Thomas Eckel Email and Phone Number

Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Information Management System (EODIMS) data transcription, digitization and data analytics project. Leads a team of EOD SMEs, software engineers, and data scientists to provide an automated records categorization algorithm tailored to client specific documents paired with a modern search functionality to retrieve and download historical and organizational records for both unclassified and classified data sets. Responsible for managing stakeholder relationships and day to task of SMEs and development teams. Activities include spend plan execution, travel projections, equipment acquisition, risk assessment and mitigation, data analysis and providing program management reviews (PMRs). Engage closely with cross-functional teams while executing with speed and agility to achieve set deliverables. Compile monthly and weekly operational reports and support decisions through a data driven approach.

Applied agile project management principles while a member of the team responsible for the redevelopment efforts of the governments Explosive Ordnance Disposal Information Management System (EODIMS); the DoDs authoritative source for EOD reporting. Drove business requirement gathering, manages scope and client expectations. Designed long-term, reliable, and end-to-end technical architectures. Developed functional architecture design and contribute to product vision. Transformed detailed requirements into a complete, detailed systems design document. Provided valuable inputs to create Agile user stories based on business requirements. Provided technical support for analysis of business requirements and applicability to the current or planned Platform/Enabler/API Platform capabilities. Participated in functionality assessment during validation testing phases. Experienced with technical programming; capable of leading teams designing, programming and implementing various technical solutions. Served as a technical liaison between the business, project team and developers/testers. Worked with IT infrastructure teams to deploy and maintain applications. Steered Product Increment (PI) planning sessions; worked through backlog, prioritized sprint efforts and clarified Product Owner requirements to ensure sequenced development and prioritized releases.

Provides Africa Command Counter-IED planning support to train, equip, advise and assist African partner C-IED capabilities. Serves as SME in C-IED strategy design and implementation, works with host nation partners to incorporate international standards into a standardized program. Participates in planning, mission analysis, course-of-action development, multi-nodal analysis, and operational-concept development. Develops and submit C-IED security force assistance activity concepts for government approval. Serves as the Combatant Command’s C-UAS program manager. Advise Joint Directorates on doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, education, personnel, facilities, policy and authorities (DOTMLPF-PA) impacts to the program. Synthesizes content and briefs weekly operations and intelligence updates to command and staff. Foster collaboration and coordination with national organizations. Identify gaps and shortfalls within the C-UAS program; develop and brief mitigation measures to address recognized gaps. Plan, coordinate, and lead working groups to enhance C-UAS capabilities to increase situational awareness, improve synchronization and interoperability of C-UAS assets, and integrate overall theater C-UAS capabilities.

Lead environmental program manager for the AF Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) NEPA Center of Excellence. Responsible for Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) of $15 million annual budget. Supervised 21 person government and contractor team.

Lead senior environmental professional within the Environmental Directorate, primarily provide environmental technical expertise for the NEPA program to the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Installations, Environment and Logistics (SAF/IE), Headquarters Air Force, Environmental Restoration and Environmental Quality Program Offices and cooperating agency officials. Expert in advanced engineering and scientific concepts used in resolving novel environmental issues. Monitor, manage, formulate, and oversee engineering and environmental projects and teams to achieve goals and objectives.

Led 195 multi-craft personnel and managed 145 general-purpose and heavy equipment assets. Oversaw essential recurring services for custodial, grounds maintenance, refuse collection, and 12 additional service contract programs. Developed and maintained 5-year infrastructure upgrade plans with a total annual cost of $4M. Provided infrastructure and facility project review. Managed maintenance and repair programs for installation and service contracts valued at over $4M annually. Performed work analysis and method improvement studies with primary emphasis on Preventive Maintenance (PM) and facility sustainment. Key member of traffic safety board, bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH) working group, and facilities boards. Directed the revision of the installation’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for all-hazards response and related publications. Managed organizational Emergency Management planning, posturing, training, drills, and exercises encompassing full spectrum incident response. Served as an alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director, with oversight of all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) and incident response operations, ensuring continuity of operations and providing operational support during crisis operations.

Led a flight of 17 military/civilian personnel supporting Air Force Special Operations Command unique mission sets. Directed, planned, and coordinated Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations in support of local, state and federal agencies. Oversaw the identification, render safe, recovery and disposal of US and foreign military ordnance items, IEDs, and WMDs.

As Deputy Commander I led 270 AF students, 57 instructors and staff annually. Managed $100K budget and $16M worth of assets. Responsible for 3-level basic, 5-level career development course, and 7-level resident courses. Responsible for the transformation of the Air Force EOD pipeline, instrumental in the development of a new 21 day preliminary course at Shepard AFB, TX ensuring reduced attrition rates at NAVSCOLEOD. Ensured quality and standards of high-risk training are maintained during training for 850 students. DoD EOD Technical Training Acceptance Board member in the commanders absence and AF liaison to the US Navy EOD School. Led the Nuclear Ordnance, Air Ordnance and Ground Ordnance Divisions. As Division Officer I oversaw the daily instruction of students from all four services as well as foreign military student from 107 different countries.

Led a section of 20 military personnel supporting Air Force One, United States Secret Service protecting Foreign Heads of State and the Distinguished Visitor Mission on Andrews Air Force Base and the surrounding DC area. Directs, plans, and coordinates Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations in support of state, local, and federal agencies in the Beltway and surrounding areas. Oversees identification and renders safe, recovers, and disposes of US and foreign military ordnance, IEDs, and WMDs.

Managed the installation encroachment and Air Installations Compatibility Use Zones (AICUZ) Programs.Asset Management business line for land use planning, program management, and project development for encroachment. Encroachment is primarily any non-Air Force action planned or executed which inhibits, curtails, or possesses the potential to impede the performance of Air Forces activities.Managed the Encroachment Action Plan (EAP), identified, quantified, mitigation, and prevention of the potential encroachment challenges to an installation or a range. Coordinated with the Real Estate office, submits plans and budget requirements for all land acquisition proposals addressing encroachment including Encroachment Partnering projects for evaluation and coordination.AICUZ program achieved compatibility between air installations and neighboring communities by: Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of civilians and military personnel by encouraging land use which is compatible with aircraft operations; Protecting Air Force installation investment by safeguarding the installation's operational capabilities;ultimately reducing noise impacts caused by aircraft operations while meeting operational, training, and flight safetyrequirements, both on and in the vicinity of air installations; and informing the public about the AICUZ program and seeking cooperative efforts to minimize noise and aircraft accident potential impact by promoting compatible development in the vicinity of military air installations.

Completing my bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.

Logistics NCOIC

Nuclear Ordnance Division, Tools & Methods Division, Demolition Division Instructor