Jeff Smith Email & Phone Number

Klamath Falls

https://www.tacticalairsupport.com

Klamath Falls, Or

Klamath Falls, Or

Base commander leading 1,050 personnel to success in training F-15C pilots for the USAF, meeting worldwide deployment requirements, and training to support Oregon in case of natural disaster. Manages efficient, accountable use of $129M budget. Prioritizes $20M+ in annual construction projects. Collaborates w/large and diverse team on base, local government and local colleges. Identifies inefficiencies and finds partnership solutions for manpower, infrastructure, equipment, training and funding concerns.--Authored 10-year strategic plan w/new mission statement, vision and priorities to posit wing for successful transition to future training mission when F-15 retires. The four priorities are People, Mission, Community and Culture.--People. Pioneered Deliberate Mentoring program to discuss ethical leadership, force development, force management, and disciplinary challenges. Designed new First-Line Supervisor Course to provide foundation for new leaders in transition from technical competency to leadership roles.--Mission. Successfully messaged F-15 sustainment plight to AF senior leaders while optimizing current operations w/available resources. Extensive messaging campaign w/in organization to maintain confidence despite mission turmoil. --Community. Secured longest lease in the US Air Force! Lease to 2095 after collaboration w/community leaders. Lease key to secure construction funding to grow and sustain infrastructure for current and future mission. Frequent public/media speaking events to inform community as aging F-15 fleet concerns spread.--Culture. Created Continuous Process Improvement and Innovation Team to tackle annual survey suggestions, investigate feasibility and impact and bring change now. Fielded first APP for wing to share information. Overhauled new recruit training--feedback shows members feel connected and part of a team. Changed logistics inspection process saving 30% time and manpower during F-15 inspections w/out sacrificing quality.

Kingsley Field Angb, Klamath Falls, Or

Command at Squadron and Group levels, in charge of maintenance and logistics for 32 F-15s plus associated equipment, munitions and over 500 personnel. After spending the first 17 years of my career in or around operations (called the "Operations Group," where the pilots are assigned), I was challenged with my first command position in the Maintenance Group. I had to learn a new language, learn completely new procedures and processes, navigate a complex organizational structure. Most importantly, I had to lead, help and guide a lot of people, and their families in many instances. I grew more in the maintenance command positions than I ever imagined. As an "outsider" in the room relative to the senior enlisted maintenance personnel (some of whom had worked in aircraft maintenance for over 30 years!), I had a unique opportunity to learn, and not just about aircraft maintenance. I learned to review reams of data; gather background information about parts availability, repair priority and safety incidents; receive inharmonious expert recommendations and opinions. And then I had to make the call. I made so many decisions a day that I could not review them all later to critique or debrief myself. I did, however, review the most impactful decisions and I internalized the good and bad lessons I needed to learn from those experiences. Because I was an outsider to the leadership team, I also had the unique opportunity to challenge the status quo. My incessant "why" questions helped me learn and provided insight on processes I would later fix. I "cut my teeth" as a commander in maintenance, and I can't fathom it another way.Performance report excerpts:#1/80 officers in Fighter Wing. Exemplary officer & unmatched leader. #1/12 of my commanders! Humble, approachable, credible, accountable. Mature, reliable, trustworthy.#1/23 O-5 (Lieutenant Colonels) in Fighter Wing. Record setting, results oriented leader, mentor, officer engaged at all levels.

Multiple roles in operations, culminating in Director of Operations position responsible for leading safe operations for 30 instructor pilots and 50 student pilots annually. Extensive use of Microsoft Excel to calculate additional aircraft and personnel needed to support mission growth; led to addition of 90 personnel and 5 aircraft to support 20% production increase. Authored innovative changes to student flying syllabus to support operations at two bases simultaneously during runway repair. Mapped the complex travel, logistics, and training schedule using a GANTT chart to convince senior leaders the plan would succeed; plan and execution succeeded! Leading strong personalities (fighter pilots!) is rarely easy and requires extensive thought and thorough justification/explanations--learned importance of transparency and messaging in change management to improve established processes and procedures. Excerpts from military performance reports (quotes from my commanders):(2010) Phenomenal officer! Best I’ve worked with in 18+ years of service—innate leader, gifted instructor, valued mentor.(2012) #2 of 28 officers in Operations Group; undisputed leader, phenomenal instructor pilot.(2011) One of top three officers in the group, 173d Operations Group “Officer of the Year,” consistently ranked as top Instructor Pilot in fighter squadron.(2009) Natural leader, talented officer and tenacious problem solver. Doctorate level understanding of instructing, consistently lauded by peers and students as “best instructor in Operations Group.” (2008) My number one officer; works tirelessly, produces stellar results.(2007) Outstanding leader, mature officer, mentor. Has it all—strategic vision, tactical prowess, unrelenting work ethic.(2006) #1 instructor pilot and outstanding officer; unlimited talent and dedication to duty. Most talented instructor and officer I have had the pleasure to command.

Nellis Afb, Nv

Nellis AFB Wing Weapons Officer and F-15C Weapons School Instructor. Focus at USAF Weapons School was to train humble, approachable, credible instructors who could teach and lead and apply critical thinking skills in the air and on the ground. The Weapons School fighter pilot debrief illustrated the importance of using unemotional, fact-based evidence to determine contributing factors and the root cause of mission failure. Leveraged key debrief lessons about detailed analysis and critical thinking skills throughout remainder of career. Learned to make quick, difficult decisions with little time when needed. Also learned the value of slowing down to gather more data to solve complex problems when time allows.Excerpts from performance reports (quotes from my commanders):(2005) #1 of 18 officers. Brilliantly managed $153M in munitions—effectively allocated 70% of all USAF live/inert munitions expenditures.(2004) Top 10/188 elite hand-picked officers—dedication to duty, integrity, and gifted instructor skills are his hallmarks.

Sheppard Afb; Tyndall Afb; Kadena Ab, Japan; Elmendorf Afb; Langley Afb

USAF Officer, F-15 Weapons Officer, and F-15 Instructor Pilot. After graduating #2/15 from initial Air Force pilot training, completed F-15 training and was assigned to Okinawa, Japan. Upgraded from wingman to flight lead and flew first combat missions over Iraq. Later assigned to Anchorage, AK--completed instructor pilot training, flew more combat missions, and scramble-launched as first Alaska responder on 9/11. Selected to attend the elite USAF Weapons School, the Air Force equivalent of Navy Top Gun. After earning Outstanding Graduate award at USAF Weapons School, assigned as Chief Instructor Pilot at Langley Air Force Base, VA. Led squadron in combat missions over Iraq and was subsequently selected to return to teach at USAF Weapons School. Excerpts from performance reports (quotes from military commanders): (2000) #1 of 129. Squadron’s Outstanding Graduate Award winner—Excelled in all evaluated areas: briefing, writing, academics, and leadership performance. Chosen by peers as the Outstanding Contributor to the success of the flight.(2003) Top 1% of company grade officers in the 1st Operations Group; combat-proven tactician and leader who always hits a “home run.”(2002) F-15 USAF Weapons School Outstanding Graduate Award winner for outstanding leadership and instructor skills. Superior fighter pilot and instructor with unlimited potential.(2002). #1 of 226 captains; a stellar performer and officer.(2001) #1 of 21 company grade officers; leadership and maturity far beyond years.(2000) #1 of 29 company grade officers; poised, dedicated, professional leader and warrior.(1999) Brilliant fighter pilot/officer beyond his years, unbounded leadership potential and unmatched work ethic.(1998) #1 Lieutenant in my squadron—exceptional flying skills and peerless officership set him apart at the top.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Operations Research, 3.88 Gpa.

Graduated #11 of 994

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration And Management, General, 4.0 Gpa