Michael Buck

*Responsible for planning and executing the active workload to be completed within the Division and ensure that any barriers or obstacles are addressed in a timely manner and are vetted through each respective Technology office.

*Routinely identify the training needs of team members to ensure that they are on track to meet Certification and CLP requirements.

*Represent the Division regarding proposed timeline's, known issues, and expectations with each respective Technology Office to ensure that objectives are not only met but exceeded.

*Interpret Statutes, agency regulations, and policies and effectively communicate requirements to recipients and to DOE program/project staff.

*Proactively communicate with Senior Management regarding known issues that may impede goals and deadlines and ensure that a proposed solution or path-forward is included.

• Performed as a lead Contracting Officer for both the BTO/GTO and Closeout Branches and was responsible for ensuring that the current workload was processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Communicated complex issues to management on a regular basis and ensured that all vested parties had input into correcting known issues
• Provided guidance and training to Division staff as needed and ensured that necessary training and tools were made available
• Actively monitored ARRA de-obligation awards and worked with Technology Offices to ensure that all recipients were aware of Statutory requirement to de-obligate funds by fiscal year-end while receiving acceptable final deliverables needed for closeout.

• Responsible for coordinating and reporting to senior management all phases of the award process for the Bioenergy and Fuel Cell Technologies and award Closeout for all Programs cognizant to the Golden Financial Assistance Office
• Coordinated a Lean Six Sigma process for award closeouts and effectively communicated proposed process to Senior Management which included the technical Operations Supervisors
• Assisted Branch Chiefs/Team Leads in addressing complex award issues and collaborated with technology offices to reach resolution
• Addressed significant personnel issues in coordination with Legal Counsel and Human Capital Office.

• Currently performing as a lead Contracting Officer for both the BTO/GTO and Closeout Branches and responsible for ensuring that the current workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner
• Communicate complex issues to management on a regular basis and ensure that all vested parties have input into correcting known issues
• Provide guidance and training to Division staff as needed and ensure that necessary training and tools are made available
• Actively monitoring ARRA de-obligation awards and working with Technology Offices to ensure that all recipients are aware of Statutory requirement to de-obligate funds by September 30th while receiving acceptable final deliverables needed for closeout.

• As a Branch Chief assigned to support the Solar program, I developed innovative practices along with sound workflow distribution and reporting processes
• Effectively managed the team members’ appraisal process and was able to rapidly adapt to changing work environments and requirements
• Supported a teaming approach to goal attainment and immediately addressed all performance issues in an open and direct fashion
• Ensured that all workload was distributed in an equitable manner and successfully managed and supervised the productivity and quality of work of staff
• Have consistently encouraged staff to work diligently to meet or exceed established deadlines and to be innovative to improve processes and practices
• Coordinated the reviews of special terms and conditions, termination actions, and other legal reviews such as the Energy Policy Act eligibility
• Provided expert advice and guidance, consistent with existing regulations, policies and procedures, to both Branch members and senior technical staff on the selection of the most optimal funding mechanism among grants, cooperative agreements, and technology investment agreements (TIA).

• Served as a Supervisory Branch Chief initially for the Solar program and transferred to Biomass program for remainder of term
• Mentored team members in the selection and application of appropriate problem solving methods and techniques
• Responsible for ensuring that all workload was distributed equitably and was being processed in a timely and accurate manner
• Consistently provided or arranged for training to create efficiencies in achieving branch-wide tasks
• Ensured that team was functioning in accordance with Division Director’s work priorities, deadlines, and quality requirements
• Conducted administrative functions such as individual performance plan reviews, leave and work schedule approval, recommending performance awards, and communicating known issues in advance to Division Director for discussion and resolution
• Applied both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze team efficiency and implemented corrective actions when required
• Coordinated corrective actions for recipients who had significant audit findings and collaborated with both the cost-price staff and the cognizant project officer for a reasonable and timely resolution
• Provided expert advice and interpreted the impact of changes in applicable policy, laws and regulations on the financial assistance award and administration process.