Michael A. Nalli
Yarmouth
Summary
Strategic School Safety and Operations Leader with 20+ years of executive leadership across K–12 education, federal service, and complex operational environments. Currently serving as Director of Operations and Safety for a 7-school district supporting 2,900 students and 550 staff, leading districtwide safety strategy, emergency preparedness, and partnerships with law enforcement and first responders. Former Commanding Officer in the United States Coast Guard with extensive experience managing high-risk operations, crisis response, and large multidisciplinary teams. Recognized for translating operational safety realities into strategic leadership decisions, building trusted relationships with public safety partners, and delivering modern security solutions that strengthen preparedness and protect communities.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations and Safety
South Portland School Department
South Portland, ME
01.2023 - Current
- Senior administrator and advisor to the Superintendent of South Portland School Department. Leads a team of 110 organized labor employees across transportation, facilities, food service, and security departments to provide operational excellence in support of 2,900 students, 550 staff members, and seven schools.
- Serve as senior safety advisor to the Superintendent for a 7-school district supporting 2,900 students and 550 staff, leading districtwide emergency preparedness, crisis response planning, reunification protocols, and coordination with local and state first responders to strengthen operational readiness.
- Directed a $4.1M districtwide school security modernization initiative, implementing secure vestibules, upgraded surveillance systems, and layered physical security controls across seven campuses to enhance compliance with evolving K-12 safety standards and best practices.
- Build trusted partnerships with school leadership, law enforcement, and community stakeholders, acting as the primary liaison for safety planning, incident response coordination, and public communication on school security initiatives.
- Lead 110-person cross-functional operations and safety workforce spanning transportation, facilities, food service, and security functions while maintaining critical daily operations for 1,700 transported students, 750,000+ sq. ft. of facilities, and 2,850+ daily meals across eight locations.
- Designed and implemented districtwide safety training and preparedness initiatives, including emergency response exercises and reunification planning, strengthening staff readiness and aligning district procedures with modern K-12 safety and incident management practices.
- Negotiated a three-year contract with the Service Employee Association (SEA). New contract corrected long-standing compensation inequalities between departments within the SEA and balanced competing demands within a budget constrained environment.
- Championed culture shift in operations department to focus on customer service. Recruited, hired, and onboarded new operations department leadership team with a shared view of mission priorities and service orientation.
- Reduced FY27 annual operating budget by 9% through staffing efficiencies following in-depth program review, creative staffing initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
- Developed an in-house training program for bus drivers. Training program addressed long standing staffing shortfalls, achieved 100% staffing levels, and created a long-term talent pipeline to ensure continuity of transportation services.
Operational Human Resources Manager
Cianbro Construction
Falmouth, ME
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Business partner to Northeast and Mid-Atlantic General Managers of the Building Market for The Cianbro Companies. Managed diverse personnel functions including hiring, retention, training, security, and professional development for 60+ multiple-disciplined employees in support of $350M in annual revenue.
- Hand-selected to manage the Human Resources Directors at two subsidiary companies after performing root cause analysis of staffing and company culture challenges. Developed training programs, hiring efficiencies, and employee engagement initiatives to improve recruiting and retention in highly competitive commercial construction labor market.
- Received company-wide Safety Award for leadership while assisting an employee in personal crisis. Leveraged full scope of HR resources and personal engagement to provide vital support and treatment.
- Leveraged relationship development, networking skills, and data analysis to recruit and onboard six senior leaders for the Buildings Market, significantly improving capacity to bid and execute large scale construction contracts.
Commanding Officer (CEO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ESCANABA
Boston, MA
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Lead a multi-disciplined team of 100 employees across four departments to mission success in an international operational environment. Singularly responsible and accountable for mission execution, risk management, crew training, and maintenance during 330 days of continuous operations on five deployments spanning the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- Commanded a 100-person multidisciplinary workforce during 330 days of continuous operational deployments, leading complex emergency response, risk management, and operational coordination across international waters while ensuring mission readiness and personnel safety.
- Directed high-stakes interdiction and crisis response operations resulting in the seizure of 23,000 lbs of illicit narcotics valued at $225M, demonstrating disciplined incident command, cross-agency coordination, and rapid decision-making in dynamic threat environments.
- Partnered with senior government leaders, including the Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and members of Congress to brief strategic maritime security priorities, translating complex operational realities into executive-level policy and investment discussions.
- Blended emergency response training and operational risk management to successfully interdict nine vessels smuggling 23,000 lbs of illicit narcotics valued at over $225M. Meticulous preparedness enabled seamless communications flow, decision making, and safe execution of high-stakes, complex missions.
- Oversaw the Leadership Diversity Advisory Council to create a positive workplace environment, encourage sharing unique talents and perspectives, and achieve the full potential of each individual crewmember. Exceptional workplace climate recognized during periodic surveys, external inspections, and receiving the Meritorious Unit Commendation award.
- Hosted the Coast Guard Commandant and Senator Jack Reed (D- Rhode Island) for strategic luncheon to advocate for homeporting the next generation of Coast Guard ships in Newport, RI. Lead discussion on unique capabilities and value proposition of the major cutter fleet.
- Displayed agile leadership to design and implement COVID-19 mitigation plans and safety protocols to maintain highest level of mission readiness and safeguard health of workforce while sustaining operations. Skillfully navigated pandemic-related supply chain disruptions to complete 100% of assigned missions on three deployments in remote operating areas during COVID-environment.
- Oversaw robust maintenance program to address both planned and emergent needs, including three large scale recapitalization projects of 77 work items valued at $1.7M, and 565 reoccurring preventative maintenance requirements.
Senior Vice President of Human Capital
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Lead 25-employee department executing human capital functions of a diverse workforce including military and civilian employees, and organized labor groups. Wide breath of responsibility included personnel policy development and implementation, conflict resolution, employee training, and security management.
- Served as the Chief Security Officer and Chair of the Security Working Group to oversee all security functions for 103-acre college campus with 1,600 students and faculty members. Managed 12-member Campus Police Department and $700,000 annual privatized security guard contract and increased physical security through innovative training programs and capital improvements.
- Managed preparation and execution of multiple Signature Events on campus including two graduations with the President and Vice President of the United States and 5,000 guests in attendance, nationally televised athletic events, high visibility alumni association events, and large-scale security conferences with local, state, and federal partner agencies.
- Served on the Inclusion Excellence Council, a steering committee to advise the Board of Directors and senior leadership on a myriad of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues and initiatives.
- Coordinated facilities engineering, IT, finance, medical, and human capital services in support of senior leadership of the Academics, Admissions, Athletic, and Military Training divisions.
Executive Officer (COO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter CAMPBELL
Kittery, ME
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Managed a multi-disciplined team of 100 employees across four departments responsible for $700K budget development/execution, crew training, planning/implementing daily operations, human capital management, and a myriad of administrative programs.
- Developed comprehensive training program to prepare crew for missions ranging from commercial fishery enforcement to counter-narcotic operations. Training program highlighted by 96% compliance rating on 640 line-item assessment and a 97% compliance rating during 65 practical training exercises in each operational category.
- Leveraged multiple revenue streams to properly outfit crew equipment, conduct essential maintenance, and complete habitably upgrades on 30+-year-old ship.
- Strict adherence to government acquisition and administrative regulations earned perfect score on external audit which evaluated 14 internal programs including Financial Management, Substance Abuse Prevention Program, Civil Rights Program, Educational Services, and Property Management.
- Completed 225 performance evaluation reports to provide feedback, coaching, and recognition. Utilized an array of corrective measures to address unsatisfactory performance, employee conflicts, and improve workforce satisfaction.
Division Head, Office of Cutter Management
First Coast Guard District
Boston, MA
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Directed 5-employee division to manage the scheduling, operations, training, and maintenance of 29 ships spanning from Maine to New Jersey. Responsible for distributing 43,800 resource hours valued at over $200M to meet mission demands across multiple enterprises throughout the District.
- Assigned resource hours to mission demands based on highest priority, asset capabilities, seasonality, and political sensitives. Exercised judgment and communicated to external stakeholders in circumstances of constrained resource hours and competing mission demands.
- Effectively absorbed 28% resource hour reduction during government sequestration without impact to readiness. Developed innovative new business rules to forecast highest risk mission areas and assigned resource hours to meet most critical operational demands.
- Planned and implemented annual training conference for over 475 employees located throughout the region. Centralized training event created an economy-of-scale for professional development and standardized mission execution across fleet.
Education
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) -
Boston University
01.2012
Officer Candidate School (OCS) - undefined
United States Coast Guard
01.2001
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - History
Stonehill College
01.2000
Study Abroad - undefined
School for International Training
Oaxaca, Mexico01.1998
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Strategy Development
- Team Building
- Program Management
- Communications
- Critical Thinking
- Risk Mitigation Management
- Human Capital Management
- Budget Development/Execution
Timeline
Director of Operations and Safety
South Portland School Department
01.2023 - Current
Operational Human Resources Manager
Cianbro Construction
01.2022 - 01.2023
Commanding Officer (CEO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ESCANABA
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Vice President of Human Capital
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
01.2016 - 01.2019
Executive Officer (COO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter CAMPBELL
01.2014 - 01.2016
Division Head, Office of Cutter Management
First Coast Guard District
01.2010 - 01.2014
Officer Candidate School (OCS) - undefined
United States Coast Guard
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - History
Stonehill College
Study Abroad - undefined
School for International Training
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) -
Boston University