Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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ROBERT EPPERSON

Pleasant Hill,CA

Summary

CEO/DIRECTOR / SENIOR MANAGER - OPERATIONS Non Profit/Transportation / CPI / Startups / Turnarounds / Change Management / Business Development / QA / Security Fleet Operations / Maintenance / Logistics / Safety / Inventory & Cost Control / Compliance / Training

A big-picture executive, I initiated strategies to improve the productivity, quality and cost efficiency of global service operations. With a broad functional background and leadership talents honed as a Navy Captain, I consistently meet strategic objectives by aligning and maximizing the use of all available resources. My transferable skills include: Streamlining operations to boost productivity/profitability Initiating effective strategies to ensure long-term success Building/leading operations and support teams Enhancing business processes to meet tight deadlines Thinking outside the box to resolve tough operational problems

Since earning a BA from California State University, Fresno, I have continued my professional development with studies in strategic planning, leadership, transportation services, labor relations, business development, change management and Best Practices. In myriad challenging environments, I deliver exceptional results.

Took the helm of a failing non profit, steered it through the Covid Pandemic and placed the Museum in a position to thrive. The USS Hornet

has generated surplus revenues since 2022 and has the largest cash sustained cash reserves in its

history.

  • Streamlined operations for improved efficiency, reducing overall costs and increasing profitability.
  • Drove continuous improvement by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and open communication across all levels of the organization.
  • Negotiated with suppliers and delivery workers and ordered materials according to forecasted customer demand.
  • Established foundational processes for business operations.
  • Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers and vendors, ensuring cost-effective procurement processes.
  • Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
  • Identified new revenue generation opportunities to maximize bottom-line profitability.

Results-driven [Job Title] with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth. Demonstrated record of success in building successful teams and managing profitable operations.

Overview

53
53
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Executive Officer

USS Hornet Museum
06.2020 - 02.2024

Responsible for operational,administrative, and financial performance of the USS Hornet Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, and a National and State Historic Landmark.

Owner

Bar 88 Ranch
01.2008 - 10.2016
  • Purchased run-down ranch and, through careful planning/exception effort, turned it into a fully-functional 40-acre ranching/farming operation
  • Developed business plan, complete with initial funding, and later capitalized on existing Federal Government programs to secure additional operating capital.

Regional Operations Executive/Chief Pilot

American Airlines/SFO (AA)
02.1999 - 01.2002
  • Initially recruited as a Flight Engineer
  • Promoted to S80 Captain in 1988, and served as 757/767 Captain until 2008 and Chief Pilot SFO from 1999 to 2001
  • Managing up to 980 cross-functional personnel, responsible for operational effectiveness of this major AA hub
  • Devised strategy that optimized overall service efficiency and was later adopted company-wide.

Reserve Deputy, Chief of Naval Air Warfare

United States Navy
09.1992 - 01.1999

Streamlined Naval air organization to save $500 millions while maintaining operational effectiveness. USNR air operations (aircraft, crew and bases), while critical, were in need of consolidation. Initiated bottom-up review to cut costs while ensuring proper support of Fleet operations worldwide. Saved $500M in 18 months Optimized performance of critical aircraft group. Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron 91, consisting of 9 P3C Orion reconnaissance aircraft, needed to be at peak readiness in support of the US Navy battle fleet during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Directed 525-person team, earning top QA/overall service ratings and two major awards in 18 months. Led creation of innovative electronics package to drive fleet performance. Key equipment packages on Navy's Orion aircraft needed upgrading. Invented digital surveillance system that enabled direct transmission of real-time, high-resolution imagery. Soon available fleet-wide, this innovation fostered more efficient/effective decision making.

Police Officer

City of Modesto
01.1971 - 01.1973
  • Served as a Patrol Officer for two years prior to entering Naval Flight Training
  • POST certificate, community affairs training.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Social Science

Fresno State College
Fresno, CA
06.1970

Skills

  • Organizational Leadership
  • Executive Leadership
  • Risk Management
  • Staff Management
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Visioning
  • Strategic Planning
  • Operational leadership
  • Organizational Growth

Accomplishments

  • Launched successful startup. Seized promising market opportunity, purchasing a run-down ranch property andcompletely refurbishing the infrastructure (buildings, fencing, irrigation system, etc.) in just four years. This includeddevelopment of business plan and securing initial funding as well as government assistance. Built lean team whichnow runs this fully operational 40-acre ranch/farm.
  • Significantly enhanced performance of major American Airlines hub. AA's entire San Francisco operationneeded improvement. Took charge of reorganization, devising strategy that would turn operation into a well-oiledmachine in 6 years. Virtually doubled pilots/aircraft available while honing maintenance and scheduling efficiency.
  • Streamlined Naval air organization to save $tens of millions while maintaining operational effectiveness.USNR air operations (aircraft, crew and bases), while critical, were in need of consolidation. Initiated bottom-upreview to cut costs while ensuring proper support of Fleet operations worldwide. Saved $500M in 18 months
  • Optimized performance of critical aircraft group. Patrol Squadron 91, consisting of 9 P3C Orion reconnaissanceaircraft, needed to be at peak readiness in support of the US Navy battle fleet during Operation Desert Shield/DesertStorm. Directed 525-person team, earning top QA/overall service ratings and two major awards in 18 months.
  • Led creation of innovative electronics package to drive fleet performance. Key equipment packages on Navy'sOrion aircraft needed upgrading. Invented digital surveillance system that enabled direct transmission of real-time,high-resolution imagery. Soon available fleet-wide, this innovation fostered more efficient/effective decision making.

Timeline

Chief Executive Officer

USS Hornet Museum
06.2020 - 02.2024

Owner

Bar 88 Ranch
01.2008 - 10.2016

Regional Operations Executive/Chief Pilot

American Airlines/SFO (AA)
02.1999 - 01.2002

Reserve Deputy, Chief of Naval Air Warfare

United States Navy
09.1992 - 01.1999

Police Officer

City of Modesto
01.1971 - 01.1973

Bachelor of Arts - Social Science

Fresno State College
ROBERT EPPERSON