Melanie Zimmerman Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, Va

Xator Corp., Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Department of State (DOS)PROGRAM ANALYST for the Project Management and Engineering (PME) Branch, which performs technical security system upgrades to ensure the safety/security of 270 overseas diplomatic missions. Measure project status, customer satisfaction, and performance metrics against 40 requirements to evaluate compliance and quality of 100 active projects/$1.2B 10-yr contract; perform audits of 600 deliverables/1,500 data points and analyze trends; manage risk mitigation and lessons learned process improvement programs; create templates, reports, and presentations to illustrate program milestones, achievements, and to advocate new programs to client and affiliated stakeholders. Assist HQ Xator in proposal data-mining, task-response writing, and newsletter editing. Brief Overview:-Compile/analyze program performance metrics against requirements; perform audits and analyze/present trends including, quality assurance, risk mitigation/lessons learned, customer satisfaction-Analyze financial data to ensure efficient use of program resources toward, and in compliance with, strategic objectives-Create complex presentations to support high-level decision making, multi-party collaboration, and illustrate program milestones/achievements-Write persuasive program reports, position papers, and proposals to advocate new programs-Create/maintain Standard Operating Procedures; forms/templates-Customer relations/teamwork; coordinate with multiple offices (Government customer and contractor)-Identify/recommend process improvements toward program goals-Prepare general and technical written correspondence for internal and external stakeholdersAWARDS: 2014 Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Service; 2015 Gary Clausen Award for character, commitment, competence, and responsibility –#1 of 330; 2014-Present multiple Xator on-the-spot awards and bonuses.

Washington Dc

WRITER-EDITOR of immigration-related intelligence products on national security threats, known or suspected terrorists, and benefits fraud trends. Information shared with Department of Homeland Security components, Intelligence Community, and Law Enforcement Agencies. Research, plan, and conduct writer/editor projects, tailoring materials to specific audiences, and effectively transmitting information about complex programs.Write/edit correspondence, award packages, personnel performance appraisals, and taskings; and present factual articles, publications, briefings, and reports to DHS, USCIS, FDNS, and other customers such as the DHS Chief Intelligence Officer and TSA Intelligence Chief.Examples: threat target briefings; Request For Information policy; Case Prioritization and Intelligence Assessment Branch stand-up (Options Paper, CONOPS, SOP); and Agency EB-5 transition guidance.Communicate and maintain relationships with all levels of staff, agencies, and the public.Compose original written materials for internal and external audiences using plain language writing style; edit/design quarterly Intelligence Compass, a newsletter to increase support to adjudicators by identifying immigration fraud trends; contribute to internal SharePoint site.Research, write, or edit intelligence information for Intelligence System Histories (ISHs) and Special Research Reports (SRRs) requested through the RFI process from the DHS Homegrown Violent Extremist Branch; convert/write/edit Intelligence Assessments (IAs).Develop highly complex speeches, congressional testimony, and authoritative, accurately-written information on the programs, policies, current issues, and goals of the agency. Wrote congressional testimony inputs for USCIS Director confirmation hearing; prepared information for FDNS Director briefing to Senate HSGAC.Used immigration/intelligence systems: Teleview, CIS, CLAIMS, ENFORCE, USVISIT, NFTS, CCD, TECS, CLEAR, CPMS, Accurint, Dun & Bradstreet.

Barksdale Afb, Louisiana

SPEECHWRITER-EDITOR to senior leaders in charge of $5B annual budget and 25,000 personnel, providing U.S. strategic deterrence and global strike operations to support the President and combatant commanders. Hand-selected for elite team to provide policy advice; develop advocacy presentations; and plan trips, distinguished visitor events, and conferences.Authored 180 manuscript speeches, remarks, and congressional testimony; coordinated with public affairs on national media articles and press releases; distributed agency message to Department of Defense leaders, industry partners, and civic associations.Developed 45 briefings to facilitate communication and advocacy of organizational priorities to: Secretaries of Defense and Air Force, foreign dignitaries, and interested stakeholders.Wrote and edited 650 memorandums, correspondence, awards, and policy statements.Prepared material for 65 multi-event trips, and 60 local engagements and dignitary visits.Crafted and completed 500 organizational tasks, coordinating with staff agencies.AWARDS: Exemplary Civilian Service Medal; annual performance awards; superior performer; civilian of the 4th quarter, 2012; civilian of the year, 2011, runner-up of 144.

Barksdale Afb, Louisiana

Stood-up 1st major command in USAF in 27 years; single-handedly built Knowledge Operations Branch. Wrote and edited policy, service level agreements, statements of work, reports, talking points, training pamphlets and briefings, and professional journal and national media news articles. Advisor for 12 programs including: electronic information management tools (AF Portal, Sharepoint, TMT, EMS), records management, publications and forms, FOIA/Privacy Act, and official mail/postal operations.Developed and directed information collaboration policy, monthly training, enterprise information system tools, and web services for 600 users at 5 locations; saved $250,000.AWARDS: 18 military medals and ribbons; Communications and Information Officer of the Year, from 60; Federal Military Officer of the Year, from 1200; Air Force Association Officer of the Year, from 900; numerous superior performer, annual, and quarterly awards.

33d Combat Communications Squadron, Tinker AFB, OKTraining and evaluation expertise on 17 field training exercises and 14 combat readiness school courses contributed to the group’s selection for the Major General McClelland award and ACC's Best Communications Unit. Instrumental in mobilizing 347 personnel and 6,000 tons of equipment in 18 hrs to support Joint Task Force Katrina evacuating 11,700 victims and enabling 2,000 sorties. Led 25 Airmen, supervised deployment, install, activation, recovery of unit deployable communications equipment worth $65M.Squadron chief of maintenance. Provides quality assurance, ensures operational capability of unit equipment and readiness of 140 Airmen in support of DoD, JCS, MAJCOM, and NAF-directed missions/contingencies worldwide.Directs employment of $2M power production/heating/cooling assets; supports tactical communications, ATC, and C2 systems.Trusted site commander for group field training exercise, led bare-base communications mission; awarded first “Excellent” rating in 3 years.Key member of Combat Readiness School cadre; taught site/self-defense; troop movements; equipped 240 warfighters with survival skillsHandpicked to run follow-up audits; inspected 16 accounts/$30M equipment; squadron accountable/prepared for ORI/deployments.Re-instituted 3 year defunct maintenance self-inspection program; reduced CSEP discrepancies from 70 to 3; equipment 100% fully mission capable.Led local efforts for $2M 689 CCW standup; assisted PPLAN write; consolidated 7K Airmen/15 combat communications missions under cyber NAF; authored AF selection criteria.Group warlord/EET; managed training script/actions for 70 Airmen; guided new squadron/commander in 1st field training exercise prior to AEF.Led readiness of 12 Airmen for Hurricane Ike relief; mobilized 34K lbs; $1.5M equipment/7 vehicles; supported 5M victims.Executed prep/deployment of 120 Airmen/16 locations ISO POTUS/OIF/OEF/HUMRO mission to build school/clinic.

3D Combat Support Squadron, Tinker Afb, Ok

Deployed to Iraq; led 40 personnel with $14M in equipment to support 9,000 Coalition Forces. Combat school cadre; taught defense/survival skills to 800 personnel in 14 classes.Pioneered maintenance management branch. Led 17 field training exercises and directed standards, evaluations, and quality assurance to prepare 800 personnel for inspections; “Excellent” ratings. Created checklists, training plans and scripts, and newsletters. Advised 3 ANG groups. Conducted 69 personal/50 technical evals in 1st 6 months; orchestrated 1st group quarterly deficiency analysis; turned 2 year eval backlog around in 3 months; cleared 98 of 168 overdues. Directed TODO reformation effort; established stellar website and new TO change distribution procedures; one-stop process ensured 465 TOs distributed effortlessly/tracked to completion; lauded by 5 commander’s; improved accuracy/status of 75 T.O. accounts. Published new 3 CCG OI 21-116; standardized CSEP and maintenance process for 600 maintainers/operators. Quarterbacked group’s UCI prep actions—executed 3 unit compliance evals—directed 7 week UCI road map--identified 850 items in 25 programs for correction; group UCI pgrm leader; developed checklists for 40 functional areas/special interest items; compliance ensured; briefed 20+ flt reps; created tracking database; over 360 write-ups captured and targeted for fix action. Focused training--assured skill-level upgrade of 123 personnel from 11 AFSCs in spite of 75% manning shortage; revamped 10 master training plans & standardized them across 39 work centers; brilliantly managed 85 CDC enrollments; resulted in amazing 99% pass rate surpassing host base goal of 95%; overhauled groups ancillary training program; eliminated 2100 course backlog & qualified 448 troops on 1632 courses.

9th Communications Squadron, Beale AFB, CAPlans, implements, manages, operates and maintains automated data-processing equipment; command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) systems; telephone and message processing services and air traffic control and landing systems (ATCALS) for DISA, USSTRATCOM, 9 RW, AFRC’s 940 ARW, AFSPC's 7 SWS and 11 associate units. Leads 36 communications-electronics maintenance personnel in 7 work centers ensuring 24/7 availability of airfield communications systems valued at $51M. Maintains ATCALS, weather radar, meteorological/navigational, voice recording and ground-to-air radio (GATR) systems. Oversees a $9M telecommunications maintenance contract, cable plant and a $5.5M trunked land mobile radio system. Provides C2 capability for USTRATCOM alert messages and circuit testing for NAOC aircraft. Directs northwestern US’ only active-duty antenna maintenance team in support of a High Frequency Global Communications Station (HFGCS). Spearheaded $145K Giant Voice mass-notification upgrade—expanded alerting capability for 7K+ personnel. Conducted first telecomm contract review of $750,000 commercial service agreement—supports 7,000 phone lines. Secured $24,000 radar power supply; prevented $8.7M asset damage—system reliability for U-2/tower mission. Flawless $700,000 switch migration of 480 lines for 290 users in 2.5 hours—aids 7 SWS ground missile defense. Guided $100K Tactical Air Navigation shelter replacement proposal; redesign fits power/safety requirements. Handpicked by 9 MSG/CC to develop new Disaster Control Group Battle Capt position. Led/conceived scenarios for 25 Survival Recovery Center (SRC) trainees; ORE EET member. Lead planner for CA State Air Force Association Convention; organized events/awards banquets for 330 dignitaries.

9th Communications Squadron, Beale AFB, CALeads 11 personnel serving as wing focal point for all network and computer security issues and programs for 5,500 users on the Beale AFB Metropolitan Area Network. Tracks base compliance with downward-directed Technical Computer Network Orders (TCNOs). Employs information protections software to monitor base network traffic, identifies vulnerabilities and detects unauthorized activity. Provides basewide Info Assurance (IA) awareness training and institutes security procedures to identify threat posture and counteract vulnerabilities. Manages anti-virus software; coordinates with higher headquarters for security incidents. Implemented AFCA Scope Edge network optimization changes—focused on/resolved security vulnerabilities. Developed spot-check program; 20 units compliant with network security measures—99% TCNO compliance. Overhauled INFOCON checklists—enabled immediate response to real-world threats. Improved base’ Network User License/IA Awareness CBT rate from 50% to 90%. Revamped classified message incident/virus checklists. Advocated 200+ firewall-access requests for ACC NOSC approval. Hosted ACC-NOSC-Centric phase II team; proxy server internal/external router perfectly transitioned in 2 hrs. Managed network rack/cable reorg—9 unused devices/24 racks labeled or removed, cables rerouted in 2.5 hrs. Forced password changes; resecured Beale’s network—reduced cracked passwords from 180 to 10 in 3 months. Led wing IA program, network security—made network tips pamphlet/net defense posters/briefed 8 Unit’s CC Calls. Educated users via 5 news articles—received net defense “Outstanding”/squadron overall “Excellent” ORI ratings. Spearheaded TCNO program fix—Beale noted #1 in ACC’s critical compliance area. Developed IA Crisis Action Team (IACAT)/Threat Working Group procedures; graded “Outstanding” in ORI. Led office from “Marginal” to “Excellent” ORI rating in just 2 months.

9Th Mission Support Group, Beale Afb, Ca

Selected to assist director of 1600 personnel in 8 divisions. Wrote and edited speeches, correspondence, reports, and policy. Facilitated first-place, USAF $1.1M excellence award. State convention lead planner. Led outreach to 60 students with 120 volunteers.Provides worldwide support for 9th Reconnaissance Wing, including home-station sustainment, deployment, and global expeditionary operations from Beale AFB, four overseas detachments, and various SECDEF-directed, contingency operating locations. Supports AFSPC’s West Coast PAVE PAWS SLBM/space tracking radar facility, AFRC’s 940 ARW, and 13 other associate units. Develops/executes group-wide administrative policy. Key advisor to the 9th Mission Support Group (MSG) Commander on procedural/personnel issues impacting the 1600 members. Primary conduit to the commander for all executive correspondence, awards, reports, and message traffic; ensures timely execution of commander’s policy/direction. Oversees administrative staff; levies and tracks suspenses on seven squadrons for numerous reports, packages, and personnel products. Serves as alternate MSG Resource Advisor; assists in management of $36.2M operating budget. Initiated communication upgrades for Dock 6 renovation and $1.4M canine kennel for Global Hawk beddown. Finalized $5M land-mobile radio trunking system; provided 10-mile off-base coverage. Coordinated AT&T wireless cellular phone program updates; latest technology integrated into base blueprint. Chaired record-setting Combined Federal Campaign; raised 139% of goal; over $104K. Filled long-vacant AF Association Secretary position; immediately recruited 3 CGOs.

Nato Hq, Brussels, Belgium

Liaison between Deputy Secretary of Defense-Europe and NATO foreign diplomatic officials. Office communications specialist; safeguarded classified information; wrote and edited diplomatic correspondence to support communication with, and visits by, the President, Secretaries of State and Defense, and Foreign Ministers.Office communications specialist; managed office actions, scheduled appointments, handled/safeguarded classified information, wrote/edited diplomatic correspondence; administered $234,000 travel budget utilized by 48 senior officials.Professional courtesy/attention to detail instrumental during dignitary visits; supported U.S. President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense visits, and Post-9/11 Article 5 decisions.

Ramstein, Germany.

Sembach, Germany

Managed office activities for director and 130 personnel. Wrote and edited briefings, awards, performance reports, and correspondence. Conducted writing classes. Received 2 civilian of the year awards, and several quarterly and performance awards.

Graduate Certificate, Copyediting, 95%

Activities and Societies: Completed 3 of 4 courses to date; full certificate award June 2018.Copyediting—especially nonfiction editing—is.

M.S., Management Information Systems

Through Univ of Maryland, Overseas Division

Various

--2020 Master Gardener; Univ of WY Extension; 40 hrs --2018 UCSD Copyediting Graduate Certificate; 96% GPA; 120 hours --2016 Advanced.

B.A., Industrial/Organization Psychology

Toward B.A. At Marshall Univ., Psychology

Education record