Scott Drewes
13 Duncan Ave, Cornwall-on-Hudson,NY
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in logistics and people management, specializing in large-scale event coordination and process improvement. Demonstrated ability to enhance operational efficiency and safety through innovative strategies. Proven history of directing critical responses and improving organizational culture. Expertise in managing diverse teams and fostering stakeholder relations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Chief Operations Officer
West Point Band
West Point, NY
10.2021 - Current
- Managed operations of 12 departments and three music performance groups, optimizing processes for 87 team members.
- Managed employee relations and implemented solutions to maintain organizational morale.
- Oversaw over 3,000 musical jobs a year, ranging from full-scale TV productions, touring groups, to small, intimate events for VIPs, such as the President of the United States, the United Nations, foreign heads of state, and high-ranking generals and staff of the Department of Defense.
- Managed Human Resources, Productions, Budgeting, Marketing, Operations, Training, Strategic Initiatives, Security, Facilities, Purchasing, Education Outreach, and Information Technology.
- Created procedures and policies to improve efficiencies, and improve organizational culture.
- Signed and approved budgets for new funding and program initiatives, working with the Chief Financial Officer, to bring in a balanced budget every year.
- Acted as a primary liaison between the company and external stakeholders.
- Coordinated strategic initiatives and operational insights to support executive decision-making.
- Coordinated fundraising initiatives with alumni associations, resulting in new facilities at no cost to the normal operating budget.
- Set artistic direction for the organization, then created buy in throughout the organization to realize new productions
Deputy Chief of Staff for West Point
United States Military Academy at West Point
West Point , NY
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Superintendent (President) of the United States Military Academy
- Coordinated staff sections for the Chief of Staff, making recommendations for operations, budgeting, IT, public affairs, and logistics.
- Helped oversee policy for USMA, helping build the Board of Directors' responsibilities; facilitated conversations about building leaders of character.
- Directed crisis management, ensuring effective emergency responses, and safety protocols.
- Made personnel decisions on behalf of USMA, analyzing where to make changes and cuts based on data and the needs of the Academy.
- Facilitated all visiting dignitaries' briefs, bringing all sections of the staff together to discuss their areas of expertise.
Director of Operations
West Point Band
West Point, NY
09.2019 - 05.2021
- Oversaw the processing, evaluation, and direction of more than 3,000 performances each year to an audience of over 1.5 million a year.
- Played a key role in high-stakes event planning, managing logistics for performances attended by dignitaries, and international audiences.
- Lead producer for the USMA graduation in 2020. One of the few in-person graduations, synchronized with the White House for the President, with the Secretary of the Army, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, on behalf of the Superintendent. Designed a special concert during graduation for the president that was broadcast internationally.
Covid Operations Lead
United States Military Academy at West Point
West Point, NY
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Directed management of COVID response activities, including tracing, quarantining, and cleaning, ensuring that USMA could still operate and continue in-class instruction and athletic events.
- Directed briefing preparations and report drafting for USMA to send to the Department of the Army.
- Facilitated comprehensive onboarding for incoming staff covering all required procedures.
Chief of Operations
United States Military Academy at West Point
West Point, NY
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Managed a team of 12 civilians and military personnel for operations and planning at USMA.
- Developed a stand-down day on behalf of the Academy in response to Congressional inquiries on sexual assault in a short-fused timeframe, bringing together cadets and faculty for multiple events to discuss ways to improve the culture of the Academy.
- Coordinated the effort to improve housing at USMA, directing inspections, and reporting to USMA leaders.
- Part of the crisis management team, managing public response, funeral planning, and coordinating with the Secret Service for a cadet who passed away during summer training.
- Implemented an active shooter training plan for USMA, working with leaders on accountability procedures to implement real-time information.
Concert Band Musical Director
West Point Band
West Point, NY
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Led the flagship ensemble, a 50-piece wind band in personnel and musical direction.
- Restructured the group, simplified the reporting chain, and provided more leadership opportunities for principal players.
- Built teams for programming concerts, ensuring buy-in from the newest musician to the most senior.
- Worked with the conductor to build new ideas for programming, engaging new audiences across the tri-state area.
Musical Director of Commerical Music Group
West Point Band
West Point, NY
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Directed the change of format and personnel to recreate a 20-member ensemble to become a smaller, pop-focused ensemble, to better serve the clientele.
- Led a group of 13 musicians in a variety of genres, including pop, jazz, country, and rock and roll.
- Became the regular musical group for the United Nations, helping to set the conditions for diplomacy.
- Performed throughout the tri-state area for sporting events and large events.
- Appeared on many television and radio broadcasts across the United States, sometimes producing the event in real time.
- Co-produced a Grammy-nominated country record entitled "Songs That Save Our Lives." This was the first time a military band was able to sell recordings and receive funds back to the band. Working with USMA lawyers, I was able to secure a trademark agreement with Sun Dial Records and receive 12 percent of the money sold back to the band (normally, this is 3 percent).
Professional Drummer
West Point Band
West Point , NY
11.2007 - 01.2019
- Performed as a soloist with the Jazz Knights, recording multiple albums, and playing concerts across the United States.
- Performed for international audiences at the United Nations, West Point, and on broadcasts for millions of people every year.
Education
Master of Music - Jazz Studies
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD05-2001
Bachelor of Music - Commerical Percussion
Manhattan School of Music
New York, NY12-1997
Skills
- Logistics management
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Safety management
- Crisis management
- Event coordination
- Operational efficiency
- Cost reduction
- Scheduling coordination
- Transportation management
- Capacity planning
- Production planning
Accomplishments
- Legion of Merit recipient, one of the highest awards given in the military, for exceptional leadership during a world wide pandemic. My quick response time in leading the West Point Band and building a team of versatile, problem solving individuals, to protect the mission of building, educating, training, and inspiring leaders of character at the United States Military Academy and West Point during a time of uncertainty and fear.
- Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal twice for leading multiple ensembles at the West Point Band.
Certification
- Graduated from the Secretary of the Army Leader Development Course in April 2022. Cohort was made up of senior civilian Army officials.
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer
West Point Band
10.2021 - Current
Deputy Chief of Staff for West Point
United States Military Academy at West Point
05.2021 - 10.2021
Covid Operations Lead
United States Military Academy at West Point
09.2020 - 02.2021
Director of Operations
West Point Band
09.2019 - 05.2021
Chief of Operations
United States Military Academy at West Point
01.2019 - 09.2019
Concert Band Musical Director
West Point Band
01.2018 - 12.2018
Musical Director of Commerical Music Group
West Point Band
01.2015 - 12.2018
Professional Drummer
West Point Band
11.2007 - 01.2019
Master of Music - Jazz Studies
University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelor of Music - Commerical Percussion
Manhattan School of Music
References
References available upon request.
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