E-6), USAF
5th Maintenance Group – Department of Defense (DOD)
08.2011 - 03.2015
- Aided the 5th Maintenance Group Commander, Deputy Commander, and Superintendent, managing all administrative functions and supervising eight personnel
- Liaised with the Military Personnel Flight on personnel issues for four squadrons and 1,700 personnel, ensuring effective coordination
- While deployed to Afghanistan, authored the first 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force (AETF-A) staff guide, implemented at eight joint and coalition staffs, standardizing theater business rules of engagement
- Established a file plan for deployed headquarters, resolving a 7-year deficiency and protecting archives in accordance with Air Force instructions and public laws
- Governed deployed protocol program, coordinating all presentations, all-calls, and distinguished visitor itineraries, including visits from senior Air Force leadership
- Scheduled transportation for leadership through International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) schedulers, demonstrating strong problem-solving and team-building skills to ensure office efficiency
- Reviewed incoming correspondence and processed 1,226 group awards, performance reports, and decorations, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Oversaw records management, Freedom of Information Act, and Privacy Act programs, leading 76 squadron records custodians and conducting 36 Staff Assistance Visits
- Established stringent workflow processes, tracking over 384 tasks with a 99 percent on-time rate for higher headquarters suspenses
- Provided executive support to the 9 AETF-A Commander while deployed, organizing projects and programs in support of ongoing theater operations
- Developed an end-of-tour tracker for headquarters leadership, providing real-time rotation data for 4,500 personnel across three wings and two groups
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Management
Park University
Parkville, MOAssociate’s Degree - Information Resources Management
Community College of Air Force
Montgomery, ALJMAR Protocol Training -
Austin, TXAir Force Protocol Fundamentals Course -
Wright-Patterson AFB
Certificate, Professional Manager Certification -
Community College of Air Force
Montgomery, ALSkills
- MS Office Suite
- Outlook
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Access
- MS SharePoint
- Adobe Acrobat
- Web-based programs
Awards
- Delta Mu Delta Honor Society in Business, 2014 – Present
- Exemplary Civilian Service Award, 2
Training
Professional Manager Certification, Community College of Air Force, Montgomery, AL
Skills
Expert in maintaining high standards across multiple departments and ensuring strict compliance with VA's mandatory training requirements., Well-versed in researching and identifying emerging adult learning concepts for potential adoption and implementation, driving continuous improvement in the learning environment., Deft at liaising with HCS and learning consortium divisions to facilitate effective communication and coordination, supporting learning and professional development activities., Experienced in interpreting federal training-related regulations, policies, and procedural requirements to advise directors on learning, professional development, and training management activities.
Timeline
Program Specialist - Training Manager
St. Petersburg Regional Office – Veterans Benefits Administration
01.2024 - Current
Executive Staff Assistant
St. Petersburg Regional Office – Veterans Benefits Administration
08.2021 - 01.2024
Chief of Protocol
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
12.2019 - 08.2021
Planning and Program Specialist: Executive Assistant
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
04.2018 - 12.2019
Administrative Executive Support Services – Rank/Grade: Master Sergeant (E-7), USAF
5th Bomb Wing – Department of Defense (DOD)
03.2015 - 08.2017
Administrative Support Services – Rank/Grade: Technical Sergeant (E-6), USAF
5th Maintenance Group – Department of Defense (DOD)
08.2011 - 03.2015
Bachelor’s Degree - Management
Park University
Associate’s Degree - Information Resources Management
Community College of Air Force
JMAR Protocol Training -
Air Force Protocol Fundamentals Course -
Wright-Patterson AFB
Certificate, Professional Manager Certification -
Community College of Air Force
Similar Profiles
Tanya AllbrittenTanya Allbritten
Management Analyst at Veterans Benefits AdministrationManagement Analyst at Veterans Benefits Administration
Courtney KordiyakCourtney Kordiyak
Supervisory Veterans Service Representative at Veterans Benefits AdministrationSupervisory Veterans Service Representative at Veterans Benefits Administration
Vi DiepVi Diep
Business Transformation at VA VICCS, Veterans Benefits AdministrationBusiness Transformation at VA VICCS, Veterans Benefits Administration