Robert Colston, MPA

Experience

• 

  US Army

  Jul 1999 - Aug 2021

  Battalion Operations Sergeant for the largest Civil Affairs Battalion (436 CA BN) with an assigned strength of 273 Soldiers and 8 Department of the Army Civilians; leader development program manager responsible for reviewing and input of all Battalion school requests ranging from initial qualification to executive leadership certifications; review, approve and edit unit duty and training schedules; program manager for submission and distribution of all individual training orders for both annual training and schools; Citibank Government Travel Credit Card agency program coordinator for 5 subordinate organizations; responsible for all Battalion ammunition forecasting and accountability-valued in excess of 75K; principal technical trainer for all subordinate command teams in multiple training systems (Defense Training Management System, Command strength Management Module, Individual Training Record System, Defense Travel System); regularly analyze data and present advise and the Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, and Supervisory Staff Administrator in training matters of interest; served as lead POC for Battalion Best Warrior competition. Show less Served as the G3/7 Operations Sergeant Major for the 104th Training Division with an assigned strength of 2,485 Soldiers and 44 Department of the Army Civilians; leader development program manager responsible for reviewing and approving all Division school requests ranging from initial qualification to executive leadership certifications; reviewed, approved and edited unit duty and training schedules; program manager for approving all individual training orders for both annual training and schools; Citibank Government Travel Credit Card agency program coordinator for 17 subordinate organizations; maintained positive control of $682,216.47 in schools and annual training funds and $1.2 million in travel funds; responsible for all Division ammunition forecasting and accountability-valued in excess of 800K; principal technical trainer for all subordinate command teams in multiple training systems (Defense Training Management System, Command strength Management Module, Individual Training Record System, Defense Travel System); regularly advised the Division Commanding General, Command Sergeant Major, and Civilian Executive Officer in training matters of interest; served as lead POC for Division Best Warrior competition. Show less Served as a First Sergeant of a 32 manned Civil Affairs Company (A/443 CA BN) stationed in both Newport, RI and forward deployed to Djibouti, Africa. Was responsible for the train-up, certification and execution needed to deploy in support if a contingency operation (Operation Enduring Freedom) to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Such duties included: Ensuring all attended the prescribed military education, maintained personnel administrative data, accountability, evaluations, readiness reports, medical and dental preparedness and overall health, morale and welfare for the company soldiers. Served as the senior enlisted advisor to the company commander and liaison to the Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major for all enlisted matters relating to my company as well as company liaison to the joint staff serving the Commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa . Deployed to Nanyuki, Kenya to establish rapport with Kenyan Army Brigade staff and assist the staff in planning a validation exercise to certify the training for the Kenyan Rapid Deployment Capability (KRDC), which resulted in a successful validation. The deployment was proved to be an absolute success in all verifiable metrics. Show less Served as the Battalion Operations Sergeant for a Civil Affairs Battalion (443 CA BN) with an assigned strength of 203 Soldiers and 4 Department of the Army Civilians; leader development program manager responsible for reviewing and input of all Battalion school requests ranging from initial qualification to executive leadership certifications; review, approve and edit unit duty and training schedules; program manager for submission and distribution of all individual training orders for both annual training and schools; Citibank Government Travel Credit Card agency program coordinator for 5 subordinate organizations; responsible for all Battalion ammunition forecasting and accountability-valued in excess of 75K; principal technical trainer for all subordinate command teams in multiple training systems (Defense Training Management System, Command strength Management Module, Individual Training Record System, Defense Travel System); regularly advised the Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, and Supervisory Staff Administrator in training matters of interest; served as lead POC for Battalion Best Warrior competition. Show less Deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and served as a Team Leader for a 5 man Civil Affairs Team primarily based out of Kirkuk, Iraq. During my deployment, I was responsible for: Having expert knowledge and advice to the Combatant Commander in all aspects related to Civil Military Operations within the area of operations, overall success and failures of my Civil Affairs Team, mission and soldier readiness, equipment accountability valued over two million dollars. My team and I completed over 200 city council meetings throughout 2 different provinces and 4 districts resulting in the economic and infrastructure development projects unseen in previous rotations. These projects included a 600K electric substation, ‘Sons of Iraq” economic stimulus, economic analysis of a local market, 3.5K micro grants to business owners. Additionally, I served as the advisor to various city council chairman and advisor to mayors to improve efficiency and serve their community better. The stimulus and improved communication flow ultimately reduced IED activity in my province 45%. Due to my teams success’, I was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Show less Served as the Assistant Battalion Operations Sergeant for a Civil Affairs Battalion with an assigned strength of 203 Soldiers and 4 Department of the Army Civilians; leader development program manager responsible for reviewing and input of all Battalion school requests ranging from initial qualification to executive leadership certifications; review, approve and edit unit duty and training schedules; program manager for submission and distribution of all individual training orders for both annual training and schools; Citibank Government Travel Credit Card agency program coordinator for 5 subordinate organizations; responsible for all Battalion ammunition forecasting and accountability-valued in excess of 75K; regularly advised the Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, and Supervisory Staff Administrator in training matters of interest; served as lead POC for Battalion Best Warrior competition. Show less Deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and served as a Civil Affairs Sergeant. During my time in Iraq, I assisted in initial reconstruction efforts through the Civil Military Operations Cell. I processed damage claims for local Iraqis using Solatia payments and projects using CERP funds. Assisted command by using my mechanic skills and abilities in order to keep the unit fleet running. Completed battle damage assessments on fleet and assisted in the rebuilding of broken down vehicles. Awarded Bronze Star Medal for service (was lowest ranking soldier in command awarded medal). Show less

  • Operations Manager (NCOIC)

    Jul 2017 - Aug 2021

  • Division Operations NCO

    Aug 2014 - Jul 2017

  • First Sergeant

    Jun 2012 - Aug 2014

  • Battalion Operations NCOIC

    Dec 2009 - Jun 2012

  • Civil Affairs Team Leader

    Oct 2008 - Nov 2009

  • Assistant Operations NCO

    Dec 2005 - Sept 2008

  • Civil Affairs SGT

    Jul 2002 - Dec 2005

  • Civil Affairs Team Sergeant

    May 2005 - Sept 2005

  • Civil Affairs Sergeant

    Feb 2003 - Dec 2003

  • Mechainc

    Jul 1999 - Jul 2002
• 

  Trimac Transportation

  Jan 2004 - Dec 2005

  Fleet Mechanic

  Served as fleet mechanic. Responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement of component parts to fleet trailers and tractors. Conducted welding repairs. Was youngest mechanic in shop and was promoted to night foreman.

• 

  J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

  Feb 2021 - Aug 2021

  Manager In Training Skillbridge

  Build and maintain positive professional relationships with drivers and safe, reliable outside carriers to ensure seamless new carrier set-up, minimize turnover and maximize ongoing productivity.Assign loads and plan, route, and monitor freight movement to provide safe, on-time service and meet customer requirements, including managing exceptions on that freight and driver ETA adjustments based on pick-up and delivery schedules, and other environmental factors on the road.Maintain the Company's safety culture to include daily driver safety messages, monthly driver safety briefings, quarterly driver training, annual reviews, and enforce company policies to ensure DOT compliance and company safety requirements are being met.Work with drivers, customers, and company personnel to resolve service issues, routing and/or planning, mechanical problems, accessorial pay related issues, etc. as they occur throughout the day and, where necessary, when on call.Oversee and assist in warehouse management operations for Ross Stores. Responsible for the daily unload, route and storage of over 14,000 boxes for 96 Ross department stores throughout central Florida. Perform administrative duties such as payroll, management of the Net-Revenue budget, driver counseling, accident reviews, filing and documenting, resolving pay issues, analyzing P&L statements, invoicing and/or creating operational or financial reports.Manage inventory, assets, customer pools and/or assignment of drivers to balance equipment in market.Conduct analysis of fleet operations and profitability and make recommendations for continuous improvement, determine and measure key performance indicators, and create, maintain and present customer specific reporting and financial analysis through face-to-face interactions at customer location.Utilize personnel management including training and orientation of drivers and/or employees including the training and assistance with internal and third party systems. Show less

• 

  Helget Gas Products

  Aug 2021 - now

  Logistics Operations Manager

  As the Logistics Operations Manager at Helget Gas Products in Orlando, I oversaw the success of the Orlando Branch, serving over 3,000 restaurant/ resort and hotel customers. My role involved managing a team of 9 drivers, overseeing a fleet of 6 vehicles, distribution if over 2 million Lbs. of CO2 annually, distribution of over 1 million cylinders containing various gasses, equipment installations, and ensuring compliance with DOT regulations. I collaborated with various teams to meet customer needs and drive operational excellence. Show less