Running, Trail Running, Marathon Training
Vera Bozzi
Military Spouse Advocate, Aspiring Career Support Coach
Ocean Springs,United States
Summary
Seasoned and energetic Military Spouse enthusiastic about helping others create a bright future based on positive mindset, personal strengths, academic ability and career goals. I am a motivational individual committed to maximizing opportunities to diverse military clientele and networks. Results-focused and ambitious professional with numerous years of transferable skills and array of experience supporting internal and external customers. Recognized for always providing care and support to aid in teamwork success. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in Hiring Our Heroes team!
I have been a procurement professional working toward pivoting and sharpening my communication, project management, and organizational servant leadership skills to make a meaningful impact. I’ve had the privilege to build a Government contracting career with expertise including an array of programs & contract management processes, data & business process analysis, quality assurance/policy compliance, CRM, creative problem solving, and the development & implementation of teamwork tools for enhanced business practices—all gratefully gained through my time with the U.S. Federal Government. I am a lifelong learner with a wide range of transferrable skills with a mission-driven mindset, seasoned through cross-cultural, ever resilient—Military life. I have been recognized by senior leaders/mentors for superlative attention to detail, wordsmithing, teamwork, and ambition. I enjoy challenging and purposeful collaborative work that I can see through from beginning to end. I thrive in my planner, my ‘zen work’ is making lists, and prioritizing tasks (I even enjoy writing down tasks I’ve already done just to cross them off!) My colleagues would describe me as a driven, inquisitive, resourceful, and sensible teammate who always maintains a positive, proactive attitude when faced with adversity. Currently, I’m seeking opportunities that will allow me to develop my communication and project management talents in a remote work arrangement, that will, in turn, benefit my military community. In my free time, I can be found outside — trail running and chasing new goals whilst leading my military Moms community running group.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Procurement Technician
Dept Of The Interior (DOI)/JAO/USFWS
Atlanta (Remote) , GA
2022.01 - Current
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to complete projects on time.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Led projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Maintained effective and lasting vendor relationships through dynamic communication, collaboration and intelligent questioning skills.
- Input data into system and recorded order updates with 88% accuracy.
- Excel in the performance of a wide variety of daily complex acquisitions and contract administration tasks while maintaining close, professional communications with internal and external customers to expedite Procurement Purchase Requests to the contracting team in the most accurate, timely manner
- Expert requests submitted by various program offices for completeness and accuracy ensured all errors/or omissions and edited/reconstructed incomplete/unclear information, while expeditiously examining funding to match User Product Codes to its line item descriptions, to ultimately expedite the process
- Meticulous detailed data entry and generating reports of various types in numerous complex technological systems on a recurring basis to support the timeliest process of award and administration of contracts while sharing results and best practices for the team unit
- Analyzed all received payment requests/invoices for accuracy and conformance with most currently applicable policies, payment clause and technical/performance requirements of the contract Scopes of Work
- Focused Process Improver—Prepared, developed, and updated tools/guides/checklists for detailed tasks involving all facets of the early procurement process and solicitation packages (RFP, invitations for bids); ensuring continuity and completeness in processing
- Instilled a creative problem solver mindset: Compiled and analyzed a range of operations and workflow data, statistics, and trends to identify/analyze/develop solutions while facilitating collaborative team efforts including shared recommendations to resolve issues of inefficiencies and ineffectiveness while maintaining best practices between all parties involved in the procurement process
- Applied critical thinking—Conducted in-depth research and evaluation of complex procurement submissions, while carefully advising/conferring with staff on current regulatory requirements, and policies to ensure adequacy
Business Team Budget Tech
Department Of The Interior (DOI) & USFWS
Gautier (Remote) , MS
2020.10 - 2021.01
- Analyzed key aspects of business to evaluate factors driving results and summarized into presentations.
- Collaborated with teams to streamline payment processes and prioritized action items.
- Active ListenerInteracted with internal customers to understand business needs and translate into requirements needs and project scope.
- Conducted interviews with key business users to collect information on business processes and user requirements.
- Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
- Improved business direction by prioritizing customers and implementing changes based on collected feedback.
- Lead Program Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) performing quality assurance and contract management responsibilities on a daily basis, while ensuring adherence to most current regulations, policies, practices, and procedures of the contract Performance Work Statement and upholding a high level of service for the medical facility
- Tech-Savvy Security Specialist for contractors—Analytically Inspected all medical center contractors' records and cross-referenced/liaised with Security Forces and various computer systems to perform credentialing checks and security badge access as needed, to various specified sectors of the Medical Center, to perform integral work/service
- Stepped to support and serve as the head point of contact for (vacant Admin Officer roles) provided a broad range of administrative functions and lead the team to manage, monitor, plan efficient financial resources and procurement of supplies and goods needed for smooth function of the Section office
- Organized, coordinated, and prepared metrics and analysis for hospital leadership improvement working group on a routine basis
- Performed contract administration, quality assurance, program management, and project management for reoccurring and upcoming large complex medical contracts in construction (New hospital wing, Demolition, rehab of roof and structures), services
- Assigned tasks to associates, staffed projects and updated involved parties to enhance optimal business flow.
- Researched competitors to build report of rising trends in service vendor markets.
- Drafted reports on company financial metrics to assess successes and account for deficiencies.
- Led cross-functional teams to analyze and understand enterprise-wide operational impacts and opportunities of technology changes.
- Supported leadership team with reporting, analysis and business presentations to inform divisional strategies.
- Assessed business requirements to forecast annual budgetary operational costs.
- Met with stakeholders to establish favorable business relationships and support mutually beneficial interests.
- Identified process inefficiencies through gap analysis and outlined sensible solutions.
Contract Services Program Manager
Defense Health Agency (DHA) & Dept Of Defense(DOD)
Keesler AFB , MS
2021.01 - 2022.01
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
- Participated in vendor selection and management process for program initiatives.
- Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
- Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
- Promoted a prudent business mindset—Managed, reviewed, approved financial budget data and adjustments/reallocations into the financial system (FBMS), to produce complex analytical reports and statistical data on a recurring basis to reconcile monthly commitments and obligations; ensuring 100% accuracy and timeliness of proper reconciliation budget processes to assure no fees were assessed unnecessarily or in error
- Professionally negotiated, verified, and approved viable invoiced per contract and procurement directives, while inspecting contractor performance and clearly documenting all issues for service contracts;
- Purposefully analyzed/maintained all payments for reconciliation and analyzed budget reports for the business team and maintained organized filing methods for auditing purposes at the highest standard
- Served to Lead as Government Purchase cardholder for purchasing and excelled as the prime
- Procurement Specialist for all the procurement of supplies, services, and equipment for the Refuges
- Positive Communicator Continuity leader—Proudly served as the PR “Face of the Refuge”, main administrative operations expert, Public Relations contact, analyzed the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, and managed all aspects of admin functions from contract administration, finance, HR, property management, payroll, to travel
- SME-Performed developmental analytical and technical work for info share, providing updates and edits to SharePoint content, OneDrive, intranet managed data to the Refuge and Business teams
- Excelled as a Property Custodian for proper accountable/non-accountable property transactions and managed property records
- Stepped up to lead and serve as the head point of contact and liaison between employees and HR, payroll coordinators, travel authorization approvers, and misc HR affairs.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Leveraged project management processes and tools to define and execute projects.
- Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Developed and maintained logistics workflows, procedures and reports.
- Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
- Demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills to develop briefs, memorandums and analytical reports for clients.
- Provided program management expertise in continuous process improvement, lean Six Sigma strategies and agile methods, practices and execution.
- Devised creative solutions to critical customer and user needs.
Logistics QA Personal Property Program Manager TMO
Department Of Defense (DOD)/ Dept Of AF Civ
Mildenhall Air Base , United Kingdom (UK)
2018.02 - 2020.07
- Evaluated interactions between contractors, businesses, and customers to assess personnel performance.
- Collaborated with audit clients and action owners to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
- Applied coaching techniques and tools to support managers and team members in improving performance.
- Tracked quality issues with external customers, suppliers and internal operations.
- Implemented new quality assurance and customer service standards.
- Serve and lead as prime, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and US Customs liaison and enforcement for all US Customs and USDA logistics issues for military community household moves.
- Serves a prime point of contact on all contractor-member issues and lead Quality Assurance staff while performing team management responsibilities, training, admin work processes, and workload distribution while ensuring clarification and adherence to regulations, policies, practices, and procedures
- Expertly performed a range of administrative processes for the Personal Property Logisitics Section, procedures automated systems in order to analyze a variety of routine weekly, month, and quarterly reports, correspondence, and extracted data for metrics to facilitate program improvements
- Applied and performed continuous process improvement (CPI) methods for many processes to improve bottlenecks and improve efficiencies in logistics personal property household goods shipments as lead Program Manager
- Effectively planning and executing investigative techniques to measure the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of TMO programs for reports data, (pending Green Belt
- Certification on project data collection & metrics completion).
- Cooperated with Contracting office, vendors, customers and finance / accounting to verify adherence to quality standards.
- Estimated financial requirements of new projects.
- Monitored staff organization and suggested improvements to daily functionality.
- Assured consistent quality of production by implementing and enforcing automated practice systems.
- Inspected products and worker progress throughout production.
- Recorded, analyzed and distributed statistical information.
Procurement Analyst
Department Of Defense (DOD) / Dept Of AF Civ
Spangdahlem Air Force Base , Germany
2012.07 - 2014.02
- Built long-term relationships due to prompt and courteous service.
- Streamlined office operations using automation, oversaw client communications, managed record tracking and data communication activities.
- Supported senior company leaders by delivering reports outlining performance to drive process improvements.
- Developed team communications and information for meetings.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Develop and manage the vendor education and outreach program; coordinate with buyers and potential vendors to ensure vendors have the knowledge and skills in programs to successfully do business with the US Government
- Administer and develop tools and assistance in vendor related issues; tracking troubleshooting challenges to programs and technology tools for vendors and buyers
- Aid in the development of a SharePoint Knowledge Sharing Collaborative
- Applied and analyzed policies, procedures, training methods and other contracting programs, rules, guidelines, instructions for effective communications for organizational reports, memos, and guidance
- Research on advising and guidance of acquisition teams on procurement regulations, policies and procedures; provide assistance with develop procurement policy and changes in procedures that ensure compliance with higher level authority
- Key aid in providing contract review oversight and management of the contracting computer systems; assisting buyer and contracting officers with electronic aspects of contract actions
- Served as a focal point for contracting automated systems, including System for Award Management and Standard Procurement System
- Implemented agency safety policies as the primary Squadron Unit Safety Representative and
- Operational Risk Management advisor, assisting the unit CC in establishing and maintaining an effective mishap prevention program
- Performed alternate duties as a unit resource advisor, participating actively in resource management, including the planning, programming, budgeting, acquiring resources
- Developed resource plan for squadron staff budget, equipment, computers and required services
- Performed pre-award/post-award functions using common contracting methods and contract types.
- Researched and evaluated new and current vendors to determine suitability of products and contract and pricing negotiations.
- Resolved daily issues by handling vendor discrepancies, replacements for rejected materials and missed and late deliveries.
Executive Administrative Assistant - Squadron Sec
Department Of Defense (DOD)/Dept Of AF Civ
Spangdahlem Air Force Base , Germany
2010.11 - 2012.07
- Wrote and enforced administrative procedure plans to reduce errors and prevent process delays.
- Offered assistance, collaboration and clerical support to auditors throughout entire review process.
- Coordinated and booked airfare, hotel and ground transportation and prepared itinerary to facilitate successful trips.
- Prepared presentations, materials and documentation for use executives in meetings and engagements.
- Coordinated complex annual and reoccurring meetings & events involving multiple presenters, high number of attendees and managed budget expenses, remote location arrangements and senior executive accommodations.
- Transcribed meeting minutes to support sales, business development and senior management teams.
- Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
- Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze and report on performance data.
- Prepared, reviewed, and processed a wide variety of reoccurring and incoming/outgoing correspondence, reports, materials, publications, directives, and other documents and memorandums in addition to finalizing all correspondence/documents prepared by staff in the organization
- Maintained and coordinated multiple schedules, calendars, task management, planning arrangements for meetings/conferences/trainings in accordance of office and military protocol and rules
- Provided overall superior customer service for the Command Contracting front office, receiving and directing business calls and assisting customers/visitors
- Planned from start to finish squadron military events in accordance with Wing Protocol to include retirements, Change of Command and promotion ceremonies
- Applied, clarified, and analyzed policies, procedures, training methods, regulations, practices, and procedures and other contracting programs, rules, guidelines, and instructions for effective communications for reports, memos, and guidance within the Contracting squadron
- Served as the Defense Travel System (DTS) Administrator (ODTA) (making travel arrangements for all squadron members, via orders/vouchers, ensuring current trainings, continuity, and updated information for all members to be TDY/Deployment
- Share-point POC (coordinating all incoming squadron members, scheduling briefings and guiding with checklists); Unit Publishing Manager (proofread Official Instruction and guidance and PR communications.
- Updated spreadsheets and created presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Documented and distributed meeting notes to identify, analyze and improve workflows.
- Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports and presentations.
- Screened calls and emails and responded accordingly to support executive correspondence.
- Handled scheduling for executive's calendar and prepared meeting agenda and materials.
- Organized and updated schedules for executives.
- Seamlessly interacted with colleagues to plan and complete special projects.
- Used software to coordinate meetings, appointments and tasks senior executives.
Travel Tours Marketing Manager
ITT / Department Of Defense Air Force / NAF
Spangdahlem Air Force Base , Germany
2009.06 - 2010.02
- Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
- Coordinated meetings between project members and clients to develop ideas, discuss progress and set goals.
- Set up, completed and tracked customer surveys and feedback for local, regional and tour campaigns.
- Organized contacts and orchestrated innovative marketing publications and PR radio events to boost awareness, engagement and sales.
- Executed optimal sales strategies to achieve goals for target tour sales.
- Managed marketing budget and develop and execute marketing strategies, budgets and sales plans for military community customers.
- Organized contacts and orchestrated innovative marketing campaigns to boost awareness, engagement and sales.
- Developed network of related professionals to open up business opportunities.
- Maintained complete database of files, contacts and project materials.
- Generated reports detailing campaign performance, customer engagement and trends.
- Recruited and hired capable team members to add value and diverse skills set to tours.
- Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents and creative material distribution.
- Assessed marketing copy, art comps and final designs and compared with established specifications.
Travel Agent
ITT / Dept Of Defense/ NAF
Spangdahlem Air Force Base , Germany
2009.06 - 2010.02
- Provided exemplary customer service to new and existing clients, which helped build lasting relationships and secure new travel assignments.
- Maintained currency on airline policies, tariff regulations and travel laws to maximize effectiveness.
- Consistently fostered business growth by delivering first-rate travel advising and itineraries to develop valuable client relationships.
- Displayed travel brochures and other promotional materials strategically to foster brand awareness, focusing on safe, military travel destinations.
- Asked open-ended questions to better ascertain client needs and determine best international travel offerings.
- Collaborated with colleagues to implement best practices across department and exceed team goals.
- Took proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues that could have negative impact on business operations and revenue generation.
- Performed hiring/training/ management of the program in its entirety
- Screened applications, interviewed, hired, completed orientation program, benefits briefings for new hires for tour escort positions in accordance to hiring processes
- Provided supervision and outlined customer service performance standards and provided feedback
- Provided detailed and courteous customer service and sales assistance
- Performed meticulous cash handling, facility purchasing/inventory, and accounting
- Developed and performed all office marketing and advertising information/ brochures and performed other public relations and communications duties
- Meticulously planned travel tours and arranged logistics while maintaining cost effectiveness
- Determined plan for budget, office equipment, computers, supplies and required services within the, office
- Executed hiring and supervisory personnel management responsibilities for all ITT travel tours
- Performed purchasing/inventory of supplies as a NAF Government Purchase Card holder
- Lead and performed on-the-job (OJT) training to all new employees, developed and communicated training goals and objectives to assist in the management and implementation of training goals for all staff
- Communicated and ensured all customer and staff needs met to satisfactory throughout shift including: customer service inquiries, breaks, and disseminating knowledge of all tour information
- Enhanced skills and became a more valuable employee asset through on the job training in other facets of the travel industry from leisure travel operations and management
- Supervised and oversaw daily operations including supervision of staff, counting and reconciliation of all cash systems, safety and security of all customers and personnel, and acted as a true role model and leader for the team.
- Maintained operational proficiency in coordinating both international and domestic travel accommodations for customers, arranging for airfare as well as hotel and rental car reservations.
- Provided customers with best deals and well-researched travel options, successfully negotiating rates while improving customer satisfaction ratings.
- Developed loyal clientele base due to excellent listening and research skills and keen understanding of travel budgets.
- Communicated benefits and information regarding international travel insurance with clients and obtained best rates, increasing repeat business 70%.
- Responded to clients' questions, issues and complaints and found appropriate solutions when needed.
- Developed process improvements and long-term business strategies through analysis of customer feedback.
- Resolved financial inconsistencies through collection of outstanding fees, management of refunds and delivery of travel documentation.
- Organized memorable and exquisite travel itineraries and vacations for high-level clients, celebrities, politicians and business executives.
- Monitored market trends and activities to maintain competitive rates and strategies, increasing net revenue.
Education
MBA - Business Administration and Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ 2009.11 - 2012.05
Bachelor of Arts - Communication and Media Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Heidelberg, Germany 2007.05 - 2010.05
Associate's degree - Marketing/Marketing Management
University of Maryland
Federal Acquisition Certifications-Contracting Level I & Program Mgmt & (COR), Purchasing, Procurement - undefined
Defense Acquisition University
2014.01 - Current
Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Level I (FAC-C) - DefenseAcquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) - DOD -
Defense Acquisition University
Fort Belvoir, VA 2001.05 -
USDA Agricultural APHIS US Customs - Senior CBCA QA/QC Inspector & Customs Liaison
USDA Agricultural APHIS US Customs
Weisbaden, Germany 2018.09 - 2018.10
Skills
Public and Media Relations
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute
Additional Information
Military Spouse with a retiring Active Duty Air Force Spouse, currently transitioning.
Interests
Volunteer Work
Working Group Team: “America the Beautiful” – USFWS/DOI-wide
Mar 2021 - Present
Project Manager for Nature Deprived Communities – Subteam / CoordinationTeam
- Volunteer as a PM for a work group for collaborative conservation, melding the USFWS mission and Biden-Harris's America the Beautiful Initiative: January 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration set a national goal of conserving or restoring at least 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. USFWS has joined with other federal agencies in supporting a 10-year, locally-led campaign called America the Beautiful to help our nation achieve this goal.
- As a volunteer PM with a 20% time commitment; responsibilities include tracking team deliverables, facilitating meaningful discussions, establish clear ideas of what USFWS is already doing, what we need to do differently, what success will look like, and measuring that progress with regard to Sub-team goals—which is essentially to connect more people to the outdoors by removing barriers, whether they are financial or knowledge-related, to accessing and feeling welcome and safe outside.
Stroller Warriors, Keesler AFB, MS
Dec 2020 - Present
Lead Chapter Coordinator & Workout Run Leader
• Volunteer as a Mom & kids running group coordinator of group workout and planning stroller friendly, safe running routes on the base. Facilitating friendships in base community and live a healthy lifestyle. Helping the local community of military mothers stay fit and improve in fitness goals.
Key Military Spouse Advisor Keesler Air Force Base, MS Oct 2020 - Present• Volunteer as a Military Spouse support network lead for families to find resources for military community families on Keesler Air Base during hardships such as deployments and liaison for support services for families.
Timeline
Procurement Technician
Dept Of The Interior (DOI)/JAO/USFWS
2022.01 - Current
Contract Services Program Manager
Defense Health Agency (DHA) & Dept Of Defense(DOD)
2021.01 - 2022.01
Business Team Budget Tech
Department Of The Interior (DOI) & USFWS
2020.10 - 2021.01
USDA Agricultural APHIS US Customs - Senior CBCA QA/QC Inspector & Customs Liaison
USDA Agricultural APHIS US Customs
2018.09 - 2018.10
Logistics QA Personal Property Program Manager TMO
Department Of Defense (DOD)/ Dept Of AF Civ
2018.02 - 2020.07
Federal Acquisition Certifications-Contracting Level I & Program Mgmt & (COR), Purchasing, Procurement - undefined
Defense Acquisition University
2014.01 - Current
Procurement Analyst
Department Of Defense (DOD) / Dept Of AF Civ
2012.07 - 2014.02
Executive Administrative Assistant - Squadron Sec
Department Of Defense (DOD)/Dept Of AF Civ
2010.11 - 2012.07
MBA - Business Administration and Management
University of Phoenix
2009.11 - 2012.05
Travel Tours Marketing Manager
ITT / Department Of Defense Air Force / NAF
2009.06 - 2010.02
Travel Agent
ITT / Dept Of Defense/ NAF
2009.06 - 2010.02
Bachelor of Arts - Communication and Media Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
2007.05 - 2010.05
Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Level I (FAC-C) - DefenseAcquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) - DOD -
Defense Acquisition University
2001.05 -
Associate's degree - Marketing/Marketing Management
University of Maryland
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