Patrick E. Velarde
Lithia
Summary
Seasoned leader with a proven track record at the Department of the Navy, and Air Force, adept in investigative analysis of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, bad behavior and fostering workforce development. Spearheaded initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency, effectiveness and integrity, leveraging critical thinking and effective communication to drive results. Excelled in risk management and audit oversight, significantly improving organizational accountability and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Complaints Resolution Directorate
Department of the Air Force
MacDill Air Force Base, FL.
07.2023 - Current
- Responsible to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints from military personnel, civilian employees, and external parties regarding potential issues like fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, or violations of policy, all while upholding impartiality and confidentiality;
- Addressed concerns of Military Whistleblowers, and allegations of Retaliation and Restriction
- Led strategic initiatives to drive operational efficiency.
- Examine evidence provided to determine solution maintaining confidentiality
- Implemented innovative solutions for improving process workflows for efficient and timely resolutions.
- Enhanced team performance by developing targeted training programs.
- Streamlined communication channels to foster collaboration among Inspector Generals from other base commands.
- Improved stakeholder engagement by facilitating transparent discussions.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement with feedback mechanisms.
- Spearheaded marketing campaigns to enhance IG's visibility.
- Optimized resource allocation for maximizing project outcomes.
- Established performance metrics to track progress and drive results.
- Provided mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as sales forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management.
Command Inspector General
Department of the Navy
Yokosuka, Japan
01.2022 - 07.2023
- Managed Command IG office comprised of US Citizens and Japanese investigators, auditors, data analytics professionals, and interpreters.
- Maintain transparent communication with Commanding Officer and Leadership on deficiencies identified in audits, inspections, and assisted in establishing corrective plans of actions.
- Administered the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline and Managers' Internal Control Program.
- Conducted investigations in compliance with standards of independence, completeness, timeliness and accountability.
- Provided administrative and technical supervisor to the American and Japanese workforce.
- Conducted thorough reviews of departmental functions, programs, operations to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Enhanced accountability by implementing transparent auditing processes.
- Identified potential risks, recommending preventive measures to safeguard organization.
- Investigated allegations of misconduct, leading to improved organizational integrity.
- Coordinated with external agencies for joint investigations, fostering cooperative relationships.
- Developed comprehensive reports for senior management, providing insights into operational efficiency.
- Assessed internal controls to strengthen financial oversight and reduce discrepancies.
- Led investigations into complex cases, ensuring thorough and impartial evaluations.
Command Evaluation and Review Officer
Department of the Navy
Corona, CA
08.2012 - 12.2021
- Administered the Managers' Internal Control Program
- Conduced compliance assessment of programs, functions, and systems with focus on economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations.
- Conducted independent, unbiased, command directed investigations.
- Conducted planned internal reviews and inspections, reporting on compliance and performance standards.
- Interpreted rules, regulations, policies, and guidance.
- Served as the Command's Contract Fraud, Risk Assessment and Mitigation Representative in response to contract related inquiries and contract anomalies.
- Ensured compliance with established standards through regular inspections.
- Strengthened Command communication through regular briefings and updates.
- Improved department efficiency by streamlining and implementing policies and processes.
- Managed departmental budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for necessary equipment and training.
- Established protocols for handling sensitive information, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with legal standards.
- Conducted thorough investigations into complex cases, leading to successful resolution of numerous high-profile incidents.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
Congressional Affairs Specialist
Department of the Navy
Washington, DC
03.2011 - 07.2012
- Responsible for addressing Congressional complaints.
- Coordinated with House and Senate Staff members to address Congressional complaints.
- Knowledgeable of Congressional policies and protocol in a high tempo environment.
- Liaison with Naval Sea Systems Command Program Executive Offices in response to variety of complaints.
- Briefed leadership on developments of significant proposals and legislation.
- Analyzed data trends for optimizing authoritative responses and tracking corrective actions to completion.
Personnel/Legal Officer
U.S. Marine Corps
Camp Pendleton, CA
08.1981 - 02.2012
- Human Resource Program Manager administration of military personnel, pay and allowances, orders, travel claims, training , staffing, budgeting, and execution of orders.
- Equal Employment Command Representative addressing concerns of discrimination.
- Managed cadre of administrators, oversight and inspections of administrative units.
- Conducted detailed legal research for strategy development.
- Improved understanding of legal procedures.
- Reviewed disciplinary actions and conducted command directed inquiries.
Legislative Analyst
State of California, County of Orange
Santa Ana, CA
09.2001 - 09.2011
- Conducted independent analysis of congressional measures affecting Election laws on a wide range of policy issues.
- Supported informed decision-making for policymakers with accurate data collection and interpretation of Election codes.
- Identified areas for policy improvement by analyzing existing legislation and regulations.
- Participated in training programs to enhance professional skills, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of legislative trends and procedures.
- Coordinated outreach efforts to educate citizens about important policy changes, promoting civic engagement.
- Tracked state and county bills, local agendas, motions and ordinances.
- Drafted Election policy measures.
Office of Public Defender, Law Clerk
County of Riverside
Indio, CA
09.1992 - 10.1993
- Researched laws, court decisions and other documents relevant to cases before court to aide in judge's decision-making.
- Assisted attorneys with case organization and administrative tasks.
- Managed administrative duties such as filing documents, scheduling meetings and tracking case statuses.
- Reviewed complaints, petitions, motions and pleadings to aid in determining admissibility.
- Coordinated and prepared exhibits and other materials for hearings.
- Met with clients to discuss upcoming depositions and arbitrations.
- Upheld the highest standards of professionalism, demonstrating a commitment to integrity and impartiality in all aspects of judicial service.
- Streamlined the review process, preparing concise and accurate synopses of oral arguments.
- Maintained an organized system for tracking cases throughout their lifecycle in chambers, optimizing workflow efficiency.
- Provided valuable insight into case law trends through continued monitoring of legal publications and news sources related to assigned areas of jurisprudence.
- Ensured accuracy in legal citations by carefully checking all drafted documents against relevant sources before submission for review.
- Created and prepared legal drafts by organizing and assembling information for legal documents and forms.
- Investigated facts and laws to determine strategies for case preparation.
- Developed and implemented processes for efficient tracking of court documents.
- Conducted legal research on law, providing thorough memoranda.
Education
J.D. - Law
Western State University, College of Law
Fullerton, CABBA - Business Administration
National University
San Diego, CASkills
- Investigative Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Workforce Development
- Interviewing Techniques
- Team leadership
- Operational oversight
- Project Oversight
- Risk Management
- Audit Management
- Resource allocation
- Quality assurance
- Analytical Data Skills
- Effective Communication Skills
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of investigators, auditors, translators, with a workforce of U.S. Civil Service, Military, Contractors (American and Japanese).
Certification
Naval Sea Systems Command:
Certified Investigator
Certified Inspector
Certified Evaluator
Department of the Air Force
Certified Investigator
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Japanese
Elementary
Timeline
Director, Complaints Resolution Directorate
Department of the Air Force
07.2023 - Current
Command Inspector General
Department of the Navy
01.2022 - 07.2023
Command Evaluation and Review Officer
Department of the Navy
08.2012 - 12.2021
Congressional Affairs Specialist
Department of the Navy
03.2011 - 07.2012
Legislative Analyst
State of California, County of Orange
09.2001 - 09.2011
Office of Public Defender, Law Clerk
County of Riverside
09.1992 - 10.1993
Personnel/Legal Officer
U.S. Marine Corps
08.1981 - 02.2012
J.D. - Law
Western State University, College of Law
BBA - Business Administration
National University