- Working in my workshop woodworking, welding, automotive mechanics
- Documenting and sharing travel experiences
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
ROBY (ROB) SCHAFER
Beavercreek,OH
Summary
Dynamic Senior Manager with over 45 years of extensive experience in weapon systems program management, test and evaluation, and information technology. Proven track record of leading high-performing teams to resolve complex challenges and ensure the successful deployment of advanced weapon systems. Expertise in navigating multifaceted projects and driving innovation. Committed to delivering results that enhance operational efficiency and mission success.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Manager, Support Contractor
Astrion, LLC. (formerly Oasis Systems, Inc.), AFLCMC/GBM, Business Enterprise Systems, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2022 - Current
- Prepared and staffed all Clinger-Cohen, Privacy Act, and Section 508 documentation. Oversaw compliance processes and offered strategic guidance to ensure MRO Business Category I program met regulatory requirements.
Airlift Section Chief, Mobility Air Forces Branch
AFLMC/WNSM – Simulators Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2021 - 05.2022
- Managed 6 training programs, leading 86 personnel and supervising 12 employees to deliver comprehensive training systems valued at $612 million annually.
Chief, Combat Sensors Branch
AFLCMC/WAQ - F-15 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
08.2017 - 05.2021
- Led 40+ personnel, delivering $2.9B F-15E APG-82(V)1 radar upgrades and $1.38B F-15C APG-63(V)3 radar, $666M Infra-red Search and Track (IRST), and other critical F-15 sensor capabilities
- Conceptualized and implemented innovative "Eagle Vision" OEM-direct radar procurement strategies for F-15EX, driving significant cost savings.
Chief, Operational Flight Programs (OFP) Branch
AFLCMC/WAQ - F-15 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
02.2016 - 07.2017
- Led 3 OFP efforts and 1 special project valued at $150M annually: 1 ACAT II, 2 ACAT III
- Directed Suite 7C lessons learned and initiated continuous capacity releases
Volunteer Deployment
Ministry of Defense Advisor (MODA), Resolute Support, CSTC-A EF-1 Procurement Advisor to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), Kabul Afghanistan
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Attended 7-week advisor course then deployed to Afghanistan to train, advise, and assist members of the Afghan Ministry of the Interior (MoI) on procurement building capacity
- Procurement Advisor to Brig Gen Popal, Director, Central Procurement, Afghanistan MoI, and mentored Afghan procurement team members
Chief, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Branch
AFLCMC/WWMD – F-16 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
07.2013 - 01.2015
- Led Branch of 13 modification and new aircraft production FMS programs of nearly $24B
- Supervised 12 personnel and drove Branch employee awards recognition—6 Division and 2 Directorate wins in 2013
- Interfaced regularly with Senior Foreign Officials, AFSAC, and SAF/IA on F-16 FMS programs to improve international cooperation and program execution
Chief Developmental Test Manager
AFLCMC/WIG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.2010 - 07.2013
- Timely executed all blocks of developmental test for $9B ACAT 1D program
- Insured successful completion of Communications Node Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON)
- Led 4 certifications for Blocks 20/30/40 operational testing paving the way to fielding and operations in theater for Block 30 and early operational capability for Block 40
- Regular GO/SES interaction at OSD/Air Staff/AFOTEC/AFFTC - briefed OSD Blue Ribbon Panel on Global Hawk Test processes
Block 20/30 Program Manager
303 AESG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
09.2008 - 01.2010
- Developed way forward for a new baseline schedule, saving 6 months schedule and $20M
- Developed new test schedule within 90 days per DoD 5000.2
- Championed concept of conducting sensor acceptance at the operational location - Beale AFB, key to Nunn-McCurdy schedule breach recovery
- Developed and implemented strategic plans for program execution and resource allocation.
Risk Manager, Deputy Block 20 and Deputy Test Manager
303 AESG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2006 - 09.2008
- Led successful annual Integrated Risk Assessment (IRA) and improved the Risk Tool
- Organized and directed efforts/schedules and managed costs for the Test IPT
- Led SATAF and delivery of first Block 20 aircraft to Beale AFB
Chief, Contracting Systems Branch
Readiness Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
12.2005 - 05.2006
- Directed a multi-disciplined staff to execute Customer data warehouse and automated Purchase Request requirements within cost, performance, and schedule
- Immediately produced three Contractor Performance Assessment Reports to bring programs current
Warehouse Workgroup Manager
Financial Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
02.2002 - 12.2005
- Workgroup Manager for all Air Force financial system warehousing efforts; established the vision and prepared the acquisition strategy for a consolidated contract to migrate FM decision support systems to the GCSS-AF Integrated Framework (IF)
- Led the Commander’s Resource Integration System (CRIS) data warehouse for Wing financial execution for 13,500 Users across the Air Force) and the Keystone Decision Support System (KDSS - data warehouse for the Air Force Working Capital Fund) teams
- Prepared the justification and approval and subsequent contract for CRIS continuation
- Streamlined the Keystone Help Desk and database support, saving over $400,000 annually
Senior Systems Analyst
Titan Corporation – Supporting Financial Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Provided superior acquisition support to AF Financial Systems Division, Materiel Systems Group for LeaveWeb and Command Management System (CMS)
- Developed and deployed LeaveWeb military leave accounting - USAF’s first web application
Program Manager
AdTech Systems Research Incorporated, Dayton, OH
02.1996 - 01.1997
- Secured three government contracts through effective management of composite materials laboratory. Prepared five comprehensive proposals that showcased laboratory capabilities. Delivered impactful results in proposal submissions.
- Directed the development and implementation of Ohio’s first composite materials bikeway bridge to enhance transportation infrastructure.
Deputy Chief
Propulsion Logistics Management Branch, Propulsion Directorate, Tinker AFB, OK
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Supervised 75 personnel conducting planning and logistics management for 17,800 gas turbine engines valued at over $15B and tracked critical parts - kept engine line flowing
F-16 Aircraft Requirements Manager and Acquisition Management Inspector
Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1992 - 01.1996
- F-16 and Low Altitude Night Targeting Infra-Red Night (LANTIRN) Action Officer responsible for coordinating requirements; resolved critical program issues to transform faltering LANTIRN support – proposed idea to eliminate Block 40 brake stack and use larger Block 50 for both
- Evaluated AFMC organizational performance and program management processes and effectiveness; conducted two acquisition process reviews for how the Air Force develops depot maintenance requirements, and how well the Air Force organized to manage weapon systems
Deputy Program Manager
Training Systems, Human Systems Program Office, Brooks AFB, TX
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Deputy Program Manager for the Advanced Training and Base Training Systems; prepared plans, cost estimates, budgets, and acquisition strategies for these two large integrated computer systems
Chief, Program Support Branch
Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX
01.1985 - 01.1989
- Responsible for $6M annual budget for training research, expanded role to contract management, and supervised six military and civilian personnel
- Led Logistics Material Control Activity (LMCA) accounting for all laboratory assets
Field Support Manager
F-16 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1981 - 01.1985
- Led engine, flight controls, and structural integrity field support teams, reviewing engineering change proposals and coordinating them with ACC and participating country representatives
- Coordinated directive messages to the field and presented decision briefings to General Officers
- Oversaw creation of pioneering online maintenance data collection system for F-16 aircraft, streamlining data management processes.
Education
B.S. - Management
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO05-1980
M.B.A. - Production Operations Management
Saint Mary’s University
San Antonio, TX05-1988
Program Management Course -
Defense Systems Management College
Ft. Belvoir, VA08-1991
Skills
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Continuous process refinement
- Team leadership and direction
- Collaborative decision making
- Effective project coordination skills
- Analytical problem-solving
- Skilled in MS Office applications
Certification
- Level III - Program Management
- Level II - Test and Evaluation
- Level I - Information Technology
Interests
Awards
ISR & SOF Directorate Category III Civilian of the Year for 2010
Training
Completed Sinclair University's Leadership Certificate Development Program - 2012
Clearance
TS/SCI eligible, enrolled in Continuous Evaluation on 17 Dec 2019
Timeline
Senior Program Manager, Support Contractor
Astrion, LLC. (formerly Oasis Systems, Inc.), AFLCMC/GBM, Business Enterprise Systems, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2022 - Current
Airlift Section Chief, Mobility Air Forces Branch
AFLMC/WNSM – Simulators Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2021 - 05.2022
Chief, Combat Sensors Branch
AFLCMC/WAQ - F-15 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
08.2017 - 05.2021
Chief, Operational Flight Programs (OFP) Branch
AFLCMC/WAQ - F-15 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
02.2016 - 07.2017
Volunteer Deployment
Ministry of Defense Advisor (MODA), Resolute Support, CSTC-A EF-1 Procurement Advisor to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), Kabul Afghanistan
01.2015 - 01.2016
Chief, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Branch
AFLCMC/WWMD – F-16 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
07.2013 - 01.2015
Chief Developmental Test Manager
AFLCMC/WIG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.2010 - 07.2013
Block 20/30 Program Manager
303 AESG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
09.2008 - 01.2010
Risk Manager, Deputy Block 20 and Deputy Test Manager
303 AESG - Global Hawk Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
05.2006 - 09.2008
Chief, Contracting Systems Branch
Readiness Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
12.2005 - 05.2006
Warehouse Workgroup Manager
Financial Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
02.2002 - 12.2005
Senior Systems Analyst
Titan Corporation – Supporting Financial Systems Division, Development & Fielding Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1998 - 01.2002
Program Manager
AdTech Systems Research Incorporated, Dayton, OH
02.1996 - 01.1997
Deputy Chief
Propulsion Logistics Management Branch, Propulsion Directorate, Tinker AFB, OK
01.1996 - 01.1997
F-16 Aircraft Requirements Manager and Acquisition Management Inspector
Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1992 - 01.1996
Deputy Program Manager
Training Systems, Human Systems Program Office, Brooks AFB, TX
01.1989 - 01.1992
Chief, Program Support Branch
Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX
01.1985 - 01.1989
Field Support Manager
F-16 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
01.1981 - 01.1985
B.S. - Management
U.S. Air Force Academy
M.B.A. - Production Operations Management
Saint Mary’s University
Program Management Course -
Defense Systems Management College