Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Timeline
Generic
Open To Work

Mervin A. Peters

Litchfield Park,AZ

Summary

Dynamic Senior Operations Manager with over 23 years of military and joint civilian leadership experience, adept at managing P&L portfolios ranging from $2M to $27M and overseeing teams of over 500 in large-scale fulfillment and distribution operations across six international commands. Demonstrated proficiency in Lean Six Sigma methodologies and process improvement, achieving a significant 250% financial turnaround from a $110K deficit to a $250K surplus, while generating 1,400 man-hours in annual savings through digital modernization initiatives. Proven leader in talent development and organizational performance enhancement, consistently driving operational pass rates to 97% while effectively managing the full staffing lifecycle, including hiring and workforce development. Expertise in maintaining operational excellence within fast-paced, high-stakes environments, emphasizing accountability, a safety-first culture, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Poised to transition defense sector expertise into commercial operations management.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
7
7
Certification

Work History

Senior Operations Superintendent / Sustainment Services Director

U.S. Air Force, Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base, AZ
01.2024 - Current
  • Led a 71-person cross-functional team to deliver over 180,000 meals annually, ensuring high-quality service for 10,000+ customers across 14 NATO nations.
  • Drove quality and process improvement initiatives: Implement 58 career-field courses/OJT sessions, close 2-year training gap, achieve 95%+ completion rates 10 months ahead of schedule; enabled 97% operational pass rate and earn 14 institutional awards including 'Department of the Year'.
  • Built leadership bench strength: Developed Master Training List with 250+ training tasks across 7 departments; established professional development pipeline for 50+ current and future leaders.
  • Executed full staffing lifecycle: Interviewed, hired, promoted, and managed performance for 500+ personnel across six geographically separated locations; implemented accountability metrics driving 12% to 89% compliance improvement and 'perfect' inspection ratings.
  • Lead Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project: Secured 13 smart devices, digitized menu production/inventory processes, reclaimed 1,400 man-hours annually, reduce material waste, advance innovation goals; share best practices across 2 Major Commands (equivalent to 2 Major Corporate divisions).
  • Partnered with HR, Finance, Facilities, IT, Medical Group, and Security to secure resources for $650K equipment redistribution, $35K medical expense expediting, and facility modernization projects; supported 14,000 personnel and $5.4B assets.

Operations Manager / NAF Financial Manager

U.S. Air Force, Al Udeid Air Base
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Directed largest expeditionary non-appropriated fund ($2.2M) supporting 8,300 multinational personnel in 24/7 construction/distribution environment; manage 3,200+ morale events serving 416,000+ customers with flexible scheduling including overnight and holiday operations.
  • Applied Lean techniques to identify inventory variance; overhauled pricing structure converting $110K deficit to $250K surplus (first positive margin in 5 years); generated $4M annual sales.
  • Created financial matrix and multi-currency tracking system; vetted 1,200 transactions, optimize conversion fees saving $10K annually; shared best practices with 3 Air Force Force Generation cycles across global combat & defense network.
  • Managed 2,400 mission sorties and 200M+ pounds fuel/cargo delivery through strategic workforce regeneration.

Regional Operations Manager / Multi-Site Facilities Director

U.S. Air Force, Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base, NM
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Managed 24 programs supporting 500+ personnel across six international commands (network of facilities); synchronized 516 personnel records, align with enterprise force generation cycle, deployed 172 members globally.
  • Led 167-person team managing $5.4B in assets; achieved 12 unit-level excellence awards and 'Senior Manager of the Year' recognition (2022).
  • Selected as sole expert for enterprise evaluation system overhaul; championed new performance standards impacting 329,000 personnel organization-wide; shared best practices across all departments and shifts.
  • Established mortuary affairs team; coordinate 5 agencies, correct systemic backlogs, ensured 100% compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Filled Executive level void for 9 months, lead 112 personnel, maintain 24/7 operations while achieving Air Force Special Operations Command Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year recognition.

Operations Manager / Resource Advisor

U.S. Air Force, Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base, Italy
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • Managed $25M fitness complex (3 geographically separated facilities); achieved 'Department of the Month' 3 times, 2018 'Best Operations Team' award.
  • As Wing Inspection Team lead, evaluated 2 Major Accident Response Exercises, directed 4 Unit Effectiveness Inspections, identified/solved 8 discrepancies; enabled successful Nuclear Surety Inspection (highest safety standard).
  • Served as emergency response coordinator for 9 real-world contingencies and 3 Combatant Commanders; CPR/First Aid certified.
  • Sole military manager for 23-person civilian team; interviewed, hired, performance-managed, and developed $2M budget across 32 accounts; corrected 7 critical issues maximizing capabilities for 10,000 customers.
  • Executed emergency beddown of 188 personnel and 15 aircraft; relocated $49K in equipment within 24 hours; protected assets during regional crisis.

Operations Supervisor / Security & Training Manager

U.S. Air Force, Minot Air Force Base
Minot Air Force Base, ND
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Processed 662 security clearances; validated 356 requirements; cleared 243 personnel for sensitive facility access supporting critical national defense missions.
  • Overhauled security program; rewrote 9 standards and processes; exceeded command benchmarks by 33%; earned recognition from national career field manager.
  • Trained 60 personnel on professional development requirements; increased course pass rate to 94%; corrected 89 training record discrepancies; improved compliance from 85% to 100%
  • Managed 24-hour food production for 18 personnel during 45-hour nuclear security operation; enabled high-priority mission success.

Operations Supervisor / Food Service & Lodging Manager

U.S. Air Force, RAF Mildenhall, UK & Kuwait
RAF Mildenhall, UK & Kuwait
01.2008 - 01.2014
  • Maintained $30K monthly food inventory; processed $1.4M in vendor orders with 100% accuracy; earned consecutive 'Food Service Excellence' awards (2010-2011).
  • Managed 317 facilities valued at $26M in deployed environment; supported 45,000 flight hours and 5,800 missions; executed 940-member Marine Corps beddown; earned command recognition.
  • Evaluated 794 rooms across 480 labor hours; coordinated 4,000+ work orders; earned command 'Unsung Hero' recognition.
  • Authored three-year facility renovation project; established furniture replacement plan extending lifespan for 94 facilities and 796 rooms.
  • Streamlined lodging operations accounting for 206,000 bed-nights and $5.7M revenue with 100% accuracy.

Operations Specialist / Team Lead

U.S. Air Force, Various Locations
01.2003 - 01.2008
  • Completed intensive food service and operations training; progressed from apprentice to certified journeyman in hospitality and facility management.
  • Managed $4M lodging operation in UAE with 100% accountability for 3,500 personnel; led $200K facility upgrade improving quality of life for 1,000 residents.
  • Led $288K equipment discrepancy investigation; tracked and corrected 102 errors; restored account solvency for first time in 3 years
  • As Contracting Officer Representative, supervised $1M linen exchange contract; processed billing for 109,000 items while cutting costs by 75%.

Education

Master of Science - Information Systems Management (PMP track)

University of Arizona (Global Campus)
01.2025

Associate of Applied Science - Operations Management

Community College of the Air Force
01.2021

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration/Management

Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
01.2016

Skills

  • Operations & Leadership: P&L Management ($2M–$27M), Team Leadership (10–500), Full Staffing Lifecycle, Change Management, Cross-Functional Coordination, Crisis & Emergency Response
  • Financial & Business: Budget Forecasting & Allocation, Cost Reduction & Revenue Optimization, Contract Negotiation, Government Purchase Card, Multi-Currency Transaction Management, Vendor Relations
  • Technical & Compliance: Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt), Process Improvement (DMAIC), Safety & Quality Programs, IT Systems & Digital Transformation, Data Analytics (Power BI), CPR/First Aid Certified
  • Systems: Microsoft Office 365 (Expert), SharePoint, SAP, Defense Travel System, Enterprise Resource Planning, Standard Desktop Configuration, Status of Resources & Training Systems, Workflow Automation, Business Intelligence (BI), Agile

Certification

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt - USAF Continuous Process Improvement (OpusWorks Institute)
  • Resilience-Building Leadership Professional Trainer (RBLP-T) - Resilience-Building Leader Program
  • CPR/First Aid Certified - Red Cross/AHA
  • Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education - Non-Resident
  • NCO Academy Graduate - Air Force Professional Military Education
  • Information Assurance Officer - USAF
  • Defense Travel System Manager - USAF
  • Certified Responsible AI Leader (Crail) - StarGlobal

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award) | 2023–2024, Meritorious Service Medal (1st Award) | 2021–2023, Air Force Commendation Medal (4th Award) | 2018–2021, AFSOC A1 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year | 2022, 27 SOFSS Senior NCO of the Year | 2022, USAFE Best Sustainment Flight | 2018, Major General Eugene L. Eubank Award | 2017

Timeline

Senior Operations Superintendent / Sustainment Services Director

U.S. Air Force, Luke Air Force Base
01.2024 - Current

Operations Manager / NAF Financial Manager

U.S. Air Force, Al Udeid Air Base
01.2023 - 01.2024

Regional Operations Manager / Multi-Site Facilities Director

U.S. Air Force, Cannon Air Force Base
01.2021 - 01.2023

Operations Manager / Resource Advisor

U.S. Air Force, Aviano Air Base
01.2018 - 01.2021

Operations Supervisor / Security & Training Manager

U.S. Air Force, Minot Air Force Base
01.2014 - 01.2016

Operations Supervisor / Food Service & Lodging Manager

U.S. Air Force, RAF Mildenhall, UK & Kuwait
01.2008 - 01.2014

Operations Specialist / Team Lead

U.S. Air Force, Various Locations
01.2003 - 01.2008

Associate of Applied Science - Operations Management

Community College of the Air Force

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration/Management

Full Sail University

Master of Science - Information Systems Management (PMP track)

University of Arizona (Global Campus)