JAMES SANFORD CLARK, Jr
Jackson,MS
Summary
Professional military aviator with significant experience in high-stakes environments, adept at operating advanced aircraft and executing complex missions. Known for strong team collaboration and adaptability, ensuring mission success under varying conditions. Skilled in navigation, flight planning, and emergency response, with keen focus on safety and precision. Reliable, results-driven, and prepared to make substantial impact.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Military C-17 Pilot
Air Force
04.2025 - Current
- Performed critical aircraft maintenance tasks, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing downtime.
- Adapted to rapidly changing circumstances during flight operations, demonstrating flexibility and resilience under pressure.
- Collaborated with co-pilots on decision-making processes during high-stress situations, mitigating risks and maintaining a calm environment.
- Contributed to the overall safety of flight operations by adhering to strict guidelines and protocols.
- Completed extensive training programs to maintain currency in aircraft models, FAA regulations, safety procedures, and industry best practices.
- Planned and filed daily flight plans for training missions, sorties, and patrol flights.
Military Student Pilot - T6 II
Air Force
05.2024 - 05.2025
- Expanded comprehension of aircraft systems through thorough examination of maintenance records, manuals, and hands-on observation of repairs or modifications when possible.
- Cultivated leadership abilities as acting Pilot-in-Command during solo flights, managing all aspects of safe aircraft operation independently.
- Developed strong decision-making skills under pressure during simulated emergencies and unexpected situations in the cockpit.
- Communicated with air traffic control regarding takeoff and landing, flight pattern changes and emergencies.
- Filed instrument flight plans with air traffic control, enabling proper flight coordination.
- Achieved comprehensive understanding of aviation principles through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience.
Military Student Pilot
Air Force
03.2024 - 04.2024
- Strengthened understanding of aerodynamics by dissecting complex concepts such as lift, drag, thrust, weight balance calculations for optimal performance.
- Demonstrated strong commitment to safety by consistently adhering to FAA regulations and guidelines during all aspects of flight training.
- Expanded comprehension of aircraft systems through thorough examination of maintenance records, manuals, and hands-on observation of repairs or modifications when possible.
- Continuously sought opportunities for personal growth and development through additional flight hours, certifications, or specialized training courses.
- Gained proficiency in radio communication by regularly interacting with air traffic control during flight operations.
Officer Candidate
Air Force
11.2023 - 02.2024
- Developed strong leadership skills through training and mentoring junior officers, resulting in improved overall performance.
- Maintained high levels of physical fitness and mental sharpness through regular training exercises, contributing to overall readiness for duty.
- Effectively mediated conflicts within teams, fostering a positive working environment conducive to high-performance outcomes.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and high-quality results.
C-17 Aircraft Loadmaster
Mississippi Air National Guard
01.2016 - 11.2023
- Rank: Technical Sergeant (E-6)
- Performed over 75 operational missions both stateside & internationally delivering troops & cargo to global locations.
- Responsible for leading logistics team of upwards to 25-50 personnel for successful delivery of all cargo.
- Responsible for all weight & balance of aircraft for safe delivery of all cargo & troops.
- Current on DoD specific logistics & material handling documents.
- Inspect & certify Hazardous cargo per DoD guidelines including shippers’ declaration of dangers goods.
Quality Engineer
Milwaukee Tools
01.2023 - 09.2023
- Transferred three New Product Development production lines to Mexico with plant closure happening & assisted with all quality training including, engineering builds & qualification builds.
- Led entire metrology lab transfer process from Clinton to Mexico that included nine production lines with all fixtures & gauges.
- Collaborated with Advanced Escalated Deployment team in Brookfield, WI to include tool reworks, teardowns, & data reporting through engineering team.
- Developed inspection plans based on design specifications, ensuring all critical dimensions and performance criteria were verified throughout the manufacturing process.
- Improved customer satisfaction levels with timely resolution of non-conformance issues and effective corrective actions.
- Developed action plan for company certification using ISO 9000 standard knowledge.
- Implemented process improvements based on Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in reduced waste and increased efficiency.
Sourcing Analyst I
07.2022 - 12.2022
- Led carbide waste reclamation project resulting in $55,000 cost savings for 2023 as part of rotation 4 of ODP experience.
- Initiated reclaim of FX currency rate discounts estimated around $300k in cost savings for fiscal year 2023.
- Established a stocking agreement for carbide inserts out of the MIC facilities.
- Resolved all unique issues of suppliers managed.
- Led supplier agreement negotiations between Milwaukee Tool & new supplier being onboarded.
Quality/Reliability Engineer
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Initiated AC Sawzall production line improvements between Mississippi & Wisconsin engineering team as part of rotation 3 of ODP experience.
- Led first article inspection (FAI) review project on AC Sawzalls with Brookfield metrology team including successful life cycle testing of Sawzalls.
- Successfully transferred two AC Sawzall lines to production site in Clinton for line setup.
- Installed & configured four Keyence camera systems to improve material traceability on lines.
- Resolved long term issue of Sawzall handles with Mexico team & drove drawing upgrades.
Supply Chain Lead
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Led the integration, utilization, & design of the RF Smart platform into Jackson & Clinton receiving processes for rotation 2 of ODP experience.
- Improved material accuracy throughout the supply chain by 38% in six months.
- Led a cross functional team of five parties to accomplish the integration of RF Smart.
- Successfully transferred three NPD production lines to new Red Fuel site in Clinton.
- Configured material dashboards throughout warehouse to enhance visibility & provide data integrity.
Manufacturing Project Lead
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Facilitated plant move & expansion of incoming machines to new building to optimize product flow and expansion for rotation 1 of ODP experience.
- Developed new building layouts in CAD for integration of material flow & lean manufacturing.
- Managed daily schedules & timelines using Gantt Charts plus tracked CAPEX expenses with five cross-functional teams.
- Onboarded three viable suppliers for E-coat automation plans.
Education
BBA - Supply Chain Management
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS12-2020
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Auto CAD
- Power BI
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork & Agility
- Single-engine aircraft operation
- Instrument flight rules
- Precision flying
- Flight crew coordination
- Flight planning and execution
- Problem-solving abilities
Certification
- Top Secret Security Clearance
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt Cert
Accomplishments
- Milwaukee Tool ODP Graduate
- Eagle Scout
- President’s List
- Dean’s List
- Magna cum Laude
- National Guard Distinguished Graduate
Timeline
Military C-17 Pilot
Air Force
04.2025 - Current
Military Student Pilot - T6 II
Air Force
05.2024 - 05.2025
Military Student Pilot
Air Force
03.2024 - 04.2024
Officer Candidate
Air Force
11.2023 - 02.2024
Quality Engineer
Milwaukee Tools
01.2023 - 09.2023
Sourcing Analyst I
07.2022 - 12.2022
Quality/Reliability Engineer
01.2022 - 06.2022
Supply Chain Lead
07.2021 - 12.2021
Manufacturing Project Lead
01.2021 - 06.2021
C-17 Aircraft Loadmaster
Mississippi Air National Guard
01.2016 - 11.2023
BBA - Supply Chain Management
Mississippi State University
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