•Multi-site responsibility in Los Angeles and Kansas for production of new-to-market flagship baked dry pet food product line•Implemented first-of-its-kind production process by establishing methods, procedures, and standards to produce a baked human-grade dry pet food •Turned around and completed construction of Los Angeles facility that was severely off track by transitioning away from co-manufacturing model to company owned and operated model•Collaborated with procurement, R&D, quality, and logistics to nationally launch 2 formula families, 8 recipes, and 24 SKUs•Led the design, equipment procurement, installation, and construction of brown-field facility in Topeka, KS to triple flagship dry pet food production•Identified, evaluated, and purchased major equipment for grinding, mixing, forming, baking, drying and packaging by collaborating with process engineering and equipment manufacturers•Delivered equipment on $10M budget target while navigating COVID pandemic challenges •Influenced $6M+ facility improvements with operating partner•Supervised engineering during installation to ensure all safety, quality, and efficiency process requirements were met on time and to expectations•Ensured compliance with state and local business codes in close collaboration with state agencies and regulatory affairs

Lead a team of 90 associates to produce 180,000 tonnes per year of dry pet food products. Responsible for the safe 7-day a week operation of 5 extruders and 6 packaging lines across 4 shifts. Managed an operating budget of $20M.

President, Veterans ClubLeadership Advisory Board MemberGlobal Business Project Strategy DevelopmentOperations and Marketing Concentrations

Served as the key staff link between the 40,000 person II Marine Expeditionary Force and Headquarters Marine Corps to ensure joint and service level policies, requirements, and resourcing reflected operating force needs and capabilities. Led enterprise level actions regarding continuity of operations, global installation physical security requirements, crisis management planning, ground equipment requirements, information operations command relationships and strategy, and joint ground doctrine requirements. Led a crisis response team from the US to Germany on 48-hours notice to augment contingency planning for operations in Libya in 2011.

Led a 16-man cross-functional team providing client solutions to the 3rd Quick Reaction Force Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division in an austere and challenging combat environment. Developed intelligence, operations, logistics, human resource, administrative, and information technology systems to ensure the 4000+ personnel of the brigade were capable of independent operations. Relied upon personal influence through shared risk, competency, and inter-cultural understanding to achieve results without directive authority over client, an Iraqi Brigade Commander with the rank of Brigadier General.

Led a 60+ person cross-functional team to ensure 1000+ personnel had necessary intelligence, operations, training, logistics, maintenance, information technology, legal, and human resource assets to accomplish all mission requirements in Western and Central Iraq. Supervised maintenance personnel to ensure a fleet of 200+ combat vehicles maintained high states of readiness. Coordinated on a daily basis with Iraqi civil and military authorities to achieve common goals and objectives.

As a study-track Foreign Area Officer, earned an MA and linguistic certification at the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. Stationed in Turkey to continue immersion in Turkish language and culture. Travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe to gain appreciation for US security and economic interests in these regions. Served as the Multi-National Forces Iraq liaison officer to Turkish Special Forces in Northern Iraq. In this role, lived and worked with Turkish Armed Forces in the remote mountains of Southeastern Turkey and Northern Iraq. Dealt with Turkish, Kurdish, and Arab government and military officials on a daily basis to ensure US interests were represented on various security and economic issues.

Supervised a 500+ person guard force and cross-functional staff to ensure the security of $30B+ of strategic assets by setting, revising, and enforcing standards and procedures. Identified facility, personnel, training, physical security, vehicle, and policy requirements for a $1B+ security upgrade following the 9/11 attacks.

Commanded, trained, and employed a 150+ man unit in the execution of regional security strategy throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Conducted combined military exercises with Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces throughout the islands of Japan. Reviewed operational plan requirements on the Korean Peninsula. Served as Combined Joint Task Force-Cobra Gold operations and training officer in Thailand.

Commanded 40+ instructors and managed 7 programs of instruction to train 300+ students per year in Light Armored Vehicle maintenance, gunnery, and operations. Managed a maintenance section of 20+ personnel to ensure the readiness of 30 Light Armored Vehicles and M242 Bushmaster 25mm cannon. Certified as a Training Administrator and Curriculum Developer.