Michael Sonnenberg Email & Phone Number

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

In this role, the biggest challenge is to ensure the safety of personnel while also obtaining modernized equipment and funding to support high-risk operations and training around the globe. 𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:▶ Supervising 2,295 personnel and 17 subordinate units conducting high-risk operations ▶ Overseeing all facets of diving operations and programs, to include training, equipment, systems, personnel, and operations▶ Evaluating and improving specialized equipment for NECC Forces. Acting as acquisition specialist for Navy Diving requirements from cradle to grave☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Contributions ensured operational readiness of personnel conducting high-risk missions▶ Coordinating with Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, EOD Groups, and Center for Diving☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Completion of hazardous analysis, operational waivers, training programs, and acquisition management of $192M of specialized equipment

Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

In this role, the challenge was to improve recruiting, courses of instruction, and the student success rate. 𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:▶ Managing 341 personnel and training 3,249 students in 8 high-risk training commands▶ Directly impacting 2,060 EOD technicians and Navy divers in Fleet through service on Supply Chain Working Group☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Improved recruiting accessions, Pre-Assessment and Conditioning Course, and high-risk training. ☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Achieved increased success rate of 40% for EOD dive phase of student pipeline ▶ Serving as Board Member for Senior Enlisted Advisory Team (SEAT) for Navy Diving and as Navy Diving Advisor to Senior Enlisted Advisory Group (SEAG) for EOD☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Leadership positively impacted the health and well-being of 1,084 Navy EOD technicians, and 1,079 Navy Divers across Expeditionary Warfare(EXW), Naval Special Warfare (NSW), Underwater Ship Husbandry (UWSH), and specialize units

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

In this role, the challenge was on effectively leading military on high-risk deployment while simultaneously managing 120 personnel in garrison. 𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:▶ Overseeing 169 personnel and $71.6M in equipment: diver’s life support, recompression chambers, unmanned underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, small craft, and ancillary equipment☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Leadership broke down barriers, yielded advancement of 57 Sailors to higher ranks, earned 4 consecutive Retention Excellence Awards and 8 successive Green “H” awards, received Command’s first Battle Efficiency Award, and 100% accounting of all specialized equipment▶ Leading 158 enlisted and officers while deployed to CTG 5.1 conducting Expeditionary MCM, Anti-terrorism Force Protection, Diving and Salvage, and Improvised Explosive Device Exploitation☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Completed 9 bilateral, multinational, and joint interoperability exercises in Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Afghanistan, Central and Southern Arabian Gulfs, and the Gulf of Oman ▶ Advising U.S. Embassy in Lebanon and Lebanese Armed Forces diving units during Ethiopian Airline Flight 409 accident investigation. Coordinating efforts and briefing Lebanese Armed Forces, State Department, FAA, Ocean Alert Research vessel, and NTSB☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Successfully recovered remains and flight recorders▶ Facilitating for Backbone University☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Educated 60 combined Joint NCOs and P.O.s representing USMC, USAR, USAF, USN, and USCG contributing to Joint Warfighting Readiness, Service Identity recognition, and Unit cohesion▶ Representing EOD and N.D. rating in collaboration with NECC and Norwich University☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Established Strategic Studies degree plan agreement▶ Ensuring leaders in Command executed maintenance and training programs☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Increased scores on TYCOM 3M assessments and diving safety surveys

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

In this role, the challenge was certifying the safety and well-being of military personnel conducting high-risk operations.𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:▶ Managing all aspects of command diving programs, life support equipment, and quality assurance inspections for 7 subordinate commands and diving assets exceeding $15M ▶ Performing as Command Master Chief for 145-person Navy Expeditionary Adaptive Force Package deployed in support of Southern Partnership Station☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Team of Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines conducted 53 missions in 4 nations▶ Participating in CNO-directed Integrated Project Team conducting Navy-wide review of diving operations, and safety☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Identified and corrected 35 Salvage and 29 Diving Capability gaps and measures. Changes positively impacted training, manning, and equipping of personnel conducting high-risk diving operations▶ Leading salvage operation for Army Corps of engineers☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Recovered 20,000 pounds of wreckage; eliminated hazard to navigation▶ Developing new NAVSEA Recompression Chamber Requirements☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Provided operational commanders more flexibility while maintaining diver safety