Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Awards
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Generic

Wesley Kuykendall

Monument,US

Summary

Operations Manager with a foundation in federal acquisitions and expertise in overseeing diverse operational requirements. Former Air Force Civil Engineering Operations Contracting Officer and Quality Assurance Specialist. Currently leading large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects at an international public art studio. Army veteran with a history of building strong teams, managing budgets, and driving operational efficiency in demanding environments. Skilled in compliance oversight, resource planning, procurement, and scheduling.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Operations Manager

Poetic Kinetics
02.2025 - Current
  • Directed daily operations of a large-scale public art fabrication studio, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of complex, high-visibility projects
  • Successfully delivered five long-term projects within a two-month window, meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality..
  • Implemented task allocation and scheduling systems that optimized team productivity, minimized bottlenecks, and improved project efficiency.
  • Ensured adherence to engineering standards, contract quality control, and regulatory compliance across all project phases.
  • Oversaw resource planning and long-term forecasting, contributing to strategic growth initiatives and operational scalability.
  • Served as primary liaison between leadership, remote production teams, and on-site staff, ensuring seamless communication and project alignment.
  • Maintained studio-wide inventory and procurement systems, reducing waste and ensuring timely availability of materials for fabrication.
  • Established positive and effective communication among staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.

Contracting Officer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
07.2024 - 02.2025
  • Served as Contracting Officer for IT Commodity Buys, Broad Agency Announcements, and Other Transaction Agreements
  • Applied expertise in federal contracting to support CDC’s mission-critical procurement needs.
  • Manages complex contractual arrangements, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and agency policies.
  • Fostered partnerships with scientific staff to develop effective acquisition approaches for cutting-edge research and public health programs.
  • Scrutinized contractual arrangements, identifying optimization opportunities and mitigating risks to enhance procurement efficiency.
  • Remote

Contracting Officer

Department of the Air Force
11.2022 - 07.2024
  • Administrative Contracting Officer for USAFA Civil Engineering Operations contract. Total contract value of $225M. Total portfolio value of $243M.
  • Authored and processed modification and award packages totaling over $21.2M, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and agency policies.
  • Recognized for innovative acquisition approaches for operational requirements that resulted in 25% savings from the previous iteration of the contracts. More than $100K over contract lifecycle.
  • Developed and executed acquisition strategies for a variety of contract types, including IDIQs, BPAs, and Purchase Orders.
  • Spearheaded the development of an Intergovernmental Service Agreement valued at $1.3M, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex inter-agency negotiations.
  • Created comprehensive solicitations and pre-award packages for acquisitions exceeding $13M.
  • Received the FY23 Squadron Innovation in Air Force Contracting Award, FY23 Q1 Civilian of the quarter, and FY23 Q4 Notable Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional performance and contributions.

Contract Specialist

Department of the Air Force
01.2021 - 11.2022
  • Utilized FAR knowledge to create comprehensive acquisition packages, including market research, cost estimates, and acquisition plans for diverse requirements.
  • Assisted in conducting cost and price analysis of proposals, contributing to the development of effective pricing negotiation strategies.
  • Maintained meticulous contract files and funds registers, ensuring accurate record-keeping and financial tracking.
  • Conducted thorough cost and price analyses of proposals, identifying key factors for negotiation and optimizing value for the Department.

Senior Quality Assurance Specialist

Department of the Air Force
04.2019 - 12.2020
  • Program Manager and technical requirements owner for USAFA Grounds Maintenance, Base Custodial, Vertical Transportation Equipment, Portable Sanitation, and Protective Coatings. Total portfolio value of $50M+.
  • Served as a key liaison between stakeholders, effectively managing relationships and expectations to ensure project success.
  • Led source selection and evaluation processes for Civil Engineering service contract acquisitions.
  • Developed precise Performance Work Statements, surveillance plans, and quality standards, ensuring clear expectations and measurable outcomes for contractors.
  • Implemented effective quality assurance measures, resulting in improved contractor performance and service delivery.
  • Lead the effort to bring USAFA in line with federal “Water Wise” and land use regulations.

Education

B.A. - Philosophy

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
12.2018

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Contract management
  • Acquisition strategies
  • Compliance
  • Project management
  • Operational streamlining
  • Financial management
  • Risk management
  • Government stakeholder management
  • Team development

Certification

  • FAC-C PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Timeline

Operations Manager

Poetic Kinetics
02.2025 - Current

Contracting Officer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
07.2024 - 02.2025

Contracting Officer

Department of the Air Force
11.2022 - 07.2024

Contract Specialist

Department of the Air Force
01.2021 - 11.2022

Senior Quality Assurance Specialist

Department of the Air Force
04.2019 - 12.2020

B.A. - Philosophy

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Awards

All Annual Appraisals Performance Rating of Record: 5-Outstanding, FY23 Q1 Squadron CAT-1 Civilian Employee of the Quarter, FY23 Squadron Innovation in Air Force Contracting Award

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Army Infantry Veteran 2008-2014
  • Secret Clearance (2020)


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