Nick Sutherland Email & Phone Number

Bellaire, Michigan, United States

Bellaire, Michigan, United States

Hampton Roads, Virginia Metropolitan Area

- Oversees $11.6 million contract. Validated compliance with performance standards for 17 contractors executing over 43,000 hours of work. - Evaluated monthly reports, reviewed resumes, and provided hiring recommendations. Ensured continuous global coverage of mission critical software and 24/7 access to information technology specialists and operational support team personnel. - Primary action officer for contract renewal. Coordinated recompete contract development and secured global personnel recovery mission support through fiscal year 2028.

Hampton Roads, Virginia Metropolitan Area

- Manages personnel recovery operations, risk analysis and mitigation, and career/technical instruction for 17 departments across 14 states. Championed Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s top priority for recovery operations, recruited multi-industry Tier 1 stakeholders, identified gaps, and informed overall strategy.- Recruits and manages talent for 73 positions and mentors, develops, and leads 31 diverse teams. Developed collaborative leaders, empowered mid-level managers, integrated industry experts, organized 9 operational planning teams, synergized and aligned disparate efforts, and implemented 36 strategic initiatives. - Key advisor to Joint Staff, Headquarters Air Force, Joint and Air Force Program Offices, Air Force Major Commands, and Geographic Combatant Commands on isolated personnel survivability, personnel recovery research and development, and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape tactics, techniques, and procedures. Teamed with National Reconnaissance Office and developed global risk mitigation plan that was approved by all 5 services and enhanced global satellite communications resiliency

Hampton Roads, Virginia Metropolitan Area

- Shaped, clarified, and implemented policy for 79 Air Force wings and assessed statutory compliance on behalf of the Inspector General. Advised unit leaders on Department of Defense strategic initiatives, mentored 45 program managers, and shared best practices across two major commands. - Validated mission effectiveness, combat readiness, strategic agility, and recovery integration of 18 weapon systems. Conducted 29 unit effectiveness inspections, oversaw 10 readiness inspections, led 431 inspectors, identified 154 areas of risk, and was recognized 9 times by the Inspector General as the top inspector. - Hand selected by Headquarters Air Force to chair a 6-month strategic think tank designed to tackle 1 of 4 top problems identified by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. The team developed a strategy map and decision matrix from high-impact no-cost & low-cost solutions to long-term exquisite solutions. Advised 83 General Officers and Senior Executive Service personnel and several recommended initiatives were implemented force wide with more still in development.

Multiple Locations

- Dedicated three years as Flight Chief for the Air Force SERE School; Directly supervised 52 instructors and 11,300 students during 4,600 hours of high-risk training in austere locations. Managed $55 million in assets, the Air Force’s only environment survival pool, and 25,000 acres of National Forest. - Directed Afghanistan’s consolidated personnel recovery center, oversaw country-wide rescue command, control, computers, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Built new mission management tool which enabled cross communication between allied forces and provided real-time event updates, reducing crisis response times by 62%. - Led 57 train, advise, and assist missions across Afghanistan, synchronized 44 nations recovery capabilities, and coordinated 222 aircraft, 29 quick reaction forces, and 3 specialized rescue teams. Provided rescue coverage for 5,832 ground operations, 3,474 sorties, and 67 medical evacuations. - Coordinated Japanese Coast Guard exercise to conduct 3 joint and allied force open ocean rescues. Decreased host nation search and rescue times by 30 minutes and significantly increasing stranded personnel survivability and the likelihood of rescue within the golden hour.

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Bba, Business Administration And Management, General, 3.97

Associate'S Degree, Survival Instructor