Laura Yates Email & Phone Number

United States

Valdosta, Georgia

Incirlik, Turkey

Flight Chief for the Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) which provides a wide range of work/life services to units and leadership on individual, family and community issues. These services include, but are not limited to career, transition, relocation, financial assistance, family life education and other work and life services. These activities are provided to military members, retirees, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians and their families. This is a one-year, remote, unaccompanied tour.

Jacksonville, Florida

Ombudsman trainer and facilitator. Ensured regional Ombudsmen were well prepared by conducting training and team building events to keep the team strong. Provided consultation, collaboration and technical assistance regarding education and training requirements for organizational work and family life programs. Developed assessments to determine program needs. Created organizational programs to build volunteer skills.

Florida Air National Guard

Executed the Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) Airman & Family Readiness Program including scope, design and direction. Applied knowledge of management principles, applicable laws, regulations and National Guard Bureau (NGB) guidance to Family Readiness programs. Provided guidance to the FLANG Wing leadership in the development and implementation of the Family Readiness program and provided Family Readiness assistance at Geographically Separated Units (GSU). Analyzed current Family Programs support for Wing Families and identified gaps in service. Develops solutions for these gaps to provide programs that target needs and ensure the efficiency of new initiatives. Branded the FLANG Family Program identity relative to the Total Force Initiative (TFI). Examples include Wounded Warrior/Casualty Assistance, Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), Financial Wellness and Strong Bonds/Marriage Enrichment. Ensured the FLANG Family Program was included in all phases of the deployment cycle. Aced a very rigorous inspection culminating in our achievement of Family Programs Accreditation in 2017.

Jacksonville, Fl

An officially appointed volunteer with wide-ranging duties. Trained to know when to provide information, when to be a referral source and how to be receptive to family members when they call. Volunteered time and effort to guide other families through various problems that may arise from time to time. Serve as the primary link/liaison between families and the command. Serve as a communicator of information between the command and command families. Communicate regularly with families. This includes Newsletters, Careline and message services. Provide information and outreach to command family members. Interact and cooperate with organizations and military offices such as Family Service Centers, chaplain's office, medical treatment facilities, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, American Red Cross, and legal assistance offices. These organizations are valuable resources in obtaining assistance for command family members. Refer individuals in need of professional assistance to appropriate resources. Ombudsmen may provide support to individuals and refer them for counseling. Ombudsmen can not provide counseling themselves. Act as an advocate for the command family members. Ombudsmen, by using their knowledge of the system, can help access the appropriate level of chain of command for intervention and for the forwarding of appropriate requests/grievances while exercising confidentiality.

Jacksonville, Florida Area

Responsible for the Human Resources (HR) program for 300 employees on three separate shifts. Coordinated holiday hiring as well as weekly schedules and budgeting forecasts. Provided Workers Compensation and benefits advice and information. Assisted in the monitoring of the store safety program and loss prevention efforts. Resolved pay and time discrepancies and managed yearly Team Member reviews and salary reviews.Responsible for morale and welfare events for team members, especiallly during the holiday season. Spearheaded community outreach efforts such as special senior shopping hours during the holidays and local school support and civic donations. Responsible for maintaining the Target "brand" both at the store and with team members.

Jacksonville, Florida Area

Responsible for the advertising and marketing for three major buying groups in the food service industry. Responsible for the copy content, varied pricicng as well as ordering, tracking and printing of large volume orders of custom catalogs, flyers, posters & inserts. Required complex knowledge of Excel spreadsheets as well as basic Graphic Design principles. Was the liaison between the Graphic Artist and the company to ensure each print item was correct.

American Embassy - Oslo, Norway

As the Community Liaison Office Coordinator (CLO) was responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive Post progam to ensure high morale & mission readiness. The development and implementation of the CLO program has a direct impact on morale and affects overall work performance, productivity, retention, community spirit and well-being.Responsible for identifying the needs of the Embassy community and responding with effective programming, information & resources and referrals. Routinely deal with complex and emotionally-charged issues that require sound judgement and a thoughtful response. The CLO handles the full range of inquiries from employees & family members before and after arrival at the Embassy as well as providing them appropriate welcoming materials & information. Arranges a semi-annual Newcomers Orientation to better familiarize newcomers to the Embassy lifestyle and maintains the Embassy sponsor program. Maintained an extensive resource library for the country of Norway including employment, travel, benefits, culture and resource data.Maintains personal contact with the heads of Agencies at the Embassy as well as the heads of prominent community groups and cultural associations. Contributes to bi-weekly mission newsletter and maintains an extensive research, reading and travel library for all to utilize.Develops social, cultural & recreational programs designed to meet the needs of all segments of the Embassy community. Coordinates with Embassy security team to keep the community abreast of current security issues. Provides community support during a crisis. Provides info and job announcements to family members and also keeps abreast of opportunites and valuable employment contacts in the community. Periodically reports back to Washington. Maintains accessibility to listen to problems that employees & families are facing.

United States Embassy Oslo, Norway

Served as the Office Manager for all functions of the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) all by performing direct administrative management, clerical and related office functions related to all branches of the United States military. Coordinated and directly interfaced with Norwegian Ministry of Defense and related military organizations and the United States Department of Defense military organizations regarding issues and areas of concern for the office. Answered inquires and referred technical/policy matters to appropriate staff member. Receives and distributes incoming correspondence and coordinates outgoing correspondence with military couriers. Performed all duties as the ODC Security Manager and ADP manager. Prepared general correspondence assuring accuracy and grammatical correctness, proper format and conformance with established instructions. Operated various office automation equipment and various software packages. Set up and maintained correspondence, report and document files, including classified material. Coordinated protocol arrangements through Norwegian government and military agencies in conjunction with the Embassy. Ensured all Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases were maintained in accordance with United States and Norwegian regulations. Processed and routed FMS correspondence including Letters of Request, Letters of Offer and Acceptance, Price and Availability Requests, FMS Training files, financial data updates and other communication. Coordinated with United States Desk Officers for each branch of the military service to ensure accurate and complete FMS case files were maintained.

St. Mawgan, Cornwall, England

Executive Secretary to the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and Command Master Chief. Maintained military, social and personal calendars, scheduled appointments and meetings based on workload and current issues of importance. Personally responded to requests for meetings, status reports and similar information while screening the information given based on the degree of sensitivity involved and the requestors need to know. Screened telephone calls, incoming mail and reviewed correspondence. Provided mail, messages and correspondence in an orderly and prioritized manner throughout the day. Received all visitors including foreign dignitaries, high ranking military officers, local officials and members of the community and civic organizations making them feel welcome. Ensured all classified material was processed appropriately following all security regulations with zero violations. Maintained Executive Office classified and sensitive material inventory. Composed and prepared memoranda, personal letters, reports, messages and presentation for the Commanding Officer’s review and signature. Reviewed all correspondence for conformance with Naval regulations, grammar, format and special policies. Arranged for all travel ensuring mode of travel, accommodation, itineraries, briefings and clearances were seamlessly coordinated.Submitted draft Officer and Chief Petty Officer fitness reports, ensuring accurateness and compliance with applicable regulations. Maintained personal and command files including sensitive files, award recommendations, fitness report inputs and other essential historical information. Routinely coordinated with the Senior British Officer, Royal Air Force (RAF) Station Commander and the Joint Maritime Facility (JMF) Community Relations Advisor to remain abreast of all professional and social commitments that required further coordination, research or input.

Fleet & Family Support Center

Provided administrative support including preparation and filing of correspondence, reports and presentations in accordance with Naval Regulations. Performed various administrative tasks including copying, mailing, faxing and filing. Responsible for greeting customers in person and on the phone, directing their inquiry to the appropriate staff member. Provided statistical tracking of clients and visitors to the center. Prepared and tracked all major and minor property inventories. Ordered all major and minor property as well as office supplies using prescribed purchasing documents including documenting and tracking fiscal authorizations. Ensured all relevant safety inspections were arranged and documented to meet all safety requirements.Greeted visitors and answered phone calls. Made copies, faxed documents, and greeted clients. Reorganized informational library and created a tracking system to allow visitors to borrow reference material. Prepared over 100 Welcome Aboard packages and mailed out to incoming personnel. Assisted with preparation for FSC Accreditation inspection including updating and organizing Standard Operating Procedures, Clinical Case forms and center Instruction Reference Library. Maintained facility key control log and inventory. Volunteered my way into this position.

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Greater San Diego Area

Service School Command San Diego - staffA School Meridian, MississippiRecruit Training Center, Orlando, FLActive Duty U.S. Navy working in various departments at the Command including filling in for the Commanding Officer's Secretary. Received an honorable discharge.

Certificate, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

Bsba, Business Administration

Highlights In Leadership, Command Master Chief Spouse Learship Course

To help prepare prospective Command Master Chief and Chief of the Boat Spouses to be their best to lead, inspire and motivate others.

Certificate, Human Resources Management And Services